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Class of 2014Class of 2014
Your Senior Year!Your Senior Year!
School Counselor School Counselor Mrs. Karen Blair Mrs. Karen Blair
(810) 794-4911 ext 1282(810) 794-4911 ext [email protected] [email protected] @KarenBlairAHS@KarenBlairAHS
Facebook – AHS Counseling DepartmentFacebook – AHS Counseling Department
www.algonac.k12.mi.us
Use the ACS WebsiteUse the ACS Website
It’s a great resource!!It’s a great resource!!www.algonac.k12.mi.us
Use your Student Connect! Use your Student Connect!
Graduating!Graduating!If you are planning on graduating on June 6, 2014, you have to know if you are going to have all the graduation requirements met!
Look at your transcript! Find “Total Credits Earned” upper fight hand area of the transcript.
Right now you have to have at least 17.5 total credits.
Next you have to have the “graduation requirements met”.
English – 4 1 VPAAMath – 4 7.5 ElectivesScience – 3Social Studies – 3 =23.5PE/Health - 1
Graduation audits went home only to those students that are in danger of not graduating.
If you have questions about your graduation status see me or Mrs. Brutyn.
You can also look up your graduation requirements in Student Connect!
If you’re on track to graduate, right now your transcript should be showing that you need the following credits still:
1 English 1 Math Maybe 1 SS (if you are a TEC student)Maybe 1 Science (again if TEC) Some elective credits
That’s it! If you need anything else, you are supposed to be doing it in credit recovery.
Get your work in CR DONE!!
AttendanceAttendance•Don’t let attendance be the reason why you don’t graduate! •You can lose credit because of attendance. •Don’t let the new freedom with being able to leave to do your online electives cause you to mess up!
College ApplicationsCollege ApplicationsApply Online! Apply NOW!!Complete all required steps for applying.Even if you are retaking the ACT, apply
now. Go to the AHS Website and click on
Parchment Request that your transcript be sent
electronically through that secure website.
It’s FREE!
Go to www.parchment.com Click on High School Student, register for an
account.It’s going to ask for you email address. This might be a good time to create an email
address for school/college related “stuff”. Try for an email address that is just your
name or something like that. Not [email protected] or [email protected] colleges don’t want to see those types of email addresses! They really don’t!!
Read and follow the directions for making that account. No skimming and scanning!Keep a folder with all your college/ACT stuffGet your parents involved! You might need their money to pay for school or them to be cosigners on your student loans.Put the time in now so that you aren’t stressed out all year!Get your application in now and be ahead of the other applicants. Get your decision sooner!
Average application fees - $35 - $40 Community College applications are FREE!Early Decision/Action – a guaranteed
answer by a set deadline when you meet the early decision/action deadline.
Check university websites.Make it your deadline to get college
applications in by October 31, 2013.
Retake the ACT!Retake the ACT!Every student should take the ACT more than once. Studies show each time a student retakes the ACT, his or her
score increases by at least one point. A one point difference can mean better chance of
admittance to college and scholarship money. Do some test prep! Sign up for the ACT Workshops being
held at SC4 in the up coming weeks. The national test dates will be on the next slide. National
test dates are on Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)We are NOT a national test center. Most students test at
Cardinal Mooney or St. Clair County Community College (SC4). But they don’t give it every time. Check the ACT site.
