Welcome Seniors Class of 2015 Continuing the tradition of excellence!

1. Welcome Seniors Class of 2015 Continuing the tradition of excellence!

2. Agenda • General Information • College Admissions. • Entrance Exams…… • Community Colleges/ Colleges/Universities/Trade Schools/Military • Scholarships • Federal Financial Aid • Things to Remember

4. How Do I Decide?What to do…where to go? Ask people in various positions to describe what they do. Job Shadow a job that interests you. Explore College & Career exploration websites like: AZCIS, or KUDER.(links on CHS Career Center website). Determine the requirements and schooling needed for your desired career. Find a school/college that has a good program for your career. Attend College/School presentations in Career Center.

5. Next Step? Apply to Colleges/Universities/Vocational Programs. Complete personal essay, Brag sheet and request letters of recommendation (more to come on this). Be aware of dates & deadlines: Flinn opens Aug. 25th, Barrett Honors College app opens Sept. 3rd with early decision Nov. 15. APPLY EARLY!!!! Retake SAT or ACT. Visit campuses, both in state & out of state. Search for and apply for scholarships.

6. College Entrance Exams SAT or ACT: *Scores important for scholarships. *Scores may be sent to 4 schools for free. *If sent directly to you will have to pay to have them sent to schools. SAT Subject Tests: *Not required by In State schools for general admission, however certain schools within the universities may. *Check admission requirements on website. Accuplacer Test: Required entrance test for all Maricopa Community Colleges. Can be taken at any Maricopa Community College.

7. If you have NOT taken the SAT or ACT Sign Up ASAP! Test Dates on line or in the Career Center

8. Letters of Recommendation Required for many universities and scholarships. Complete a Student Brag Sheet (available in Career Center). Give your teachers, counselors and/or coaches a 2 WEEKS NOTICE!!!!!!! Start asking for them BEFORE Fall Break!

9. AZ High School Relations Council September 17, 2015 at Chandler Center For The Arts 6:00pm College Fair

10. Maricopa Community Colleges Close by: • Chandler/Gilbert • Mesa • Gateway • Scottsdale • Open admission Policy • Apply 2nd Semester at my.maricopa.edu • Can take “core classes” and transfer to the Universities. Check with aztransfer.com to see what transfers. • Lower cost than Universities • Honors Program/Presidential Scholarship.

11. College AdmissionsArizona State University, Northern Arizona University & The University of Arizona • Rank in the top 25% of your class OR • Have a 3.0 GPA or better in the 16 core courses OR • Score a 22 on the ACT or1040 on the SAT • Scholarship Priority Deadline for ASU Feb. 1st. • ASU has separate application for The Barrett Honors College-Priority Deadline is November 15th! (Subject to change) • No additional application for acceptance into The UofA’s Honors College. • NAU automatically offers Honors admission based on their criteria. Apply over October Break!

12. Private/Out of State schools • Visit the campus before you make a decisions!!!!!! • Common Application: A standardized first-year application form used by more than 480 schools. Complete online….apply early, before deadline. • Check college website for admissions requirements; each school is different. • Pay attention to deadlines; they vary from school to school. HAVE AN IN-STATE BACK UP PLAN!!!

13. Vocational/Trade Schools • Check creditability of program…does it have a high hiring rate? Does it have a good reputation? • If you think you would like to eventually continue on to get a bachelors degree…make sure credits from the trade/vocational school will transfer.(Ask at the school you would like to transfer to) • Pay attention to the cost…often the same program is available at the community college for a lower cost. • Pay attention to deadline dates! Examples: UAT, Collins College, Avalon Beauty School

14. Figuring Out The Application Maze • Regular Admissions – Student will submit application by the colleges regular deadline. • Early Decision – If the college accepts you, you must attend. • Early Action – Early action is an opportunity for you to apply early and be notified around mid-December or January. If accepted, you are not obligated to attend. Will have to decide by May 1. • Rolling Admissions – Applications are considered as they are received and the student is notified as soon as a decision is made. • Open Admissions – Community Colleges and trade schools that are generally open to all students with a HS diploma.

15. Deciding Where to ApplyFinal list should consist of: “Reach” or “Dream” schools – admission rates between 7-20%. “Possible” schools – closely meet expectations in school profile, but competition can still be tight. “Probable/likely admit” – admission chances are very strong. “Financial Safety”- affordable if financial package at other schools is not strong, or situation changes.

18. Merit Based • Based on GPA/Rank/Test Scores • Apply to all in-state universities you are considering • Transcript required • Non-Merit Based • Application Required • Scholarships located on the Career Center web page!

19. Become an Expert! Register on Several Scholarship Websites www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.finaid.org

20. ASU SCHOLARSHIP ESTIMATOR http://students.asu.edu/scholarships/estimator Make sure to enter your Core GPA **Provides an estimate of money that may be awarded to you. It is not a guarantee!** Located on the Career Center web page!

21. Volunteer! • Current Opportunities • Goodwill • Chandler Library • ICAN • ½ Day Seniors, Art Masterpiece • Boys and Girls Club • City of Chandler • Galveston Elem. • Others…

22. Additional Financial Aid Options Grants: Do not have to be repaid Federal Perkins Loan: Low interest, begin paying back 9 months after graduation Stafford Loan: With or without interest, begin paying back 6 months after the student stops attending Federal Work Study: Campus Employment Plus Parent Loan: Work as a conventional loan and are not based on need.

23. FAFSA: • Free application for Federal Student Aid • Apply for your PIN now!! • Begin FAFSA process January 1, 2015 • Apply as early as possible, by Feb. 15th if possible! • Applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2015 • Financial aid is determined based on need as qualified by the FAFSA • FAFSA4Caster

24. Financial Aid Night January 14, 2015 At The Chandler Center For The Arts $$$ Doors open at 5:15 pm Program begins at 6:00 pm

25. Thinking about joining the Military? • Come learn about ALL the Branches - August 28th @ 8:30am in the CTE Lecture Hall. Sign up in the Career Center! • Be Aware: * No Drug Users * No Exposed Tattoos * No Gages * Qualifying ASVAB

26. Communicationsknow what is going on… • Create a School Wires account to subscribe to the Career Center. You will get updates when new events have been added to the web page. Directions on how to create an account can be found in the Career Center. • Sign up for Remind: To receive reminder messages via text, text @chscare to (571) 765-2285

27. Things to remember… • Don’t ever pay to apply for scholarships, for help with FAFSA or college applications. Be careful of Scams! • Fee waivers available for instate school applications and ACT/SAT testing if you are on a free or reduced lunch program. • Official transcripts are requested from the Registrar's office. Forms are also in the Career Center. • Set up a separate email address for college applications and scholarships using a professional email address! • Keep your on-line (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) pages clean and appropriate. • Pay attention to Deadline dates…School Applications, Testing, & Scholarships! Don’t be late!!!!! • Sign up for College Presentations….watch the Career Center calendar for dates and to register (can also sign up in the Career Center)