Senior InformationTri Jr./Sr. High School

Class of 2014

Core 40

Academic Honors

Technical Honors

Diploma Review

40 credits

Required Subject Areas

Basis of College Admissions (most expect more!)

Considered the minimum diploma option

Core 40 Diploma

47 credits

3.0 GPA requirement

C-(or better) in required subject areas

Required Subject Areas

Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma

47 credits

3.0 GPA requirement

C-(or better) in required subject areas for diploma

Required Subject Areas – Vocational Program

Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma

College?

Check out links on the Tri Guidance website

Attend College Fairs (Sept 17, 6:30-8 – New Castle High School)

Take College Visit Days (3 during senior year)◦ Fall break is an excellent time to avoid missing school

Attend College Representative Visits at Tri

Visit College Websites – search for their “admissions page”

Call or Email Colleges and Ask For:◦ Brochures and application materials◦ Dates of their Preview Days

Where Can I find Info on Colleges?

How many should I apply to?◦ An individual decision

Picking a School

How to Pick

Reach

Likely

Safety

Large vs. Small: ◦ Do you want to attend a big university with more program choices and social activities,

but also larger lecture classes? Or would you like fewer choices but more personal attention and a better chance to stand out? You decide.

Public vs. Private

Location: ◦ Attending a local college versus living in dorms or an apartment - what’s better? It

depends. For some, residence hall life is an important part of the college experience, but commuting from home is less expensive.

Cost

Major: ◦ The college you attend needs to have a major that matches your career goal. Talk to a

professional in your future career if you’re not sure, or ask your teachers.

Visit http://www.knowhow2go.org/

Campus Visits help!!!

Things to Consider

Contact admission office well in advance – don’t just show up!

Inform college of special areas of interest

Learn as much as possible about the college before the visit

Prepare a brief resume of information about yourself to take with you

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

Write a note of appreciation to individuals who helped you during your visit

If possible, take time to visit schools of interest during breaks (Fall break would be an excellent time to visit multiple schools!)

Campus Visits

Early Decision◦ 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

Rolling Admissions◦ Admission review is continuous◦ Hear back usually within 2-6 weeks◦ No commitment

Applying to Schools: Applications

Common Application◦ One application for multiple colleges (more & more participating!)◦ Once completed online or in print, copies of the Application for Undergraduate

Admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. Butler, DePauw, Earlham, Goshen, Hanover, Manchester, Saint Mary’s College, University of

Evansville, Notre Dame, Valparaiso University, Purdue University

On-line Applications◦ Read all instructions◦ Copy everything & print if you can◦ Spell and grammar check◦ Press send!

Paper Applications◦ Some paper applications are available in the guidance office◦ Can be requested on the school’s website◦ Don’t submit online and in paper to the same school; sending two applications (or the

same one twice) can cause problems in college admissions systems

Feel free to visit the guidance office to use the computer to apply to colleges before or after school!

Applications Continued

What do the counselors send to the office of admissions?◦ Transcript◦ Test Scores (SAT/ACT/ECA)◦ Current Senior Year Courses◦ School Profile◦ Letter of Recommendation if requested◦ Verified final grades and diploma type◦ Other

Applying & Getting Accepted

September 23-27

Some colleges will waive their application fee during this week. This can be a great opportunity to apply to several colleges and save a lot of money! An updated list of participating schools is on their website.

Fun college-related activities will be planned for the week. It is our goal to have all Seniors complete a post-secondary application during this week!

College GO! Week

http://www.collegegoweekindiana.org/

It has all colleges and universities in the state of Indiana at one place, including admission requirements, general contact information, application deadlines, and application costs.

Use This Website!!!

Senior Year Timeline

Keep a calendar

Register & take (or retake) SAT/ACT◦ Check the guidance office and/or website for upcoming dates

Athletes register with NCAA Clearinghouse/Eligibility Center if applicable (see Mr. Byrket with questions)

Browse and begin applications online

Set up your account on parchment.com for transcripts to be sent to colleges online

First Semester

Attend college fairs and take college days ◦ Henry County College Fair: Sept. 17th 6:30-8 @ New Castle HS

Cafeteria◦ Check the guidance office and/or website for dates

Narrow your college choices

Double check deadlines (apply by November 1st!)

