RAMS - May 2013

Manual Majors A-G Mrs. Marti Johnston marti.johnston@jefferson.kyschools.us
Manual Majors H-O Ms. Christy Teague christy.teague@jefferson.kyschools.us
Manual Majors P-Z Mrs. Amy Medley amy.medley@jefferson.kyschools.us
YPAS Majors A-Z Mr. Dennis Robinson dennis.robinson@jefferson.kyschools.us

A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher, or a
75% chance to obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit bearing college course.
English
Math
Reading
Science
18
22
21
24
These are the minimum scores you need to indicate to the average college you are ready for postsecondary work – More competitive colleges will require higher scores.

ACT Scores
ACT Composite Mid 50 th Percentile
Boston College
Brown University
Columbia University
28-32
28-33
28-33
Duke University 29-34
Eastern Kentucky University 21
George Washington Univ.
26-29
Harvard
Indiana University
MIT
Morehead State University 21
31-35
23-28
31-34
Murray State University
Tulane University
University of Chicago
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Michigan
24
27-31
28-33
21-27
24
27-31
University of North Carolina 26-31
Vanderbilt University 29-34
Western Kentucky University 21
Yale University 30-34

ACT National Dates
June 8
September 21
October 26
December 14
SAT National Dates
May 4
June 1
October 6
November 3
December 1 www.actstudent.org
www.sat.collegeboard.com

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4 years of English
4 years of Math
3 years of Science
3 years of Social Studies
.5 years of Health
.5 years of PE or 1 year of Fundamentals of Dance
1 year of History Arts
2-3 years of the same Foreign Language
21 st Century Technology, or Computer Applications course
4-5 Electives

Here are just a few states that have different requirements from Kentucky
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Alabama Colleges – 4 years of Social Studies
Georgia Colleges – 4 years of Science
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Indiana & North Carolina – Require precalculus
Texas – .5 credits of Speech and .5 credits of
Economics

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The transcript is the report sent to colleges that reflects every semester of high school that you have completed
Courses you have taken and credits earned each semester are on the transcript
The level of rigor of each class is included on the transcript (AP, Advanced, Honors, etc.)
Your total cumulative weighted and unweighted GPA is on the transcript
Grades include all pluses and minuses, A’s, B’s, C’s,
D’s, and U’s!!!!

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Push yourself to take classes that reflect as strong and as rigorous an academic curriculum that you can handle successfully
Unplug yourself from the Internet and TV.
Learn to develop your “intellectual appetite”
Find your passion and follow it! Develop yourself as a leader in that area if possible
Select school activities that will demonstrate your passion or leadership in the subject areas you are passionate about
Discover what is available in the community, your church, scouting, recreational sports, charitable organizations, etc. that will enhance your experience and resume
Volunteer as much as you can

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Do not assume that someone will contact you if there is a problem with your academic progress. Keep in contact with your teachers and your counselors
Develop strong study skills and time management techniques
Work on building a strong vocabulary and refine your ability to speak in public
READ, READ, and READ more! Practice and refine your talents
Take advantage of as many educational enrichment activities as you can summer workshops, camps, honor symposiums, leadership seminars, etc.
Build your college resume by engaging in a well rounded balance of academically rigorous classes, athletic participation, participation in the arts, membership in worthwhile clubs, leadership positions, community service activities, and giving of your time for the betterment of mankind

If you see your grades slipping, try some of these interventions:
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ESS (Extended School Services) work after school with a teacher
Peer Tutoring (National Honor Society) work after school with outstanding students
Staying after school to work with your own teacher
Form study groups with other members of your class
Weekly progress reports (available from your counselor)
Assignment notebooks and planners
Structured study time at home. School is not the only place to study and do homework
Participate in class. Be visible and care about what you’re learning.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes proper diet, exercise, sleep, and stay away from the use of illegal drugs and alcohol and anyone you know who may use them

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With the everyday stresses of being a student, making good grades, meeting new friends, making choices and decisions, becoming involved in activities, etc… it is important to find the
PROPER BALANCE.
Plan Ahead - develop appropriate relationships with your counselor and those teachers you will be asking to write your letters of recommendation - they need to know who you are now so they can speak highly of you in comparison to other students they have known throughout their career.
Identify special characteristics about yourself that set you apart from other students who have the same GPA and Test Scores.
Clean up your face-book and my-space accounts now! 25% of all colleges and universities now look at your accounts when making college admission decisions.

