WELCOMEWELCOME

GRAND BLANC HIGH SCHOOLGRAND BLANC HIGH SCHOOL

JUNIOR PARENT COLLEGE JUNIOR PARENT COLLEGE NIGHTNIGHT

March 18, 2014March 18, 2014

Topics to be covered…Topics to be covered… What are the options after high school?What are the options after high school? How do you choose a college?How do you choose a college? What are important factors considered by What are important factors considered by

college admissions?college admissions? Are you interested in playing college Are you interested in playing college

sports?sports? What are the steps in the college What are the steps in the college

application process?application process? How will you pay for college?How will you pay for college?

Post High School Post High School

OptionsOptions Associate Degree (2-year college)Associate Degree (2-year college) Bachelor’s Degree (4-year college)Bachelor’s Degree (4-year college) Vocational Training/Trade SchoolVocational Training/Trade School ApprenticeshipApprenticeship EmploymentEmployment MilitaryMilitary

Education and Education and EarningsEarnings

Career Resource CenterCareer Resource Center Educational Development Plan (EDP)Educational Development Plan (EDP) www.careercruising.com www.careercruising.com Research careers and collegesResearch careers and colleges MilitaryMilitary Day-on-the-job opportunitiesDay-on-the-job opportunities Volunteer opportunitiesVolunteer opportunities Job openingsJob openings Summer programsSummer programs Contact Stephanie Garey: 591-6929Contact Stephanie Garey: 591-6929

Things to consider when Things to consider when choosing a college…choosing a college…

Admission RequirementsAdmission Requirements Location (distance and setting)Location (distance and setting) CostCost Academic programsAcademic programs Size of enrollmentSize of enrollment Public vs. PrivatePublic vs. Private

College ToursCollege Tours Visit colleges you are considering if possible

Call the admissions office for an appointment or register online for an official tour

Talk to professors and students

Sit in on classes

Visit a dormitory

Virtual tours on college websites

Arranged absence through school

Colleges Visit GBHSColleges Visit GBHS College representatives visit GBHS in the fall College representatives visit GBHS in the fall

and springand spring Watch the daily announcements Watch the daily announcements Check the Counseling Office visitation chart Check the Counseling Office visitation chart

weekly for dates and times at the beginning of weekly for dates and times at the beginning of senior yearsenior year

Appointments must be made in the Counseling Appointments must be made in the Counseling Office at least one day before the visitOffice at least one day before the visit

Students miss class time for these visits and are Students miss class time for these visits and are expected to make up work. Choose your visits expected to make up work. Choose your visits carefully.carefully.

Check the window in the Counseling Office for Check the window in the Counseling Office for upcoming visits!upcoming visits!

Factors in the Factors in the Admission DecisionAdmission Decision

According to the National Association of College Admissions According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the following 3 items are of “considerable Counseling (NACAC), the following 3 items are of “considerable importance” when making admissions decisions:importance” when making admissions decisions:

Grades in college prep coursesGrades in college prep courses Strength of curriculumStrength of curriculum Standardized test scores Standardized test scores These three items were considered significantly more important These three items were considered significantly more important

than overall GPA, recommendations, and class rankthan overall GPA, recommendations, and class rank

It is also important to note that because of differences in high It is also important to note that because of differences in high schoolschool

grading scales, more than half of the colleges recalculate grading scales, more than half of the colleges recalculate applicants’applicants’

GPA’s to standardize them.GPA’s to standardize them.

(Source: www.nacac.org)(Source: www.nacac.org)

Admission CriteriaAdmission Criteria ACT Score ACT Score

-Part of the required MME test-Part of the required MME test

-All juniors took on March 4, 2014-All juniors took on March 4, 2014

-Test retakes are available in June, September, or October -Test retakes are available in June, September, or October if you want if you want to improve your scoreto improve your score

-Include college codes so that scores can be sent directly -Include college codes so that scores can be sent directly to collegesto colleges

-Go to www.actstudent.org to register -Go to www.actstudent.org to register

-Fee waivers available for students who receive -Fee waivers available for students who receive free/reduced lunchfree/reduced lunch

-U of M-Ann Arbor and MSU require test scores to be sent -U of M-Ann Arbor and MSU require test scores to be sent

directly from ACTdirectly from ACT

GPAGPA--Final transcripts WILL be looked at and college acceptance is Final transcripts WILL be looked at and college acceptance is

not a guarantee. Finish strong!not a guarantee. Finish strong!