Speak with college admissions representatives when they visit the school

Start applying for scholarships – All scholarships are on the Tri guidance website

First Semester (continued)

Submit applications prior to deadlines ◦ Usually November 1st!

Check Harmony for grade status frequently

After finishing your first semester dual credit courses, send requests to that college for a transcript

Find the FAFSA application online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov after December 1st

◦ Register for your PIN number – keep in a safe place, you will use this in future years!

◦ Financial aid night at Tri – TBA

First Semester (continued)

FAFSA submission – state deadline 3/10!◦ Private/elite schools earlier?

Follow up with intended school◦ Additional forms required?

Many admission deadlines are March 15th ◦ (Check the date with your college/university).

Student Aid Report (SAR) mailed/emailed to you between February and April. Review carefully and follow any instructions.

Second Semester

Review financial aid information for your college/university, report any grants or scholarships you have been awarded outside of the college/university

April/May: finalize college decisions, make notifications

June: confirm that your final transcript has been received at your college/university

Second Semester (continued)

SAT & ACT

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

There is a fee each time you take the test◦ Free/reduced students can take the test for free up to two times a semester; first come,

first serve

Scores must be sent from the testing company to the college

Make sure you have taken the 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

Best to register online (immediately secures seat)◦ Can be done at home or in the guidance office

SAT Reasoning Test vs. Subject Test◦ Most colleges require the SAT Reasoning Test unless it is stated on the

application that they want you to take an SAT Subject Test

Tests critical reading, math, and writing skills◦ Some math questions and essays are not multiple choice◦ Maximum score is 2400◦ Wrong answers have a penalty

SAT prep materials◦ Guidance Office◦ TRI library◦ Purchase◦ Seminars◦ Online

SAT

New Testing Security:You will be prompted to provide an acceptable photo during registration. The photo will appear on your Admission Ticket. No ticket, no ID, no admission. If you don’t have access to a photo of yourself on the computer, guidance has webcams on our new laptops for your use.

Best to register online (immediately secures seat)

Assesses English, math, reading, AND science ability◦ Only multiple choice questions◦ Maximum score is 36◦ No penalty for wrong answers

Optional writing exam (ALWAYS TAKE THIS PORTION)

ACT prep materials:◦ TRI library◦ Purchase◦ Seminars

ACT

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline

Deadline w/ Late Fees

Oct. 5, 2013 Sept. 6, 2013 Sept. 20, 2013

Nov. 2, 2013 Oct. 3, 2013 Oct. 18, 2013

Dec. 7, 2013 Nov. 8, 2013 Nov. 22, 2013

SAT & ACT 1st Semester Test Dates

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline

Deadline w/ Late Fees

Sept. 21, 2013 Aug. 23, 2013 Aug. 24-Sept 6, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013 Sept. 27, 2013 Sept. 28-Oct 11-2013

Dec. 14, 2013 Nov. 8, 2013 Nov. 9-22, 2013

SAT/ACT Fee Waivers• 21st Century Scholars & Free/Reduced Lunch

• Allowed up to 2 per year• Your counselor can give you the

necessary forms

Paying for College

Public, two-year: $2,361 Public, four-year: $6,185 Private, four-year: $23,712

Average Cost to Attend College

Loans◦ Government (subsidized and unsubsidized) ◦ Private

Grants◦ Fill out FAFSA to determine eligibility

Scholarships◦ Guidance Office posts on website and emails◦ Family member employment◦ Social, religious, ethnic organizations

Paying for College

Applying◦ Can ask for very little to a lot!◦ Deadlines are ABSOLUTE◦ Range in award amount-greater chance of winning smaller amounts

(less competitive)

How do I know when they apply to me?◦ Look at requirements on the application

When should I start looking?◦ Usually start around August – More and more as the year goes on

Where can I find them?◦ Tri Guidance Office & Tri Guidance Website, scholarship websites,

churches, businesses, family employers◦ Warning: SSN & pay-based search sites

Scholarships

https://www.indianacollegecosts.org/cce/Estimator/Agreement

A new online calculator that allows you to see the true cost of attending Indiana colleges once financial aid is taken into account.

