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Senior Year & Beyond…
Post-Secondary & Assessment Counselor Resource to students and families Connection to college admissions representatives Assist in the college search and application process A+ Coordinator Organize assessments given at PCH and interpret results
▪ PSAT, State ACT
Individual Meetings Available 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Contact information: Nana Prange [email protected]
Call 314-415-7915 to schedule an appointment
? Credits = Diploma Senior Credit Letter (don’t panic!)
▪ Lists all requirements and what your student still needs to earn by May
▪ Should not be a surprise –created with your student in Jan!▪ Most seniors need 1.0 English and 2.0 electives
Contact your student’s counselor (Mrs. Spraggins, Mrs. Lange, Mr. Hussmann, Mrs. Greenwood)
Questions Special circumstances Correspondence courses
What is their plan?
PCH Matriculation Last Year: 4 year College (78%)
▪ In-state = 62% ▪ Out-of-state = 38% ▪ Private colleges = 25% ▪ Public colleges = 75%
2 year College (15%)
Gap Year (2%) Military (2%) Employment or Other (3%)
93%
Research Apply Complete and submit applications Request transcripts Send official test scores Make arrangements for other required materials
(recommendation letters and/or forms) Assess finances and funding options Complete the FAFSA (and CSS Profile, if necessary) October Submit scholarship applications Ongoing
Wait for decisions… (Weeks? Months?) Evaluate all options available Final decision made May 1 Campus orientations Summer Move to college next August
MON
Still needing to decide where to apply?
On-campus visits College rep visits to PCH or STL area
Upcoming visits are listed in Family Connection
College Fairs
Parkway Fair – 9/18 @ Queeny Park (6-8 pm)
National Fair – 10/22 @ SLU (1-4)
Consider majors offered Clubs/organizations available Online Research – Helpful Sites
See Handout
University of Missouri Columbia The University of Alabama
Missouri State University University of Kentucky
St. Louis Community College Miami University, Oxford
University of Kansas Missouri University of Science and Technology
Truman State University Vanderbilt University
Saint Louis University University of Colorado at Boulder
Washington University in St. Louis Loyola University Chicago
Southeast Missouri State University University of Missouri Kansas City
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Webster University
University of Missouri St. Louis Bradley University
Tulane University University of Arkansas
Maryville University University of Southern California
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville University of California, BerkeleyIndiana University at Bloomington DePaul University
University of Central Missouri Kansas State University
University of Michigan University of Wisconsin, Madison
Purdue UniversityAll had 7+ applicants from PCH
Reach school – credentials may meet or are below published admission standards. (All “highly selective” schools should be considered a reach school for every student.)
Target school – credentials are in published range Academic safety – credentials definitely meet or
exceed published standards for the school Financial safety – school is an academic safety and
meets your financial situation
If you are planning appropriately, you should not need to apply to more than 7-8 schools.
Goal = by end of September
Make a calendar of deadlines
Create a checklist of what each school wants
Ensure all schools are in Family Connection
Is there variety in selectivity?
A backup isn’t a backup if they won’t ever go!
Early Decision
Sign contract to enroll if admitted
Restrictive Early Action
Non-binding, but guidelines for applying early elsewhere
Rolling Admission▪ look for “Priority” deadlines
Early Action Regular Decision
Majority of apps
Here is an example shared from a former senior parent:
**Other ideas to include: acceptance rate, distance from home, student body size, student:faculty ratio, average GPA/ACT, personal notes from campus visit
See Handout
Stay organized and on top of deadlines
Ask questions along the way
What colleges will use to make admissions decisions
Online Fees ($0-$75+) Waivers available for qualifying students – see counselor
Watch priority and established deadlines For both admission and scholarship consideration
Types of Applications School specific apps (Kansas, Illinois, Texas, UC system)
Common App (500+ schools)
Coalition App (100+ schools) – new last year
Multiple options (Mizzou, Indiana, Bradley, Truman) Dual “Credit” v Dual “Enrollment” - never attended college Proofread before submitting. Spell-check isn’t enough!
