College Admissions 101College Admissions 101

Princeton High School Princeton High School Guidance DepartmentGuidance Department

Brian Church (A-L)Brian Church (A-L)

Debra Dullard (M-Z)Debra Dullard (M-Z)

Elena Hilmes - RegistrarElena Hilmes - Registrar

WorkWork Military Military TradesTrades Apprentice programsApprentice programs Proprietary schoolsProprietary schools CollegeCollege

Recognize strengths and weaknessesRecognize strengths and weaknesses Analyze interests and valuesAnalyze interests and values Achieve a personal goalAchieve a personal goal Increase earning powerIncrease earning power Prepare for a career and expand Prepare for a career and expand

learninglearning Participate in extracurricular activities Participate in extracurricular activities

and social lifeand social life Consider influence of family and Consider influence of family and

friendsfriends

English 4 YearsMathematics (Algebra 1 and above) 3 YearsSocial Studies 3 YearsScience 3 YearsForeign Language (same language) 2 Years

Colleges may also require additional courses in:

Mathematics Science Fine and Performing Arts Computer Science

Fitting The Pieces TogetherFitting The Pieces Together

Person…. Where do I fit?Person…. Where do I fit? Program…. What will I study?Program…. What will I study? People…. Who will I meet?People…. Who will I meet? Place…. Where am I going?Place…. Where am I going? Price…. How much will it cost?Price…. How much will it cost?

#1 The Person….Where Do I Fit?#1 The Person….Where Do I Fit?

My grade point My grade point average is…average is…

My class rank is… My class rank is… My ACT score is…My ACT score is… My high school course My high school course

of study is…of study is… My profile vs. the My profile vs. the

profile at choice profile at choice schools…schools…

#2 The Program-What Will I Study?#2 The Program-What Will I Study?

Factors to ConsiderFactors to Consider Favorite classesFavorite classes Work experiencesWork experiences Leisure activitiesLeisure activities School activitiesSchool activities Dream careersDream careers People admired People admired

#3 People - Who Will I Meet?#3 People - Who Will I Meet? Visit the campus…Visit the campus… Plan the trip…Plan the trip… Parents should Parents should

accompany…accompany… Take the campus Take the campus

tour…tour… Meet a department Meet a department

professor…professor… Ask questions…Ask questions… Trust your instincts…Trust your instincts…

#4 The Place-Where Am I Going?#4 The Place-Where Am I Going? Distance from homeDistance from home Residential lifeResidential life Campus settingCampus setting Campus sizeCampus size Campus safety/securityCampus safety/security Health servicesHealth services Sororities/fraternitiesSororities/fraternities Study abroad programsStudy abroad programs

#5 The Price - How Much Will It #5 The Price - How Much Will It Cost?Cost?

Discuss the cost of Discuss the cost of attendance as a familyattendance as a family

Community college & Community college & state university vs. state university vs. private school costsprivate school costs

COA (COA (Cost of AttendanceCost of Attendance))

- - EFCEFC (Expected Family Contribution)(Expected Family Contribution)

Financial Need Financial Need

Results of School ResearchResults of School Research I Fit…I Fit…• I clearly meet admission criteriaI clearly meet admission criteria• Offers selected major of study Offers selected major of study • AffordableAffordable I Fit If…I Fit If…• Questionable criteria for admissionQuestionable criteria for admission• Offers selected major of studyOffers selected major of study• Financial need package is importantFinancial need package is important I Want To Give A Try… I Want To Give A Try… • Admission criteria clearly questionable or very Admission criteria clearly questionable or very

competitivecompetitive• Financial aid is a mustFinancial aid is a must

Should I Retake The ACT?Should I Retake The ACT?

The ACT is given at PHS on 10/25/08 The ACT is given at PHS on 10/25/08 and 2/9/08. and 2/9/08. The registration deadline is 9/19/08 The registration deadline is 9/19/08

for the October 25 test.for the October 25 test. PHS School Code: 143-560PHS School Code: 143-560 PHS Test Center Code: 163030PHS Test Center Code: 163030 ACT No Writing - $31 ACT No Writing - $31 ACT Plus Writing - $46ACT Plus Writing - $46

When Do I Apply For College?When Do I Apply For College?

October is considered Application October is considered Application Month.Month.

Apply only to your top 3-5 choices.Apply only to your top 3-5 choices. Many schools have Priority Filing Many schools have Priority Filing

deadlines. deadlines.

The Application ProcessThe Application Process

Online applications are typically preferred Online applications are typically preferred and can be found under “Prospective and can be found under “Prospective Students” on the college website.Students” on the college website.

