Northview High School Counseling Program

Transcription

1 Northview High School Counseling Program

2 Post Junior Status Conference Work Ahead Now that you have met with your counselor for your junior status conference, you may be wondering, what do I need to do now? We wanted to take a few minutes to remind you of some important topics we covered in your meeting and to give you a focus from April through August We are here to help you through May 28 th, please us or stop by to fill out an appointment slip Review Junior Advisement Power Point and checklist

3 Junior Status Checklist Credits and Courses needed for graduation. EOCT/GHSGT needed for graduation. How to start researching colleges (websites, official college visits, college fairs, ing admissions) The importance of picking at least ONE safety school when applying to colleges. The difference between reach, match and safety schools. How to search for scholarships and financial aid opportunities (independent websites, our website, financial aid page of college website). The importance of attending a financial aid workshop and of filling out the FAFSA. Where to locate 11 th grade advisement materials on our site: How to calculate a general weighted and un-weighted academic gpa with disclosure that all colleges calculate it differently and to check with them on their exact process. Recommendation to take the SAT/ACT at least once in the junior year and up to three times. Recommendation to check to see if colleges you are applying to require SAT Subject Tests, how many, and in which subjects and to make proper arrangements to take them. HOPE Scholarship information/eligibility requirements. The importance of choosing the proper schedule for admission to the college of your choice (making sure you are not missing a course you need for admission, especially with out of state colleges). The importance of not overloading academically in the senior year and of taking teacher recommendations/pre-requisites seriously (taking into account extracurricular activities and time commitments). Schedule changes will not be made in the fall.

4 Junior Status Checklist How to get back on track if necessary: PLATO, Online courses, Summer School, etc. Information about transcript/evaluation/recommendation request process and financial aid will take place at the beginning of the senior year. NCAA requirements. Specifics for my sport must be discussed with my coach and/or athletic director. Counselors do not make recommendations or advise on course selection or graduation requirements in regard to NCAA. The counseling office will ask for 15 business days to complete an evaluation/recommendation prior to the colleges stated application deadline. It is recommended I start my applications in the summer prior to senior year and it was recommended that I start an organizational notebook or other organizational format to keep track of college research, SAT, deadlines, applications, financial aid, SAT/ACT scores, etc. Summer applications to college will not be processed until after Labor Day. The importance of retaining your final transcript/report card mailed at the end of junior year for self-reporting of courses and grades on many college applications. It is recommended that students waive their right to view a college application if they wish for a confidential letter of recommendation or evaluation be written by a counselor. If you chose to not waive your rights, only grade and course information will be sent. The importance of checking the counseling website, having a working address in our distribution list and checking it often, and/or following us on Facebook. My counselor answered any additional questions that I had and told me that I could come in to see him/her as many times as needed to get comfortable with the process. You should have a copy of this checklist and we have also posted it online for your review!

5 Scheduling Issues These all need to be resolved by May 28 th! May 28 th is the LAST date to make a change for your school year Be sure that you have checked with all of your possible colleges to be sure you have met entrance requirements. We cannot add in arts, social studies, pe, computer courses, etc, if you realize in August that you need it for admission Be sure that you submitted alternate choices as your final verification form is NOT your actual schedule.

6 Online programs this summer Rising Seniors who have decided to take Personal Fitness, Economics, American Govt, or Gen Health over the summer MUST turn in their off campus course forms ASAP to have the course removed from the senior schedule Students must apply and PAY for these courses by May 28 th for enrollment. Any applications past the 28 th will not be processed and the class will not be put back on your schedule

7 Summer Programs Students planning to attend summer programs that require application and approval may require a transcript. Be sure to request a transcript through Ms. Boatwright in counseling by May 28 th. Students must print a paper transcript request form and submit it with your $3.00 fee and a self addressed envelope with stamps to Ms. Boatwright by this date. Form is located under college/career tab on counseling site:

8 College Visits over Summer Many of you may have visited college campuses previously or over spring break. What did you learn??????? Continue to visit colleges over summer. This is the #1 best way for you to decide if a school is a good fit for you or not Bring a list of questions to ask the admissions counselors. Most questions you have will need to be answered by the specific college. Bring a copy of your transcript/schedule Sample questions and college visit checklist can be found on our website.

9 Getting Ready to Apply Make sure you have taken the SAT/ACT at least once, preferably twice before June This will leave you one more opportunity in Sept/October 2013 to take one more to meet early action deadlines. You will have additional time if you will apply in January-March. Be sure you have taken SAT II subject tests, if they are required Keep track of where you have sent your SAT/ACT scores Still unsure? Take the PRA (Princeton Review Assessment) on April 27 th. There is still time to register online and pay your $20

10 Getting Ready to Apply Keep track of the colleges you are interested in applying to Start an organizational notebook or electronic file tracking application deadlines, course and gpa requirements, SAT/ACT requirements, and essay requirements You should be 95% ready to go in August if you are applying to schools with early deadlines

11 Getting Ready to Apply You will be asked to fill out a Senior Information Sheet in the Fall to give to your counselor to assist us with evaluations and letters of recommendation Gather your documents, awards, community service hours and activities in a resume format You will be busy in the fall so getting this together in the summer will assist you in getting this to us in August We may change the format, but here is a link to the form to check it out:

12 Senior Information Sheet Sample Questions Please list hobbies, interests and special talents you have. Three words that best describe you are Why? What are you most proud of? For example, community service project, helping someone in need, accomplishment at work or in school, competing at sports etc. Please write a short general statement about yourself (your strengths and weakness) that will help me know you better. Please include what sets you apart from others. Other comments/experiences you would like to share that will help me write your recommendation, such as an obstacle you overcame academically, physically, or personally. Name four teachers at Northview who know you best who I can ask for additional feedback about you.

13 College Essays Once the college rolls over their application for Fall (usually early August) you can begin working on applications and essay Be sure to save and come back to your essay. You may want to ask your Language Arts teacher to proof read for grammar and content in the fall before submitting Be sure to remember our stance on waiving your rights to view the application and what this means

14 Common Application Essay Prompts Big changes coming to Common Application Information found here: Docs/DownloadForms/2013/EssayAnnouncem entfinal.pdf Start thinking about this now and write some rough drafts if you are thinking about applying to colleges through Common Application A link to member institutions is here: Members.aspx

15 Common Application Essay Prompts Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.) Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

16 How to get transcripts and letters Our office is closed during the summer and the counselors off contract We will meet with you in August to review our new process for requesting transcripts/letters No transcripts will be processed prior to Labor Day. They will not be ready until early September Class rank will not be ready until that time either You will have plenty of time prior to the earliest deadline of October 15 th Remember that you will need to give us 15 business days prior to any deadline if an evaluation or letter is required

17 Scholarships Start searching for scholarships for college. Three ways: Check the financial aid page of any college you are applying to Look on scholarship search engines such as Fast Web or GCIS (refer to our helpful website sheet under junior advisement materials) Check the NHS Counseling Department website for a list of running scholarships, including MANY local and school specific scholarships Our site also lists Summer programs you may be interested in.

18 Check our website-facebook-twitter

19 Q & A We will post this power point to the Junior Advisement tab on our website today Review all materials on Junior Advisement tab and ask us questions before May 28 th Ask the college admissions office questions over the summer Come back ready to go WE ARE HERE TO HELP BUT THE RESEARCH AND DECISIONS ARE YOURS!!!!!