College Admissions 101College Admissions 101TC Roberson High School TC Roberson High School

Counseling DepartmentCounseling Department

Michelle Eldridge (A-F)Michelle Eldridge (A-F)Joel Baker (G-M)Joel Baker (G-M)

Melanie Parham (N-Z)Melanie Parham (N-Z)Jennie Gaddy (Transcripts)Jennie Gaddy (Transcripts)Connie Knight (Appointments)Connie Knight (Appointments)

WorkWork Military Military TradesTrades Apprentice programsApprentice programs 2 year College2 year College 4 year College4 year College

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

Median Annual Earnings by Level of Education, 2003 CollegeBoard and US Census Bureau

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000

Not a HS Grad.

H.S. Grad

Some College

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctoral Degree

Professional Degree

AnnualEarnings

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 SAT/ACT score My SAT/ACT score

is…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…

College Night

September 23, 2010 6 – 9pm Asheville Mall 120 College Admissions Reps from

around NC and the East Coast Military Representatives Pick up applications and scholarship info Ask QUESTIONS!

#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

University of North Carolina System

NC Independent Colleges & Universities

Campus ActivitiesCampus Activities

Support ServicesSupport Services

Cost & Financial AidCost & Financial Aid

Admission PolicyAdmission Policy

Type of SchoolType of School

Majors OfferedMajors Offered

CollegeCollege CharacteristicsCharacteristics

The Place Continued

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

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 -preferred Online applications -preferred CFNC.orgCFNC.org applications for any NC applications for any NC

School School Common ApplicationCommon Application Paper ApplicationsPaper Applications

What is a Transcript? What is a Transcript?

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

Go to The Counseling Office to request paper Go to The Counseling Office to request paper transcripts. The cost is $3.00. Transcript will be in a transcripts. The cost is $3.00. Transcript will be in a sealed envelope. Student is responsible for mailing. sealed envelope. Student is responsible for mailing.

Must submit a transcript for each college application.Must submit a transcript for each college application. AB Tech transcriptsAB Tech transcripts

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

Each college has a Deadline for Applications to Each college has a Deadline for Applications to be Submitted.be Submitted.

Many Deadlines are early (November 1 for Many Deadlines are early (November 1 for several NC Colleges)several NC Colleges)

Some Early Deadlines are for a Binding Some Early Deadlines are for a Binding Decision; this means if you are admitted to the Decision; this means if you are admitted to the school you are committed to attending that school you are committed to attending that school. school.

Check each application you complete for all Check each application you complete for all deadlines.deadlines.

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. Tips at CFNC.orgTips at CFNC.org

The RecommendationThe Recommendation

Complete Request for Letter of Complete Request for Letter of Recommendation. (On TCR Website)Recommendation. (On TCR Website)

Make copies for teachers, outside references Make copies for teachers, outside references and counselor. and counselor.

Share where you are applying. Share where you are applying. Include addressed envelope and stamp**.Include addressed envelope and stamp**. Give the teacher plenty of time. Give the teacher plenty of time. School Report Forms- Some Recommendations School Report Forms- Some Recommendations

are specific and ask recommenders to complete are specific and ask recommenders to complete a form.a form.

Should I Retake The SAT/ACT?Should I Retake The SAT/ACT?

SAT-$45SAT-$45 Late Deadline by 9/23 for additional $23Late Deadline by 9/23 for additional $23

ACT Plus Writing - $47ACT Plus Writing - $47 TCR School Code: 343-630TCR School Code: 343-630 www.Collegeboard.com www.Actstudent.org

SAT Dates2010 – 2011 Test

DatesRegistration

DeadlinesLate Fee Required

ACT September 22, 2010* August 6, 2010 August 7 – 20, 2010

SAT October 9, 2010 * September 9, 2010 September 10 - 24

ACT October 23, 2010 * September 17, 2010 September 18 – October 1, 2010

SAT November 6, 2010 October 8, 2010 October 9 - 22

SAT December 4, 2010 * November 5, 2010 November 6 - 19

ACT December 11, 2010 * November 5, 2010 November 6 – 19, 2010

SAT January 22, 2011 * December 23, 2010 December 24 – January 7, 2011

ACT February 12, 2011 * January 7, 2011 January 8 – 21, 2011

Community College Placement Community College Placement Testing Testing

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

ACT or SAT tests scores may also be ACT or SAT tests scores may also be considered for placement if scores meet considered for placement if scores meet the requirements. the requirements.

NCAA Eligibility Center

Register with the eligibility center After junior year, have Ms. Gaddy send your transcript When taking the ACT or SAT, request test scores to be

sent to the eligibility center (the code is "9999"). Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign the final

authorization signature online on or after April 1 if you are expecting to enroll in college in the fall semester.

Request a final transcript with proof of graduation be sent to the eligibility center in June.

Check with Ms. Gaddy at the end of the school year to make sure she has you on the list.

#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

Types of Financial Aid

Merit Awards / Scholarship Need Based Awards / Grants Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans Work Study

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, 2011 at January 1, 2011 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 in Counseling Office. Check in Counseling Office.

Sign up for Sign up for Mrs. Parham’s Mrs. Parham’s

email list serve!!! email list serve!!!

Scholarships It’s a part time job!

The Search The Process Tips Deadlines

Highly Competitive Scholarships

9/9 Davidson’s Bryan Scholarship - Coach’s Nomination due

9/25 Davidson’s Bryan Scholarship – School Nomination due

9/7 UNC-Chapel Hill’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship

9/7 NC State’s Park Scholarship 10/? Teaching Fellows 11/1 Davidson’s Belk Scholarship

The Class of 2011 The Class of 2011 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, 2011Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2011 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

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. .

College/University Course of Study

English 4 CreditsMathematics (Algebra 1 and above) 4 CreditsSocial Studies 3 CreditsScience 3 CreditsForeign Language (same language) 2 Credits

28 credits are required to graduate.

Colleges may also require additional courses in:

Mathematics Science Fine and Performing Arts Computer Science

College Tech Prep

English 4 Credits Math 3 Credits Science 3 Credits Social Studies 3 Credits Career/Technical 4 Credits 28 Credits are required to graduate.

Questions please contact Mrs. Questions please contact Mrs. Eldridge, Mr. Baker or Eldridge, Mr. Baker or

Mrs. ParhamMrs. Parham