College Prep Guide to Senior Year College & Career Development

Transcription

1 College Prep Guide to Senior Year College & Career Development

2 Table of Contents Senior Year Welcome Letter College Counseling Info... 4 Senior Year Responsibilities Timeline... 5 College Application Process... 6 On-site Admissions & Presentations College Essay Writing Tips... 8 College Entrance Exams ACT vs. SAT ACT Registration & Reminders ACT Test Prep Resources SAT Registration & Reminders FAFSA Process Overview Completing the FAFSA Types of Financial Aid Scholarship Research Tips Scholarship Research Resources Appendix Naviance Student Moble App Quick Guide A PrepMe Student Quick Guide B Parchment Flyer..C College Application Cover Sheet..D Letter of Recommendation Request Form... E College Costs Assessment Form F College Prep Check-out Form G College Prep Guide to Senior Year

3 Dear Class of 2015, Welcome to your senior year! This is your year to secure your post-secondary options. As you are striving to successfully complete your final year of high school; you will also start preparing for life after high school. With your college and career goals in mind, let that motivate your daily decisions. Your college prep team is dedicated to your senior year responsibilities and will guide you through the college preparation process; including the application process, financial aid processes as well as securing scholarships. Please make time to come talk to your counselor in order to get acquainted! Please your appointment requests. Your college counselor is here to ensure you are on track for graduation and have established a solid post-secondary plan. Please schedule an appointment to meet with your counselor regarding your graduation progress and for (re)establishing your college plan. Your college prep coordinator is also available to assist you along the way with college admissions processes and procedures. This handbook will serve as a guide to your senior year responsibilities, the college admissions process, and my office policies and expectations. Please keep it in a safe place and use it often. The information inside will be a valuable resource for you throughout the year. Congratulations on your accomplishments thus far. We look forward to guiding you on your road to continued success in high school, college, and beyond! Sincerely, Venus Crosby Director of College & Career Development University Prep Schools venus.crosby@uprepschools.com cc: Carl Yiu College Counselor University Prep Academy carl.yiu@uprepschools.com Emphani Aldridge College Prep Coordinator University Prep Academy emphani.aldridge@uprepschools.com Rosalyn Jones College Counselor University Prep Science & Math rosalyn.jones@uprepschools.com Ashley Lane College Prep Coordinator University Prep Science & Math ashley.lane@uprepschools.com College Prep Guide to Senior Year

4 College Prep & Counseling Locations & Hours UPSM High School, First Floor (313) Hours of Operation Mon-Fri 7:45a-4:00p UPA High School, First Floor (Blue) (313) Office Policies 1. Scheduling: Students may schedule appointments via Naviance or walk-ins 2. Passes: Students will only be allowed in the office or resource center with a valid pass. Report to your teacher first to request a pass before coming to the office. 3. Walk-ins: Walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, only after scheduled appointments, and only for brief issues. Any issue requiring an extended discussion should be addressed via appointment, not walk-in. 4. Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule an appointment, please provide notice. Students who do not show up to appointments will receive lowest priority for future appointments. 5. Resources: Students may only use resource room computers when there is a counseling team member present, and with a pass. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