Level of success after 6 semesters GPA (weighted, recalculated, core only) Rank – Parkway does not rank! (0 out of 0) Course selection – meet requirements by May Rigor (AP, dual credit) Senior year counts! Maintaining rigor, level of success, and fulfilling
admission requirements
Midyear grades (January)
Final transcript (May)
ACT ACT plus Writing SAT SAT Subject Tests AP Exams COMPASS – Community College TOEFL – International Applicants
Test Optional Schools? List is growing each year (850+) fairtest.org
actstudent.org
Superscore?
collegboard.org
Schools with calculated (“Guaranteed”) admission requirements
You’re likely done! (App, transcript, test scores)
Mizzou, MO State, SEMO, KU, Arkansas…
Schools with more competitive admissions processes (“Holistic review”)
Lots still to do!
Wash U, Tulane, Michigan, Stanford…
9th-12th grade Clubs, activities, organizations Honors, awards Employment Community service Leadership positions Family responsibilities
Use for admissions/scholarship applications
Zeemee – video resume – tell your story!
Some selective universities want to specifically offer admission to students who will accept
Show that they are the top choice by Applying early
Scheduling an official campus visit
Making multiple (thoughtful) contacts
Getting to know the rep for PCH (local fairs, high school visits, evening events in STL)
Current perspectives Speak of character, academic achievements and
potential for collegiate success and community engagement
Core teacher(s) and/or counselor Ask in person – don’t just email or assume it will happen Follow up as deadlines approach
Outside/additional recommenders Coaches, research mentors, community leaders, employers
Give at least 3 weeks notice (provide reminders) FERPA – colleges want to know that the letters have
remained confidential Encourage your student to write thank you notes
Common App forms are automatically required for Common App schools
Student requests from counselor Could be their alpha-assigned counselor or me
Student completes the “Counselor Recommendation Survey” in Family Connection if they want a full letter (not just forms)
Counselor must sign off on any Early Decision contracts, as well
Should be student’s voice Watch for signs of too much help/editing
Room of anonymous essays - - could you identify which one was written by your child?
Caution them from just repeating information already shared in application and/or resume
Should stay positive - - even if referencing a traumatic event, focus on the triumph
Remain on topic (them!) - - be sure the question has been answered
Some colleges ask students to write about why they have chosen to apply to their institution - - this cannot be generic!
Research is critical to answer this question Exposure during campus visits
Conversations with admissions reps
Discussions with peers who attend
Knowing specific classes you are excited to take
Which clubs/activities on campus are you eager to join Don’t say that you want to attend their school only
because you love their sports team!!
Be prepared to answer and ask questions Dress nicely Research the college prior to meeting Answer to the best of your ability Be ready to talk about yourself Avoid one-word responses Bring your resume Turn off your cell Follow up with hand-written thank you note
Div I or II Register with NCAA Clearinghouse Check requirements for eligibility
▪ Scale using core GPA and sum ACT▪ Geometry B is not an approved course for
NCAA eligibility
Send official test scores from testing agency Request transcript
If they aren’t being contacted by college coaches… http://new.berecruited.com
May not go on official school visit until registered!
Portfolios
Auditions
Deadlines!
May some times consider a special talent for admission even if non-degree seeking
Mizzou – will not accept test scores from PCH; no rec letters or essays; application date no longer used to determine housing selection priority (watch for housing contract in Nov)
KU, Illinios, UC schools – do not request transcript - - self report grades now; want only final transcript (in May) if you choose to attend
Mizzou, Truman, Indiana & Wisconsin – accepts Common App or school app, so you must indicate in FC which you are using
Be cautious of invitations from colleges to apply -- are you a competitive applicant for that school?
Colleges performing “holistic reviews” = no guarantee for anyone Colleges have budgets and run out of money; more likely to be
admitted and awarded scholarships if you apply earlier Admission decisions can be very confusing Universities have annual “agendas” or strategic plans that are not
usually public knowledge If the college is tracking demonstrated interest, this is a very
subjective data point Selective universities do not have to provide financial incentives –
the “reward” is being admitted There are colleges who invite students to apply and then deny them Some colleges will admit wealthier students despite a more
marginal academic record
How will we pay for this?
www.fafsa.gov
Use this site ONLY! Applying is FREE.