Admission CriteriaAdmission Criteria

AP and Honors classesAP and Honors classes Take if they are appropriate and there is a passion for the Take if they are appropriate and there is a passion for the

subjectsubject GPA is weighted for AP classesGPA is weighted for AP classes Colleges look at what was taken vs what was availableColleges look at what was taken vs what was available GBHS has 16 AP classes to choose from GBHS has 16 AP classes to choose from

A Well-Rounded StudentA Well-Rounded Student Many colleges use a “holistic” application review process Many colleges use a “holistic” application review process

where many different factors are consideredwhere many different factors are considered Find volunteer activities and school clubs that truly interest Find volunteer activities and school clubs that truly interest

you. you.

Other Things to Do…Other Things to Do… Create a list of activities and awards for college and scholarship applications

Maintain or improve grade point average

Participate in community service opportunities

Begin to formulate a personal statement (i.e. career aspirations, goals, college plans)

Investigate summer experiences/workshops

Senior Year Senior Year

SchedulingScheduling Take a rigorous class scheduleTake a rigorous class schedule Colleges recommend at least 3 or 4 Colleges recommend at least 3 or 4

academic credits in the senior yearacademic credits in the senior year Parents and students should review high Parents and students should review high

school graduation requirements school graduation requirements Course requests for the 14-15 school year Course requests for the 14-15 school year

are available on StudentVue for revieware available on StudentVue for review Schedule changes at the beginning of the Schedule changes at the beginning of the

school year are very difficult and done on a school year are very difficult and done on a very limited basisvery limited basis

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement CoursesCourses

College courses taught in high schoolCollege courses taught in high school Application required for admission for Application required for admission for

some coursessome courses Significantly more challengingSignificantly more challenging Requires a motivated studentsRequires a motivated students

Summer work requiredSummer work required Better preparation for college level workBetter preparation for college level work Weighted grade (A=5.0, B=4.0, C=3.0)Weighted grade (A=5.0, B=4.0, C=3.0) Opportunity to earn college credit by Opportunity to earn college credit by

achieving a qualifying score on AP exam achieving a qualifying score on AP exam given in Maygiven in May

Students will not be allowed to drop the Students will not be allowed to drop the course once they have made the course once they have made the commitment to enrollcommitment to enroll

Are you a potential Are you a potential college athlete?college athlete?

NCAANCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association Register online in the Fall of senior yearRegister online in the Fall of senior year www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org Division I and II require 16 core high school creditsDivision I and II require 16 core high school credits Core classes are identified online and in the Course Core classes are identified online and in the Course

Selection GuideSelection Guide Skill Center classes do NOT count for NCAA Skill Center classes do NOT count for NCAA

eligibilityeligibility ACT scores must be sent directly from ACT (Use ACT scores must be sent directly from ACT (Use

code 9999)code 9999) GPA – recalculated using core classes onlyGPA – recalculated using core classes only

Are you a potential Are you a potential college athlete?college athlete?

NAIANAIA

National Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Must meet 2 of the 3 following criteria:Must meet 2 of the 3 following criteria:

GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scaleGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale 18 composite ACT or 860 on the SAT18 composite ACT or 860 on the SAT Graduate within the top 50% of the classGraduate within the top 50% of the class

NAIA has over 300 colleges to choose from NAIA has over 300 colleges to choose from MUST register to play at www.naia.orgMUST register to play at www.naia.org Not the same as NCAANot the same as NCAA Visit the website (www.naia.org) or call 866-881-6242 Visit the website (www.naia.org) or call 866-881-6242

for more informationfor more information

College ApplicationsCollege Applications Applications for all colleges are available on the Applications for all colleges are available on the

individual college websiteindividual college website Some instate applications are available in hard Some instate applications are available in hard

copy form in the Counseling Office but online copy form in the Counseling Office but online submission is the preferred method submission is the preferred method

Early Action/Decision deadlines guarantee college Early Action/Decision deadlines guarantee college response before winter breakresponse before winter break Check carefully for “binding agreements”Check carefully for “binding agreements”

Submit college applications in fall, checking each Submit college applications in fall, checking each one for specific deadlinesone for specific deadlines

Fee waivers are available for students who qualifyFee waivers are available for students who qualify Application may require a counselor to fill out a Application may require a counselor to fill out a

paper portion. When completed, these forms will paper portion. When completed, these forms will be returned to the student to mail.be returned to the student to mail.

