Junior Night
Class of 2014
A Jump-Start on Senior Year
&
What You Should Know
about College
Ms. Carter
Tri Guidance Office
For Tonight
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Senior Year Priorities
Planning for College
Picking a College
What colleges ask for
The SAT and ACT
Paying for College
What Happens When?
The FAFSA
What Juniors Can do NOW
NCAA
More Help and Useful Tools
Close with Questions
Senior Year Priorities
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Turning in your Senior Brag Sheet, which will be available next fall
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Taking the ACT and/or SAT
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Keep on track with Senior Year Calendar
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Keeping up your grades
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Writing your college essays
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Getting letters of recommendation
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Applying on-time or “early decision” to colleges
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Seeking out financial aid options
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Complete the free Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it between
January 1 and March 10
College?
Where Can I Find Info on Colleges?
Check out the links on the Tri Guidance website
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Attend College Fairs
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Take College Visit Days
◦ Senior Year -2 days allowed for college visits
 Athletes can take up to 5 college visit days thanks to NCAA!
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Attend College Representative Visits to Tri
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Visit College websites – search for the “admissions” page
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Call or email colleges and ask for:
◦ brochures and application materials
◦ dates of their Preview Days
Picking a School
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How many should I apply to?
◦ An individual decision
Reach
How to Pick
Likely
Safety
Things to Consider
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Large vs. Small
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Public vs. Private
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Location
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Cost
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Major
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Visit www.collegeboard.com and My College Quickstart,
Naviance
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Campus Visit!!
Campus Visits
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Contact admission office well in advance
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Inform college of special areas of interest
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Learn as much as possible about the college before the visit
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Prepare a brief resume of information about yourself
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Plan to spend a whole day. Try to sit in on a class, tour the library, talk to
students in addition to the tour guide, and read the school newspaper
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Write a note of appreciation to individuals who helped you during your
visit
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If possible, take time to visit schools of interest during summer break
Applying to Schools
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What do colleges ask for?
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Counselor form, transcript, school profile
Application
Application Fee (varies)
Essay
Letters of Recommendation
SAT/ACT Scores
When should I apply?
◦ Normal versus Early Decision Deadlines
 These depends on each individual school
◦ Keep track of deadlines and have application materials
ready well in advance
Applications
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Early Decision
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ED to only ONE institution
Apply and hear back early
If admitted, withdraw all other applications
Committed to enroll at ED college
Early Action
◦ Can apply to multiple institutions EA
◦ Apply early, hear back early
◦ No commitment
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Rolling Admission
◦ Admission review is continuous
◦ Hear back usually within 2-6 weeks
◦ No commitment
Applications continued
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Common Application
◦ One application for multiple colleges (those who
participate)
◦ Allows you to spend less time on the busywork of
applying for admission, and more time on what's really
important: college research, visits, essay writing, and
senior year coursework.
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On-line Applications
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Read all instructions
Copy everything & print if you can
Spell and grammar check
Press send!
E-Transcript
Most universities and colleges now prefer to
receive copies of high school transcripts
online through the free E-Transcript
(Docufide) service
 To utilize this service, students must create
an account – a link to the E-Transcript
website is on the guidance page of the Tri
High website
 This service allows the student to also
receive emails confirming that transcripts
have been received by the college/university
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Letters of Recommendation
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It’s okay to ask “Can you write me a strong
letter?”
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Ask current, junior year, academic teacher(s)
◦ Give teachers plenty of notice
◦ Three weeks MINIMUM before you plan on
submitting the application
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Supply the teacher with a school addressed
envelope (stamped) and a copy of your brag sheet
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Follow up with a “thank you” note to the teacher
Essays
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Usually required piece of application for private colleges and
highly selective public universities.
◦ However, you can mail them in with your other application
materials to schools that don’t require essays
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Make them personal for each school!
◦ However, it may be beneficial to write a general essay over the
summer and then fill in the personal information as you apply
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Know who will be reading your essay
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Have someone read prior to submission
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Spell and grammar check
Application Calendar
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Jr.: Spring semester, 2013: Take SAT and ACT
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Jr.: Now – September: Make campus visits
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Sr.: September- November: Apply to colleges
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Sr.: September – register on www.fastweb.com
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Sr.: January, 2014: Complete FAFSA
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Sr.: May 1, 2014: Respond to admission offer(s)
SAT & ACT
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Tests that are required by most colleges –gives them
an idea of how you might perform academically
Check with schools to see which test they require
(SAT usually works)
Best to register online to immediately reserve seat
There is a fee each time you take the test
Must be sent from the testing company to the college
Make sure you have taken test WELL BEFORE school
deadline
Scores take several weeks to get results/be sent out
May want to give yourself time to retake test if
unhappy with scores
SAT & ACT
ACT
•Only multiple choice
questions
•Maximum score is 36
•No penalty for wrong
answers
SAT
•Some math questions
and essays are not
multiple choice
•Maximum score is 2400
(max. of 800 per
section)
•Wrong answers have
Penalty
-However, if you’re able to
eliminate choices, guessing may
be beneficial
SAT
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Most colleges require the SAT Reasoning
Test unless it is stated on the application
that they want you to take an SAT Subject
Test
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Tests critical reading, math, and writing skills
Some Upcoming Dates –More will be posted soon
SAT Test Date Registration Deadline
Deadline w/ late fees
May 4
April 5
April 19
June 1
May 2
May 17
Tri School code: 154045
ACT
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Assesses English, math, reading, and science
ability
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Optional writing exam –check with school
Some Upcoming Dates –More will be posted soon
ACT Test Date
Registration Deadline
Deadline w/ late fees
April 13
March 8
March 9-22
June 8
May 3
May 4-17
Tri School code: 154045
Preparation for the ACT/SAT
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Study!
