500,000 Minutes

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500,000 Minutes

• Princeton High School Guidance Department
• Brian Church (A-L)
• Debra Dullard (M-Z)
• Elena Hilmes - Registrar

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• Work
• Military
• Trades
• Apprentice programs
• Proprietary schools
• College

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(No Transcript)
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• Recognize strengths and weaknesses
• Analyze interests and values
• Achieve a personal goal
• Increase earning power
• Prepare for a career and expand learning
• Participate in extracurricular activities and
  social life
• Consider influence of family and friends

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Fitting The Pieces Together

• Person. Where do I fit?
• Program. What will I study?
• People. Who will I meet?
• Place. Where am I going?
• Price. How much will it cost?

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1 The Person.Where Do I Fit?

• My grade point average is
• My class rank is
• My ACT score is
• My high school course of study is
• My profile vs. the profile at choice schools

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2 The Program-What Will I Study?

• Factors to Consider
• Favorite classes
• Work experiences
• Leisure activities
• School activities
• Dream careers
• People admired

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3 People - Who Will I Meet?

• Visit the campus
• Plan the trip
• Parents should accompany
• Take the campus tour
• Meet a department professor
• Ask questions
• Trust your instincts

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4 The Place-Where Am I Going?

• Distance from home
• Residential life
• Campus setting
• Campus size
• Campus safety/security
• Health services
• Sororities/fraternities
• Study abroad programs

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5 The Price - How Much Will It Cost?

• Discuss the cost of attendance as a family
• Community college state university vs. private
  school costs
• COA (Cost of Attendance)
• - EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
• Financial Need

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Analyze Your Results

• I Fit
• I clearly meet admission criteria
• Offers selected major of study
• Affordable
• I Fit If
• Questionable criteria for admission
• Offers selected major of study
• Financial need package is important
• I Want To Give A Try
• Admission criteria clearly questionable or very
  competitive
• Financial aid is a must

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• English 4 Years
• Mathematics (Algebra 1 and above) 3 Years
• Social Studies 3 Years
• Science 3 Years
• Foreign Language (same language) 2 Years
• Colleges may also require additional courses in
• Mathematics Science
• Fine and Performing Arts Computer Science

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• 2007 ACT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS
  REPORT

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The Application Process

• Online applications are typically preferred and
  can be found under Prospective Students on the
  college website.
• Use www.phs-il.org click on the Guidance link
  and log on to PrepHQ for a comprehensive list
  colleges and universities.
• A very limited number of paper applications are
  in the Guidance Office.
• Application fee waivers are available.

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When Do I Apply For College?

• The month of October is considered Application
  Month.
• Apply to your top 3-5 choices.
• P.H.S. Application Mania Night
• Many schools have priority filing deadlines.

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Application Deadlines

• University of Illinois
• _at_Chicago - No Priority Deadline - January 15
  Application Period Deadline
• _at_Springfield - September 1 - March 15 -
  Application Period Deadline - After March 15,
  applications will be considered as space permits
• _at_Urbana/Champaign - September 1 - Nov.1 -
  Priority Filing Period (postmark deadline)
  January 2 Application Period Deadline
• Illinois State University
• September 1 - November 15 - Priority Filing
  Deadline
• March 1 Application Period Deadline
• Western Illinois University
• To guarantee consideration apply by May 15

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What is a Transcript?

• A complete record of your grades, rank in class
  and credits. (through the 6th semester)
• Your highest ACT composite score will be included
  on the transcript.
• Upon student's request, the Guidance Office will
  mail the transcript and a school profile sheet or
  email a PDF transcript.

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The Personal Resume

• Your list of academic, athletic, and community
  activities.
• Study examples
• Make several copies
• Begin immediately

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The Personal Statement

• Offers information not found on the application.
• Explain what you can offer the school.
• Write it yourself.
• Have it proofread.

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The Teacher Recommendation

• Best to write out a request.
• Share where you are going.
• Include addressed envelope and stamp.
• Share what you want in the recommendation.
• Share with the author the common link between the
  school and yourself.
• Give the teacher a deadline.

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IVCC Applicants

• Complete the admission application in the fall.
• Visit www.ivcc.edu for more information.
• IVCC Tuition Guarantee Notice of Intent Form -
  Check your eligibility

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IVCC Placement Testing

• All first-time, full-time students must take
  placement tests at IVCC in English and Math
  (Accuplacer)
• The following ACT sub-scores will exempt you from
  the IVCC placement testing
• Math - 24
• English - 22
• Reading - 23

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An Overview of Financial Aid

• Apply for your PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov
• File the FAFSA as soon as possible after January
  1, 2010 at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Use a FAFSA worksheet to help complete the filing
  process.

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Financial Need Calculation

• The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is
  determined by completing the FAFSA.
• Outside scholarships and awards are then added to
  expected family contribution which then decreases
  the financial aid package offered by the
  university.
• Finally, the students financial aid package is
  determined.

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The Student Aid Report (SAR)

• Will receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filing
• Make any necessary corrections
• Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family
  Contribution)

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Is Financial Need the same at all institutions?

• NO!
• Financial Need is determined using the cost of
  attendance at individual institutions.

College A COA 18,000 EFC
- 5,000
College B COA 8,500 EFC -
5,000

• FINANCIAL NEED

• 13,000

• FINANCIAL NEED

• 3,500

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Scholarships

• Register at www.fastweb.com
• Check PrepHQ for a complete listing of local
  scholarships Wal-Mart, Princeton Memorial
  Scholarship, Princeton Rotary.

• Check PrepHQ daily for announcements

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Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE)

• Day 1 Wed., April 22 - ACT Plus Writing
• Day 2 - Thursday, April 23
• ISBE Science Test
• Reading for Information (WorkKeys)
• Applied Math (WorkKeys)
• PSAE pre-registration will be completed
• at PHS during Block 4
• on Friday, April 17.

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Should I Retake The ACT?

• Next test April 4 and June 13, 2009
• PHS School Code 143-560
• PHS Test Center Code 163030
• ACT No Writing - 31 (2009 fee)
• ACT Plus Writing - 46 (2009 fee)
• The ACT is given at PHS in October
• and February (National Test Date).

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• Become familiar with the ACT test content and
  format.
• Review your PLAN results to identify academic
  weaknesses.
• Learn appropriate test-taking strategies
• Use ACT Online PrepTM ACTs test preparation
  program.
• Review The Real ACT Prep Guide the official
  test prep book available for purchase at
  www.act.org.
• Visit the ACT at www.actstudent.org - take the
  ACT free practice tests.

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Whats Next for You?

• Encourage the completion of college applications
  in October and November
• Take college visits Spring Break 2009
• Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2010
• After the final school selection is made, contact
  schools not chosen.
• Be organized and meet all deadlines!!!!!

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• Determine college costs
• Investigate ALL possible resources
• Parents
• Savings
• Summer earnings
• Financial aid scholarships, grants, loans and
  work-study
• Other sources
• Secure necessary forms and note the deadlines
• Apply for financial aid as early as possible

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• Remember

• Take Responsibility!!!
• Stay Positive!!!
• Utilize PREPHQ!!!
• .