Facebook, MySpace, Email Address, and
College Applications
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Consider that the information posted on these sites is basically public domain.
In as few as 10 minutes after you have posted something on these sites they are archived forever in over 20 locations throughout the world.
Your personal sites can be viewed by college admission counselors, college professors, employers, stalkers, that creepy kid obsessing over you, as well as campus and local police
Make sure your email address is a professional or generic name and not something that causes one to pause and doubt your integrity or character

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Remove photos showing you doing anything that could be interpreted as inappropriate
Remove rude gestures, inappropriate comments, questionable photos, etc.
Unsubscribe to questionable groups
Remove contact information
Choose attractive/professional looking photos to post
Un-tag any unflattering photos your friends may have posted
Perhaps let your grandmother approve of what you have posted!!!

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Identify what you like to do – How do you want to spend the rest of your life?
Will you be happy with the financial resources available to you as a result of that career choice?
Gather as much information as you can from informal visits to colleges and attending college fairs.
Search college websites for minimum GPA and test score requirements – look at the school profile – do you match?
Refine what you possible college major may be and explore colleges strong in that area.
What careers are available to people with a degree in your chosen field?
Identify at least 10 Colleges/Universities you are interested in and spend this summer researching everything you can about those colleges.

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Network Systems & Date
Communication Analysis
Medical Assistants
Physician Assistants
Computer Software Engineers,
Applications
Physical Therapist Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Computer Software Engineers,
Systems Administrators
Dental Assistants
Personal and Home Care Aides
Database Administrators
Physical Therapists
Forensic Science Technicians
Veterinary Technologists and
Technicians
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Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers
Medical Scientists
Occupational Therapists
Preschool Teachers
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Postsecondary Teachers
Hydrologists
Computer Systems Analysts
Hazardous Materials Removal
Workers
Biomedical Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants

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In-state institutions are subsidized by taxes collected by state government offering lower tuition rates to residents of that state
Out-of-State institutions will require you to pay higher tuition rates because your parents did not pay the other state’s taxes - tuition rates are sometimes more than double what you pay for your own in-state institutions

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Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond
Kentucky State University - Frankfort
Morehead State University - Morehead
Murray State University - Murray
Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights
University of Kentucky - Lexington
University of Louisville - Louisville
Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green

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Alice Lloyd College
Asbury College
Bellarmine University
Berea College
Brescia College
Campbellsville Univ.
Centre College
Embry-Riddle Univ.
Georgetown Univ.
Indiana Wesleyan Univ.
Kentucky Christian Univ.
Kentucky Mountain Bible
College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
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Lincoln Memorial Univ.
Lindsey Wilson College
McKendree College
Mid-Continent Univ.
Midway College
Northwood University
Pikeville College
St. Catherine College
Spalding University
Thomas More College
Transylvania University
Union College
University of the
Cumberlands

Most Common In-State Colleges
By Enrollment from duPont Manual
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University of Louisville (679)
University of Kentucky (460)
Western Kentucky University (158)
Jefferson Community & Technical College (107)
Centre College (74)
Murray State University (58)
Northern Kentucky University (53)
Bellarmine University (48)
Eastern Kentucky University (36)
Transylvania University (23)
Georgetown College (16)
Morehead State University (16)
Kentucky State University (13)

Most Common Out-of-State Colleges
By Enrollment from duPont Manual
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Indiana University Bloomington (32)
University of Cincinnati/CCM (27)
Washington University in St. Louis (22)
Vanderbilt University (21)
Indiana University Southeast (20)
Duke University (15)
The Ohio State University (14)
Boston University (12)
Maryland Institute, College of Art (12)
Purdue University – West Lafayette (12)
University of Chicago (12)
Columbia College Chicago (11)

U.S. News & World Report
Rankings of Best Colleges - National Universities
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Harvard University
Princeton University
Yale University
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
University of Pennsylvania
Columbia University
Duke University
Northwestern University
Washington University/St. Louis
Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University
Brown University
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Rice University
Emory University
University of Notre Dame
Vanderbilt University
University of California - Berkeley
Carnegie Mellon University
Georgetown University
University of Virginia
University of California - Los
Angeles
University of Michigan
University of Southern California
Tufts University
Wake Forest University
University of North Carolina -
Chapel Hill

