Junior Parent Night

1. Junior Parent Night

2. Post-Secondary Options • Two/Four Year Colleges & Universities • Technical/Vocational/Business Schools • Apprenticeship Training Programs • Military Services • GAP Year Program • Tonight we will be focusing specifically on the college planning process

3. College Recommendations? Applications? Career Plans? Testing? Essays? Financial Aid?

4. WHO AM I ? * TRANSCRIPT * STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET * PARENT CONTRIBUTION * CAREER CRUISING

5. WHAT is my Transcript? and WHY is it important?

9. Note: Grades EVERY semester from 9th grade to present Note: “Work In Progress” is listed with senior year classes

10. Students must send all colleges where they are applying their official high school transcript. This is now done electronically • HOW? • REGISTER for Parchment on the school website. Look under the ‘parents’ tab on the school homepage. • Use a very stable e*mail address • Most transcripts are free – depends on the state where they go • Common Application (including U of M) uses a special process within Parchment. See directions on our website.

11. Student Input Form

12. …more input: • Junior Student Counselor Meeting (spring) • Students schedule at their convenience • (Optional) Parent Letter or Parent Input form

13. Career Preparation Programs Career Cruising Online @ home NCAA Divisions I, II South Grad

14. TESTING • ACT • MME-MARCH • SAT I-II • AP • (don’t forget finals)

16. College Entrance Exams ACT • Be sure to register for the ACT with writing if taking in addition to MME • MME ACT includes Writing www.actstudent.org SAT I and II (reasoning & subject tests) • Register online • Carefully review prospective college application requirements • Only take SAT subject if schools require the test www.collegeboard.com

17. English • Math • Reading • Science • Writing Maximum Score: 36 AvgScore in State of MI: 20 Avg Score @ South: 24.9

18. 2012 AP Exam Schedule • Students should register for their own exams (but they will ask you for money) • If your student is going to be absent from the scheduled AP testing date(s) for unavoidable reasons, notify the Records Clerk in the Counseling Center as soon as possible so that alternate accommodations can be made. • If your student is receiving special accommodations for the SAT I and want the same for the AP exams, notify the Records Room at the time you register for the APs.

19. College Application Process • To Do: • Research • Visit • Check Web/Print resources on colleges • Prepare for applications

20. School sends out paperwork and we wait! Application Process Student goes to Career Resource Center (CRC) to notify school Student sends Test Scores and transcripts ONLINE Student fills out college application Typically online but can be paper application

21. And…we wait.

22. Common Application www.commonapp.org Students STILL need to notify South of application in person in the CRC ** NOTE** Transcript process on Parchment is slightly different. Review specific directions in your packet or on our website

23. Where will my student’s credentials take him? Approximations ONLY Most competitive schools like : University of Michigan 3.8 GPA 27 ACT Highly Competitive schools like: MSU, Hope, K-Zoo 3.5 GPA 24 ACT Very Competitive schools like: Albion, Hillsdale, GVSU 3.0 GPA 22 ACT Competitive schools like: Oakland, WSU, WMU 2.75 GPA 21 ACT Aquinas, EMU, U of D 2.5 GPA 21 ACT Less Competitive schools like: SVSU, LSSU, Ferris 2.0 GPA 19 ACT

24. Five good reasons to choose Community Colleges MONEY – CCs cost a fraction of a four year college and can be a great way to get the basics out of the way WEAK GRADES or TEST SCORES – if you can’t get in to your top school you may well be able to transfer in after a couple of semesters at a CC WORK or FAMILY OBLIGATIONS – CCs allow flexible scheduling with weekends and evenings so you can juggle your family and work life. CAREER CHOICE DOESN’T REQUIRE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE – Many service and technological careers do not require a four year degree. NOT SURE ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE - A lot of high school students have a sense that they should go to college, but they aren’t sure why and aren’t really fond of school. If this describes you, CC can be a good option. You can try out some college-level courses without committing years of your life and tens of thousands of dollars to the experiment.

25. Formula For the Perfect Essay…

27. Interviews

28. Teacher Letters of Recommendation • FIRST Check to see if your schools require a letter of recommendation • Face to face request is important (NOT e-mail) • Choose a core academic teacher that will best represent you as a student. • Give at least two weeks notice Ask Teacher(s) Thank You Note in Two Weeks

29. Campus Visits • Just do it! • Get a feel for the place • Plan & combine them • Make it official • Call ahead for a tour • Get documentation for attendance freebie • Prepare • Ask questions • Learn unique features • Personalize to your interests

31. Financial Aid and Scholarships

32. CRC FAFSA Private FAST WEB Scholarships

33. Visit the South CRC Webpage

34. Career Resource Center (CRC) in Library Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 10:30 am or by appointment at other times Contact: Teresa Bennett 432-3675 Visit the CRC website! Career Cruising, college representative visits, financial aid, college videos & catalogs, summer programs, vocational school information, service information, College Night, Financial Aid Night

35. Warning!

36. Photo Sources • www. FLICKR.com • www.PhotoSource.com