Juniors: Time toGet Ready for College

1. Get Academically ReadyWork especially hard this year! Take advantage of any and all help/resources – get to know your teachers, ask questions, seek tutoring help if needed.

Reason:As a part of your college application, you’ll be forwarding your transcript during the fall of your senior year. The transcript will be a record of how you’ve done during six semesters of high school. Put another way, you have the control during this year to determine the outcome of one-third of your high school record!

Consider meeting with your counselor to discuss class choices for senior year. Your transcript that you forward to colleges will also reflect which classes you’re taking senior year. Colleges want to see that you’re continuing to challenge yourself through the types of classes you take and how well you do in them.

2. Get Career ReadyExplore!

Explore your interests/skills!Update your Educational/Career Action Plan (ECAP) throughout high school – take the

assessments at least 2-3 times through high school as your interests/experiences change.

Go to: www.mpsaz.kuder.com. Login formula is as follows – 1) user name – type in st and 6 digit school ID 2)

password – type in 6 digit school ID.

Through Navigator, students can do the following:Understand their interests/skills and jobs/educational training to which those

correspond.Develop a resume.

Research schools based upon a # of different criteria, i.e., location, major and more.

Careers- Education Pays

Jobs that involve some type of education after high school are projected to grow the fastest through 2020, with jobs requiring a masters degree growing by 21.7%, doctoral/professional degree 19.9%, bachelors degree by 16.5% and an associates degree by 18%.

For on-the-job training, jobs that require apprenticeships are projected to grow the fastest at 22.5%.

Another recommended exploration tool/site:

Big Future by CollegeBoard:

Go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ Amazing collection of college/career planning tools!

Through Navigator or Big Future, explore the educational programs that match up with your career interests – they may involve a 1 year training program, a 2 year associates degree, a bachelors degree or more. This will also determine where you go to school, i.e., community college, tech school, 4-year university, etc.

Explore the job outlook when you research career areas. It’s important to know where the jobs will and will not be when you’re an adult.

Take courses that interest you!

Join clubs/organizations that interest you!

Consider job shadowing/summer internship opportunities

Experience!

EXPLORATION + EXPERIENCE =INFORMATION

Information will help you develop a plan!

This is important because any kind of education program after high school is an investment of time and $$$. Examples of students we’ve seen:

Angela wants to become an X-ray tech and has taken the SAT and already applied to ASU. She later learns, however, that the educational programming required to become an X-ray tech is a 2-year associates degree program through Gateway Community College. The SAT is not required for admission, although there are specific prerequisites she must take to be admitted to this program.

Dustin has scored very high in the health science pathway in the interest/skills assessments he’s taken. He takes biotech classes @ RMHS, loves them and learns that this is a field with a very healthy job outlook. He researches and ends up attending a university with a biotech program. Because of his strong grades and background in the biotech field, he is awarded an excellent scholarship from a biotech corporation.

3. Get College ReadyExplore!

Use the same sites to begin to explore colleges. Navigator and Big Future both contain tools that allow you to specify criteria you may want to consider in your college search

•Location (Urban, Suburban, Rural)•Distance •Academic Rigor•Size•Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics)•Field of Study/Major•Financial Aid

Explore!

• Go while school is in session• Students-take notice• Bring a notebook and/or a camera• No more than two a day• Eat in the café if possible….• See a FRESHMAN dorm• See the music/athletic facilities if applicable…• Look for anything else that will be important to

you

VISIT COLLEGES

Get College Ready

4. Get InMaricopa Community Colleges

You can be admitted to a community college with your high school diploma. You do not need to take the ACT or SAT. A placement test will determine which classes you will enroll in.

