Welcome Seniors and Parents! Life After High School

Welcome Seniors and Parents!

Life After High School

Know the Facts:

• Research shows that it is not so much which college you attend, but what you do with your education while you are in college that makes the difference

• It’s all about the fit – there are options out there for everyone!

What are the options?

• Four Year University

• Two Year College

• Technical School

• Military

• Enter the Workforce

Do Your Research

• Explore career options– Review ASVAB scores, visit their website– Meet with Martha Hancock

• Talk with the experts!– Visit websites– Ask questions of admissions officers– Find military recruiters

• Look at the end goal– Lifetime earnings handout

Simplify College Planning

• Determine your route

• Identify college characteristics

• Research, compare, and visit

• Apply for Admissions

• Finance

• Finalize

How do I get into a 4-year college?

• English: 4 credits• Math: 3 credits (through advanced

Algebra)

• Soc. Studies: 3 credits• Science: 3 credits (Physics or Chemistry)

• Foreign Lang: 2 credits (same language)

• Fine Arts: 1 credit

Community and Technical Colleges

• Open Enrollment• Research the variety of options

– Private or Public– Ability to transfer– Part time or Full time

• Placement Test– Avoid taking remedial courses

• More and more people are choosing Community Colleges

What are colleges looking for?

The Holistic Review…

Washington Trends

• Strong emphasis on rigor of curriculum• Shift from letters of recommendation to

personal insight essays• The Admission Index is no longer used as

an admission determinant• Chemistry or physics is required for the

Class of 2013• Across the state, colleges are seeing record

enrollment

Comprehensive Review

• Colleges review your transcript and your personal statement

• Four key words for what they are looking for:– Patterns– Potential– Initiative– Involvement

What should be in a personal statement?

• Aspects of your life that are not apparent from your academic record– Paint a picture of who you are as a person

• General themes:– Character defining moment– Cultural awareness– Challenges faced– Leadership– Community Service

Write to succeed

• If your personal statement is mechanical, they will forget you!– The first line needs to grab the reader’s

attention

• Use academic vocabulary• Edit, Edit, Edit• Be insightful – start looking at yourself,

who you are and how you got here, right now!

What should I do now?

Take Action

• All colleges are emphasizing the same suggestion for all application deadlines-

The sooner the better!

Start Now!

• If you haven’t already taken the ACT or SAT-sign up NOW!

• Finalize a list of schools where you plan to apply• Research application requirements and deadlines• Start completing college applications online• Request an official transcript through the high

school website

October and November

• Have teachers, counselors, parents review your personal statements

• Make sure letters of recommendation are completed

• Finish all college applications• Visit colleges of choice• Begin the Financial Aid Process by signing

up for a PIN for the FAFSA• Call colleges for application updates

College Application Deadlines

Priority vs. Application

• Focus on Priority Deadlines

• This provides priority to financial aid, scholarships, registration, housing, and special programs

Deadlines

• University of Washington– Application: December 1, 2011– Notification Period: March 15-31

• Washington State University– Application: January 31, 2012– Notification: Beginning November 1 - Spring

• Western Washington University– Application: January 31, 2012– Notification: As early as November 1, 2011.

• Private and out of state colleges-check with admissions offices

College Testing

Difference between ACT and SAT

ACT• Curriculum based• 1-36 scoring range• Writing portion

optional• Content areas:

– Reading– English– Science– Math

SAT• Critical Reasoning/

Problem Solving• 800-2400 scoring

range• Writing portion

required• Content areas:

– Critical Reasoning– Mathematics– Writing

How do I score well on these tests?

• Academic rigor

• Read, Read, Read

• Test Preparation– Study booklets– Question of the day

• Eliminate your wrong answers– ACT-you can guess; SAT-do not guess

• Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast

How much will this cost?

Application Fees

• Public baccalaureate colleges in Washington charge an application fee ranging from $50 - $75

• ACT and SAT test fees range from $30-$50• Many colleges will waive the fee with a letter

from the student’s school counselor verifying ‘free or reduced’ lunch status

• Fee waivers are available for testing for those students who qualify

College Costs (estimated)

• University of Washington– Tuition/Fees: $10,346 Housing: $9,771

• Washington State University– Tuition/Fees: $9,886 Housing: $9,662

• Western Washington University– Tuition/Fees: $6,486 Housing: $8,755

• Eastern Washington University– Tuition/Fees: $7,240 Housing: $7,080

• Pacific Lutheran University– Tuition/Fees: $30,950 Housing: $10,335

• University of Portland– Tuition/Fees: $33,640 Housing: $9,966

Financial Aid

• State Deadline

• Washington - Check with your financial aid administrator.

• You can apply for a PIN now– http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

• Watch for scams! (.coms)

FAFSA Deadlines

• College DeadlineEach college may have a different deadline. Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about their definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date they receive your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.

Scholarships

• Apply for local/community scholarships in the library

• College applications often double as a scholarship application

• www.fastweb.com and www.thewashboard.org are helpful sites for scholarship searches

• Be aware of scams, don’t ever pay for information

Final Suggestions

Get exposure and experience

• Contact schools, talk to admissions advisors• Visit campus, stay overnight, attend classes• Meet with an advisor in your desired field of

study• Ask lots of questions!• Watch for college High School visits

National Fall College Fair

• National College Fair (Portland, OR)– November 6, 2011 1 to 5 p.m.– November 7, 2011 9:00 a.m. to noon

Good Luck!

• Let us help– Information about choosing the right fit– Contacting admissions offices– Applications and recommendations– Anything else you need

Have fun and enjoy the ride!

Web Resources

• www.ultimatemoneyskills.com/collegefunding• www.fastweb.com• www.thewashboard.org• www.mycollegeoptions.org• www.checkoutacollege.com