College Preparatory Senior Orientation

1. College Preparatory Senior Orientation Presenter Mr. Samoyedny

2. Congratulations, Class of 2014 !! • You’ve made it! This is your last year of high school! • Enjoy yourself and make good decisions! • Don’t limit yourself!

4. What you should have been doing so far… • Researching and visiting schools • Considering distance, location, size, cost, programs, reputation, selectivity, etc. • Discussing your plans with your parents, teachers, and counselor • Visiting schools • Taking or arranging necessary admissions tests (SATs, Subject Tests, ACTs) • Double-checking graduation credits.

5. How do I select a college? • Location (distance, community type) • Major (Do they have what you are planning to study?) • Cost – schools range from $2,500 to $55,000 per year • Academic criteria (Do you qualify?) • Campus Life – Size, extracurricular activities, religious affiliation, etc.

6. Location • How far away from home do I want to be? • How far away do my parents want me to be? • Pennsylvania has many great colleges. • Out of state tuition is usually doubled. • Laundry? • Meals? • Finances?

7. Majors • Most popular major = UNDECIDED • Keep your options open. • Think of past experiences. • Where do I want to live in the future? • How many years of school ? • What am I good at, AND what subject do I like? • How many hours per day do I want to work? • What kind of salary do I want to make?

8. Academic Criteria • Grades • Class Rank • SAT or ACT scores • Essay • Interview • Accomplishments

9. How many? • It is a very good idea to apply to at least a few schools. • Keep all of your options open. • Applying does not mean attending! • Situations can change from September to June • Applying to only one school is rarely a good option. • Most counselors will place schools into three categories…

10. Reach School A school you’ve dreamed of attending, even if it is selective , too expensive, or you might not meet all the requirements for admission. With a little luck – who knows? The only risk is the cost of an application fee and a possible rejection.

11. Target School Review several schools whose admission requirements seem to match well with your qualifications. You stand a good chance of being accepted, although it might not be a “sure thing.”

12. Safety School Have at least one school on your list that you know will accept you in case your other choices don’t work out. This is a school you would still be happy to attend.

13. Don’t focus too much on the numbers! • What is it that you really want to study? • What do you want to do in terms of a long-term career? • Study something you really like to learn about! • Uncertainty is normal – DON’T PANIC!!!

14. College Visits • Open Houses are happening NOW! • Architectural/Group Tours are GOOD. • Private Tours are BETTER. • Sleepovers are the BEST. • Sit in on a class – eat in the cafeteria. • Talk to a professor and students. • Request an interview. • Ask questions and take notes.

15. How to get applications: • HAHS Guidance Office • College Visits @ HAHS – These are happening NOW! • College Night @ HAHS – October 24, 2013 • Online request • Phone request • Written request • Online application • College Open House –These are happening NOW!

16. Is ONLINE better??? • At this point in history, YES. • You MIGHT get a faster response. • You MIGHT get the application fee waived. • It MIGHT really be encouraged (as in the case of Penn State).

17. Applying • Fill out the application accurately and completely. • Include supplementary materials (essays, personal statements, recommendation letters, etc.) • Include any fees. • When complete, bring in all materials needed including two stamps inside an envelope.

18. Applying, cont’d… • Complete any essay questions. • Give yourself enough time. • If applying to PSU an online application is recommended. • Optional Essay – might mean “required.” • Give evaluators ample time to complete recommendations.

19. Some SAT and ACT Notes • Register online at www.collegeboard.org • CEEB code for HAHS = 391718 • Applicants to PSU MUST send SAT/ACT scores electronically from The College Board. • PSU Recipient Code = 2660 • Most other schools will view your scores from your high school transcript. • Some preparation opportunities still exist…

20. A Word About SAT and ACT Exams • Hopefully, you have taken these entrance tests • SAT - October 5, 2013 • SAT - November 2, 2013 • SAT - December 7, 2013 – TOO LATE??? • DO NOT WAIT to apply if you have not taken the exams! • DO NOT WAIT to apply if you did not get the score you want!

21. Heed deadlines! • Read application instructions carefully! • Different admission plans have different deadlines (early decision, early action, regular decision, rolling admission, open admission, etc.). • Many schools have regular application deadlines of January 1, 2014. • Penn State’s preferred deadline is November 30, 2013. • The national reply date is May 1, 2014.

22. $cholarships • Listen for announcements! • Internet = www.fastweb.com, www.questbridge.org • Guidance office • Standard Speaker • HAHS website

23. Financial Aid • Listen for announcements • Financial Aid night at HAHS – December 17, 2013 • FAFSA Completion Night – January 28, 2014 • Standard-Speaker • Guidance website – PIN Cafe • Channel 99

24. State and Federal Aid • You can apply for PHEAA (State) and Pell (US Govt.) grants on or after January 1, 2014. • Acquire an application online www.fafsa.ed.gov • Acquire a paper application late December online or in the Guidance office (discouraged).

25. Unsure what to do after high school? Career Development Resource www.bridges.com • Includes an interest survey. • Hundreds of careers. • Hundreds of colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical schools.

26. . Here’s to a great senior year and an even better future !