U.S. News & World Report
Rankings of Best Colleges - Public National Universities
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University of California-
Berkeley
University of California - Los
Angeles
University or Virginia
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina
College of William & Mary
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of California
University of Illinois
University of Wisconsin
Pennsylvania State University
University of Florida
University of Texas
Ohio State University
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University of Maryland
University of Pittsburgh
University of Georgia
Clemson University
Purdue University
Texas A & M University
University of Minnesota
Rutgers University
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
Indiana University
Michigan State University
University of Iowa
Virginia Tech
Miami University of Ohio

U.S. News & World Report
Rankings of Best Colleges - Liberal Arts
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Williams College
Amherst College
Swarthmore College
Middlebury College
Wellesley College
Bowdoin College
Pomona College
Carleton College
Davidson College
Haverford College
Claremont McKenna College
Vassar College
Wesleyan University
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Grinnell College
Harvey Mudd College
United States Military
Academy
Washington & Lee University
Smith College
Colgate University
United States Naval Academy
Hamilton College
Colby College
Oberlin College
Colorado College
Bates College

Some Top Schools for the
Visual Arts - listed alphabetically
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Art Academy of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, Ill.)
Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Cleveland Institute of Art (Cleveland, Ohio)
Kansas City Art Institute (Kansas City, Mo.)
Maryland Institute College of Art (Baltimore, Ma.)
Memphis College of Art (Memphis, Tenn.)
Minneapolis College of Art & Design (Minneapolis,
Minn.)
Montserrat College of Art (Beverly, Mass.)
Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, R.I.)
Savannah College of Art & Design (Savannah, Ga.)

Some Top Schools for
Mathematics, Science, & Technology
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Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
Harvard University
Princeton University
University of Chicago
University of Michigan – Ann
Arbor
Columbia University
New York University
Yale University
Cornell University
Brown University
Northwestern University
Duke University
Johns Hopkins University
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Washington University in St. Louis
Carnegie Mellon University
University of California – Berkeley
University of Washington
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Purdue University – Indiana
Rice University
University of Massachusetts –
Amherst
California Institute of Technology
University of North Carolina –
Chapel Hill
Scripps Research Institute
University of Illinois

Some Top Schools for
Journalism & Communications
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Arizona State University
Indiana University
Iowa State University
Michigan State University
Northwestern University
Ohio University
Syracuse University
University of Florida
University of Georgia
Kansas University
 University of Iowa
 University of Maryland
 University of Minnesota
 University of Missouri
 University of North Carolina – Chapel
Hill
 University of Oklahoma
 University of Oregon
 University of Southern California
 University of Texas at Austin

Some Top Schools for Music, Dance, Theatre, and
Design & Production
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Cleveland Institute of Music
Indiana University (music)
Juilliard School of Music
Northwestern (music)
Oberlin Conservatory (music)
University of Cincinnati (music)
University of Michigan (dance)
Butler University (dance)
Ball State University (musical theatre)
Notre Dame (musical theatre)
DePaul University (D&P)
Northern Kentucky (D&P)
University of Louisville (D&P)
 Western Kentucky (D&P)
 Carnegie Mellon (musical theatre)
 Boston Conservatory (musical theatre)
 Roosevelt University (musical theatre)
 Florida State University (dance)
 Stephens College (dance)
 University of Florida (dance)
 University of Illinois (music)
 Manhattan School of Music
 Yale University (music)
 Duke University (theatre)
 Emerson University (theatre)

U.S. News & World Report
Rankings of Best Colleges – A+ Options for B Students
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Pepperdine University
Syracuse University
Fordham University
Purdue University
University of Connecticut
Southern Methodist University
University of Delaware
Indiana University
Michigan State University
University of Iowa
Miami University of Ohio
University of Colorado
Baylor University
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SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry
Marquette University
University of Denver
Auburn University
Clark University
Drexel University
Iowa State University
North Carolina State University
St. Louis University
University of Vermont
SUNY - Stony Brook
University of Alabama

