Preparing for Life After High School:

1. Preparing for Life After High School: Applying to College and Other Important Information for Seniors

2. Senior Meetings • Today we will give you general information about: • preparing for life after high school • the college application process • other important Senior activities. • Counselors will meet with seniors individually during September and October to discuss graduation progress, career goals, the college application process, and planning for the future generally.

3. Complete Fall Senior Survey • Your conference with your counselor will be more productive if we know something about your plans BEFORE we meet. • Login to your myCCS account. • Find the “CHS Important Information” box. (if this is not visible on your screen, click the “add widgets” button to add the box.) • Click the “CHS Fall Senior Survey” link • Login to the survey using your CHS login. • Answer the brief survey questions about your plans after high school and SUBMIT. • NOTE: it’s OK if you are not entirely sure of your plans. We just want to know where things stand currently. • Complete the survey NO LATER THAN August 28th.

4. Complete Fall Senior Survey

5. Work, Military, College? We can help… • We know that CHS seniors are prepared to do a variety of things after high school. • While continuing your education beyond high school is a priority for most, we understand that others will postpone school and enter the workforce or military. • During your senior meetings we will discuss your future plans and help you identify the steps necessary to reach your goals including but not limited to: the college search and application process, military enlistment, identifying and applying for jobs, resume development, interviewing, and more.

6. Senior Check List • Your To-Do list for Senior Year. • Highlights important events/dates/information (ex: College Information Night, Financial Aid/Scholarship meeting, commencement information) • Pay attention to specific deadlines on the check list (ex. Application deadlines, financial aid deadlines, etc.) • Your guide to senior activities and the college application process.

7. Applying to Colleges APPLY NOW! • Most applications are found online at the College/University website…look for links that say “Apply” or “Undergraduate Admissions” or “Prospective Students” • Many online applications can be started on one day and completed at a later time. Be sure to note any username/passwords you create for your applications! • There may be supplemental information required such as essays, counselor forms (also called Secondary School Reports), and letters of recommendation. • Be sure to complete a Senior Self Assessment form (Brag Sheet) to give to your recommenders!

8. Letters of Recommendation • Be sure to ASK your recommenders for letters BEFORE you include their names on your applications. • A more formal request (letter or e-mail message in letter format) is recommended. i.e. don’t leave your request on a post-it or text your request. Be professional and courteous! • Allow at least two weeks for teacher and counselor recommendations. Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for letters. If you ask for your letter last-minute, you’ll get a last-minute letter. • Many letters of rec may be uploaded electronically. Read the application instructions carefully. • If letters cannot be uploaded electronically, be sure to provide your recommenders with stamped/addressed envelopes and an information sheet that details when letters are due.

9. Common Application • The Common Application is a single application that can be used for many colleges. See the list of participating colleges on www.commonapp.org • The Common Application can be completed online. Counselor and teacher recommendations can be uploaded to the Common Application site, making it very efficient for everyone involved. • Note: Pay careful attention to word limits for Common App essays. Answers will be cut off if over word limit.

10. Recent Changes for IU and Purdue • The Indiana University Bloomington application now requires a personal statement. • The Indiana University Bloomington merit scholarship program has changed considerably. Visit their website for more information. • Purdue University has moved to the Common App for their application. Plan accordingly.

11. SAT/ACT Tests and Scores • Fall ACT dates are: Sept. 13, Oct. 25 (not at CHS), Dec. 13 • Fall SAT dates are: Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. 6 • CHS high school code required when you register: 150445. • When you register, you can send up to 4 free score reports to colleges…Take advantage of this! • Your scores will appear on your CHS transcript, however some schools require you to send scores directly from College Board or ACT. IU and Purdue require scores directly from testing agencies.

12. SAT/ACT Registration Changes • Students are now required to upload a recent photo of self only at the time of registration. • Students must bring admission ticket on test day. • Students must bring photo ID or driver’s license on test day. • Stand-by registration NO LONGER ALLOWED on test day.