Use Use www.phs-il.org – click on the – click on the Guidance link and log on to PrepHQ for a Guidance link and log on to PrepHQ for a comprehensive list colleges and comprehensive list colleges and universities. universities.

A limited number of paper applications are A limited number of paper applications are in the Guidance Office.in the Guidance Office.

What is a Transcript? What is a Transcript?

A complete record of your grades, rank in A complete record of your grades, rank in class and credits. (through the 6class and credits. (through the 6thth semester) semester)

Your highest ACT composite score will be Your highest ACT composite score will be included on the transcript. included on the transcript.

The Guidance Office will mail or email your The Guidance Office will mail or email your transcript and a school profile sheet.transcript and a school profile sheet.

What Is An Application What Is An Application Deadline?Deadline?

University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois @Chicago - No Priority Deadline - January 15 – Application Period @Chicago - No Priority Deadline - January 15 – Application Period

Deadline Deadline @Springfield - September 1 - March 15 - Application Period Deadline @Springfield - September 1 - March 15 - Application Period Deadline

- After March 15, applications will be considered as space permits- After March 15, applications will be considered as space permits @Urbana/Champaign - September 1 - Nov.10 - Priority Filing Period @Urbana/Champaign - September 1 - Nov.10 - Priority Filing Period

(postmark deadline) January 2 – Application Period Deadline(postmark deadline) January 2 – Application Period Deadline Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University September 1 - November 15 - Priority Filing Deadline September 1 - November 15 - Priority Filing Deadline March 1 – Application Period DeadlineMarch 1 – Application Period Deadline Western Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University To guarantee consideration apply by May 15To guarantee consideration apply by May 15

The Personal ResumeThe Personal Resume

Your list of academic, athletic, Your list of academic, athletic, and community activities.and community activities.

Study examplesStudy examples Make several copiesMake several copies Begin immediatelyBegin immediately

The Personal StatementThe Personal Statement

Offers information not found on the Offers information not found on the application. application.

Explain what you can offer the Explain what you can offer the school.school.

Write it yourself.Write it yourself. Have it proofread.Have it proofread.

The Teacher RecommendationThe Teacher Recommendation

Best to write out a request.Best to write out a request. Share where you are going.Share where you are going. Include addressed envelope and stamp.Include addressed envelope and stamp. Share what you want in the Share what you want in the

recommendation.recommendation. Share with the author the common link Share with the author the common link

between the school and yourself.between the school and yourself. Give the teacher a deadline. Give the teacher a deadline.

Remain in contact with the colleges to Remain in contact with the colleges to which you have applied.which you have applied.

Consider a second campus visit.Consider a second campus visit.

Submit your housing application with a Submit your housing application with a deposit prior to the deadline.deposit prior to the deadline.

Register for placement testing.Register for placement testing.

Communicate your final plans to all Communicate your final plans to all colleges. colleges.

Finalize Your PlansFinalize Your Plans

IVCC ApplicantsIVCC Applicants

Complete the admission application now.Complete the admission application now. Sign-up for “Winsday” Program Sign-up for “Winsday” Program IVCC Tuition Guarantee Notice of Intent IVCC Tuition Guarantee Notice of Intent

Form is due on Friday, September 26, Form is due on Friday, September 26, 2008 - Check your eligibility 2008 - Check your eligibility

IVCC Placement Testing IVCC Placement Testing

All first-time, full-time students must take All first-time, full-time students must take placement tests at IVCC in English and placement tests at IVCC in English and Math (Accuplacer)Math (Accuplacer)

The following ACT subscores will exempt The following ACT subscores will exempt you from the IVCC placement testing: you from the IVCC placement testing:

Math - 24Math - 24 English - 22English - 22

Reading - 23Reading - 23

An Overview of Financial AidAn Overview of Financial Aid

Seniors should apply for your PIN number Seniors should apply for your PIN number now at now at www.pin.ed.gov

File the FAFSA as soon as possible after File the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2009 at January 1, 2009 at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Use a FAFSA worksheet to help complete Use a FAFSA worksheet to help complete the filing process. the filing process.

Financial Need CalculationFinancial Need Calculation

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by completing the FAFSA.determined by completing the FAFSA.

Outside scholarships and awards are then Outside scholarships and awards are then added to expected family contribution which added to expected family contribution which then decreases the financial aid package then decreases the financial aid package offered by the university.offered by the university.

Finally, the student’s financial aid package Finally, the student’s financial aid package is determined. is determined.