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See the Tri Guidance Website for links
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The Compass in Muncie ($)
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www.number2.com (free)
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Use PSAT scores – My College Quickstart and Skills Insight (free)
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Publications, on-line and CD-Rom - go to www.act.org ($) and www.collegeboard.com ($)
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Kaplan: www.kaplan.com ($$) Indianapolis Kaplan Center: James.Litton@kaplan.com or 571-1009 (free)
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The Princeton Review:
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www.review.com ($$)
www.petersons.com ($$)
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www.maxthetest.com ($)
www.collegepilot.com ($)
Indiana On-line Academy: www.indianaonlineacademy.org ($$)
Register today for one of the locations offering on-site ACT/SAT Prep Courses to prepare to
take the test. Register on-line at www.zaps.com or by calling 877-927-8378. For questions,
please contact Kim Parsons from the Wayne County College Success Coalition at (765) 9832263.
ACT Prep - Sunday, March 17
SAT Prep - Sunday, April 14
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Golay Community Center
1007 East Main Street
Cambridge City, IN
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Blvd
Richmond, IN
$60 seminar fee includes;
•· 5 hour test preparation seminar
•· Comprehensive study guide
•· 6 practice tests per subject
Scholarships are available through CIS Site Coordinators
and Guidance Counselors.
The ZAPS ACT/SAT seminar is for college-bound students of all ability levels. Enrollment is limited;
register early to guarantee your place.
Super-Scored SAT/ACT
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Some colleges and universities are now
super-scoring the ACT/SAT (i.e. PU & IUB – be
sure to ask admissions when applying to a school to be sure)
Super Scoring involves taking the highest
section scores from multiple SAT/ACT
test sittings and creating a composite.
 This allows for the best possible
composite score for the student and also
encourages the student to take the exam
more than once
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Paying for College
3 Ways to Fund College
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Loans
◦ Government (subsidized and unsubsidized)
FAFSA
 Fill out FAFSA to determine eligibility
◦ Private
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Grants
◦ Fill out FAFSA to determine eligibility
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Scholarships
◦ Counseling Office will have a listing
◦ Visit the Tri Guidance Website
The FAFSA
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MUST compete to be considered for almost every type of
aid
◦ Asks for tax information from student and parents –do taxes
ASAP
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Federal deadline to file FAFSA is usually in March but some
schools will have EARLIER deadlines!
◦ Easiest to apply online (Can apply for PIN starting December 1st
but can’t submit until Jan 1)
◦ Submit as close to January 1 as possible
◦ Opportunities for free FAFSA help
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After you do the FAFSA, a Student Aid Report (SAR)
mailed/emailed to you February –April
◦ Review carefully and follow any instructions
Scholarships
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Applying
◦ Can ask for very little to a lot!
◦ Deadlines are absolute
◦ Range in award amount–greater chance of winning smaller amounts
(less competitive)
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How do I know when they apply to me?
◦ Look at requirements on the application
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When should I start looking?
◦ Usually start around August –more and more as year goes on
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Where can I find them?
◦ Tri Guidance Office & Tri Guidance Website, scholarship
websites, churches, businesses, family employers
◦ Warning: SSN & pay-based search sites
21st Century Scholars & Free/
Reduced Lunch
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SAT/ACT fee waivers
◦ Allowed up to 2 per year
◦ Your counselors can give you the necessary
forms
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Up to 4 college application fee waivers
What Happens When?
Senior Year Checklist
First Semester
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Visit colleges and attend college
representative visits
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Apply for as many scholarships as you can
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Take SAT or ACT if you haven’t already
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Narrow down list of schools you are
applying to
First Semester continued
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Make list of colleges, application materials,
deadlines
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Mail all necessary college applications by
Nov 1st and call to make sure application
packet is complete
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Apply for FAFSA PIN starting December
1
Second Semester
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FAFSA!
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Continue to apply for scholarships
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If not doing early decision deadlines, make
sure everything is turned in by normal
deadlines
◦ these vary -do NOT be late!
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Call colleges and ask “Is my application
packet complete?”
Second Semester continued
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Call college financial aid offices to see if they
require additional forms (housing, financial aid,
etc.)
