COLLEGE ADMISSIONS WORKSHOP

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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS WORKSHOP

• COSBY HIGH SCHOOL
• SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
• SEPTEMBER 23, 2009

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REVIEW

• CLASSROOM GUIDANCE
• COUNSELOR MEETINGS
• JUNIOR PACKET
• COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PANEL

• TESTING
• VISITING SCHOOLS
• RETURN WITH A LIST OF SCHOOLS TO APPLY TO

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TESTING

• SAT IS
• SAT IIS
• ACTS
• TOEFL OR TSE
• CONVERSION OF SCORES AVAILABLE IN COUNSELORS
  OFFICES
• CHECK SCHOOL COUNSELING CALENDAR FOR DATES AND
  PUT IN AGENDA BOOK.

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SAT IS

• DATES
• OCTOBER 10, 2009
• NOVEMBER 7, 2009
• DECEMBER 5, 2009
• JANUARY 23, 2010
• MARCH 13, 2010
• MAY 1, 2010
• JUNE 5, 2010

• REGISTER BY
• SEPT. 9, 2009
• OCT. 1, 2009
• OCTOBER 30, 2009
• DEC.15, 2009
• FEBRUARY 4, 2010
• MARCH 25, 2010
• APRIL 29, 2010

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ACTS

• DATES
• OCTOBER 24, 2009
• DECEMBER 12, 2009
• FEBRUARY 6, 2010
• APRIL 10, 2010
• JUNE 12, 2010

• REGISTER BY
• SEPT. 18, 2009
• NOVEMBER 6, 2009
• JANUARY 5, 2010
• MARCH 5, 2010
• MAY 7, 2010

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TEST DIFFERENCES

• SATS
• FOCUSES ON ALG., GEOMETRY ALG 2
• QUESTIONS-ORDER OF DIFFICULTY
• STRESSES READING
• WRITING PORTION
• NOT ALL MULTIPLE CHOICE
• WRONG ANSWER PENALTY
• CAN PICK WHICH SCORES GO

• ACTS
• SOME TRIG
• NOT IN DIFFICULTY ORDER
• LESS VOCAB
• TESTS GRAMMAR
• ALL MULTIPLE CHOICE
• NO WRONG ANSWER PENALTY
• WRITING PORTION OPTIONAL
• CAN PICK WHICH SCORES GO

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SAT, ACT, AP SCORES

• AP SCORES-STUDENT MUST REQUEST EDUCATIONAL
  TESTING SERVICE TO SEND SCORES DIRECTLY TO
  COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
• ACT OR SAT SCORES-SOME SCHOOLS WILL ACCEPT ON OUR
  TRANSCRIPT, OTHERS WANT SCORES FROM ETS OR
  ACT--STUDENT MUST INQUIRE

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RIGHT NOW, WORKING ON

• APPLICATIONS
• COLLEGE ESSAY
• RESUME
• PORTFOLIOS
• RECOMMENDATIONS
• NCAA

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TERMS

• Early Decision-binding
• Early Action-not binding (usually)
• Rolling Admissions
• Make sure to check on when your student will hear
  from schools. Have at least one school your
  family will hear from before April 1st.

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APPLICATION TIPS

• MOST SCHOOLS WANT ON-LINE APPLICATIONS, SOME WILL
  WAIVE APPLICATION FEE IF YOUR STUDENT APPLIES
  ON-LINE.
• PROOFREAD BEFORE THEY SEND.
• DOWNLOAD COUNSELOR PAGE, EXCEPT JMU, COMMON APP,
  TECH
• CHECK STUDENTS E-MAIL ADDRESS.

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PITFALLS

• BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOU READ
• FAILURE TO VISIT
• CARELESS MISTAKES
• WAITING TO THE LAST MINUTE
• APPLYING TO ONLY ONE SCHOOL
• NOT HAVING A SAFETY SCHOOL
• USING AN INAPPROPRIATE E-MAIL ADDRESS

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COLLEGE ESSAY

• ENGLISH TEACHERS WILL WORK WITH YOUR STUDENTS ON
  THEIR COLLEGE ESSAYS OR PERSONAL STATEMENTS.
• BE SPECIFIC!
• PROOFREAD!
• NO ESSAY IS OPTIONAL!