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Make an appointment for your tour
Visit In-session
Stay overnight when possible
Include your parents
Meet with an admissions officer
Verify admissions requirements
Discuss your chances for success
Obtain a school calendar and catalogue
Determine college costs
Ask about financial aid opportunities
Ask about student/teacher ratio for freshmen
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Meet Faculty
Ask about Honors Program
Ask questions about academic requirements and offerings
Attend a class
Ask about placement record
Identify career-planning services
Tour the campus/classrooms/labs
Tour the dorms/dining facilities
Tour the recreational facilities
Tour the city or town
Talk to students
Find out about student activities
Inquire about campus life
Investigate transportation options
Keep note about your visit
Write thank you notes

Top Five Tips for Juniors in
Preparation for College Applications
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Standardized Tests - complete all standardized tests your junior year and retake those with low scores.
Grades and Classes - junior year grades are the most important (you are now settled in your routine; more demanding courses predict college performance; classes you choose speak volumes about your motivation and intellectual curiosity).
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations - if you share an intellectual interest with a teacher they are more likely to give you a good college recommendation. Get to know your counselor and connect with teachers you want to write for you.
Activities - the way in which you spend your time outside the classroom serves as testimony to your moral fiber; assess whether your activities reflect a depiction of your interests and passions.
Opportunities - admissions officers look for students who step out of their comfort zone and seek new experiences. Ignoring an opportunity does not appeal to college admissions officers.

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Academic Rigor, Talent, and/or Mastery of Skills
Cumulative GPA
Grades in Advanced
Placement Courses
Grades in College Prep
Courses
Grades in All Subjects
ACT & SAT Test Scores
Class Rank (JCPS does not rank)
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Essay or Writing
Samples
Honors, Awards, etc.
Counselor
Recommendations
Teacher
Recommendations
Interviews (if required)
Community Service
Work and Extra
Curricular Activities

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Have you decided what your college major will be?
Are you happy with the lifestyle and eventual pay scale you will be earning upon graduation?
Are you satisfied with your employability upon graduation?
Will you be happy doing this for the rest of your life?
Have you researched to find the schools that are strong in that area?
Have you found a Kentucky College you would happy attending?
Have you visited the college campuses, experienced the culture on campus, satisfied with safety concerns, checked out the dormitory and food services, explored the town or city, met with admissions counselors, and talked with your prospective primary teacher?
Do you know the entry requirements, audition repertoire you will be expected to perform, and have a good grasp of that material so it will be prepared by audition day?
If you have answered yes to all of these questions – you are ready to begin the college application process!!!

For most students it will be a list of about six schools
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Reach Schools (1 or 2): Aim for one or more “reach” colleges/universities that are highly desired and highly selective. These “dream” schools will have about a 10% acceptance rate. If you don’t, you’ll always wonder, “what if?”
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“Fit” Schools (1 or 2): It is wise to include one or two “fit” schools where the odds are 50/50 that you will be accepted based on your talent, GPA, and test scores
“Safety” Schools (1 or 2): Include at least one or two “safety” colleges where admission is highly likely and a college where you can afford to attend if you receive very little financial aid

The appearance of your college application is very important:
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If you are completing your application on-line, make sure all the blanks are filled in and your application is complete
If submitting a hard copy – type the application or print
VERY NEATLY in black ink.
Make sure all the components of the application are in the correct order
If you are mailing the application – address the envelope in a very professional way – typed address labels are great

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Students access the application through the college website, usually under “admissions”
Generally, a username and password will be provided that will allow you to save your work from multiple sessions
The final copy is either transmitted through the Web or printed and sent via snail mail – be prepared to pay the application fee with a credit card

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZjSVuCTl g&feature=player_detailpage

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Available online at
Approximately 300 schools, including the most selective liberal arts colleges, accept the
Common Application
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You can either download the application or transmit through the web
Use the college’s own application form if they have one – but many have adopted the common application as their own

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Many colleges are reluctant to accept an applicant unless they have reason to believe that he/she is seriously interested.
Many colleges track every contact the applicant initiates and are more likely to accept students who have made multiple contacts
A few ways to communicate interest include:
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Visit the college – if you do not have a personal interview stop by the admissions office and let them know you came
If the college sends a rep to Manual or YPAS, go to their session and communicate your interest
Attend a college fair in your local area and speak to the representative
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Get a business card from any college representative you meet and write or email that person to thank them and emphasize your interest
Note in your application that a particular college is your first choice school or one of your top choices
Make sure your email address stays the same throughout the college search process – if it changes tell the colleges

