College Planning

1. College Planning IB College Counselor: Ms. Simmons asimmons6@escambia.k12.fl.us

2. Fall of Senior Year • Sign-up for Free & Reduced lunch. • Register for SAT/ACT • Current dates and registration deadlines are on the IB website • Meet with your School Counselor to discuss college choices. • Sign up outside Mrs. Torpey’s office. • Request/pick-up teacher letters of recommendation. • Complete and submit all college applications (by Thanksgiving). • Early Action: non-binding • Early Decision: binding • Complete Bright Futures (December 1) and FAFSA (January 1). • CONTINUE to challenge yourself – GRADES do matter Senior year!

3. ACT To register for the ACT, students can complete their registration online at www.actstudent.org .  Remember to register for the Writing Section of the exam as many colleges require it.

4. SAT • To register for the SAT or SAT II Subject Tests, students can complete their registration online at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.  • Remember to register for the SAT Writing Section of the exam as many colleges require it.

5. Where to Begin • Make a list of schools that interest you • Categorize them • Safety School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the top 25thpercentile accepted at the college • Target School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are in the middle 50 % (between 25th and 75th percentile) accepted at the college • Reach School – my SAT/ACT scores & GPA are the lower 25thpercentile accepted at the college. Note: Ivy League Universities are considered DREAM schools, NOT REACH schools. • Determine your areas of interest • http://www.iseek.org/careers/clusterSurvey • Determine cost of each school • Compare Choices

7. Contact an Admissions Counselor • All Schools want to see that you are interested in them • Ask them questions about their school • Ask to speak with a current student • Inquire about scholarship opportunities

8. The Application Process

9. Typical Application • Who: Students complete all applications • What: Undergraduate application for admissions • Transcripts, resume, recommendations, essays, test scores…etc • Where: Colleges/Universities admissions page or Common App • When: Fall of Senior year • Pay attention to deadlines, each school is different! • Why: To attend a 4 year university

10. The Common App • 2013-2014: paper application no longer available • Counselor Information needed for Common App • Alyssa Simmons • asimmons6@escambia.k12.fl.us • Website: • https://www.commonapp.org • What schools are members: • https://www.commonapp.org/Login#!PublicPages/AllMembers • Over 500 colleges and universities are members • Roughly 200 are exclusive members

11. Teacher Recommendation Letters • Make sure to look at the college application and be certain of the number of recommendations needed • Provide teachers with resume • Ask teachers from core Junior year classes • Science • English • Math • History

12. Transcripts • Official Transcripts: • Mid year and final may be requested by the school • College and Universities look at • GPA (weighted and un-weighted) • Freshman – Junior Year Grades • Did they fluctuate? • Demonstrates what type of student you are • How many Honors, AP, and IB courses • Class Rank • Graduating class size

13. What Are Colleges Looking For? • Grades • What types of courses are they taking • Test Scores • 20% of what schools consider • Essays • No such thing as an OPTIONAL question • Proof of mind at work • Express yourself well • Highlight skills that have been learned • Teacher Recommendations • Holistic Approach

14. Scholarships • Apply Early! • Scholarships are available for ALL high school grade levels. • Where to find scholarships? • There are scholarships for everything! • List of Scholarships posted on the IB website under the college tab • Local banks, clubs, companies, and community organizations • http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships • College Financial aid webpages • http://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-state/florida-scholarships/ • www.fastweb.com • www.collegenet.com/mach25/app

15. Scholarships Questions to ask yourself when applying to scholarships • What are the requirements and do I meet them? • How do I apply? • How does my scholarship effect my other financial aid? • What is the deadline? Do I have time complete the application? • Is this application something I am willing to do? Am I capable? • Is this scholarship state or college specific? Plan ahead, be organized • Make a list of scholarships that you are eligible for and want to apply • Organize the deadlines/decision release dates in calendar and check it • often! • Request alerts for approaching deadlines • Ask for recommendation letters in advance – DO NOT request recommendation letters from your teacher the day before the deadline.

16. Finding Scholarships • But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. • You can learn about scholarships in several ways, • contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend • checking information in a public library or online.. • Try these free sources of information about scholarships: • the financial aid office at a college or career school • the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool federal agencies • your state grant agency • your library’s reference section • foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups • organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest • ethnicity-based organizations • your employer or your parents’ employers

17. BrightFutures • http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/ • Students must apply during their last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation) • Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) – GPA/Test Scores • 4 year school • $77 per semester hour = 1,155 – 1,386 dollars a semester • Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) – IB Diploma • 4 year school - • $103 per semester hour = 1,500 – 2,000 dollars a semester

18. How Do Colleges and Universities Value the IB Program

20. Provides outstanding preparation for university work • Earning college credits with passing scores on AP and IB exams • Scholarship opportunities • Well rounded students • Higher research and critical thinking skills

21. “A student’s high school courses and curriculum is the most important factor in the selection process complimented by all of the other pieces in the application.  We see the IB as a challenging curriculum, with higher and standard level courses as well as the TOK and extended essay.  As a staff, we respect IB very muchand see applicants from all over the world in the IB curriculum.  The community service component of the IB is also highly respected as students engage in outreach to their communities as a part of their holistic school requirements.  We also note the extended essay subject and the opportunity for students to research and write in a way they have not been challenged to do so before or in other types of curriculums.  The IB is a wonderful program. ” Jodi Robinson, Director of Admissions

22. College Visits to PHS • Dates and Times will be posted on the IB website, as well as outside the School Counseling Office • www.phsibsupport.org

23. Helpful Resources

25. Parent/Student Resource

26. Exploring College Options Student/Parent Session • Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, and Penn • Hosting information session for perspective students and their parents • Where: Mobile, Alabama • Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. • 251-338-2000 • The Battle House Renaissance 26 North Royal Street Mobile, AL 36602 • www.exploringcollegeoptions.org • Register online

27. Fall 2013 Click on Alabama

28. TRiO Educational Opportunity Center • educationalopportunitycenter.org • LaTonya Wesley, M.Ed. • Student Services Specialist • lwesley@pensacolastate.edu • 850-484-1961

29. Q and A Contact Information Alyssa Simmons: IB College Counselor asimmons6@escambia.k12.fl.us (850) 595–1500 ext. 292