5 College Application Season Register and study for the Oct. ACT exam (deadline: Sep) Senior Year Responsibilities Timeline Senior Parent Meeting College Prep Processes (Sep) Request 3 letters of recommendation Schedule a college planning meeting with your college counselor or advisor TIP: Visit the College Resource Center for paper applications and college and scholarship resources September - November Finalize and record list of colleges you will apply/have applied to and record admissions decisions in Naviance Assemble resume, letters of recommendation, college essays, and college and scholarship application tracking sheets in your advisory college portfolio Participate in onsite admissions opportunities TIP: Attend the Detroit Scholarship Fair in Sep. to apply onsite to over 30 colleges Submit college applications TIP: Apply for Early Decision to your top schools (deadline: Nov. 1) Many scholarships can be contingent on this deadline. Attend NCAA Eligibility Meeting for future college athletes (Nov) Follow up with college admissions offices to make sure they have received all your documents Research and apply for private scholarships Financial Aid Season Financial Aid Night (Dec.) Apply for a FAFSA PIN number at (deadline: Dec. 31) Estimate your financial aid package at December February Parents gather personal documents and fill out paper FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to prepare to file online (see full list of documents needed on p. 14) Submit your FAFSA online at (deadline: Mar. 1) Receive and review Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy (arrives 2-4 weeks after submitting your FAFSA) Research and apply for private scholarships Update your college and scholarship application tracking sheet as you receive decisions Enrollment Season March June Follow up with college financial aid offices to make sure they received your FAFSA. See whether they require additional documents (e.g. federal tax returns, dependency verification worksheets) Submit additional financial documents as needed Receive and compare financial aid award packages from colleges Schedule a college financing meeting with your college counselor as need to assist with comparing financial aid packages or for additional decision-making assistance. Parents are welcome to schedule meetings with students. Submit College Prep Check-out form and attachments by April 30 th Make your acceptance choice and sign and return required financial aid forms and deposits (May 1 st ) Attend Scholars Brunch Scholarship Recognition Ceremony (May) Send final transcript and student loan applications Schedule orientation dates and deadlines for tuition and room and board payments College Prep Guide to Senior Year

6 College Application Process Students must log all college application submissions and admissions decisions via your Naviance: Family Connection account! Paper Applications Where are they located? Michigan Public, Private, and Community colleges are available in the College Resource Center Can be printed off from college websites Directly from a college admissions representative Where do I submit paper documents for mailing? Submit all application materials to your College Counselor Completely filled out Signed and dated Attach a cover sheet Must include any fee or fee waiver Any application supplements can also be submitted for mailing as needed Online Applications Print and submit any and all counselor pages from online applications (if applicable) Use the Common App for applicable schools for online submission (include counselor s ) Update your Naviance: Family Connection account with all online application submissions Many schools strongly recommend using online applications! Application Payment Options Fee waivers can be received from College Counselor (if eligible) Check/Money Order Credit/Debit Cards (online) No paper applications will be mailed without the required payment option! Transcripts Request transcript delivery to the college(s) of your choice upon completion of each application: All requests are made via only! (See Parchment Flyer) Includes official and unofficial transcripts Letters of Recommendations for Applications Complete a Recommendation Request Form for all recommenders Give counselors and teachers at least 2-weeks notice for a solid recommendation Keep resume updated on Naviance: Family Connection for counselors/advisors to access for apps. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

7 Extra-Curricular Activities Section on Applications Includes anything done outside of regular coursework Volunteer Work, Internships, Sports, etc. Application Tracking The college counseling office monitor the status of all college applications you submit via paper or online sources. In the event you apply to a college online, please inform your counselor by submitting a cover sheet upon submission. It is your primary responsibility to keep track of all your college applications and make sure that colleges receive all required documents. You should allow 2-4 weeks to follow up with admissions offices after submitting your application to ensure that they have received everything they need. Track all of your application submissions and admissions decisions via Naviance. You should be updating your account regularly with this information. Please include all scholarship award offers as well. Please submit all paper college applications for mailing and acceptance letters in the College Resource Center. This helps us better assist you as well as acknowledge your achievements. Every senior is required to submit 3 college admissions letters from a post-secondary institution (including: 4-year college or university, community college, trade or vocational school, U.S. military, or employer) in order to graduate. On-site Admissions Policies Please log in your Naviance account to view and sign up for on-site admissions and presentations as they become available 1. Signing Up: Sign-up sheets for upcoming onsite admissions will be listed in Naviance. Be sure to submit paper or complete online application at least 48 hours in advance of on-site. 2. Deadlines: Students must sign up no later than one week in advance. Only students whose names are on the official roster will be allowed to attend. 3. Application Packet: Students must compile and submit a complete application packet to the counseling office at least two school days before the college visit. The college application packet should include the following: a. College application (completed paper version or submitted online) b. Essays c. Letters of recommendation d. Fee waivers (if required) 4. Acceptances: If you are admitted onsite, congratulations! Drop a copy of your acceptance letter in your college counselor s Award Letter Tray and update your college application tracking sheet in advisory. Admissions Presentations The admissions presentations are open to any student interested in learning more about a specific college, university, or military branch. If you would like to attend a presentation, please feel free to sign up with via your Naviance account under the colleges tab. Spaces may be limited. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