13. Deadlines • Be aware of application deadlines, especially those related to financial aid and scholarship consideration. • The most common deadlines are October 1, November 1, December 1, and January 1. PLAN AHEAD! • NOTE: The deadline for turning in application materials (paper or electronic) to Counseling is December 5th for January 1 deadlines.

14. Transcripts/Parchment • All college applications will require a transcript. In most cases your transcript will be sent electronically from CHS using Parchment. • You must register at www.parchment.com. Once you have registered you can log on at any time and request that transcripts be sent to specific colleges/ universities. • NOTE: registering does not automatically send your transcript to schools. You MUST request each transcript you want sent separately. • Write down your Parchment login information and keep it somewhere safe! • You will receive confirmation from Parchment when your transcript has been sent.

15. Transcripts/Counselor Forms • Many college applications require a counselor form or Secondary School Report that is completed by your counselor. • For many in-state schools that form is automatically generated electronically when you request a transcript through Parchment. • If a transcript/counselor form cannot be sent via Parchment (or the Common App), you must complete a College Tracking Sheet and submit your request with $1.00 to have the transcript and/or counselor form sent by mail. • Communicate, communicate, communicate with your counselor. Don’t assume that we know which forms need to be completed for your applications, especially for out of state schools that don’t use the Common Application.

16. Scholarships/Financial Aid • Financial Aid Night: January 22nd 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. • January 1st FAFSA available. • March 10th FAFSA submission deadline. • Be aware that some schools (especially private) require additional forms for scholarship and financial aid consideration. • Check the scholarship wall often and listen for announcements. • Avoid scholarship scams!

17. College Reps and Upcoming College Fairs • Many college admissions reps visit CHS in the fall…check the counseling website or the bulletin board outside of the Counseling Office to see who is coming. • Students must get a pass from Counseling in order to participate in the admission rep visit. • Sept. 16th--Indianapolis National College Fair, Indianapolis Convention Center 9 a.m.-12 and 6-8 p.m. • September 24 --Hamilton County College Fair at Fishers High School 6:30-8:00 • October 1 – Indy Westside College Fair –Ben Davis High School MPA 7-8:30pm

18. Tips for College Visits • Make visiting the colleges to which are applying a priority this fall. • Absences for college visits must be prearranged with the Attendance office and will count against the Skip-a-final program. • Visit when students are on campus, and ask questions of students you see on campus. Your tour guide will probably be a student and could be a great source of information. • Design your own trip: • Make an appointment • Meet with someone in your major area of study • Take a campus tour • Meet with the admissions office • Observe a classroom setting • Bring an unofficial transcript • Schedule an overnight visit when possible

19. Helpful Resources • Follow the “Senior Information”, “College Application Process”, “Scholarship Process”, and “College and Career Resources” links in the Counseling section of the CHS website. • Call or send e-mail to the College/University Admissions Office if you have specific questions about their process. • KEEP AND USE your Senior Check List!

20. Get help with the Search Process! • Follow us on Twitter @CHSCollege411 • Like us on Facebook at Carmel High School College Counseling • Visit the College and Career Resource Center (CCRC) and get help with: • College Admissions Information • Application Deadlines • Scholarships • Financial Aid • College Rep Visits • Summer Programs

21. Your Cyber Profile • What are you posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc? • Pictures • Status postings • Links • Your profile on the internet is potentially available to anyone to view • College admission offices and future employers can and will “Google” you.

22. Remember… • Counselors will be meeting with seniors individually in September and October. • Complete the CHS Fall Senior Survey in myCCSby 8/28/14 • Use your senior checklist to stay organized! • Stay aware of and meet all deadlines. • Create your Parchment account ASAP. • Ask for letters of recommendation EARLY. • Don’t wait until the last minute to apply, write essays, etc. Plan ahead! • Senior grades are important!! Colleges will require your final transcript. Don’t give them a reason to change their mind. • Use all of your resources and have a great senior year!