Welcome To Going to
College Night at RHS
April 5, 2016
How do I decide where I want to
go to college?
The College Search
Prepare yourself for college success by working
hard in challenging classes in high school!
 Use the RHS Counseling website
www.district196.org/rhs
 Family Connection-Career Cruising-MCIS
 Visit College campuses
 Visit college representatives in RHS Career Centersee visit list on Family Connection
 Ask people who have attended college – Where did
you go to college and why did you choose that
school? What did you like or dislike about it?
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Attend College Events –
see
postings on Family Connection
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Inver Hills CC Open House – April 28 4 – 7 p.m.
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Normandale CC Open House – April 19 6 p.m.
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MN Private College Week: June 20 - 24
www.mnprivatecolleges.org/events
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WI Private College Week: July 11 – 16
http://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/privatecollege-week
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IA Private College Week: August 1 – 5
https://www.thinkindependently.com/index.aspx
More College Fairs
Colleges that Change Lives
August 29 7 p.m. St. Paul Rivercenter
www.ctcl.org
National College Fair Minneapolis
Convention Center October 4 - 5
Minnesota Performing and Visual
Arts Fair: Gangelhoff Center –
Concordia St. Paul
Saturday, October 8 1-3 p.m.
District 196 Spring College Fair
(hosted by RHS on March 21, 2017)
College Admissions
categories
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Open – 2-year Community or Technical Colleges (e.g.
Inver Hills, Normandale, DCTC)
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Traditional– Some state and private colleges like
Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, U of M Crookston,
Augsburg College
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Selective – Some state and private colleges like U of
M-Duluth, St. Bens/ St. Johns, UW-Eau Clair,
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Highly Selective– U of M-Twin Cities, Carleton, St.
Olaf, UW-Madison, Macalester, Service Academies,
Ivies
University of Minnesota/ State
University Minimum Entrance
Requirements
 4 years of English
 3-4 years of mathematics (algebra,
geometry and advanced algebra )
4
2
years for class of 2015 at UM campuses
consecutive years of a single second
language (much variation by college)
 3 years of science
 3 years of social studies
 1 year of visual/performing arts
College Entrance Exams:
ACT and SAT
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Required for admission to most four year colleges and
universities
Usually taken in spring of Junior year (fall of senior
year)
Colleges will accept either ACT or SAT test
Register early to ensure a nearby test site!
Register online: ACT= www.actstudent.org
SAT=www.collegeboard.org (fee waivers for students
who meet free/reduced lunch criteria, see counselor)
Test results can be sent to 4 colleges and/or NCAA for
the price of registration and most colleges require
official scores to be sent directly from ACT/SAT
ALL juniors are taking a state-funded ACT on April 19!
ACT and SAT
COMPARISON
ACTACT
 Most commonly used by
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colleges in the Midwest
 Final spring testing date is 
June 11, 2016.
Registration deadline is

May 6.
 4 parts: English, math,
science and reading, &
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optional writing
 $38 ACT only
$56.50 ACT Plus Writing
SATSAT
Most commonly used by
east/west coast colleges
Final spring testing dates
are May 7 & June 4
3 parts: Verbal, math
reasoning and optional
Essay
$43 SAT only
$54.50 SAT + Essay
ACT Writing Test
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The ACT Writing Test is optional but
recommended for your first ACT
testing
As of Spring, 2016 the following
schools require the ACT Writing test:
 MN Schools: Carleton College,
Martin Luther College
 WI Schools: University of WIMadison
Go to www.actstudent.org/writing
New scoring system with two readers.
Max score is 36
SAT II Subject Tests
Required by some highly selective colleges in
addition to the SAT or ACT
 Subject tests -- 5 general subject areas
(Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and
Foreign Language)
 Measures knowledge and skills in a particular
subject, take immediately after completing
the class for best success
 Consult individual colleges about which
subject tests they require or prefer and how
many you need to take
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How can I prepare for the
ACT or SAT?
Work hard in your academic classes!
 Take the RHS ACT Prep Course- offered after school
various times throughout the year (see RHS
Counseling website)
 Free Online ACT Practice - PrepMe on Family
Connection or www.number2.com, ACT/SAT web
sites
 Practice books are available in the Career Center
 Optional PSAT in 10th, 11th grade (practice SAT)
 Juniors take practice ACT April 5-6 in preparation
for the April 19 state-wide ACT
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Help for Under-Represented
Students
Under-represented students - EL students, first-generation
college students (neither parent completed a bachelors
degree), or students with financial hardships may qualify for
college student-success programs.
 Examples include:
 iConnect at Inver Hills
 TRIO/Student Support Services at Dakota County Technical
College, UW Eau Claire
 CAP program at MSU-Mankato
 AVID
 For a full list of MN colleges with the Trio program, visit
www.mntrio.org
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Contact the college admissions office of the colleges of
interest.
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To research other college access programs, visit
www.collegeaccessdirectory.org
What will my major be?
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Choosing your major is a big decision that influences your
career path and may influence which college is the best fit
for you.
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It is helpful to have career “clusters” in mind (e.g.
engineering, education, business, etc) that you explored in
Counseling Presentations using Family Connection, ACT
Career Wheel and Career Cruising
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Many students are still undecided when entering college and
many change their minds after they are there!
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Many people work in careers unrelated to college major and
lots of people change careers in the modern work force.
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Get some “real life” experience by job shadowing this
summer!
I figured out which colleges
to apply to………Now what?
Students should apply in the Fall of their senior year.
Pay attention to deadlines – Early Decision/Early
Action? Test dates?
3 step process: for most applications
1. Complete college application online
2. ACT/SAT scores – send test scores directly
through ACT or SAT
3. Send transcript - Enter college(s) on Family
Connection and submit RHS Transcript request
form
 Common Application is used by small group of
highly selective colleges-go to
www.commonapp.org
***Very few colleges require teacher and/or counselor
recommendations. Check college websites.
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What’s in the Career Center
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College Representative visits (check the
white board, watch the announcements,
check on Family Connection)
ACT/SAT registration/preparation materials
College information
Military, Academy, and ROTC information
Financial aid information (FAFSA)
Scholarship information
Career information
Ms. Heiei
When should I meet with my counselor?
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You are always welcome to make an appointment
with your counselor.
***All seniors will meet with their counselors the first
week of school for group senior meetings***
 Make sure seniors are on track for graduation
 Talk about post-secondary plans and advise on the
process
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Family Connection, Family Connection, Family
Connection
Parents will log in to Family Connection using the
student account. Parents do not have a separate
account. Login information can be found on the
Family Connection homepage
RHS College Boot Camp
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Unique college counseling summer
experience
Intended for students who will be seniors
Admissions Reps from across the state
present
Topics include essay writing, application
completion, Common Application, Financial
Aid, deadlines, using technology, etc.
College Boot Camp is affordable ($40) and
intended for all students
Registration is open today!