8 Writing a College Essay: Top Ten Tips Start early. The more time you have, the less stress you'll have. You'll have plenty of time to give the essay your best effort. Be yourself. Take a moment to think about what interests you, what you love to talk about, what makes you sit up and take notice if it's mentioned in class or on TV. Then write about it. One of the biggest mistakes students make is "writing what they think others want to hear, rather than about an issue, event, or person that really had significance for them," says the dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton College (NY). An essay like that is not just boring to write, it's boring to read. Be honest. You're running late (see #1), you can't think of what to write, and someone s you a heartwarming story. With just a tweak here and there, it could be a great essay, you think. It's what you would have written if you'd just had enough time. Don't be fooled! College admission officers have read hundreds, even thousands of essays. They are masters at discovering any form of plagiarism. Adapting an story, buying an essay from some Internet site, getting someone else to write your essay, admission people have seen it all. Don't risk your college career by taking the easy way out. Take a risk. On the other hand, some risks can pay off. Don't settle for the essay that everyone else is writing. Imagine an admission officer up late, reading the fiftieth essay of the day, yours. Do you want that person to nod off because he or she has already read ten essays on that topic? "The danger lies not in writing bad essays but in writing common essays, the one that admission officers are going to read dozens of," says an associate director of college counseling at Mercersburg Academy (PA). "My advice? Ask your friends what they are writing, and then don't write about that!" Keep in focus. This is your chance to tell admission officers exactly why they should admit you. Unfortunately, some students try to list every single reason, their stellar academic record, their athletic prowess, their community service, all in a page or two. When that happens, the essay looks like a grocery list. Even though the Common Application main essay has only a suggested minimum of 250 words, and no upper limit, every admissions officer has a big stack to read every day; he or she expects to spend only a couple of minutes on the essay. If you go over 700 words, you are straining their patience, which no one should want to do. Instead, read the essay question carefully and jot down a few ideas. Then choose the one that looks like the most fun to write about. Stick to that main theme throughout the essay. You don't have to list all your achievements, that's what the rest of the application is for. Use the essay in a creative way to help the admission officers get to know you as a person. Write and rewrite. Don't try to write a masterpiece on your first try. It's not possible, and all that pressure is likely to give you writer's block. For your first draft, write anything that comes to mind about your topic. Don't worry too much about grammar or spelling. Just get it down on paper (or computer screen). Then let it "rest" for a few hours or a few days. When you come back to the draft, look for ways to make it more focused and better written. Some people are "fat" writers: they write long, wordy first drafts that need to be shortened later. Others are "skinny" writers: they write short and simple first drafts and then need to add details or examples to "flesh out" the skeleton. Either way, don't be afraid to make major changes at this stage. Are there details that don't really relate to the topic? Cut them. Do you need another example? Put it in. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