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Always list activities from most important to least important
The ones that are significant, as evidenced by leadership and time commitment
Marginal activities should be de-emphasized
Don’t make a big production out of honors from companies that put your picture in a book and then ask you to buy it
Follow the college’s preferred format for listing activities

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If one of your activities was chairing the Founder’s
Day Committee, it won’t mean anything to the admissions office unless you explain what you did and why the committee was important
If it was an honor bestowed on only one senior, say so
If it involved presentations to alumni and coordination of twenty volunteers for six months, spell that out
You could also have the sponsor, counselor, or principal write a letter outlining the significance

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Keep on top of deadlines - there will be different ones for each college and for each part of the application process
Some deadlines are as early as Oct. 1 st
If the college offers rolling admissions they admit the first good applicants that come along leaving fewer slots for later applicants
If the college evaluates in one big pool, applying early shows you are interested and they know that stronger applicants tend to file early

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Both require students to apply by an early deadline - usually between October 15th and December 1st
Decisions are usually rendered between December 15 and
February 1
Borderline students are usually deferred and considered with the regular applicant pool at a later date
Only students that have thoroughly investigated colleges and completed most standardized testing by the end of the eleventh grade with high test scores will be in a strong position to consider early application

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Early decision involves a BINDING DECISION to enroll if accepted - you have to attend that school regardless of other offers and without knowing any financial aid package that may or may not be offered
You may only apply to one school through Early Decision and if accepted, you must withdraw your applications to all other schools
Early Decision offers a slight advantage of acceptance colleges usually accept a higher percentage of applicants than those that apply for regular decision - colleges desire students that really want to attend their school

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Entails NO commitment to enroll and therefore offers little advantage for admission
Early Action students, however, are often first in line for merit scholarships and housing
Competition in Early Action pools at highly selective schools is generally tougher than in the regular pool
Some Early Action colleges now ask that students apply early only to their institution, however, you may still apply regular decision to any other institution

Your College Essay Can Make the Difference!!!
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Admissions officers are looking for spark, vitality, wit, sensitivity, originality, and signs of a lively mind
They want to know how well you can express yourself in writing
Try to be as concise and specific as possible
Don’t waste words that aren’t essential to your point
Reread the essay several times for word choice and typos
If you have time - put your essay aside for a few weeks and reread again to see if it still makes sense
When talent, GPA, and test scores are equal - the essay will often determine who is chosen for admittance

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Show, don’t tell - a skillful writer lets evidence show that a proposition is true; a clumsy one tells because his writing is not powerful enough to show
Use your own experiences - put yourself in the starring role and use your own real life thoughts and feelings. Give the reader a piece of your mind
Use the first person - the better the reader gets to know you as a person the more likely you will be admitted
Begin with a flourish - the most important sentence in your essay is the first one; hook the reader with a first sentence that surprises and piques interest to read further – polish that first sentence until it sparkles!!!!
Proofread - nothing is more damaging than an essay sull of typoes, speling misteaks, and grammar that ain’t no good

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Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
Topic of your choice.

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Letters of recommendation matter because of substance, not because of who is writing them
They should tell the committee something about you as a person that comes out nowhere else in your application
Find people who are familiar with your goals and aspirations and can write about you in vivid detail
You will not be able to see the recommendation before it is sent
Most selective colleges require one recommendation from a teacher - pick one who has taught you in your junior or senior year, who can testify to some of your deeper and less obvious qualities
In general, do not send more recommendations than the application calls for
October 1st is the deadline to ask teachers to write a letter of recommendation

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During your senior class meeting, each student will receive a red folder with a cover sheet and additional information inside
Please write on the cover sheet the date that you turn the folder into your counselor or teacher
You must submit this folder to your counselor at least 10 school days in advance of your first application deadline in order to give us time to process your applications
Send the actual application and fees separately (online or through the mail). Do not submit money or checks to the guidance office

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Complete all information requested on the front cover
When listing what is inside your folder, only list what is actually being turned in that day and not all of the colleges you are applying to for the whole year
The order colleges are listed on the front cover needs to be the order they are inside the folder from earliest due date to the latest