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RESUME

• Activity Sheets available in Guidance
• Resume-strongly suggested
• If your student applies on-line, you might want
  us to send resume with transcript. Please let
  counselor know. We will not hold up transcripts
  waiting for this.
• Review your students resume.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE JUNIOR PACKET ARE USED
  BY COUNSELORS FOR OUR LETTERS.
• SEPARATE LETTERS SHOULD BE REQUESTED FROM
  TEACHERS AND YOUR STUDENTS SHOULD GIVE THEM A
  SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE.
• BE SURE TO GIVE 2 WEEKS NOTICE.
• STUDENTS SHOULD WRITE THANK YOU NOTES.

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PORTFOLIOS

• SEE ART TEACHER

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TRANSCRIPTS

• Your student is ready to hit send. What do
  they do next?
• Parent release form-we need to keep on file. If
  not done yet, they are in back.
• Student fills out transcript request form.
• Give it, any secondary school form, and 3 per
  transcript to Mrs. Almarode.
• Must have 2 weeks notice, otherwise the
  transcript charge is 6 each

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TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PROCEDURE

• MUST BE REQUESTED AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE DUE
  DATE
• CAN BE REQUESTED BEFORE APPLICATION IS SENT
• CHARGE 3.00 REGULAR, LATE 6.00
• COUNSELOR PAGE-SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT (EXCEPT
  COMMON APP, TECH, JMU)

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COLLEGE CREDITS

• IT IS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST A
  TRANSCRIPT FROM ANY COLLEGE HE OR SHE HAS TAKEN
  COURSES WITH TO BE SENT TO THE COLLEGE OR
  UNIVERSITY HE OR SHE IS ATTENDING (JUNE OF SENIOR
  YEAR)

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NCAA

• Go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• File.
• Request a transcript.
• End of year transcript will be sent by School
  Counseling Office automatically.

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DECISION PROCESS

• IS THIS SCHOOL A GOOD FIT FOR YOUR STUDENT?
• GRADES COURSES
• GPA(WEIGHTED VS. UNWEIGHTED)
• RANK
• SAT, ACT
• ACTIVITIES (LEADERSHIP) IN SCHOOL, IN COMMUNITY
• ESSAY (THEY LOOK FOR YOUR UNIQUE GIFT)
• RECOMMENDATIONS

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE
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COSBY COUNSELORS

• A-BEM
• TRE-Z
• BEN-DAU
• DAV-G
• H-I
• J-ME
• MF-RIM
• RIN-TRA

• JEFF FARTHING
• CYNTHIA BARNES
• MEREL WILLIAMS
• JANE HENNESEY
• ROSLYN WALKER
• DABNEY SHEETZ
• RICHELLE GARNER

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COLLEGE CAREER CENTER

• HOURS-7-3 (OTHER HOURS BY APPT.
• COLLEGE INFO
• CAREERS
• FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS
• MAJORS
• RESUME WRITER

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COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

• STUDENTS MAY ATTEND COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES
  VISITS BY OBTAINING A PASS FROM CLASSROOM TEACHER
• SHOULD ONLY ATTEND THOSE REALLY INTERESTED IN
  ATTENDING
• SCHEDULE IS POSTED IN CAREER CENTER
• SOME UPCOMING DATES

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UPCOMING DATES

• College Visits Fall 2009
• Virginia Tech September 21st 1015am
• Bridgewater College September 28th 930am
• George Mason University September 29 1130am
• Randolph Macon College October 2nd 915am
• Hampden Sydney College October 5th 930am
• University of Mary Washington October 5th
  1045am
• Christopher Newport Univ October 6th 1100am
• Salem College October 6th 1245pm
• Virginia Commonwealth Univ October 7th 800am
• College of William and Mary October 7th 900am

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Old Dominion University October 7th 1015am
James Madison University October 7th 1215pm
Boston College October 8th 800amRadford
University October 8th 930amWest Virginia
University October 8th 1030amLongwood
University October 8th 1215pmAverett
College October 13th 900amRoanoke
College October 13th 1030amLynchburg
College October 19th 800am Sweet Briar
College October 21st 930amHigh Point
University November 9 1230pmShepherd
University November 10th 830amVirginia
Wesleyan College November 12th 1230pm
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COLLEGE FAIRS

• NOVEMBER 8, 2009
• MIDLOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL
• 430-6
• NOVEMBER 9, 2009
• JOHN TYLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• CHESTER
• 7-830 p.m.