9 Here are two other things to try, suggested by a college counselor. Remove the introductory and concluding paragraphs, and then see if your essay seems stronger. These paragraphs are often the most likely to have unnecessary detail. Go through the essay and cut out every "very" and every "many." Words like these are vague, and your writing is often stronger without them. Get a second opinion. Even best-selling novelists ask other people to read their manuscripts before they're sent to the publisher. When you've rewritten the essay to your satisfaction, find someone who can give you advice on how to make it even better. Choose a person you respect and who knows something about writing, a favorite English teacher, a parent, or a friend who writes for the school paper. Ask them to tell you what they like best about your essay, and what you can do to improve it. Criticism of your writing can be tough to hear, but try to listen with an open mind. You don't have to make every change suggested, after all, it's your essay and no one else's, but you should seriously consider each suggestion. Proofread. Finally, you're ready to send your essay. Not so fast! Read it over one more time, looking for those little errors that can creep in as you write or edit. If you're using a computer, also run a spell check. Sometimes, it can be difficult to catch minor typos you've read the essay so many times that you see what should be there rather than what is there. To make sure you catch everything, try reading your essay out loud or having someone else read it out loud to you. Another strategy is to read the essay backward, from the last sentence to the first. That makes it just unfamiliar enough for errors to stand out. Be accurate. Applying online is just as serious as applying "the old-fashioned way." It may feel like you're sending , but you're not. "One thing I've often seen is that students who apply online submit sub-par essays," says the director of admission at Oregon Institute of Technology. The director has found that essays submitted online tend to be much shorter than those submitted on paper. In addition, students often use language, no capitalization, or abbreviations such as BTW or "thanx, "which are not appropriate to a formal document. Make sure that you put as much effort into an online essay as you would if you were sending it snail mail. Don't expect too much from an essay. The application essay is important, but it's not the only thing that is considered. "Can [the essay] make a difference in getting the 'thin versus thick' envelope? Absolutely, but that is the exception rather than the rule." That's because admission officers look at the whole package, your academics, extracurricular activities, standardized tests, and other factors. A great essay rarely makes up for a weak academic record. On the other hand, a mediocre essay won't necessarily consign your application to the "deny" list. So make your essay as well-written as you can, but don't put so much pressure on yourself that the rest of the application fades in importance. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

10 College Entrance Exams: ACT vs. SAT 10 Key Differences SAT Quick Facts Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Sections: Math, Critical Reading, Writing Cost: approx. $51 Max Score: 800 per section ACT Quick Facts Duration: 3 hours (+30 minutes essay) Sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional) Cost: approx. $36.50 / $52.50 (with essay) Max Score: ACT questions tend to be more straightforward. ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test: SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value? ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating? 2. The SAT Guessing Penalty The SAT was designed so that random guessing hurts your overall score. If you can eliminate at least one answer, you should guess, but otherwise you should leave the answer blank. The ACT has no guessing penalty, so you should never leave any answer blank. 3. The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary. The SAT critical reading sections place more emphasis on vocabulary than the ACT English sections. If you have good language skills but a not-sogreat vocabulary, the ACT might be the better exam for you. 4. The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not. You don't need specialized knowledge for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But if you truly fear science, the SAT might be a better fit. 5. The ACT tests more advanced math concepts (trigonometry). The ACT has a few questions that require trigonometry. The SAT does not. ACT trig is quite basic, but you should go into the exam understanding how to use sine, cosine, and tangent. 6. The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools. The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check before you test. 7. The SAT is broken up into more sections. On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized. 8. The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam. College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee. 9. Order of Difficulty Students taking the SAT will find that the questions get more difficult as they progress. The ACT has a more constant level of difficulty. Also, the ACT math section is all multiple choice whereas the SAT math section has some questions that require written answers. 10. Scoring Differences. The scoring scales for the two exams are quite different: each section of the ACT is out of 36 points, whereas each section of the SAT is out of 800 points. It's equally hard to get a perfect score on either exam. Average scores are frequently around 500 for the SAT and 21 for the ACT. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

