PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

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PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

• GRCHS
• JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT
• 2007

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Tonight's Agenda

• College Entrance Exams
• Test Preparation
• Post Graduate Planning
• The Application Process
• Financial Aid /Scholarships
• Q A

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College Entrance Exams

• The ACT or the SAT?
• The ACT and the SAT are both national tests
  competing for college testing dollars.
• Colleges recognize and accept both tests.
• The ACT is the only test used for eligibility for
  Michigan competitive scholarships and grants.

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College Entrance Exams

• ACT
• 25 English
• 25 Mathematics
• 25 Reading
• 25 Science
• Optional Writing Test
• Subtests range 1-36
• Composite of 4 test scores (1-36)
• No penalty for guessing

• SAT
• 35 Critical Reading
• 35 Mathematics
• 35 Writing
• Subtest range 300-800
• Sum of 3 test scores (600-2400)
• Score adjusted for wrong answers

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ACT SAT DIFFERENCES

• ACT
• Includes a science test
• Math section includes some trigonometry
• Less focus on vocabulary
• Tests English grammar

• SAT
• No science test
• No trigonometry
• More focus on vocabulary
• Tests grammar in writing section

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ACT SAT Summary of Differences

• ACT
• The ACT is an achievement test that measures what
  a student learned in high school.

• SAT
• The SAT is an aptitude test designed to predict
  how well a student will do as a college freshman.

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ACT Benchmark Scores

• ACT scoring range 1-36
• ACT Aver. 22
• GRCHS Aver. 24
• College Scholarship Benchmarks
• ACT GPA
• 25 3.5
• 28 3.8

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Types of Test Preparation

• 1. Self- help materials
• - Manuals,
  practice tests
• - ACT
  online www.act.org
• -
  www.collegeboard.com
• 2. GRCHS Test Prep Class for Juniors
• 3. Commercial Test Prep Courses and
  Individualized Tutoring.

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Post Secondary Schools

• There is a good school
• out there for everyone!!
• ( It is your students job to find it!)

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Post Graduate Plans

• What are the options?
• Career Training Schools
• Military
• Apprenticeships
• Volunteerism
• College 2 yr. 4 yr.

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Community and Technical Colleges

• Opportunity for lower tuition costs
• Small setting
• Opportunity to improve academic record or learn a
  trade
• Admissions consist primarily of biographical
  information and proof of high school equivalency.

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COLLEGE IS A MATCH TO BE MADE NOT A PRIZE TO
BE WON !!!
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What are Colleges Looking For?

• The ACT/SAT Score
• High School GPA
• Rigor of High School Classes
• Recommendations
• Out-of Class Activities
• College Essay
• Skills and Special Experiences
• Diversity Ethnic, Geographic, Socioeconomic,
  (including parents education)

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College Planning

• Consider the following when making a decision
• Majors and educational program
• Type of school and degrees offered
• Administration policy ( behavior policy)
• Location and size
• Cost and financial aid
• College affiliation and accreditation
• Campus activities and dorm life
• Support services

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Introducing PrepHQ

• A great tool to help students and parents with
  the college selection process

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What can PrepHQ do??????

• Do a thorough college search by preference
• Keep track of your college list
• Quickly obtain data on any college in the country
• Keep students and parents informed of upcoming
  events and important dates
• Resource for counselors about students
• And much,much, much, much more

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TO ACCESS PREPHQ

• www.prephq.com
• www.grcs.org/highschool. On the left side menu
  click on the link to the Counseling Department.
  Then on left side menu, click on the link to
  PrepHQ.
• Log in using Son or Daughters user name and
  password.
• Access available in the Spring of 2008.

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College Planning

• Plan College Visits
• Walk around Campus
• Attend a class
• Interview admissions officers
• Talk with current college students
• Visit the dorms
• Talk with coaches and professors

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Types of College Admissions

• Rolling Admissions
• Earlier you apply the earlier
  you find out.
• Date Driven
• Must apply between certain
  dates.
• Learn decision on a chosen
  date.
• Early Decision
• Involves an earlier
  application deadline than normal
• applications.
• Receive early notification
• Binding!
• Early Action
• Involves an earlier
  application deadline than normal
• applications.
• Receive early notification
• Non-binding

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The Application Process

• 4 parts
• 1. The application itself sent by the student
• - online or paper
• 2. Transcript, school profile, counselor report
• form/recommendation sent by the counselor
• 3. Teacher recommendation sent by teacher or
  student
• - request 2-3 weeks in advance
• - include academics/activities
• - provide a stamped addressed
  envelope
• - write a thank you note
• 4. ACT/SAT scores sent to colleges identified at
  registration or by student request from the
  agency. (Also printed on transcript)

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Application Deadlines Vary Widely

• Be aware that deadlines vary depending on the
  school and program to which you are applying.

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Application Dates

• Senior Year
• Sept. Dec.1 Send out applications to
• colleges.
• APPLY EARLY!!!
• Dec. April Late applications
• Ponder a decision.
• May 1 Colleges expect a final decision and
• a deposit!

