SENIOR PARENT COLLEGE NIGHT

1. SENIOR PARENTCOLLEGE NIGHT Angela Penaflor Kate Willems Karen Wrench

2. Agenda Tonight we will discuss… • …how to narrow down the college search • …the application process • …different admission decisions • …types of schools • …FAFSA • …scholarships • …upcoming events

3. What’s Currently Happening with Seniors? • Individual meetings throughout the day • Senior Planning Day Oct. 9 • Regular email reminders regarding campus reps, scholarships, college fairs, etc. • College Advisor available Tuesdays and Thursdays

4. Narrowing Down the Search • Types of schools • Technical • 4-year • Career college • Size of schools • Distance from home • Admissions Standards

5. Narrowing Down the Search • Visiting the college is the best way to determine the school and campus that best meets the student’s needs • Call the Admissions Office to schedule a personal tour • UW- System virtual tours • Visit the school’s website • College search websites • www.collegexpress.com • www.collegeboard.com

6. Narrowing Down the Search • Talk to Admissions reps that visit STM, alumni, parents, advisors, teachers, etc. • Upcoming visits: October 1: Viterbo University at 12:00pm October 2: St. Mary University Winona at 8:45am October 14: UW-Parkside at 8:44am October 17: UW-Madison at 9:40am October 28: UW- Green Bay at 10:30 New visits are added everyday.

7. Narrowing Down the Search • College Fair at UWM, Sept. 30th, parental permission required • Wisconsin Education Fairs (WEF) • Franklin High School: October 6st 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Mount Mary University: October 19th 9-11 am • Visit www.wefs.org for other dates, locations and directions.

8. Application Process Step 1: Before starting the applications • Finalize resume/activities list and personal essay (make sure they are proofread) • Register to take or re-take the ACT (www.actstudent.org) • Ask for at least 2 letters of recommendation • Make sure to give that person a copy of “brag” sheet • Give the recommender at least 2 weeks notice • Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc.

9. Application Process Step 2: • Apply online! • UW System: apply.wisconsin.edu • Other: www.commonapp.org • Individual school application

10. Application Process Step 3: • Register with www.parchment.com • Secure, official, electronic transcripts available 24/7 • Advisor approves transcripts and attaches letters of recommendation, school profile, SSR (if applicable) • $3.50 per transcript • pay online through Parchment • Fee waivers available (4 free transcripts)

11. Application Process Step 4: • Send official ACT scores if it hasn’t been done already • Four free scores sent • Additional scores $12.00.

12. Complete Application • Application filled out in its’ entirety (with fee, if necessary). Personal essay and resume/activities list are included in application • Official transcript sent from Parchment.com • Official ACT/SAT scores • 2 letters of recommendation, possibly 3 for selective schools/scholarships • It is recommended to apply to schools by December 1st.

13. Admission Decisions • Rolling admissions • Applications are reviewed as soon as they are received • Pooled admissions • Apply until deadline and then decision is made • Admittance based off first 6 semesters, but sometimes need 7th semester grades

14. Admission Decisions • Some of the criteria considered during admission process: • Academic record: depth, breadth, diversity, rigor • Grades • Class rank • Standardized test scores • Extracurricular • Essays • Letters of recommendation

15. UW-System • Started processing applications on September 15, 2014 • Fee is $44 for each application • Shoot for priority deadlines • Be aware of separate scholarship applications • For admission criteria or other questions visit http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu

16. UW-System • Guarantee Transfer Program: • Complete the first 54 credits at UW-Waukesha, maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher, and you’re guaranteed admission to any UW-System school for your final 2 years • Exception is UW-Madison where a 2.8 GPA is required • Let UW-Waukesha know which school within your first 30 credits

17. WAICU • www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org • Don’t think “sticker” price, think net • The net tuition at Wisconsin private colleges is 11% lower than it was in 2006-07 • Out-of-pocket net tuition at Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities is under $5,500 • Average freshman financial aid package is made up of 75% grants—money you won’t have to repay—instead of loans • Timely degree completion (2012-2013 statistics)

18. Technical Schools • Go to http://tis.uwsa.edu to see how technical school courses transfer into the UW-System • MATC starts accepting applications for fall 2015 after October 1st. • Visit the Wisconsin Technical Schools website

19. FAFSA • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • The completed FAFSA form may not be signed or mailed prior to January 8, 2015 – try to do taxes early • There will be a College Financial Aid meeting tentatively scheduled for January 8, 2015 • College Goal Wisconsin • Complete the FAFSA form in about an hour with help from the experts – IT’S FREE ! • Visit www.collegegoalwi.org , for dates and locations. Saturdays in February

20. Scholarships • Individual college scholarships • Some have a separate application, some use the application for admission • Check out the table in Student Services • Helpful websites include: • www.fastweb.com, www.compassguide.org, • www.schoolsoup.com, www.collegeboard.org • Think locally! (groups, clubs, businesses, organizations) • Open to Milwaukee/Wisconsin residents only • Less competitive

21. The ACT • Testing dates still available • December 13th (register by Nov 7th ) • Make sure to send official ACT scores to the colleges

22. Events at STM • College Financial Aid Night • January 8rd at 6:00 in Community Room • Senior Planning Day on Oct. 9th from 8-11:30 a.m. • Seniors will choose 3 sessions from the following: • Resume writing • College apps • ASVAB (Career Exploration Program) • Scholarships • Choosing Majors

23. Questions? Angela Penaflorapenaflor@tmore.org Kate Willems kwillems@tmore.org Karen Wrench kwrench@tmore.org