College ApplicationsCollege Applications COMMON APPCOMMON APP

www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org Allows you to fill out one application Allows you to fill out one application

for multiple collegesfor multiple colleges Students include the counselor email Students include the counselor email

on the application and counselors on the application and counselors complete their portion onlinecomplete their portion online

Required for University of Michigan–Required for University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Kettering and several other Ann Arbor, Kettering and several other colleges in Michigancolleges in Michigan

Check the website for a complete listCheck the website for a complete list

College ApplicationsCollege Applications Parchment – www.parchment.com Parchment – www.parchment.com

- All transcripts must be sent using this online transcript - All transcripts must be sent using this online transcript serviceservice

- Directions are located at www.grandblancschools.org on - Directions are located at www.grandblancschools.org on the the high school page under Guidancehigh school page under Guidance

- You must enter the name of each college you would like - You must enter the name of each college you would like to to receive a transcriptreceive a transcript

- You can also send transcripts to the NCAA from this site- You can also send transcripts to the NCAA from this site

- The transcript will automatically include ACT scores from - The transcript will automatically include ACT scores from the the March MME testing dateMarch MME testing date

- If you would like additional or more recent ACT scores - If you would like additional or more recent ACT scores sent, sent, you will need to order them directly from the ACT you will need to order them directly from the ACT website website at www.act.org at www.act.org

Paying for CollegePaying for CollegeScholarshipsScholarships

Lists of available scholarships are updated Lists of available scholarships are updated regularly beginning in October in the regularly beginning in October in the Counseling OfficeCounseling Office

Colleges will notify you of anything your Colleges will notify you of anything your student may qualify forstudent may qualify for

Online searches (fastweb, zinch, Online searches (fastweb, zinch, scholarships.com)scholarships.com)

Local scholarships (Available in February)Local scholarships (Available in February) ParentParent’’s employers, church, clubs, etc... s employers, church, clubs, etc... Updated scholarship books are available in Updated scholarship books are available in

the local librarythe local library Some scholarships will require that the Some scholarships will require that the

FAFSA be completedFAFSA be completed

Scholarship ScamsScholarship Scams Don’t pay money to get moneyDon’t pay money to get money If it seems to good to be true, it probably is!If it seems to good to be true, it probably is! Spend time, not moneySpend time, not money Check with the Better Business Bureau if Check with the Better Business Bureau if

you question the validity of the scholarship you question the validity of the scholarship programprogram

Speak with your student’s counselorSpeak with your student’s counselor Additional information is available on the Additional information is available on the

school websiteschool website

Financial AidFinancial Aid FAFSA - apply online at www.fafsa.ed.govFAFSA - apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

-Free Application for Federal Student Aid-Free Application for Federal Student Aid This is a FREE service. Watch for similar This is a FREE service. Watch for similar

websites that charge you a fee to submit websites that charge you a fee to submit information for you. (www.fafsa.com)information for you. (www.fafsa.com)

Must use 2014 tax returns Must use 2014 tax returns Grants, scholarships, loans, and work study Grants, scholarships, loans, and work study

based on needbased on need January Financial Aid workshopJanuary Financial Aid workshop Info available at www.fafsa.ed.govInfo available at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Contact the Counseling Office Contact the Counseling Office if you have any questions!if you have any questions!

Mrs. Phyllis MolMrs. Phyllis Mol A-GaA-Ga 591-6648591-6648Mr. John HentesMr. John Hentes Ge-NGe-N 591-6651591-6651Mrs. Mary GardnerMrs. Mary Gardner O-ZO-Z 591-6652591-6652

Mrs. Linda McClearyMrs. Linda McCleary 591-6647591-6647 Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant

Mrs. Tisha Briggs (MME)Mrs. Tisha Briggs (MME) 591-1598591-1598 Student Services AnalystStudent Services Analyst

Ms. Stephanie GareyMs. Stephanie Garey 591-6929591-6929 Career Resource CenterCareer Resource Center

Thank you for Thank you for coming to Junior coming to Junior Parent College Parent College

Night!Night!

CLASS OF 2015!!CLASS OF 2015!!