Register to take the ACT at www.actstudent.org $34.00
ACT Dates 2013/14ACT Dates 2013/14Test Date Registration Deadline w/Late Fee
September 21, 2013 August 23, 2013 Aug 24 – Sept 6
October 26, 2013 Sept 27, 2013 Sept 28 – Oct 11
December 14, 2013 Nov 8, 2013 Nov 9-22
February 8, 2014 Jan 10, 2014 Jan 11-24
April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 8-21
June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 10-23
Register online at www.actstudent.org
ACT Fees ACT Fees Basic Fee (No Writing) $36.00ACT (Plus Writing) $52.50Late Fee $23.00 Additional colleges $12.00 eachTest date change $22.00Test center change $22.00Standby testing $45.00Viewing Scores Online Free
ACT Prep Workshops ACT Prep Workshops Improve Your ACT Score Workshop Offered at SC4Four (4) Saturdays in October. Cost -- $25 per session Contact Dena Norrod for more info --
Other ACT PREP Information …
You can access FREE ACT Prep resources at Michigan Electronic Library at www.mel.org
Visit this link for additional resources –http://www.actstudent.org/testprep
ACT Admissions Standards ACT Admissions Standards OPEN – All high school graduates are accepted until the school’s enrollment capacity is reached.
LIBERAL – Some freshmen who are accepted are in the lower half of their high school graduating class.
TRADITIONAL – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class.
SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.
HIGHLY SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.
16 – 21
17 – 22
18 – 24
21 – 26
25 – 30
The SATThe SATOut of State, Highly Selective and Private Colleges sometimes prefer the SAT over the ACT.Visit the website of the school you are interested in to determine which admission test is preferred.
Register to take the SAT at www.collegeboard.com
2013/14 DatesOctober 5, 2013November 2, 2013December 7, 2013January 25, 2014March 8, 2014May 3, 2014June 7, 2014
Seniors are encouraged to visit college campuses.
They may use two (2) school business “off campus” days for that purpose.
Student must provide written documentation of visit to the attendance secretary.
Student arranges college visit through college/university website or by calling college/university.
College Visits (Off Campus)
Fall Open Houses (Off Campus)Fall Open Houses (Off Campus)Nearly all colleges host a fall “Open House” on
their campusAt these events students are able to take a tour,
meet students, listen to presentations, go to a football game, even spend the night in the dorms!
Many have on-site admissions as well.Visit the website of the college you are interested
in or look at the showcase in the senior hall. Student arranges the visit.
The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges.Representatives from the respective college will set up
a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant.
Seniors are allowed four (4) on-campus college visits. The absence will be marked as school business.
College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Student Services.
College Visitation (On-Campus)
College Visits On CampusCentral Michigan University Sept 12Northern Michigan University Sept 20Michigan State UniversitySept 23Michigan Technological University Sept 26Olivet College Sept 28Oakland UniversityOct 5Western Michigan University Oct 18University of Detroit – Mercy Oct 19University of Michigan Oct 19Albion College Oct 20Kettering University Oct 24Adrian College Nov 8Wayne State University Nov 9
St. Clair County Community College St. Clair County Community College (SC4) (SC4) College Night College Night Tuesday, October 22, 20136:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood AvenueOver 40 institutions will be represented. ALSO --- INFORMATION SESSIONS ON SC4
First session – 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.Second session – 7:30 to 8 p.m.
Take in as much info as you can from visiting college campuses and college fairs. Also do some work online. Visit these websites:
www.collegecoard.comwww.collegexpress.comwww.collegeispossible.orgwww.c3apply.orgwww.collegeview.com
Financial Aid BasicsFinancial Aid BasicsScholarships(free money) – does not have to be
paid back TWO KINDS Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in
school and community, character Need Based – based on parents financial situation
(income, assets, debts)Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid
back (based on income) FAFSA Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized
(borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest)
What is the FAFSA?What is the FAFSA?The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study.
In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.
www.fafsa.govBegin application January of the graduating year.Priority deadline March 1st College Goal Sunday @ SC4 – Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 (2-4)Students will work on FAFSA in senior math class
Other Forms of Financial AidOther Forms of Financial Aid
AHS Local Scholarships AHS Local Scholarships College Websites College Websites Community Foundation of St. Clair County Community Foundation of St. Clair County www.stclairfoundation.org Check out your parent’s affiliations –
employers, unions, religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available
Tuition Incentive Program - TIPTuition Incentive Program - TIP
Eligibility based on being on Medicaid.Award letter came to your house. Look for it.