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ASVAB TESTARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE
BATTERY

• NOVEMBER 18, 2008
• 8 A.M.
• CHS
• SIGN-UPS
• SCHOOL COUNSELLING OFFICE

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MILITARY LISTS

• Chesterfield County releases the names and
  addresses of all juniors and seniors to the
  military.
• IF YOU DONT WANT YOUR STUDENTS NAME RELEASED,
  PLEASE SIGN PAD IN BACK OF AUDITORIUM OR SEE MRS.
  ALMARODE IN THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE BY
  SEPTEMBER 30TH.

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GRASP
Post Secondary Education A Financial Perspective
September 23, 2009 Bettsy Heggie Dir. Advisors
and In-School Programming GRASP bheggie_at_stosch.com
grasp4virginia.com 24 hour hotline [phone]
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What is GRASP?

• Our goal is to ensure that every student has an
  equal opportunity for continuing education after
  high school, regardless of financial or social
  circumstances.

• Chesterfield County Schools with GRASP Advisors
• Bird
• Clover Hill
• Cosby
• James River
• Manchester
• Matoaca
• Meadowbrook
• Midlothian
• Monacan
• Thomas Dale

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Your GRASP Advisor, Tuesdays 730 1230

• Karen Doran is the GRASP representative for Cosby
  High School, where she has been since Cosby first
  had a senior class.
• Undergraduate degree from Duke University and
  graduate degrees from both Boston College (MSW)
  and the University of Virginia (JD).
• Appointments through school counseling.
• To email cosby_at_grasp4virginia.com
• (available 10/1/09)

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5 Steps to Success

• Scour college websites scholarship date,
  priority filing date for financial aid,
  application date.
• File FAFSA on-time regardless of your perceived
  financial need.
• Do not get emotionally hooked on a school if
  finances matter.
• Apply for scholarships at your school!
• Do not exclude private schools from you list due
  to affordability issues.
• Pay attention to emails.

2009 GRASP Scholarship Winner and Donor
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In case you forget all that I say, look at
www.ecmc.org/student/Opportunitiesbooklet.html
This Virginia-specific guide is available in
English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian.
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5 Step FAFSA Process

• File _at_ www.fafsa.ed.gov after 1/1/10.
• At the final FAFSA step, after submit your
  FAFSA, note the data release number (DRN) and
  EFC displayed. These will appear immediately.
• Check email regularly. Look for a Student Aid
  Report. Check it for errors.
• Before the priority filing dates, contact schools
  to verify that receipt of FAFSA. Schools should
  have downloaded it from the FAFSA website.
• Upon receipt of letters from the government or
  schools regarding verification or a rejection,
  respond promptly!

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If you miss your schools priority filing date,
file anyway and file soon.
Priority Filing Dates

• Virginia Tech 3/1
• Virginia State 3/31
• UVA 3/1
• JMU 3/1
• CNU 3/1
• Mary Washington 3/1
• VCU 3/1
• ODU 2/15
• Norfolk State 3/12
• William and Mary 2/12

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This Fall

• In the fall, get preliminary results from
• www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

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I will not file -- we will not get anything

• Choosing to not file the FAFSA will mean that
  your school will not consider you for financial
  aid free money grants or loans.

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What is Financial Need ?

• Colleges Cost of Attendance
• Expected Family Contribution FAFSA
  calculated
• Your Financial Need

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Your Financial Aid Award Letter

• The school determines your financial aid award
• The school selects the applicable federal
  programs
• The school calculates your potential loan amounts
• Award letters may also include school scholarships

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Award Letter Example
Each school is different
FAFSA
Family Need
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One Application, Many Programs

• Federal Pell Grant
• Academic Competitiveness Grant
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain
  Talent Grant
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and
  Higher Education Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
  Grant
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Work-Study
• Stafford Loans
• PLUS Loans

• Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program
• Virginia Commonwealth Award
• Institutional Aid

Scour the websites of the schools you are
interested in for financial assistance! Most have
many in addition to the FAFSA.
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Borrowing Money

