Work especially hard this year! Take advantage of any and all
help/resources – get to know your teachers, ask questions, seek tutoring
help if needed.
Reason:
As a part of your college application, you’ll be forwarding your transcript
during the fall of your senior year. The transcript will be a record of how
you’ve done during six semesters of high school. Put another way, you
have the control during this year to determine the outcome of one-third
of your high school record!
Consider meeting with your counselor to discuss class choices for senior
year. Your transcript that you forward to colleges will also reflect which
classes you’re taking senior year. Colleges want to see that you’re
continuing to challenge yourself through the types of classes you take
and how well you do in them.
Explore your interests/skills!
Update your Educational/Career Action Plan (ECAP) throughout high school – take the
assessments at least 2-3 times through high school as your interests/experiences
change.
Go to: www.mpsaz.kuder.com.
Login formula is as follows – 1) user name – type in st and 6 digit school ID 2)
password – type in 6 digit school ID.
Through Navigator, students can do the following:
Understand their interests/skills and jobs/educational training to which those
correspond.
Develop a resume.
Research schools based upon a # of different criteria, i.e., location, major and more.
Careers- Education Pays
Jobs that involve some type of
education after high school are
projected to grow the fastest
through 2020, with jobs
requiring a masters degree
growing by 21.7%,
doctoral/professional degree
19.9%, bachelors degree by
16.5% and an associates
degree by 18%.
For on-the-job training, jobs
that require apprenticeships
are projected to grow the
fastest at 22.5%.
Another recommended exploration tool/site:
Big Future by CollegeBoard:
Go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
of college/career planning tools!
Amazing collection
Through Navigator or Big Future, explore the educational
programs that match up with your career interests – they
may involve a 1 year training program, a 2 year associates
degree, a bachelors degree or more. This will also
determine where you go to school, i.e., community college,
tech school, 4-year university, etc.
Explore the job outlook when you research career areas. It’s
important to know where the jobs will and will not be when
you’re an adult.
Take courses that interest you!
Join clubs/organizations that interest
you!
Consider job shadowing/summer
internship opportunities
Information will help you develop a plan!
This is important because any kind of education program after high school is an
investment of time and $$$. Examples of students we’ve seen:
Angela wants to become an X-ray tech and has taken the SAT and already applied
to ASU. She later learns, however, that the educational programming required to
become an X-ray tech is a 2-year associates degree program through Gateway
Community College. The SAT is not required for admission, although there are
specific prerequisites she must take to be admitted to this program.
Dustin has scored very high in the health science pathway in the interest/skills
assessments he’s taken. He takes biotech classes @ RMHS, loves them and learns
that this is a field with a very healthy job outlook. He researches and ends up
attending a university with a biotech program. Because of his strong grades and
background in the biotech field, he is awarded an excellent scholarship from a
biotech corporation.
Use the same sites to begin to explore colleges. Navigator and Big
Future both contain tools that allow you to specify criteria you may
want to consider in your college search
•Location (Urban, Suburban, Rural)
•Distance
•Academic Rigor
•Size
•Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics)
•Field of Study/Major
•Financial Aid
VISIT COLLEGES
Go while school is in session
Students-take notice
Bring a notebook and/or a camera
No more than two a day
Eat in the café if possible….
See a FRESHMAN dorm
See the music/athletic facilities if
applicable…
• Look for anything else that will be important
to you
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
You can be admitted to a community college with your high school
diploma. You do not need to take the ACT or SAT. A placement test will
determine which classes you will enroll in.
Available programs can lead to:
• Certificate, i.e., certified nursing assistant
• Associate’s degree in a particular discipline, i.e., dental hygiene
• Associate’s degree in general studies (transfer degree) – will allow
student to transfer coursework to the 4-year university to complete
a bachelors degree, i.e., elementary education
Required course competencies:
• 4.0 English
• 4.0 Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 & an
advanced math such as Trig, Precalculus, AP Statistics,
AP Calculus)
• 3.0 Science
• 2.0 Social Studies
• 2.0 World Language (same)
• 1.0 Fine Arts
One or more of the following:
Top 25% of class
3.0 min. competency GPA
(unweighted and based upon grades in courses listed above)
ACT of 22 and/or SAT of 1040
Competitive and/or out-of-state
universities MAY require:
AP & Honors Classes
Additional Academics
Additional Fine Arts
Additional World Language
Additional Tests, i.e., SAT Subject
Tests
• Letters of Recommendation
•
•
•
•
•
Tip: Become familiar this year with the admissions
requirements of the school(s) you’re considering.
What Colleges Consider For Admission
• Transcript
• Test Results
• Extracurricular
activities
• Recommendations
• Essay(s)
You’ll
initially
forward
your
transcript
when you
apply to
college
(fall of
12th
grade)
then once
more
after you
graduate
from
RMHS (a
mid-year
transcript
may also
be
required
by certain
colleges).
Cumulative GPA:
GPA based upon how
you’ve done in ALL
classes.
Sending your
transcript to a
university:
Name: Rufus D.
Lion
ID #: 654321
1. Visit Mrs. Haller,
our registrar, to
request that it be
sent to specific
school(s) OR
2. Have it sent
electronically via
www.parchment.com
Graduation
Requirements:
1. 22 credits
2. Meets/exceeds in
AIMS subject
areas.
3. Completed ECAP
Service Learning:
109
Class rank:
based upon GPA
from completion
of 17 courses.
150+ hours required for
Honor for Excellence
diploma seal/transcript
notation.
The SAT and ACT are exams that are one component of admission into most four-year universities across the
country. Universities consider your performance on the SAT and/or ACT one predictor of how you may do
academically in college.
Universities will take whichever is your best score, meaning you can take them both and more than once.
Students generally make some improvements upon retake.
Many universities don’t require/consider the writing portion of these exams. For example, ASU requires a
combined math/reading score of 1040 out of 1600 . It is, however, automatically a part of the SAT and is an
optional part of the ACT. It is generally a good idea, however, to take/do your best on the writing portion as
some universities, scholarship programs and college programs will take a look at this score.
ACT Quick Facts:
Frequency: 6 times/year
Duration: 3 hours, 3½ hours
including essay
Sections: English, math,
reading, science, writing
Achievement-based - looks
at the skills you’ve learned
in school
Cost: $34 - $49.50
Max. Score: 36
Avg. Score: 21
SAT Quick Facts:
Frequency: 7 times/year
Duration: 3 hours, 45
minutes
Sections: math, critical
reading, writing (optional)
Aptitude-based - looks at
your critical thinking skills
Cost: $50
Max. Score: 800 per section
Avg. Scores:
math – 516,
critical reading – 501,
writing - 492
WHY:
Many selective schools and honors/scholarship programs require you take at least one
or more SAT Subject Tests. Check with the admissions department of your top schools
to learn more about their requirements.
WHAT:
SAT Subject Tests are one hour tests that focus on specific academic subjects. The best
part about the Subject Tests is that in many cases you get to choose which ones you'll
take, so you should pick the ones where you're strongest.
What specifically do the SAT Subject Tests test?
It depends on the test. There are 5 content areas–Math, History, Literature, Science,
and Languages. There are multiple tests in every content area except Literature.
How are the SAT Subject Tests scored?
Each Subject Test is scored on a scale of 200–800.
SAT/ACT: WHEN TO TAKE AND HOW TO PREP
Take in the spring of your junior year and/or summer after your junior year
Register online at the SAT/ACT sites – links located on the RMHS Counseling page
Tools to Prep:
Online practice questions/tests available on the SAT/ACT sites.
Many free/low-cost smartphone apps available
Prep books available @ library/bookstores
Software programs available
Test prep classes available through companies such as Princeton Review
& Kaplan
Ideally, spend 6-12 months preparing. Grab your calendar and plan when you will:
* Practice
* Take shortened exams
* Sit for between 8-10 full-length exams
Extracurricular Activities
 If you haven’t yet started, get
involved at school and/or in your
community!
 Join something in which you’d
grow, enjoy and that shows
others your passions.
 Look for leadership opportunities,
i.e., club officer positions, youth
group leader, programs such as
Boys’ & Girls’ State
 Service Learning
 Summer Programs
 Internships
Colleges & scholarship programs
often ask for two or three
recommendation letters from people
who know you well. These letters
should be written by someone who can
describe your skills, accomplishments
and personality.
