Thirteenth Annual Seminar for Rising Seniors

1. Thirteenth Annual Seminar for Rising Seniors October 15, 2013 (Almost) Everything you need to know about college admissions, SAT/ACT, financial aid, and more.

2. ATTENTION: • I will be providing you with accurate and up to date information in this presentation, so please take notes if possible. I have received this information from various workshops and meetings with colleges and universities.

3. Hot Topics for Junior Year • Take the PSAT (TOMORROW!) • Utilize SAT or ACT prep to prepare for testing • Plan to take the SAT and/or ACT in early 2014. • Research your top colleges/universities • Prepare your IB resume for potential letters of recommendation. Due in early April 2014 • Research scholarship opportunities • Be sure you are completing your CAS hours!

4. SAT Testing • Register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com • You MUST sign up for the Writing portion of the test • Scores are interchangeable/mixed for college admission • Each section (reading, math, writing) has a maximum value of 800 points, totaling 2400 points as the highest possible score. • Cost is $49.00, but you may qualify for a fee waiver if you are on free or reduced lunch

5. ACT Testing • Register at www.actstudent.org • You MUST register for the Writing portion of the test • Each section (English, math, reading, science) has a range from 1 to 36, 36 being the highest possible score. These individual test scores are averaged together for your Composite Score, which is what colleges look at for admission. Score is not interchangeable at all Colleges/Universities. • Cost is $49.50, but you may qualify for a fee waiver if you are on free or reduced lunch

6. Testing in Junior Year • Plan to take at least one if not two tests in the SPRING of your junior year. • You will want to have scores available to send to colleges before Senior year application deadlines • If you do not send score reports directly to colleges/universities at the time of the test, there will be a fee to send later • New Security Measures! PICTURES!! • School code is 100254

7. Begin your College Research • Visit www.facts.org

8. Begin your College Research Visit: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

9. College Research, cont. • Try to make some college visits during the Spring of your Junior Year and meet with an admissions representative • 4 college days to use between junior and senior year. • www.flchoices.org – Interest Inventory • Contact admission representatives to request information on admissions and financial aid via email or telephone

10. Scholarship and Financial Aid • Visit www.fastweb.com for scholarships • Pinellas County has the Pinellas Education Foundation that will open up for applications in the Fall of your senior year. www.pinellaseducation.org • Be sure you are on track to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • Prepare to fill out the FAFSA during your Senior year. www.fafsa.ed.gov . It is a requirement for Bright Futures

11. Bright Futures Information • www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • Florida Academic Scholarship: 1290 SAT or 29 ACT; Weighted GPA 3.5; 100 volunteer hours • Florida Medallion Scholarship: 1170 SAT or 26 ACT; Weighted GPA 3.0; 75 volunteer hours • The FAFSA must be filled out in order to qualify www.fafsa.ed.gov **You must register for the scholarship on or after December 1st, of your senior year **

12. Bright Futures Info, Cont’d. • Other ways to qualify for the Bright Futures Scholarships: • For the FAS – IB Diploma Recipients or students who have graduated with the IB Curriculum with best composite score of 1290 SAT or 29 ACT • For the FMS – Students who have completed the IB curriculum with the best composite score of 1170 SAT or 26 ACT

13. IB Resume - 2014 • Students will receive the IB Resume that must be filled out and returned to Mrs. Reites in April of 2014 • Be through and precise. I will be using this information for letters of recommendation you may need in Senior year.

14. The College Application Process • Application through School website – In State and some out of state schools • Application through Common Application –www.commonapp.org • Letter of Recommendation • Transcript Requests

15. Transcript Requests • Be sure your application has been submitted prior to turning in your completed transcript request form • Allow up to two weeks for transcripts to be sent to your selected schools – Mrs. Smith sends ALL electronic transcripts • Electronic and Common Application transcripts are FREE, but may take 14 days to send • Out of state and private schools will cost between $2.00 and $5.00 per school • If letters of recommendation are required, be sure to indicate on the transcript request form. If you need a letter of recommendation, your resume MUST be submitted. No Resume = No Letter of Recommendation • If asking a teacher to provide you with a letter, you must provide them with the addressed envelope and correct postage

16. Decisions, Decisions GPA SAT ACT Resume Transcript Essay • When applying to most colleges • you are judged by: • The rigor of your H.S. curriculum • Your grades in those rigorous courses • Your SAT/ACT scores • Your Essay • Your resume/list of activities, volunteer work, etc. • Letters of Recommendation SAT ACT Visit

17. Decisions, Decisions, cont. • Your senior year is veryimportant- • Not only are your senior courses very significant, but your grades in those courses can determine if you are accepted into a college and if they will honor or rescind your invitation. • In other words, you must work hard next year, all year.

19. What about my IB Courses? • While there is no IB scholarship, IB students often earn up to 30 college credits based upon their scores on AP and IB examinations. • Occasionally more, sometimes less • The number will be determined by the university/college • Visit www.ibo.org/recognition to view how colleges provide credit for the IB diploma

20. CAS HOURS • Appointment/Interview with Mrs. Kolhoff-Register on CAS Manager - Welcome e-mail sent to Juniors only - CAS guide issued in 10th grade- 150 hours minimum- within 18 months-Creativity – Action – Service (balanced)- Ten pieces of evidence over an 18 month span

21. Any Questions? • reitesm@pcsb.org Thank you all for attending!!