LEFT SIDE OF FOLDER
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Letter to your counselor stating information about you that we may not be aware of and is not on your resume
Resume
Any information that will help us write a rich and substantial letter of recommendation
RIGHT SIDE OF FOLDER
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Secondary School Report,
Counselor Form, or
Curriculum Verification
Form, Scholarship
Applications
Manila Envelope with Stamps for Postage
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Large - 4-5 stamps
Paper-clip forms to envelope
Place forms and envelopes in the order they are listed on the front cover page

Name
Address
Phone Number
Email
Personal Information
Magnet
College major
Career goals
GPA (weighted/unweighted)
Total # AP courses taken
Test scores
Awards
Extracurricular
Leadership
Academic
Attendance
Extracurricular
Clubs
Sports
Music/arts
Leadership
Offices held—describe leadership roles/activities involved in leading/creating/etc.
Community Service
Volunteering
Work Experience
References

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Include additional information that is not on your resume
You should include more personal information
Explain what is unique about you
Describe your strengths and weaknesses
Describe any hardships you have overcome
Describe how the university would benefit from accepting you
- what special traits do you have that will benefit the school
Who has been your greatest influence in life and how have they have helped shape the kind of person you are
What are you passionate about and why?

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Make sure you indicate which schools need the common application
The common application usually requests counselors to submit on line – when you finish filling out your portion of the Common Application, there should be a feature that allows you to send an invitation to your counselor to submit the Secondary School Report online.
The counselor will receive an email from you at this point which requests them to fill out the Secondary
School Report Online.

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Make sure you bring in stamps for anything that has to be mailed to a college you are applying to or to organizations/corporations that sponsor scholarships
All transcripts sent to colleges are OFFICIAL - inside a sealed envelope with the principal’s signature and official school seal
In addition to the above, we are required to send a school profile with your transcript – the profile highlights the school’s grading scale and important statistics about our academic curriculum, test scores, and student body

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY7yPIcxkV
Q&feature=player_detailpage

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The state of Kentucky rewards students for good grades
2.5 is the minimum GPA you have to earn in a year to receive KEES money
15 is the minimum ACT score to receive additional funds
Better grades and higher ACT scores earn you more dollars
Students on free/reduced lunch may earn additional bonus funds for passing AP classes and exams
The funds can be used at any college in Kentucky

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Awarded solely on the basis of academic record or outstanding ability in many areas
Usually merit aid starts with GPA’s around 3.8 and ACT scores around 28 or is based entirely on your college audition
The amount of aid increases with higher scores
Each college sets it’s own criteria for granting merit based aid - search the scholarship section of their websites

General Admission ( 24 ACT; 2.5 GPA)
Honors Program: (28 ACT or 1250 SAT; and 3.5 GPA)
Competitive Scholarships
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Brown Fellows (31 ACT or 1360 SAT and 3.35 GPA)
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McConnell (Based on academic merit and leadership, 3.35 GPA)
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Grawemeyer (31 ACT or 1360 SAT and 3.75 GPA)
Vogt Hallmark (30 ACT or 1330 SAT and 3.75 GPA)
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Trustee’s Scholarship (25 ACT or 1130 SAT and 3.35 GPA)
Eagle/Gold Scout (25 ACT or 1130 SAT and 3.35 GPA)
Woodford Porter (African American students selected on merit, leadership & service
Guaranteed Entrance Programs (Requirements to Apply):
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Medical School (30 ACT and 3.75 GPA)
Dentistry (30 ACT and 3.75 GPA)
Law School (24 ACT and 3.35 GPA)
Nursing (25 ACT and 3.35 GPA)
Communication Art & Design (24 ACT and 3.2 GPA)

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Need is the difference between what it costs to attend a school and what you and your family are expected to pay
You might think of this as a formula:
Cost of Education
Expected Family Contribution
Need
The Expected Family Contribution is calculated through use of the FAFSA
In order to receive any financial aid you must fill out the
FAFSA

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FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal
Student Aid
The form requests financial information for the
2012 calendar year
Colleges use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work study programs
The State and Federal government will use the
FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants and loans

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

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If the program you are interested in isn’t offered in Kentucky, you may be able to pay in-state
tuition at an out-of-state school through the
Academic Common Market.
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia participate at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Florida, North Carolina, and Texas participate at the graduate level.

