COLLEGE COUNTDOWNOne step at a time

CLASS OF 2017PA R K L A N D M A G N E T H I G H S C H O O L C O U N S E LO R S

M AY 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

“Your future depends on many things, but mostly you.”

--Frank Tyger

First and Foremost

• Be on a path to Graduate!!!• classes • grades • attendance • knowledge

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSClass of 2017

•15 credits to be a Senior

•22 credits to graduate

•4 English

•4 Math (must include a math above Algebra 2)

•4 Science (Biology, Earth/Environmental, a Physical science & an elective science)

•4 Social Studies (World History, Civics, American History 1 & 2)

•PE 1 & 2 or Dance 1A & 1B

•Health & Life Management Skills

•CPR Pass

•2 courses in a Foreign Language (4 year college)

WHAT’S NEXT?

“WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE, THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE: THOSE WHO LET IT HAPPEN, THOSE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN, AND THOSE WHO WONDER WHAT JUST HAPPENED.”

--JOHN M. RICHARDSON, JR.

Step 1: Know YOU • Why am I going to college?

• What am I good at?

• What are my favorite subjects in high school?

• Would I do well in a big school? Small school?

• What careers interest me?

• What majors interest me?

• Am I excited about living far from home?

• Am I good at time management?

• Will I get myself to class on my own?

• How can I better prepare myself for college?

Step 2: Research College Options

Websites for college searches include. . .

www.collegeboard.com

www.CFNC.org

www.cappex.com

www.collegenet.com

www.Petersons.com

There are over 4,100 colleges and universities in the US and 110 in North Carolina alone.

College Fit – One size does NOT fit all

Location

Weather

Geography

Majors/Programs

Academic reputation

Size (class size/college size)

Dorm life

Cost

Financial Aid

Clubs/Sports

Graduation Rate

Career Services

Coop/Internship Opportunities

Step 3: Start the Application

Apply online!!

• The Common Application (www.commonapp.org)

• College Foundation (www.cfnc.org )

• Individual College Websites

Example: www.towson.edu

Where do I get an

application?

The anatomy of a college application

Application Deadline Lingo

Early Decision: apply early, find out early, binding decision – ED to only 1 school (Oct – Nov)

Early Action: same as early decision but not binding (Oct – Nov)

Regular Decision: application submitted by Jan usually – March decision

Pooled Admissions: all applications are reviewed at the same time

Rolling Admissions: applications are reviewed as they are received

Step 4: Take the ACT/SAT TEST

FIRST FALL TEST FOR THE SAT IS IN OCTOBER

• REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.COLLEGEBOARD.COM

FIRST FALL TEST FOR THE ACT IS IN SEPTEMBER

• YOUR SCORES FROM SCHOOL TEST IN MARCH?

• REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ACT AND SAT

Students must enter schools to receive scores at registration OR pay to send scores after testing. PMHS cannot send official test scores.

Testing FeesSAT = $54.50 w/ essay (2015-16)

ACT = $56.50 w/ writing (2015-16)

SAT Subject Tests have a $26 base fee per test date plus $16 for each Subject Test on that date ($26 for Language Listening Tests).

Late registration fees apply ($28 and $25)

Request a fee waiver in guidance (2) w/ child nutrition letter

Use an SAT fee waivers and earn 4 college application fee waivers

Make sure you have your scores sent to colleges!!

SAT Subject Tests•Hour long, content based tests in specific subject areas

•20 tests across these areas: English, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science – students can take up to 3 subject tests at one testing session

•Colleges may use them for course placement or admission purposes

Test Prep

Free test prep courses & questions at:www.cfnc.org

https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

www.collegeboard.com

www.actstudent.org

Review previously learned math concepts

READ to increase your vocabulary

How do I send my SAT/ACT scores?High Schools do NOT send SAT or ACT scores to colleges. Scores are not included on your transcript.

***When you register for a test, you must choose which schools you want your scores sent to.

You may request additional scores later directly from the testing companies, but normally an additional fee is required.

Step 5: Send a transcriptSend an electronic transcript to any NC college or university immediately via your CFNC.org portfolio

If using the Common App, submit your counselors email address - we will upload an electronic transcript to your portfolio

Fill out a Transcript Request Card in the Guidance Office. Mrs. Lucas will return an official transcript to you or will mail it directly to a college.

Do not request a transcript until you have completed and submitted each college application!

All college applications will require an OFFICIAL high school transcript.

Step 6: Letters of recommendation

•Make good choices when requesting letters!

•Check applications for recommendation forms or required Counselor Statements

•Give adequate time for completing a recommendation – ask before you leave for the summer!

•Provide the recommender with a resume or brag sheet (email your electronic version!)

•Do not open or re-use recommendations once they are sealed!

Step 7: Write Your Essay

PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD!

Then have someone else PROOFREAD it, too!

Your essay should reflect your personality.

Ask friends/family to read it, and if it “sounds like you”, you’re on the right track!

Step 8: Pay Application Fees• Fee waivers are available if you’ve used an SAT fee waiver

• If you use an SAT fee waiver, 4 application fee waivers will be available in your College Board portfolio (online only)

• College Application Week in November 2016

• If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, you can still request one from a college if you have extenuating circumstances. Talk to your school counselor and/or the College Admissions office.

Application fees range from $30 - $90

Step 9: SUBMIT•When all of the application pieces that you need to complete are entered, spell-checked, proofread, and rechecked – hit SUBMiT to send your application to your colleges of choice.

Step 10: Complete the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA when it opens in October 2016 www.FAFSA.gov

Some schools require the CSS Profile BEFORE the FAFSA

Types of Financial Aid: • Scholarships • Grants• Work-Study• Loans

Step 11: Search/Apply for Scholarships•Check individual college websites• http://scholarships.appstate.edu/

•Local/National Scholarship websites • www.fastweb.com• www.wsfoundation.org• www.collegeboard.com

•Big $$$$ scholarship deadlines come early in the fall!

•Scholarships require WORK and persistence

•Check out the Scholarship Newsletter – emailed to your SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS

Common Mistakes to avoid. . .

•Failure to read application directions

•Incomplete applications

•Errors and typos (SS#, names)

•Missed deadlines

•Applying to only 1 college

•Lack of rigorous courses senior year

•Waiting too late for recommendations

•Not proofreading essays

D1 and D2 Student Athletes•If you plan to play sports in college you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

•Visit http://www.ncaa.org/studentathletes/future/eligibility-center

•See your coach or Mrs. Tuttle for assistance.

What can you do this

•Refine your College list

•Visit Colleges

•Prep for the SAT/ACT

•Write and rewrite your college essay(s)

•Complete Brag Sheet/Resume – due 9/1/16

Your Personal ResumeStart building your resume now!

Senior Brag sheet is due 9/1/2016

What sets you apart? (complete worksheet)

You don’t have to be great at everything! Colleges want students who will bring something unique to their campus. Focus on something you love and be great at that!

Senior Year HappeningsSr meetings with counselors

SAT/ACT testing for senior scores

College fair in October

Organize college materials by deadline

Visit the PMHS counseling website regularly

Scholarship & Financial Aid Workshops

We’re here to help!

School Counselors

Shirley Davis (last names A - D)

Kendra Britto (last names E- K)

Amy Samek (last names L-Mi)

Karrie Tuttle (last names Mo-Q)

Jessica Williams (last names R-Z)

IB Coordinator: Laurel Lokant