Use This Website!!!

Start early!!!

“Strong letter”

Provide BRAG sheet

Be courteous – give your recommender at least two weeks, and a pre-addressed and stamped envelope

Letters of Recommendation

Clearinghouse registration at: http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

Amateurism Certificate◦ Seek and sign this certificate◦ Needs to be completed on or after April 1st

Core Courses◦ Div I = 16 core courses◦ Div II = 14 core courses

NCAA

SAT/ACT scores◦ Must be reported directly from SAT/ACT◦ Code = 9999

NCAA (continued)

At the end of each semester, request a transcript from the university/college your dual credit is through

At the end of your senior year, request EARLY for your official transcripts to be sent to the college you plan to attend. ◦ Also request a copy be sent to yourself to keep in your

personal files◦ This will save you time and headaches when you go to

schedule your freshman classes; if the college doesn’t have record of it and you don’t have a copy, you could end up re-taking courses you already have credit in Don’t waste time and money! Be proactive

Dual Credits

Watch your grades closely in dual credit courses

Know when the official withdrawal date is from the college your dual credit course is through

If you and/or your teacher feels you are in jeopardy of receiving a grade lower than a “B,” consider dropping the course◦ If you feel you will receive lower than a 2.0 in the

course – DROP before the WD period! Communication with your teacher is crucial

And here’s why….

Dual Credits

Students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid while enrolled in high school. However, because they are recorded on the college transcript, grades earned for dual credit courses can impact a student's future financial aid.

Satisfactory Progress: After completing high school, students must meet a college's satisfactory progress standards to remain eligible for financial aid. Most college’s policies require students to maintain a 2.0 or higher college GPA and complete 67% or more of course work.◦ College grades earned in dual credit do affect college GPA.◦ Dual credit courses for which students earn an F, an I (incomplete) or a W (withdrawn after

course census date) will count as non-completed courses.◦ The Satisfactory Progress Policy applies to all courses, whether financial aid was awarded

for those courses or not.

Repeated Course Rule: Students are limited to one retake of a course if they have made a passing grade. Financial aid will not be awarded for a course after the passing grade and one retake.◦ A student who made an F and a D for a course cannot receive financial aid to retake the

course a third time. ◦ If the first two (or more) attempts are withdrawals or failures, students can retake the

course until they make a D or better grade, assuming they continue to make satisfactory progress.

Dual Credits

Very helpful FREE website to help explore careers, take interest inventories, etc.

http://www.indianacareerexplorer.com/

The ASVAB is also a great FREE career interest inventory; also needed for those of you interested in the military!◦ Talk with guidance if needing to speak with a

military recruiter

Careers

Walking the stage – Corporation Policy

◦ “No student who has completed the requirements for graduation shall be denied a diploma as a disciplinary measure. A student MAY be DENIED participation in the ceremony of graduation when personal conduct so warrants.”

Graduation Policy Reminders

Colleges care about your 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 your senior year

◦ Continue to be involved in extracurricular activities

Keep Pushing Yourself!

Turning in your Senior Brag Sheets

Taking the ACT and/or SAT

Keep on track with your Senior Year Calendar

Keep up your grades

Write your college essays

Get your letters or recommendation

Applying on-time or “early decision” to colleges

Seeking out financial aid options

Complete the FAFSA between January 1st and March 10th

To Summarize

TBA: Senior Parent Night Back to School Night starts at 6:30

September 12: ASVAB testing at Tri ◦ Seniors who are unsure as to what they want to do after high

school are encouraged to take this, as it is a FREE thorough career interest inventory and can provide helpful guidance

◦ Must let guidance know if you plan to test

Don’t forget!◦ November 1st: Many colleges/universities deadline for

applications to be considered for automatic scholarships

Important September Dates:

Handouts&

Questions