1. Myth:
Since most schools will offer you an aid package based on your need, there’s little reason to shop around
Truth:
Colleges have very different ways of dealing with your “need.” They can manipulate their offers based on how much they want you to attend their school, offering more in grants and less in loans, for example. If you receive a better offer of aid from one of your schools, you should by all means let the other schools know and see if you can use that information to receive a better offer.
2. Myth:
College costs consist of room, board, and tuition
Truth:
When calculating college costs, you must add in tuition, room, board, fees, books, transportation, clothing, entertainment, and the 10% rule – take whatever you think a year will cost and add 10% to cover the numerous unexpected costs associated with college attendance, as well as inflation

Financial Aid & Scholarship Myths
3. Myth:
Once you get a financial aid package from your chosen school, you can’t change it
4. Myth:
All scholarships are more-orless legitimate, so it’s a good idea to apply to as many as fit your profile
Truth:
Actually, you will be renewing your financial aid package each year, and it’s not unheard of for more money to become available, especially for high-achieving students
Truth:
There are many scholarship scams out there, so beware

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Tuition - payment for required courses, study abroad, exchange programs
Fees - registration, parking, activities, health, laboratory, many others
Books and Materials - computer, required texts and supplies
Room - cost of dorm or apartment plus furniture, utilities, internet access, and telephone
Food - meal plans, eating out, groceries
Transportation - two to three trips home or, if you keep an auto on campus, your gas expenses, insurance, parking fees, etc.
Personal - clothes, laundry, recreation, medical and dental, insurance
Miscellaneous - catchall for anything that doesn’t fit in another category - think about adding 10% of the total amount of above

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Tuition $9,466
($4,733 per sem.)
Room Rates (avg. cost) $4,650
Meal Plans (avg. cost) $2,920
Books (avg. cost) $1,000
TOTAL $18,036

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Available since the 2011-2012 school year on every college website
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Provides students and parents with the college’s annual cost of education
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Also provides an easy estimation of what your financial aid package may look like
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The Net Price Calculator will be fairly accurate, but does not substitute for actually going through the process of submitting your FAFSA Form

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The cost of attending the most prestigious colleges for four years is nearing $200,000
- more than double the price of 20 years ago.
Tuition at public universities has risen more than 50% in inflation adjusted dollars in the past ten years.
As college costs have risen, government aid has failed to keep pace - as a result, student debt has ballooned.
Persistence - continue to apply regardless of setbacks and rejections; if you apply for
95 scholarships you may only win a very few but they may be just the amount you need to make the difference
Creativity - adapt methods to pay to your own situation
You don’t necessarily have to be Einstein, Van Gogh, Pavarotti, or Peyton Manning, but you do have to be a detective
Finding scholarships is like a game of “Where’s Waldo?”
There are scholarships for almost everything: bagpipe players people under 4 feet tall majors in parapsychology women who want to be engineers

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You must be able to organize and prioritize
You must be able to write about a variety of topics that may or may not be exciting to you in a fluid and thoughtful way, demonstrating that you are a scholar or would like to be a scholar
You must understand yourself well enough to create a compelling portrait of who you are.
You must understand your audience well enough to be able to position your skills and strengths as deserving of their support.
Scholarship committees award funding to candidates they can understand and relate to and who distinguish themselves from other candidates by their ability to communicate.

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The senior year is the time to APPLY for scholarship, not
LOOK for them … You don’t have time!
You need to be searching NOW!
Explore the financial aid and scholarship pages on college websites you are interested in
Explore free scholarship search websites
Learn what is out there so you will be ready your senior year
Read books, articles, start a college savings account as soon as possible
Begin compiling a list of possibilities

