Junior College Night Seminar: 4 Year University

1. Junior College Night Seminar:4 Year University October 16, 2013

2. What are we going to learn? • Who is my son/daughter’s counselor? • Boosting the resume • 4 year University • Testing • Questions

3. Meet the Staff Sophomore-Senior • Angie Daurer: A-D • Patty Zacharias: E-K • Wayne Russell: L-Mc (& Hi-Cohort) • Toni Klein (Amy Sharp): Me-Sa • Tanya Thomas: Sc-Z Freshman Counselor: • Karen Miller College and Career Counselor: • Jon Teune

4. Student Services Welcome to Student Services http://www.district158.org/hhsstudentservices/index.html

5. Boost Your Resume https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/video-transcription/experts-debunk-the-top-college-search-myths • Get involved now! • If your son/daughter’s grades aren’t what you were hoping, there are still scholarships available. • Two examples: • Horatio Alger Association Scholarship: This scholarship provides financial assistance to students throughout the nation who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. • Prudential Spirit of Community Award: This award/scholarship recognizes those students who have distinguished themselves through volunteer work.

6. Boost Your Resume • Remember what you’ve done in the past • Start a notebook (digital or handwritten) of “stuff” • Freshman through senior year • Unless you can show long term commitment. i.e., instruments, boy scouts/girl scouts, dance, etc. • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/video-transcription/is-participating-in-a-lot-of-activities-important • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/video-transcription/do-colleges-want-quality-or-a-quantity-of-activities

7. Boost Your Resume • What types of activities should go on my resume? • Summer workshops • Volunteering • Class trips • Lessons • Tutoring • Internships • Anything exemplary • Clubs • Sports

8. Timeline Fall: Research colleges and universities • Career Cruising (username: Huntley Password: careers) • Big Future/CollegeBoard • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/video-transcription/how-can-you-start-a-college-search Visit college reps at HHS Aim for a 3.0 + • Senior year is too late! Winter: Select appropriate 12th grade courses—TALK WITH YOUR COUNSELOR! Sign up for ACT Prep Spring Attend college fairs Meet with your counselor to discuss college information Become familiar with scholarship searches Take PSAE (cannot attain Sr. status without taking). Take SAT if required (Far West and Far East schools) Consider another ACT exam using ACT website Summer College visits DI hopefuls, register with NCAA Clearinghouse

9. What is College Material? • Choose College for the Right Reasons • Do you see yourself in college? • Why do you want to go to college? • Do you like school? • Do you have a career direction? • What do you expect out of college? • Be Academically Prepared • Comfortable with routines • Good study habits • Take your classes seriously • Be Emotionally Prepared • Motivated • Independent • Possess Problem Solving Skills • Understand Time Management

10. How To Get In? • Course rigor • Activities/volunteerism– commitment & uniqueness • Recommendation letters • Test scores • Class rank • Grade trend • Interview (?) • Documented interest

11. What Are Colleges Looking For? • Challenges • Grades- overall and class by class • Test scores • Classes taken • Versatility • Activities & Organizations • Jobs & Volunteering • Creativity • Commitment • Demonstrated interest in their school • Leadership Skills • The RIGHT Fit • Are YOU right for the school • Meaningful Recommendations • (when required)

12. Applying and choosing • How many applications? • 3-6 • Safety school concept: • Get accepted somewhere that you think you can afford. Ticket price is not always the price • Early Decision vs. Early Action • Early Decision is binding. MUST attend the college • Early Action is nonbinding. Students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.  • Deadlines! • November 1 is the target date. Different for every school. • May 1 to make final decision

13. Visiting • Unbelievably important! • School may look great on paper, but not the right fit. • Procedure • During session/when students are present • Schedule a formal visit • Talk to someone in your field of interest (professors) • Athletics—contact athletic office/coach • Stay overnight if you can • Eat their food • Talk with students on campus

14. Types of Schools Costs: • Private colleges give out more scholarship money and financial aid • Some out of state public schools in surrounding states will match in-state tuition costs. (Midwest Student Exchange Program) • Private can be more helpful with financial aid issues Other: • Campus size and student numbers usually different. Private schools tend to be smaller • Admission standards may be more holistic at a private school–interview, resume boosters, etc. • Public schools often have “probationary periods” as an option for lower ACT scores/GPA • More majors at public or larger schools • Private may have affiliation with church or organizations which may require certain required courses. • Private: students generally build stronger, more personal relationships with professors due to smaller class sizes • Public Universities are often more diverse

15. Financial Aid/Scholarships Scholarships: Student Services website College and Career Center: Jon Teune Resources: www.finaid.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.schoolsoup.com ** Fill out the profile **Use school GMAIL or open a new account. College ONLY account where students and parents have access.

16. FAFSA • www.fafsa.ed.gov • Get PIN Number early (between October and December) • Apply AFTER January 1 • Apply AFTER you have finished filing your taxes • File taxes ASAP! Why? Grant $$$ Gone! • 2010- End of April • 2011 – Mid-April • 2012 – End of March • November 18 Informational Meetings

17. General Information • What is the graduation rate in 4 years? Six years? • 40.2% graduated in 4 years • 62.5 % graduated in 6 years • http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/state/#state=il&sector=public_four Interesting site to check out for the state of IL • Be realistic with your student regarding how much can be spent. Will they need to get a job? What will you be paying for? • Largest major among incoming freshman = Undecided!

18. Testing **Can take up to 6 times per year 36 max score 21 average score 22.4 Huntley’s average score 3.5 hours –it is an endurance test Recommend students take 2+ times ACT: Test Date Registration Deadline Late Deadline Practice ACT: October 29, 2013 Periods 1-5 All juniors will take this test! ASVAB: February 2014

19. ACT/PSAE ACT/PSAE: April 23 and 24th Day 1: ACT with writing Day 2: Work Keys- State tests Why take this seriously? • Your scores follow you around (transcripts, employers want to know) • It can balance a low GPA • Show consistency • It is an APTITUDE test. What do you know? What did you learn? • 1 specific criterion used to compare all students. • This will determine which colleges (selective, highly selective, etc.) that you will apply for.

20. Test Prep • ACT 36 (by Huntley High School Staff) • Excel Edge • John Baylor • Revolution Prep • ZAPS Research shows that the more times you take it (up to 4), the better you will do overall

21. Questions?