Use the 4caster tool to determine potential
aid
Apply for your FSA ID now (fsaid.ed.gov)
Electronic signature for you and your student, so you will
both need ID
FAFSA will become available on October 1.
Use income information from 2016 to complete.
COA = Cost of Attendance
EFC = Expected Family Contribution Made up of the amount the parents “can” pay from their
income and assets + the amount the student can contribute from earnings plus savings account(s) + any amount that is being contributed as a non-repayable gift from any source.
The student and parents are responsible for paying what they can; financial aid is intended to supplementsuch efforts, not substitute for them.
Schools use your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) to prepare financial aid packages (grants, loans, work-study) to help meet your financial need.
If you have unusual circumstances that affect your financial situation, contact the college’s financial aid office to discuss.
Custodial Parent is responsible for filling out the FAFSA▪ Defined as the parent with whom the child has lived the most during the past
12 months
▪ If equal living, then the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months
Any child support and/or alimony received from the non-custodial parent must be included.
If the custodial parent is remarried, then the stepparent must report their income and assets, as well.
Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens to receive federal studentfinancial aid and state grants
More detailed information available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/non-us-citizens
College Scholarship Service Utilized by several hundred private
institutions. Use institutional methodology which differs
from the calculation performed by the federal government.
The CSS collects data and sends it directly to the college.
student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile
School specific scholarships
Admission application or separate application?
Local
Scholarship list in Family Connection
Scholarship Central
National
National Search in Family Connection (Sallie Mae)
See handout (“Helpful Websites”)▪ Create a separate email account for use on these sites
PCH Financial Aid Night
PCH Theater
September 13 from 6:30-8 pm
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
www.sfstl.org
Enroll Now Requirements
Cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5
95% attendance
50 hours tutoring (may include up to 25 Comm Serv)
Proficient or Advanced on Alg 1 EOC
Behavior/Citizenship (no major suspensions)
Scholarship Up to 6 semesters of tuition at any MO Comm Coll
May use this summer at STLCC for 2 free classes!
Some offers at MO 4 yr universities (Truman, MO State)
Going out of state, but wanting in-state tuition?? Not as common as you’d hope! Look for “Non-Resident” scholarships
Examples: KU (must apply by Nov 1 and have 24 ACT and 3.25)
Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi – value of scholarship tied to ACT and/or GPA
Murray State – tuition calculated by looking at average in-state tuition for Missouri
Some Illinois public schools (SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, Western Ill, Eastern Ill, Illinois State) – automatic if admitted
Where will they go?!
Admit Accept admission Deferred admission (postpone for one year)
Wait listed – not an offer of admission. You are admissible provided there is room, but don’t count on it! They will notify you no later than August 1st.
Deferred Decision – more information is needed to make final decision. New test scores? Midyear transcript?
Deny
Have conversations with financial aid offices Complete housing application Submit enrollment & housing deposits
▪ Check the refund policy
Compare offers and make final decision by May 1st
Inform all other colleges of your choice and asked to be removed from the enrollment list
Inquire about college course placement exams Register for a summer orientation Send final transcripts
▪ PCH in May
▪ Dual-credit (UMSL, MO Bap, MO State) in June
May be first time in their lives they have been told “no” about anything major
Hard not to take personally Many tie their admissions decisions to their
personal worth Talk through how they are feeling Explore and evaluate other options
Much of the disappointment can be decreased if they have a fantastic plan B!
What should you do now?
Resume builder Testive – ACT and SAT
prep (FREE!) Career searches Interest & personality
inventories
College visits Historical acceptance
data Scholarships Web resources
Check for resources Presentations Link to current trends and conversations
about college admissions
Central High Counseling
Senior Class
Follow us on Twitter so you don’t miss out on important dates, scholarships or events!
@PCH_Counseling
FREE program to help Parkway families on their college journey
Volunteers assist with:
identifying best college fit
selecting colleges to which you want to apply
preparing your applications and essays
Explore the program and sign up for a mentor at Mentors4College.org
Tips & Tricks Seminar
PCH Theater
September 5 or October 25
7-8 pm
A few words from Lois & Dave
“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”
-Frank Sachs, Former President NACAC
Question to ask: It is a good fit academically, socially and financially?