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Year in school, citizenship, state of residence, religion, ethnic background, disability, military status, employer, membership organizations
Do you want to be in a competition? What are you talents and interests?
What subject do you plan to major in?
What career do you plan to pursue?
Do you want to apply for all types of aid or only scholarships?
Research local scholarships first – check your email/school website/PTSA electronic newsletter
Check the college aid section of your public library – scholarship handbooks
Check out the national scholarships such as National Merit, Gates Millennium, Intel Science
Search, Coca-Cola Scholars, Ron Brown, etc.
Check out your membership organizations, employers, religious, community service, fraternal, military, union, and professional groups
Check out fast food companies, department stores, supermarkets, awards related to employment
Use the internet for free scholarship searches
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority – KHEAA
Research Institutional Scholarships – automatic, merit, talent, financial need, intended major, departmental, ethnicity, or a variety of other factors

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Read the eligibility criteria carefully (GPA, test scores, other)
Collect all supporting documents early (transcripts, recommendations, resume, etc.).
Ask the person writing your recommendation to address your personal qualities that match the scholarship criteria with specific examples; If the recommender would not know about these examples, then you have to tell them in a letter
If you are asked to document your financial need, list all family obligations and then explain your situation honestly and completely
Be neat, thorough, and creative!
There may be thousands of students competing for the same scholarship take it seriously and write essays with your most distinguished effort.
Don’t miss the application deadline!

10 Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays
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Read the instructions and make sure you understand them before you start writing
Think about what you are going to write and organize your thoughts before you start writing
Begin the process by writing an outline
Make sure your outline touches on every aspect required per the instructions
Write your essay by elaborating on each of the points in your outline
Use clear, concise and simple language throughout the essay
State your accomplishments without coming across as if you are bragging
Make sure your grammar and spelling are impeccable
Read the question again and then read your essay to be certain that the essay addresses every point
Have someone with strong writing and editing skills proofread the essay before you submit it

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Click on Counselors
Click on Senior Scholarships
Start Browsing
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Click on Counselor Connection
Click on Scholarship Information

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 www.louisvillescholarships.com
adventuresineducation.org
brokescholar.com
cappex.com
careersandcolleges.com
clubscholarship.com
collegeanswer.com
collegenet.com
collegescholaships.com
fastaid.com
fastweb.com
finaid.org
free-4u.com
gocollege.com
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 hispanicscholaship.com
iefa.org
internationalscholarships.com
http://aid.military.com/search-forscholarhips.do
salliemae.com
scholarships.com
scholarships101.com
scholarships4you.com
scholarships.kachinatech.com
studentsawards.com
supercollege.com
wiredscholar.com
zinch.com

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Big Businesses
Professional Organizations
Extracurricular Activities
Workers Unions
Religious Organizations
Service Clubs
Parents Employer
Parent’s or Grandparents Military
Service
Student’s Employer
Businesses Big and Small - check with the Chamber of Commerce
The College Financial Aid Office
Career Service Offices
Visit Your College Department’s
Administrative Assistant
Contact Your Local Politician
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Search the Courier Journal Website for Scholarship Announcements
Scholarship Books
Dollars for Scholars - double your scholarship dollars at www.scholarshipamerica.org
Scholarships based on Personal
Challenges and Hardships
Turn Your Hobbies and Talents into
Scholarships
Scholarship organizations love
Leaders - check into Leadership
Awards
Turn Your Community Service into
Scholarship Dollars
Ace your College Application to Get
More Scholarship Dollars
Negotiate with your college if they try to take away your scholarship money

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Contact the financial aid counselors at your selected colleges to determine what scholarships they offer.
Watch the deadlines – some are as early as the fall semester and some are in October.
Keep applying. Check to determine if any essay you’ve written can be used for more than one award. Be careful not to get carried away with this – you might waste time and lose money.
Follow the directions of the application to the letter. Omitting information can disqualify you.
Ask for letters of recommendation early.
Notify the college you’ve decided to attend of scholarships you will be receiving (after they have offered your financial aid package and you have accepted what you want from the package).

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Remember the 10% Rule – total costs of a college, then add 10% to account for unexpected expenses.
Start Early – start working with the financial aid office even before being admitted.
Non-citizens be prepared. It is even more difficult to receive financial aid if you are not a U.S. Citizen because most colleges have little to no funds available for such students
Ask and Ask Again – If your financial aid package will not cover your costs, contact the financial aid office and ask them to review your application.
Beware of Scams – any scholarship fund that requests an application fee, operates out of a residence, guarantees you a return, or has a name suspiciously close to an organization you know to be legitimate, is probably a scam. Research funds thoroughly before sending money

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