11 Registration & Reminders Register online at Reminders Remember to select 4 colleges to send your score reports to when you register for the ACT. If you do not select colleges when you register, you will have to pay a fee per score report you choose to send later. Bring a printed copy of your admission ticket and acceptable photo ID (school or state ID) to the test center. You will NOT be admitted without a ticket or photo ID. Report to your assigned test center by 8:00 am or you will NOT be admitted. ACT Fee Waiver Procedures 1. ACT fee waivers can be obtained from your College Counselor 2. Every student can receive a maximum of 2 fee waivers beyond the MME. 3. Students requesting waivers must sign a contract committing to show up to the ACT exam for which they are using the fee waiver and elect to have their score reports sent to the school. 4. Any student who does not show up for the ACT on the day of the exam will NOT be eligible for fee waivers on future exams. PrepMe ACT 1. You have 24 hour access to a FREE personalized ACT prep tool via your Naviance account. (PrepMe ACT) 2. Take diagnostic tests for each section for customized lessons based on your strengths and weeknesses. 3. Select the specific exam you would like to prepare for to ensure timely preparation. 4. All you need is to get started is to simply log in and begin your preparation! College Prep Guide to Senior Year

12 Additional ACT Test Prep Resources Free Resources IMMAD (University of Michigan Detroit Center) Website: Address: U of M Detroit Center, 3663 Woodward Ave Ste. 150 Phone: (313) month ACT prep and college readiness program taught by U of M students Runs September April; Saturdays 9 am 2 pm (12 required sessions) Must be a resident of Detroit and demonstrate financial need FREE breakfast and lunch provided KALES ACT Prep Institute (Wayne State University) Website: Address: Irvin D. Reid Honors College, 2100 Undergraduate Library 5155 Gullen Mall Phone: (313) kales@wayne.edu 10 week winter institute taught by Wayne State Honors College students Runs January April; Saturday sessions Must be in 11 th grade with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher Must have earned a "B" or higher in high school Algebra in sophomore English MUST be a resident of Detroit or attend school in Detroit March 2 Success Website: Sponsored by U.S. Army (no recruiting) Free ACT and SAT practice tests and flashcards Includes college readiness online course and college admissions Number 2 Website: Free ACT and SAT prep online courses Includes practice items and answer explanations The ACT Website: Click on Practice Test Questions for free practice questions Click on Preparing for the ACT for an ACT prep booklet including test information, free practice tests with scoring keys, and a writing prompt with sample essays Click on ACT Question of the Day for a daily ACT question College Prep Guide to Senior Year

13 ACT Test Prep Resources Cont d Marygrove Kids College Website: Phone: (313) Reading and math courses designed to prepare students for ACT The ACT Online Prep Website: Cost: $21.95 Cost includes online access for one year by a single user Designed by official ACT test developers Includes practice essay with real-time scoring The Princeton Review Website: Phone: Cost: $599 - $1099 Private and small group tutoring available Kaplan Test Prep Website: Phone: KAP-TEST Cost: $299 - $1,099 Online and classroom courses available Private tutoring available Recommended ACT Books Cracking the ACT, 2013 Edition. The Princeton Review. Cost: $19.99 Features: Access to 3 full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations 2 in the book and 1 online. Covers all five sections of the ACT, including rhetorical skills for English, geometry for Math, strategies for Reading, experiments for Science, and guidelines for the Essay. Lessons and tutorials available online for more practice. The Real ACT Prep Guide, 3 rd Edition. ACT Inc. Cost: $23.46 Features: Insider test-taking tips and strategy, practice, and insight from the makers of the ACT. Includes 5 previously administered, full-length ACT tests written by the actual test maker (including 2 NEW practice tests). The supplemental CD features a complete electronic copy of Peterson's Cool Colleges 101 and additional online college planning resources from Peterson's. College Prep Guide to Senior Year

14 Registration & Reminders Register at *Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or date after registering. Approximate Fees Item More Information Fee SAT Register online at $15 Change fee Test type, center or date change $27.50 Late registration fee Additional score report fee For registering after the regular deadline but before the late registration deadline Four reports are included free with every registration. This fee applies for any report made outside of the registration period. $27.50 $45 College Prep Guide to Senior Year