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Applications are Soaring

• Grand Valley State University
• 14,361 applicants
• 3,792 freshman accepted
• Michigan State University
• 24,000 applicants
• 7,000 freshman accepted
• University of Michigan
• 27,000 applicants
• 5,300 freshman accepted

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SENIORITIS (AKA Slacking)

• Def A chronic illness characterized by extreme
  reluctance of students to perform even the most
  routine requirements of day-to-day living.
• Cause Impending Adulthood
• Senioritis is not only a waste of time good
  education it can be costly when applying for post
  -secondary education
• Many colleges request a mid-year grade report a
  final grade report. They reserve the right to
  deny you admission should your grades drop.

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NCAA Eligibility for
Div. I or II Sports

• Register online www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• Notify Guidance Department
• Print release form
• - bring to
  guidance department
• 
  - parents must sign if you are under
• 
  18 yrs. of age.

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Students with disabilities

• Most colleges have Student Academic Services.
  check their website
• Students must advocate for themselves! (legal
  adults 18)
• Students must have documentation for services.

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Documentation Requirements

• Must be current!
• Completed within
• Last 5 yrs. for LD
• Last 3 yrs. For ADD other disabilities
• Last 6 months for
  psychiatric disabilities
• Note This requirement does not apply
  to sensory or
• physical disabilities of a
  permanent nature.

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Financial Aid

• Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  January of senior year.
• www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/ Internet tool giving
  high school juniors their families an early
  jump on how much federal aid they can expect for
  college.
• Financial Aid Night January 9, 2008 at GRCHS

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Scholarships

• Most student aid comes in the form of federal
  education loans, grants and scholarships from the
  colleges where they have been accepted.
• In general, the smaller the area a scholarship
  covers the better your childs chances of
  winning.

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Scholarship Search

• Research local scholarships first.
• Check membership organizations and
  employers. (Meijers, Amway, Alumni, etc.)
• Employers of students (Burger King,
  Best Buy, etc.)
• Use a free scholarship search service
• www.collegeboard.com - Scholarship
  Search.
• FastWeb
• Scholarship Research Network Express
• Wiredscholar
• Large National Scholarships
• National Merit
• Robert Byrd

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ScholarshipsGRCHS

• Dan Brower Memorial
• Music participant 4yrs. GRCHS
• GPA 3.5
• 1,000
• GRCC
• Financial Need
• GPA Below 3.5-
• 2-800
• Mary Ann Gundy Foreign Language
• Major or minor in foreign language
• 1,000

• Rainbow Foundation
• Calvin College
• GPA 3.7 ACT 25
• Servant Leadership
• Trotter Tri-County
• Grand Valley State University
• GPA 3.3 ACT 22
• 2-250
• James Stapert Memorial
• Vision of Diversity Justice Career in
  Education
• GPA 3.2
• 500

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Michigan Promise Grant4,000.00

• Two ways to receive the grant
• Students who scored a 1 or 2 on all the
  following tests Math, Reading, Writing,
  Science on the MME will receive a 4,000 award.
• 2. Students who did not have qualifying scores
  on the exams may earn the entire 4,000 award
  after successfully completing two years in
  college maintaining a 2.5 GPA.
• May June Students receive their reports
• of results.

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Michigan Promise Scholarship Facts

• The tests are hybrids
• March 11 ACT Writing
• March 12 Work keys Michigan Math
• March 13 Mich. Science Social Studies
• Students who do not receive all qualifying scores
  (Level II or above) must take all 3 tests again
  in the Fall of 2008 for a final opportunity for
  eligibility. (Please read pay attention to the
  State paperwork sent to
• your home)

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Junior Year Checklist

• Take the ACT and Michigan Merit Test on March 11,
  12 and 13, 2008. GRCHS
• Register and update information on PrepHQ
• Research and begin college search.
• Attend college fairs.
• -National College Fair Tues. April 15 DeVos
  Center.
• -Additional Fairs in the Fall of 2008
• Begin college visits.
• Register and retake (if necessary) the ACT or
  SAT. (June 14, 2008 / Oct. 2008)

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Tips for Parents

• 1. Expect the unexpected (Your son or daughters
  emotions may vacillate. They may push you away or
  want you close.)
• 2. Encourage Independence - - but offer support
  (Let your child do the lions share of the work.
  Restrain yourself from handling all the
  arrangements)
• 3. Do not buy the college bumper sticker until
  your child has been accepted !!!

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Parents

• 4. Even though HPY (Harvard,Princeton Yale)
  is an AP away from HAPPY, going to a super
  selective college does not guarantee your childs
  happiness.
• 5. Realize your childs self-worth is not
  measured by the thickness of the envelope that
  comes in Dec. April.
• 6. Remind your child of important deadlines!!!
• 7 The happiest parents seem to be the ones that
  know their child will be happy wherever he/she
  decides to go.

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Gods Blessings as You Navigate the College Path!

• GRCHS Counselors
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares
  the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm
  you, plans to give you hope and a future.
• Jeremiah 2911 NIV