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Review financial aid information sent from
colleges
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Report any outside grants or scholarships you
have been awarded to colleges
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April/May: Finalize college decisions, and notify
schools –even if you say “no”
NCAA – Division I or II
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You must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse
◦ Early fall
https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/
www.ncaaclearinghouse.org
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Core approved courses and SAT/ACT scores (see
NCAA website)
◦ Div I = 16 core courses
◦ Div II = 14 core courses
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(MUST have at least a 2.3 GPA!)
NCAA continued
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SAT/ACT scores
◦ Must be reported directly from SAT/ACT
◦ Use code “9999”
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Need more info?
◦ See the NCAA website
◦ Informational packets available in Athletic
Office
Need Some Direction?
What Can I Do Now?
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Guidance Website -Explore career and college majors
◦ Indiana Career Explorer
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Contact schools for brochures and applications
◦ Write down deadlines and gather what they ask for
◦ Start to narrow down schools/programs you want to apply to
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Register for and take the SAT or ACT
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Write your essays early
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Turn in your Senior Brag Sheet to the Counseling Office
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Figure out who you will ask for letters of recommendation
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Attend college fairs and take college visit days
Keep Pushing Yourself
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This semester is the last semester the colleges
will see when they are applying in the fall
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Do colleges really care about senior year grades?
◦ You can be accepted and then denied months later if
your grades significantly drop –they see your final
transcript
◦ Continue to take rigorous classes –colleges ask for
the list of classes you have picked for senior year
◦ Continue to be involved in extracurricular activities
Dual Credits
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If your student has taken any dual credits
through Tri or NCACP it’s important to
request transcripts from those postsecondary institutions as soon as the
semester is finalized.
◦ Your student will want to request those
transcripts be sent to the post-secondary school
they plan to attend as well.
◦ Take these transcripts to college orientation
and/or when meeting with the college advisor so
they don’t schedule your student in a class
they’ve already received credit in.
Dual Credits at Tri
Post-Secondary Inst.
ACP
ACP
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech
VU
PU
Course Name
English Language & Composition
English Literature & Composition
Concepts in Mathematics*
College Algebra*
Trig with Analytic Geometry
Calculus I
Biology I
General Chemistry I
Economics Fundamentals*
Principles of US Government
Survey of American History I
Spanish Level 3*
Spanish Level 4*
First Year Seminar*
Introduction to Microcomputers
Technical Graphics
Design Technology Statewide Elective
Accounting
Animal Science
Course Number
W131
L202
MATH 118
MATH 136
MATH 137
MATH 211
BIOL 105
CHEM 105
ECON 101
POLS 101
HIST 101
SPAN 101 & 102
SPAN 201 & 202
IVYT 101
CINS 101
DESN 102 (PLTW)
DESN 104 (PLTW)
DOE Name
Advanced English, College Credit
Advanced English, College Credit
Advanced Mathematics, College Credit
Advanced Mathematics, College Credit
Advanced Mathematics, College Credit
Advanced Mathematics, College Credit
Advanced Science, College Credit
Advanced Science, College Credit
Advanced Social Studies, College Credit
Advanced Social Studies, College Credit
Advanced Social Studies, College Credit
Advanced World Language, College Credit
Advanced World Language, College Credit
Preparing for College & Careers
Advanced Business, College Credit
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering Design
Advanced Business, College Credit
Advanced Science, College Credit
Early College:
Ivy Tech EC
Ivy Tech EC
Ivy Tech EC
Ivy Tech EC
Ivy Tech EC
Ivy Tech EC
English Composition
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Anatomy & Physiology I
Anatomy & Physiology II
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
ENGL 111
COMM 101
APHY 101
APHY 102
PSYC 101
SOCI 111
Advanced English, College Credit
Advanced English, College Credit
Advanced Science, College Credit
Advanced Science, College Credit
Advanced Social Studies, College Credit
Advanced Social Studies, College Credit
* New in the 2013-14 school year
College Credits
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Fulfills This Course Requirement
(English 12)
(English 12)
(Math)
(Pre-Calculus, 1st Semester)
(Pre-Calculus, 2nd Semester)
(Calculus AB, AP)
(Adv. Biology)
(Chemistry)
(Economics)
(Government)
(US History)
(Spanish III)
(Spanish 4)
(Preparing for College & Careers)
(Computer Applications)
(IED)
(POE)
(Accounting I)
(Advanced Animal Science)
(English 12)
(Speech)
(Anatomy & Physiology)
(Anatomy & Physiology)
(Psychology)
(Sociology)
Email
More and more we are communicating to
students and parents through email. To ensure
you are receiving the updates and latest
information, please make sure the guidance office
has the parent (and if applicable, student) email
address that you use.
 Be sure to check your email on a frequent basis,
as we send several important announcements out
throughout the year.
 Also, be sure to check that emails from the
guidance department aren’t being sent to your
junk mailbox.
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Your Counselor
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Jennifer Carter–Counselor
jcarter@shenry.k12.in.us
765-987-7988 ext. 207

Julie Bowman-Registrar/Guidance Secretary
jbowman@shenry.k12.in.us
765-987-7988 ext. 206
Thank You!
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Questions?