From the state of Michigan. If you can’t find it call this number 1-888-447-2687
Pays for an associates degree. Go to SC4 or Macomb!
Worth about $6,000!Find out if you are eligible for this!
Local ScholarshipsLocal ScholarshipsLocal Scholarship Applications for the 2013/14 school
year will be available via the web beginning in January 2014.
Deadline will be March 31, 2014. Local scholarships are available to AHS seniors only.Merit and need based scholarshipsMany award students for community serviceNeed two letters of recommendation Over $43,000 in scholarship money given awayAll are listed at the Student Services portion of the
AHS Website.
Senior Awards AssemblySenior Awards Assembly
•All seniors and their parents should plan to attend the annual senior awards assembly Friday, June 6, 2014.•Begins at 8:00 AM•Ends approximately 11:00 AM•Local Scholarships are presented as well as many other awards, including those from St. Clair TEC.
Timelines for the senior Timelines for the senior yearyear
September 2013All seniors will attend a presentation in the counseling center. If
your student has additional questions, he or she should meet with the counselor.
The student should get started on applications right away especially if they plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action programs. Deadlines for early applications tend to fall in October or November.
Students should start working on college essays. They should write essays that focus on experiences and make them stand out from the crowd.
Student should update their "resume" -- list accomplishments, involvements, and work experiences -- with the senior year activities. The resume will help the student complete the applications and essays.
Retake the ACT!
October 2013October 2013
Gather letters of recommendation. Student should ask counselor, teachers, and coaches, or employers for letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of time to meet the deadlines and be sure to give them a list of your activities & accomplishments.
Take ACT/SAT tests. If you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action
program, be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible. Applying online might be the right option for you.
Look for scholarships – Student Services Website, with search engines like Fast Web, through community and parental involvement.
November 2013November 2013
Student should submit early decision and early action applications on time.
Student should work hard at completing college essays. Proofreading them rigorously for mistakes.
Mail applications as early as possible for colleges with "rolling" deadlines (admission decisions are made as applications are received).
Take /ACTSAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges.
Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.
December 2013December 2013
Students should try to wrap up college applications before Christmas break. Make copies of each application before they are sent.
Take ACT/SAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges.
Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month.
Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.
January 2014January 2014
Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month.
Some colleges include first-semester grades as part of your application folder. This is called the mid-year grade report. Student should have the counselor send grades to colleges that require them.
Complete FAFSA – www.fafsa.gov
February/March 2014February/March 2014
Student should contact colleges to confirm that all necessary application materials have been received.
Encourage students not to get senioritis! Colleges want to see strong second half grades.
Some admissions decisions arrive this month. Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on the student and parent’s part.
Attend FAFSA workshop if you need help completing the FAFSA at SC4 on Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 (2-4 PM)
April 2014April 2014Most admissions decisions and financial aid award
letters arrive this month Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on your part.
Make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school the student selects before May 1 (the enrollment deadline for most schools).
Notify each of the schools to which student was accepted that he or she will not be attending in writing so that the spot can be freed up for another student.
On the waiting list? Contact the admissions office and let them know of continued interest in the college and update them on spring semester grades and activities.
May & June 2014May & June 2014
May 2014 -- Finalize housing plans.Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – June 2, 3 & 4, 2014
Senior ExamsThursday, June 5, 2014 Graduation Practice (1:00 PM)Friday, June 6, 2014 – Senior Awards Assembly –
beginning at 8:00 a.m. AHS Gymnasium Friday, June 6,2014- Graduation 6:00 p.m. Truman Pippel Stadium (weather permitting)
Additional ResourcesALWAYS look to the AHS “Student Services
Website” for information that you might need -- http://algonac.k12.mi.us/schools/algonac_high_school/counseling_center/index.html
Check out the AHS Counseling Department page on Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/#!/AlgonacHighSchoolCounselingDepartment
Follow Mrs. Blair on Twitter -- KarenBlairAHS
