Senior Information

Senior Information Tri Jr./Sr. High School Class of 2013

Counselor & Registrar/Secretary • Jennifer Carter • jcarter@shenry.k12.in.us • Julie Bowman • jbowman@shenry.k12.in.us

Diploma Review • Core 40 • Academic Honors • Technical Honors

Core 40 Diploma • 40 credits • Required Subject Areas • Basis of College Admissions (most expect more!) • Considered the minimum diploma option

Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma • 47 credits • 3.0 GPA requirement • C-(or better) in required subject areas • Required Subject Areas

Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma • 47 credits • 3.0 GPA requirement • C-(or better) in required subject areas for diploma • Required Subject Areas – Vocational Program

College?

Where Can I find Info on Colleges? Check out links on the Tri Guidance website • Attend College Fairs (Sept. 18th – NCHS) • Take College Visit Days (4 total between Jr & Sr 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

Picking a School • How many should I apply to? • An individual decision Reach How to Pick Likely Safety

Things to Consider • 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!!!

Campus Visits • 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!)

Applying to Schools: Applications • 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

Applications Continued • Common Application • One application for multiple colleges (select few participate) • 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 • 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!

Applying & Getting Accepted • 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 • Verified final grades and diploma type • Other

College GO! Week • September 24-28 • 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!

Use This Website!!! • 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.

Senior Year Timeline

First Semester • Keep a calendar • Register & take 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 applications online • Set up your account on parchment.com for transcripts to be sent to colleges online

First Semester (continued) • Attend college fairs and take college days • Check the guidance office and/or website for dates • Narrow your college choices • Double check deadlines • 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! • Importance of senior year schedule • 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.govafter 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

Second Semester • 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 (continued) • 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

SAT & ACT

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 • 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 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.

ACT • 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

SAT & ACT 1st Semester Test Dates • 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

Average Cost to Attend College • Public, two-year: $2,361 • Public, four-year: $6,185 • Private, four-year: $23,712

Paying for 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

Scholarships • 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

Use This Website!!! 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.

Letters of Recommendation • Start early!!! • “Strong letter” • Provide BRAG sheet • Be courteous – give your recommender at least two weeks, and a pre-addressed and stamped envelope

NCAA • 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 (continued) • SAT/ACT scores • Must be reported directly from SAT/ACT • Code = 9999

Dual Credits • 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.

Careers • 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

Graduation Policy Reminders • 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.”

What Can You Do NOW? • Guidance Website – Explore career and college majors • Contact schools for brochures and applications • Write down deadlines and gather what they ask for • Start to narrow down schools/programs you want to apply to • Register for and take the SAT or ACT • Write your essays early • Turn in your Senior Brag Sheet to the Counseling Office • Figure out who you will ask for letters of recommendation • Attend college fairs and take college visit days

Keep Pushing Yourself! • 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

Communication Tips • Teacher/grade issues? • Contact TEACHER first • Email or call at school • Set up a conference • Can include counselor on information/conference • Communication from Guidance Office • Meetings with the senior

Valuable Tools • The Tri Guidance Website • Bulletin board outside of the Guidance Office • Things to look for on the website: • This presentation • Senior Brag Sheet • Senior Year Calendar • Senior Survival Guide • SAT/ACT Info • Scholarships • And More!

To Summarize • 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

How Can I Help You? • Check for information from the Guidance Office • Be sure to check your email and the website often! • We schedule college visits • College representatives come to Tri to tell you about their schools • For additional information on this topic, visit the following link to watch a video on college information: • http://media.doe.in.gov/curriculum/2011-02-24-collegenight.html • Call or come in to arrange an appointment

Important September Dates: • September 11: Senior Parent Night 5:30-6:30 • Back to School Night starts at 6:30 • September 13: 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 by Wednesday! • September 18: Henry County College Fair • September 18: Indiana Tech visit to Tri • September 21: U of Cincy visit to Tri (sign up!) • September 24-28: College GO! Week • September 26: U of I visit to Tri • Don’t forget! • November 1st: Many colleges/universities deadline for applications to be considered for automatic scholarships

Handouts & Questions

Senior Information