From Here to There…

Welcome to Senior Year!

Bremen High School

• Have plans in place to earn all necessary credits– Pay attention to senior credit check letters

• Take PSAE on April 23 & 24– Seniors who MET or EXCEEDED on both

Reading and Math are Final Exam Exempt– Look on page 1 under “Your Performance

Level”

• Pass Constitution Test– Listen to announcements for Fall makeup:

October 29-November 1

• Register for Selective Service – Not eligible for financial aid if not registered

Getting Ready to Graduate

Senior Interviews

Beginning next week! All Seniors will be seen by their

counselors to discuss future options Things to bring to the interview

Transcripts with corrections List of questions and concerns Current plan for beyond Bremen

Senior Performance Assessment

Must submit proof of post-secondary plans

Bring all documentation to Project Manager, Ms. Rauch, in PPS by May 1st! Acceptance letters Semester schedule or COMPASS results Signed military contract Letter from employer

Senior Signing Day – May 9

Testing ACT Test

Required to apply to 4-year college Next test is October 27; registration deadline is September 21 Register online with a credit card or waiver at www.actstudent.org If you qualify for free lunch, you may obtain a waiver from your

counselor

COMPASS – college placement test recommended for seniors

Wednesday, October 24, at Bremen from 8 am-12 pm Sign up in PPS by Friday, September 21; you will be called down

to complete a SSC application Value–college planning information, free class

ASVAB – required for the military Tuesday, October 16, and 2nd semester (TBA) Signup information will be announced at a later date

College Visits

College Campus Visits - allowed two per year Must be taken before April 1st Follow planned-absence procedure outlined

on p. 16 of the Student/Parent Handbook

College Rep. Visits at Bremen - allowed three per semester without counselor approval Sign up outside PPS office

College Applications

All students are encouraged to apply online Target application deadline: November 1st

Read all parts of application carefully! If you qualify for free lunch, you may qualify for

an application fee waiver Read waiver directions carefully

Give counselor at least one week to complete his/her part

Letters of recommendation are not necessary unless requested by the school

A Complete Application Includes…

All parts completed correctly

Correct postage Application fees Application waivers

(if qualify) Complete

signatures Test scores

Accepted off of Bremen transcript?

Transcripts Request from

Registrar, Mrs. Innocenti

Form located in PPS Must provide

complete mailing address

Free until July 1st; then $5.00

U. of I. – Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)

College & Career Center

• Staffed beginning next week• Counselor assistance available

during study halls Monday-Thursday• Ask any teacher for a pass; scan in

for attend.• AAC – need grade clearance to

obtain a pass• Monthly workshops on timely topics

during Connection Periods

College & Career Center (CCC)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary association of about 1200 colleges and universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations devoted to the sound administration of intercollegiate athletics. Their rules help regulate college sports programs

Athletes must meet NCAA requirements prior to admission to college for Division 1 and Division 2 schools

Refer to student/athlete handbook in CCC If you are an athlete, it is your responsibility to tell

your counselor

NCAA Clearinghouse

NCAA (cont’d)

NCAA requirements: ACT score sent to NCAA from ACT

Choose 9999 as one of your college and scholarship choices when registering for ACT

Register online with a credit card ($70) at http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

See your counselor for specifics regarding classes, GPA, test scores, etc.

Scholarships

Students are responsible for their own scholarships

Follow same guidelines for completing college applications, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.

The more time and effort you put into the process, the greater your rewards will be.

Pay close attention to deadlines!!!!

Bremen Student Services website

CCC Workshops Colleges and universities Parent employers Your employer Relatives Unions (credit and job) Church Insurance companies Military State and local

representatives

Internet websites Fraternities/sororities Local Chamber of

Commerce Private, no cost to you,

agencies such as Educational Talent

Search Ada S. McKinley Target Hope

Public/college libraries Bookstores Magazines

Scholarship Resources

Obtain an application in the CCC or apply online

Prepare a packet including the application and all required materials

Allow 2 weeks for others (counselor, teacher, coach, etc.) to complete their parts and return to you Give a completed Letter of Recommendation

Form to every recommender Affix proper postage and address properly Mail by posted deadline

How Do I Apply for Scholarships and Awards?

FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid

All money is first come, first served If you apply late, you may not get money even if you

qualify Meet with your counselor to make an appt. to

meet with the ISAC rep. in CCC on Thursdays during study hall (begins next week)

Attend Financial Aid Night at Bremen on November 28

Come to FAFSA Workshops in CCC Register now and get your PIN

All students need a PIN to apply for financial aid Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov

CDS College & Career Expo

Wednesday, September 26th, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

South Suburban College Physical Fitness Athletic Center

Visit with more than 120 universities, colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs and military branches from across the country

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be present to assist with financial planning

How do I Choose a School??

Take a look at yourself Examine your values Think about your level of motivation Explore your interests

Gather Information CCC College view books and publications College campus visits/fairs/open houses Published guidebooks Internet Local/college libraries

Choosing a School (cont’d)

Investigate different types of schools Universities Liberal arts colleges Career schools Historically black colleges and universities Community/junior colleges Women’s/men’s colleges

Do your research Use websites, printed materials, personal

interviews Be sure to visit the campuses of your top choices

PRIORITY FILING: earliest application deadline (Nov. 1); may give student an advantage where space is limited; must have all documents turned in by deadline; used at Univ. of Ill. at Urbana.

REGULAR DECISION: largest selection pool; competing for admission and financial aid left after early admission decisions have been made (applications usually due by Feb. 1)

ROLLING ADMISSIONS: no application deadline; schools accept applications until all spots are filled

WAIT LIST: “We wish we could have you attend our school, but there isn’t any room at this time.” Some schools’ waiting lists have 500 students. Keep applying to other schools!

ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE: the national enrollment confirmation day is May 1; all freshman must commit to the school they will attend by this date

DEFERRED ADMISSION: requesting to postpone college for one year; may have a fee involved

When Do I Apply?

GPA/Rigor of Curriculum ACT or SAT scores Class Rank Application Essays Extracurricular Activities Recommendations (if requested) Interviews Intangibles

What do Admissions Officers Look For?

Be original Start early Relate to college program Don’t recycle a used essay Answer the question(s) Talk about:

Activities Travel Favorite sayings Accomplishments Shortcomings Personal traits

Attend a CCC Workshop for guided assistance

What About the Essay?

Complete college applications on time Visit potential colleges and/or college fairs Research financial aid options Research and apply for scholarships, FAFSA,

etc. Request final transcripts Keep grades up throughout senior year Work together to make post-secondary plans Be honest and open about financial concerns

Student & Parent Responsibilities

GOOD LUCK!!

Come to PPS if you have any questions!

Please use the Bremen website often!