Available programs can lead to:

• Certificate, i.e., certified nursing assistant• Associate’s degree in a particular discipline, i.e., dental hygiene• Associate’s degree in general studies (transfer degree) – will allow student to transfer coursework to the 4-year university to complete a bachelors degree, i.e., elementary education

Get InAZ University Admission Requirements For admission directly from high school

Required course competencies:• 4.0 English• 4.0 Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 & an

advanced math such as Trig, Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Calculus)

• 3.0 Science• 2.0 Social Studies• 2.0 World Language (same)• 1.0 Fine Arts

One or more of the following:Top 25% of class

3.0 min. competency GPA (unweighted and based upon grades in courses listed above)

ACT of 22 and/or SAT of 1040

Get InCompetitive and/or out-of-state

universities MAY require:• AP & Honors Classes• Additional Academics• Additional Fine Arts• Additional World Language• Additional Tests, i.e., SAT Subject

Tests• Letters of Recommendation

Tip: Become familiar this year with the admissions requirements of the school(s) you’re considering.

What Colleges Consider For Admission

• Transcript • Test Results• Extracurricular

activities• Recommendations• Essay(s)

Get In

TRANSCRIPT

109

Name: Rufus D. LionID #: 654321

Class rank: based upon GPA from completion of 17 courses.

Service Learning: 150+ hours required for Honor for Excellence diploma seal/transcript notation.

Graduation Requirements:1. 22 credits2. Meets/exceeds in

AIMS subject areas.

3. Completed ECAP

Cumulative GPA: GPA based upon how you’ve done in ALL classes.

Sending your transcript to a university:1. Visit Mrs. Haller,

our registrar, to request that it be sent to specific school(s) OR

2. Have it sent electronically via www.parchment.com

TRANSCRIPTYou’ll initially forward your transcript when you apply to college (fall of 12th grade) then once more after you graduate from RMHS (a mid-year transcript may also be required by certain colleges).

The SAT and ACT are exams that are one component of admission into most four-year universities across the country. Universities consider your performance on the SAT and/or ACT one predictor of how you may do academically in college.

Universities will take whichever is your best score, meaning you can take them both and more than once. Students generally make some improvements upon retake.

Many universities don’t require/consider the writing portion of these exams. For example, ASU requires a combined math/reading score of 1040 out of 1600 . It is, however, automatically a part of the SAT and is an optional part of the ACT. It is generally a good idea, however, to take/do your best on the writing portion as some universities, scholarship programs and college programs will take a look at this score.

SAT Quick Facts:Frequency: 7 times/yearDuration: 3 hours, 45 minutesSections: math, critical reading, writing (optional)Aptitude-based - looks at your critical thinking skillsCost: $50Max. Score: 800 per sectionAvg. Scores: math – 516, critical reading – 501, writing - 492

ACT Quick Facts:Frequency: 6 times/yearDuration: 3 hours, 3½ hours including essaySections: English, math, reading, science, writingAchievement-based - looks at the skills you’ve learned in schoolCost: $34 - $49.50Max. Score: 36Avg. Score: 21

SAT Subject TestsThe Why and What

WHY: Many selective schools and honors/scholarship programs require you take at least one or more SAT Subject Tests. Check with the admissions department of your top schools to learn more about their requirements.

WHAT: SAT Subject Tests are one hour tests that focus on specific academic subjects. The best part about the Subject Tests is that in many cases you get to choose which ones you'll take, so you should pick the ones where you're strongest.

What specifically do the SAT Subject Tests test?It depends on the test. There are 5 content areas–Math, History, Literature, Science, and Languages. There are multiple tests in every content area except Literature.

How are the SAT Subject Tests scored?Each Subject Test is scored on a scale of 200–800.

SAT/ACT: WHEN TO TAKE AND HOW TO PREPTake in the spring of your junior year and/or summer after your junior yearRegister online at the SAT/ACT sites – links located on the RMHS Counseling page

Tools to Prep:

Online practice questions/tests available on the SAT/ACT sites. Many free/low-cost smartphone apps availablePrep books available @ library/bookstoresSoftware programs availableTest prep classes available through companies such as Princeton Review & Kaplan

Ideally, spend 6-12 months preparing. Grab your calendar and plan when you will:

* Practice * Take shortened exams * Sit for between 8-10 full-length exams

Extracurricular Activities If you haven’t yet started, get

involved at school and/or in your community!

Join something in which you’d grow, enjoy and that shows others your passions.