Develop relationships with your
teachers, counselor and other key
people who know you, i.e., coaches and
volunteer supervisors. Allow them to
truly get to know you – your character,
your strengths and your
accomplishments. These may then be
potential adults who can write strong
letters on your behalf.
Often required as part of admission to
universities/specific college programs.
Typically required for scholarships and honors
program applications.
Your essay reveals something important about you
that your grades and test scores can't—your
personality. It can give admission officers a sense
of who you are, as well as showcasing your writing
skills.
Topics may include overcoming an obstacle,
discussing a special accomplishment or your own
personal story.
Go to College Board’s Big Future for some great
tips on writing your essay.
Early Admissions: Deadline typically by November 1st of senior year
Early admissions means early answer plus the possibility of additional perks
depending upon university, i.e., priority housing/orientation.
Two types of early admissions –
Early action – non-binding: you can choose whether or not to attend that
school.
Early decision – binding: if you’re accepted, you must attend that school.
Typically used by more selective colleges.
Regular Admissions: Deadline typically around February 1st of senior year
Reply Date: May 1st of senior year
Make your decision by or prior to this date, submit enrollment deposits.
THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
COLLEGES CONSIDER
STUDENTS CONSIDER
• Student Record/Transcript
• Location/Distance
• Strength of Schedule
• Size
• Scores (SAT/ACT/Optional?)
• Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics)
• Field of Study/Major
Fall ‘14
Explore
college
search sites
& indiv.
college
sites.
Attend
college
presentations.
SAT/ACT
prep
Winter
‘14
Explore
college
search sites
& indiv.
college
sites.
Attend
college
presentations.
SAT/ACT
prep
Spring ‘15
Take
SAT/ACT
Summer
‘15
Take
SAT/ACT
College
visits
Fall ‘15
Letters of
rec – give 23 wks
notice.
Apply to
colleges
Winter
‘15
Complete
FAFSA by
February.
Spring ‘16
Consider
financial aid
award
packages.
Accept
College is generally paid for by:
* Private funds, i.e., the Bank of Parents/Relatives
* Grants – based upon financial need
* Loans
* Work-Study
* Scholarships
The cost of
attending a
college minus the
average amount
of gift aid that a
student at that
school receives
from the college
and the
government
Financial Need = Cost
of Attendance minus
Estimated Family
Contribution. Your
financial aid package
may include a combo
of scholarships,
grants, loans and
work study. Get an
idea of the amount
of financial need
typically met by
various schools.
Colleges
typically report
their financial
data to College
Board. This
becomes a
valuable tool
for you to
learn about
college costs!
Your family’s financial information is analyzed using the federal need formula.
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which shows the expected family
contribution (EFC). Your EFC is an indicator of your family’s financial strength. It is
sent to your state scholarship agency as well as to the colleges you listed on the
FAFSA. They use this number to determine your financial aid award.
You’ll receive an award letter showing your “financial package,” which may consist
of scholarships, grants, loans and work study. You can decline all or part of it.
You’ll need to report information about private scholarships you’ve been awarded
to the university’s financial aid office. Your financial aid award may then be
adjusted.
• Get familiar with all of the tools located at Red
Mountain’s Advisors link – explore, explore and
explore!
• Subscribe to Red Mountain’s College & Career
newsfeed to learn about upcoming visits from college
admissions reps and more – located in our Advisors
link.
• Visit MPS’ scholarship bulletin/site for scholarship
tips and info about specific scholarship opportunities
– locate in our RMHS Counseling link.
• Schedule an appointment with your counselor for
assistance with planning classes for senior year and
for college/career planning.
Learning More…
Attend tonight’s presentation, called “Beating the High Cost of
College,” presented by Mr. Ryon Frische.
Attend Red Mountain’s Financial Aid Night in January.
Get the facts about college costs by going to:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/collegecosts/understanding-college-costs
Look into types of aid that could help you cover college costs. Start by
reading 7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid, located at
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-101/7things-you-need-to-know-about-financial-aid.
See how much you need to save for college. Use the College Savings
Calculator, located at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-forcollege/paying-your-share/college-savings-calculator, to get an idea of
where you are compared with your savings goal.