15 FAFSA Process Overview Completing the FAFSA The first step to receiving any type of financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Every student, regardless of financial status, needs to complete the FAFSA. Colleges will not offer aid and some scholarships will not be awarded if the FAFSA is not completed. Deadlines: The FAFSA opens January 1 of every year, but families need to prepare in advance. The priority deadline for the state of Michigan is March 1. You should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid. Getting Organized: Completing the FAFSA is much easier if you get organized beforehand and have all your financial documents ready. Starting December 1, both the student and one (1) parent must apply for a Federal Student Aid Pin to electronically sign the FAFSA. This pin allows you to sign the form online. Visit to apply for a pin. Documents Needed: Social security number, driver s license, 2013 W-2 forms, 2013 income tax returns (IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ), untaxed income records (Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare, or veterans benefits) If you do not know the answer to a question, do not guess. Always refer to a college financial aid officer or to the FAFSA hotline FED-AID ( ) or or the TTY line at Types of Financial Aid Loans: Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Sources: U.S. Department of Education (student loans), banks (private loans) Grants: Aid that does NOT have to be repaid and is typically need-based. Sources: U.S. Department of Education, state of Michigan, college financial aid offices Scholarships: Aid that does NOT have to be repaid and is often merit-based. Sources: College financial aid offices, corporations, foundations, nonprofit and community organizations, employers, churches Work-Study: Money earned by working (usually on campus). Sources: College financial aid offices College Prep Guide to Senior Year

16 Scholarship Research Tips Research, research, research. Start investigating the scholarship opportunities available to you NOW. You should have a good idea about what your options are before you begin submitting applications. There are tons of resources to help you with your search. Visit the College Resource Center for help. Look carefully at eligibility criteria. You won t be eligible for all scholarships, so make sure to look at the eligibility criteria section of each scholarship application. Key criteria to look at include the following: GPA: Some scholarships require a minimum GPA Leadership: Some are focused on a certain type of leadership, like participating in school government or mentoring teens Community Service: Many scholarships require community service Grade: Most college scholarships are for seniors or juniors. Geographic area: Some scholarships are specifically for students from a particular city or state be sure you qualify. Applications for Detroit students are particularly good there are fewer students applying, so you have a better chance of winning the scholarship. Academic interest: Some scholarships are only for students planning to study math or science or business, etc. Race or ethnicity Some scholarships are only for students from different minority groups. Applications specifically for minority students are particularly good there are fewer students applying, so you have a better chance of winning the scholarship. Membership in an organization: Some scholarships are only for students who are part of organizations (like the NAACP or NHS). Ask local organizations. Many local employers, churches, organizations, and clubs offer scholarships of their own. Ask teachers and advisors to proofread. Writing one or two highly polished and meaningful essays is much better than writing twenty sloppy ones. Ask your classmates, teachers, and advisors to proofread your essays before you submit them. Organize yourself. Many scholarships require you to submit the following: Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers: Store them in a College Folder or Scholarship Folder so you are ready when a scholarship asks for one. Resume: Get a resume together of all of your accomplishments during high school including extra-curricular activities, leadership activities, work experience, awards, etc. Essays: Put together 2 or 3 general essays or personal statements that are well-edited and polished. Tweak the essays to suit different scholarship topics. Scholarship Application Tracking Sheet: Document the name, deadline, submission date, and contact information for every scholarship you apply to. Submit scholarships on time and complete. Be sure to look at deadlines. You cannot turn in scholarships late! Be sure your scholarship applications are complete! You will not get scholarships if you are missing anything! College Prep Guide to Senior Year

17 Scholarship Research Resources Recommended Websites (United Negro College Fund) (go to Scholarship Finder section) (go to Scholarships & Aid section) Recommended Books The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2015: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes. Ken Tanabe and Kelly Tanabe. $26.95 Scholarship Handbook 2015: All-New 17 th Edition. College Board. $29.99 Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes. Peterson s $33.05 College Prep Guide to Senior Year