The Student Aid Report (SAR)The Student Aid Report (SAR)

Will receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filingWill receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filing

Make any necessary correctionsMake any necessary corrections

Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family Contribution)Contribution)

NO! NO! ““Financial Need” is determined using the cost Financial Need” is determined using the cost of attendance at individual institutions.of attendance at individual institutions.

Is my “Financial Need” the Is my “Financial Need” the same at all institutions?same at all institutions?

College “A”College “A”

COACOA $18,000$18,000

EFCEFC - - 5,0005,000

College “B”College “B”

COACOA $8,500 $8,500

EFCEFC - - 5,0005,000

FINANCIAL FINANCIAL NEEDNEED

$13,000$13,000 FINANCIAL FINANCIAL NEEDNEED

$3,500$3,500

ScholarshipsScholarships Register at Register at www.fastweb.com Check PrepHQ for a complete listing of Check PrepHQ for a complete listing of

local scholarships – Wal-Mart, Princeton local scholarships – Wal-Mart, Princeton Memorial Scholarship, Princeton Rotary. Memorial Scholarship, Princeton Rotary.

Check Check PrepHQ daily for PrepHQ daily for announcementsannouncements

The Class of 2009 Families The Class of 2009 Families What’s Next for You? What’s Next for You?

Encourage the completion of college Encourage the completion of college applications in October and Novemberapplications in October and November

Take more college visits, if necessaryTake more college visits, if necessary Submit tax information in a timely mannerSubmit tax information in a timely manner Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2009Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2009 After the final school selection is made, After the final school selection is made,

contact schools not chosencontact schools not chosen Be organized and meet all deadlines!!!!! Be organized and meet all deadlines!!!!!

Determine college costsDetermine college costs Investigate ALL possible resourcesInvestigate ALL possible resources

− ParentsParents− SavingsSavings− Summer earningsSummer earnings− Financial aid: scholarships, grants, Financial aid: scholarships, grants,

loans and work-studyloans and work-study− Other sourcesOther sources

Secure necessary forms and note Secure necessary forms and note deadlinesdeadlines

Apply for financial aid as early as possibleApply for financial aid as early as possible

Class of 2010 FamiliesClass of 2010 FamiliesWhat’s Next For You?What’s Next For You?

Consider taking the PSAT/MNSQT test.Consider taking the PSAT/MNSQT test. Attend College Night at IVCC on Tuesday, Attend College Night at IVCC on Tuesday,

October 20 from 6:30-8:00.October 20 from 6:30-8:00. Meet with college reps at PHS this fall.Meet with college reps at PHS this fall. Visit different types of schools (small/large, Visit different types of schools (small/large,

public/private, vocational/liberal arts) over public/private, vocational/liberal arts) over spring break or next summer.spring break or next summer.

Review senior year course selections.Review senior year course selections. Utilize PrepHQ!!!!!!! Utilize PrepHQ!!!!!!!

Prairie State Achievement Prairie State Achievement ExaminationExamination

Day 1- Wednesday, April Day 1- Wednesday, April 22 (No fee)22 (No fee) ACT Plus Writing. ACT Plus Writing.

Day 2- Thursday, Day 2- Thursday,

April 23 , 2009April 23 , 2009 ISBE developed tests ISBE developed tests

and ACT Work Keys and ACT Work Keys Test.Test.

Pre-registration is Pre-registration is completed at PHS. completed at PHS.

Become familiar with the ACT test content and formatBecome familiar with the ACT test content and format Review your PLANReview your PLAN®® results to identify academic results to identify academic

weaknessesweaknesses Learn appropriate test-taking strategiesLearn appropriate test-taking strategies Use ACT Online PrepUse ACT Online PrepTMTM – ACT’s test preparation – ACT’s test preparation

programprogram Review Review The Real ACT Prep GuideThe Real ACT Prep Guide – the official test – the official test

prep book – available for purchase at www.act.org.prep book – available for purchase at www.act.org. Visit the ACT at Visit the ACT at www.actstudent.org - take the ACT - take the ACT

free practice tests.free practice tests. See your counselor for other test preparation See your counselor for other test preparation

materials - ZAPS – March, 2009 The cost is materials - ZAPS – March, 2009 The cost is approximatelyapproximately $75. $75.

Stay Positive!!!Stay Positive!!!The search for the right fit can The search for the right fit can

be exhausting and stressfulbe exhausting and stressful. .

And Finally………..And Finally………..

Plan to attend the PHS Plan to attend the PHS Financial Aid Night on Financial Aid Night on

Wednesday, January 7, Wednesday, January 7, 2009 (6:30 p.m.)2009 (6:30 p.m.)

Questions please contact Mr. Questions please contact Mr. Church or Mrs. DullardChurch or Mrs. Dullard