• Federal loans have fixed interest rates. There is
  no shortage of loan money for these loans.
• Repayment usually begins after education is
  finished.
• FAFSA required for fixed rate Stafford Loan
  6.8. Maximum borrowing 1st year 5500, 2nd
  year 6500, remaining years 7500
• FAFSA required for PLUS loan parent loan of
  7.9 8.5
• Private loans be aware of associated risks

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Community College Transfer Program

• Relatively New Virginia Program
• See website for details www.vccs.edu/transfer
  
• Example VA Tech Engineering guaranteed
  admission agreement
• 1000 grant upon transfer (GPA need
  requirements), additional 1000 for STEM majors

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Virginias Only Junior College

• Richard Bland
• Tuition and Fees about 11,600 / year
• The curriculum is intended to allow students to
  acquire junior status after transferring to a
  four-year college, or to pursue expanded career
  opportunities.

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J. Sergeant Reynolds Scholarships

• Complete the admission application before 3/31.
• Complete the scholarship application online by
  3/31.
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative G.P.A.
• Scholarship application requires 4 short personal
  statements

81.65 per credit hour
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Find the Right Fit

• Not sure who offers what degree?
• Check the State Council of Higher
• Education in Virginias
• online degree inventory
• www.schev.edu/students/DegreeInventory.asp
• or
• www.vawizard.org

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Military Options

• Corp of Cadets _at_Virginia Tech
• Virginia Institute for Womens Leadership
• _at_Mary Baldwin
• Virginia Military Institute
• ROTC -- Apply to school and apply to ROTC online
  example www.armyrotc.com
• Military Academies 4 year education at no cost
• Commonwealth Challenge to obtain GED degree
  www.ngcyp.org

Air Force ?Army Coast Guard ?National Guard ?Navy
?Marines ?Merchant Marines
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Technical School / Apprenticeship

• Free education at the Apprentice School
  --www.apprenticeschool.com
• Check for school certification
• http//www.schev.edu/higherEd/POPE.asp
• Understand costs and programs
• Ask about job placement and follow-up services
• Ask employers their opinion of the school
• Look into local companies on-the-job
  apprenticeships
• On-line apprenticeship resource
  www.doli.virginia.gov

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Adjusted Gross Income lt 40,000

• University of Richmond - total family income is
  40,000 or less and demonstrated eligibility for
  need-based aid, aid package equals full tuition,
  room and board (without loans).
• College of William Mary Gateway
• UVA UVA Access
• Virginia Tech Presidential
• James Madison Centennial
• Virginia Union Brighter Future Initiative

6 All Inclusive opportunities in Virginia
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Students with Disabilities

• Creating High Expectations College Resources see
  www.create.org.vt.edu
• College Bound www.cpe.vt.edu/collegebound
• P.A.V.E. at J Sergeant Reynolds
• Randolph College website (Google Randolph college
  students with learning disabilities tips)
• www.going-to-college.org
• Richard Bland resource Evonda Watts-Martinez,
  [phone], ewatt_at_rbc.edu

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Appeals Special Circumstances

• Dependency, Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid
  Appeal download college specific form from
  college website
• Common reasons layoff, illness, reduction in
  income, documented separation from parents
• College will review special circumstances
• Request additional documentation
• Decisions are final and cannot be appealed to
  U.S. Department of Education

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VTAG

• Virginia Tuition Assistance GRANT Program
• Applies only to Virginia private schools
• Submit before July 31 suggest submitting
  immediately
• Exact amount will not be released until March of
  2009
• Usually about 3,400/year.

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Additional School Specific Forms

• Some schools have additional forms. The safest
  thing to do is to call your schools financial
  aid department and/or look closely at their
  website.
• CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE check your school,
  some examples Hampden-Sydney College, Washington
  Lee, Princeton, Harvard
• School specific form University of Richmond,
  Elon
• Ask about due dates. You may lose aid if you miss
  due dates.

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ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET

• FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO MAJOR IN A SUBJECT THAT
  VIRGINIA PUBLIC COLLEGES DONT OFFER
• OFFERS IN-STATE TUITION
• WWW.SCHEV.ORG WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

• AS WE CLOSE TONIGHT, WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENJOY
  THIS TIME PLANNING WITH YOUR STUDENT FOR HIS OR
  HER FUTURE. ITS AN EXCITING TIME AND WE ARE
  HERE TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY!