College Planning Overview for Parents COLLEGE IS... any education - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College Planning Overview for Parents COLLEGE IS... any education or training beyond high school

FHS Counseling Team

• Ms. Walker - A-Di
• Ms. Usanase - Do-Je
• Ms. Belko –Ji-Mo
• Mr. Pfau - Mu-Se
• Ms. Newman - Sh-Z
• Ms. Chambers – Counseling Secretary and Registrar

How can I best help my student?

• Clarify parameters for college search with student:

○ Type-Tech., Community, 4yr Public or Private, Location, Size, Cost

• Understand the basic differences of various college options
• Understand college search and selection process

○ BUT…LET THE STUDENT do the work: set up college visits, register for the ACT, make contacts with college representatives, complete forms, write essays, etc.

• Understand basic timeline for application process
• Resources: Parents, School Counselors, Admissions Reps,

Teachers, Naviance, National and Local College Fairs

College Search and Selection

• College search tools to help with the search process
• Naviance SuperMatch
• Collegeboard.org
• College Navigator
• Consider colleges with reciprocity or reduced tuition for

MN students (-ex. Midwest Exchange Program-see MN Dept of Ed.)

Technical Schools

• Learn particular skills and knowledge leading to a

specific job. (graphic design technology, welding technology,

nanoscience technology, railroad conductor technology, etc.)

• Length of Programs-3 months to 2 years.
• May be a waiting list for high-interest programs so

apply early!

• Some programs for careers with a high level of pay

Community Colleges

• Offer a variety of courses that lead to a 2 year degree
• r general coursework for a transfer to a 4 year college
• r University.
• Majors/degrees available for some careers

– Earn an associate degree (EMS, Aviation, Computer Programmer, etc.) – Apply early for programs that are high interest (Dental Hygiene, Nursing)

• Lower tuition
• Transfer to a 4 yr college/university (MNTC)
• No housing/dorm life on campus

Application Process for Community and Technical Colleges

• Open Admissions - High School Diploma

○ Transcript required ○ Application fee

• Accuplacer - Placement Test (may accept ACT)

○ Determines eligibility for courses ○ Computer based- on college campus ○ Practice available on Collegeboard website

• Highly selective programs may require additional

application materials

4 Year College or University

• Comprehensive public or private colleges/universities offer

programs leading to bachelor’s degrees and beyond ○ Typically require ACT/SAT ○ Application fees ○ Complete some general studies courses ○ Declare a specific major ○ Complete courses to earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree ○ On campus housing options

4 Year MN College/University

• 4 year public MN STATE Colleges/Universities (i.e,

Mankato, Winona, Bemidji, Moorhead, St. Cloud, etc. )

• Automatic admission guideline-

○

top half of class

○

ACT score of 21+

○

completion of all core requirements (see website)

○

application submitted early Fall

• Student considered for admission if automatic guidelines not met,

but: student has a strong GPA, strong college prep classes, and additional supporting documents, and academic progression

• Consider PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION with

application: ○ personal statement/letter of application ○ letter(s) of recommendation ○ explanation of any extenuating circumstances

4 Year MN College/University-cont’d

4 Year University of MN System

• U of MN-Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and

Rochester

– U of MN,Twin Cities-usually 2 priority deadlines: Nov 1st=January response, Dec 15th=March response – 7 different admitting colleges within the U of MN TC, some with VERY selective admission guidelines based on holistic review:

• ACT/SAT scores, GPA, rigor in college prep coursework, activities,

service/volunteering

• ADD letter(s) of recommendation, personal statement to application
• UW-Wisconsin System similar-APPLY EARLY

Private Colleges/Universities

• 4 year private Liberal Arts Colleges (i.e. U of St. Thomas,

Augsburg, St. Mary’s U, Notre Dame U, Stanford, Northwestern, St. Olaf, Gustavus)

○ on-campus housing may be mandatory ○ Generally more highly selective admission process ○

Application process may be more involved/lengthy

○

Include letter(s) of recommendation, personal letter of explanation if g.p.a. and test scores fall below college average

Hints for Competitive College Applications

• Look for the “Application CHECKLIST” all attached

forms, and meet priority deadlines!

• Demonstrate interest, start the visit process early
• Grade reports requested after tri.1 and tri.2
• Put extra thought/extra time into essay questions
• Must notify colleges with any course changes
• May require early estimation of finances/CSS profile
• Honors programs/dorms
• Consider Common Application IF applying to several

College Visits

• Visit/RE-visit college campuses in person if possible.
• Arrange formal visit, find out when schools hold “preview days” in

Spring/Summer

– tour, workshops, parent seminars, free stuff, fee waived? ask – Stay overnight if possible

• Better when classes are in session-MN Ed week-end!
• Register for a visit online-Undergrad. Admissions
• VISIT COLLEGE representatives HERE at FHS!-watch monitors,

Naviance and Schoology for visits

• Virtual Tours online – see college websites

Timeline - Spring of Junior Year

• Begin or Continue College Search Process
• Consider ACT or SAT in JUNE...

– IF time to prepare and practice for score improvement – PLATO ACT Prep available to all students

• Counselors can give log in information

– Register for June 10th ACT on ACT Website – May 5th registration deadline

• SAT also offered in June-Consider PSAT score to

predict SAT score range-register on Collegeboard.org

Timeline- Summer Before Senior Year

• Do college research and decide which campuses you

would like to visit

• Visit college campuses while vacationing!
• Volunteer experience/part-time jobs –stay involved
• Make a high school activities resume-Naviance
• Review college application requirements/deadlines
• Begin formulating and writing college application

essays, if required

• Consider a personal statement

Timeline - September and October

• STAY STRONG with grades!
• College Entrance Exams- retake ACT/SAT if needed and

make sure score is on transcript

• Send scores directly to colleges via ACT Website, if needed
• Narrow your college choices
• APPLY
• Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)-

Available October 1st

○ EVERYONE who wants to apply for ANY financial aid/scholarships must do it!

Timeline - October thru December

• National College Fair- Mpls. Convention Center (09/27-09/28)
• Complete and submit all application forms for

college/universities (WATCH DEADLINES!)

• Look for any SEPARATE financial aid/housing forms
• Search and apply for scholarships
• Early Action/Early Decision=Early deadlines!
• Finances

– August – April: Continue to apply for scholarships. – October – January: Attend financial aid events. – January: Complete FAFSA application worksheet.

Timeline- January and February Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Receive S.A.R. (Student Aid Report), review financial aid

packages

• Fill out financial aid/scholarship forms for your college
• Continue to apply for other scholarships

Timeline- March, April, May

• FHS Local Scholarship applications available
• Turn in housing deposits/financial aid agreements
• Make a decision, notify the college you plan to attend

BEFORE May 1st!

• Notify colleges who have admitted you if you are not

planning to attend as a courtesy to others.

• Apply for reciprocity if attending a public college in

Wisconsin, North or South Dakota.

Scholarship Search and Selection Process

Different Types of Scholarships-

• Institutional-college websites, financial aid/scholarship site

○ some colleges consider student with app. for admission, others have separate applications ○ National ○ State-MN Office of Higher Education website ○ Local ○ Employment/organization membership-various opportunities ○ Church ○ Alumni referral ○ Specialty ○ Diversity-First generation, students of color, interest in diversity

• Look for criteria, specific application process, and deadlines
• Many scholarships listed in Naviance

Naviance Introduction