Look for leadership opportunities, i.e., club officer positions, youth group leader, programs such as Boys’ & Girls’ State

Service Learning Summer Programs Internships

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Colleges & scholarship programs often ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. These letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.

Develop relationships with your teachers, counselor and other key people who know you, i.e., coaches and volunteer supervisors. Allow them to truly get to know you – your character, your strengths and your accomplishments. These may then be potential adults who can write strong letters on your behalf.

ESSAYSOften required as part of admission to universities/specific college programs.

Typically required for scholarships and honors program applications.

Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't—your personality. It can give admission officers a sense of who you are, as well as showcasing your writing skills.

Topics may include overcoming an obstacle, discussing a special accomplishment or your own personal story.

Go to College Board’s Big Future for some great tips on writing your essay.

APPLY TO FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES:

Early Admissions: Deadline typically by November 1st of senior yearEarly admissions means early answer plus the possibility of additional perks depending upon university, i.e., priority housing/orientation.

Two types of early admissions – Early action – non-binding: you can choose whether or not to attend that school.Early decision – binding: if you’re accepted, you must attend that school. Typically used by more selective colleges.

Regular Admissions: Deadline typically around February 1st of senior yearReply Date: May 1st of senior yearMake your decision by or prior to this date, submit enrollment deposits.

THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

COLLEGES CONSIDER

• Student Record/Transcript

• Strength of Schedule

• Scores (SAT/ACT/Optional?)

STUDENTS CONSIDER • Location/Distance

• Size

• Extra-curricular (i.e. athletics)

• Field of Study/Major

Winter ‘14

Fall ‘14Spring ‘15 Summer

‘15 Fall ‘15 Spring ‘16

Take SAT/ACTCollege visits

Take SAT/ACT

Explore college search sites & indiv. college sites.Attend college presenta-tions.SAT/ACT prep

Letters of rec – give 2-3 wks notice.Apply to colleges

Consider financial aid award packages.Accept

Explore college search sites & indiv. college sites.Attend college presenta-tions.SAT/ACT prep

Winter ‘15

Complete FAFSA by February.

5. Get Money ReadyCollege is generally paid for by:

* Private funds, i.e., the Bank of Parents/Relatives

* Grants – based upon financial need

* Loans

* Work-Study

* Scholarships

Colleges typically report their financial data to College Board. This becomes a valuable tool for you to learn about college costs!

The cost of attending a college minus the average amount of gift aid that a student at that school receives from the college and the government

Financial Need = Cost of Attendance minus Estimated Family Contribution. Your financial aid package may include a combo of scholarships, grants, loans and work study. Get an idea of the amount of financial need typically met by various schools.

Your family’s financial information is analyzed using the federal need formula.

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which shows the expected family contribution (EFC). Your EFC is an indicator of your family’s financial strength. It is sent to your state scholarship agency as well as to the colleges you listed on the FAFSA. They use this number to determine your financial aid award.

You’ll receive an award letter showing your “financial package,” which may consist of scholarships, grants, loans and work study. You can decline all or part of it.

You’ll need to report information about private scholarships you’ve been awarded to the university’s financial aid office. Your financial aid award may then be adjusted.

AFTER THE FAFSA IS FILED

RESOURCES!• Get familiar with all of the tools located at Red Mountain’s

Advisors link – explore, explore and explore!

• Subscribe to Red Mountain’s College & Career newsfeed to learn about upcoming visits from college admissions reps and more – located in our Advisors link.

• Visit MPS’ scholarship bulletin/site for scholarship tips and info about specific scholarship opportunities – locate in our RMHS Counseling link.

• Schedule an appointment with your counselor for assistance with planning classes for senior year and for college/career planning.

Get the facts about college costs by going to: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs/understanding-college-costs

Look into types of aid that could help you cover college costs. Start by reading 7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid, located at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-101/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-financial-aid.

See how much you need to save for college. Use the College Savings Calculator, located at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/college-savings-calculator, to get an idea of where you are compared with your savings goal.

Learning More…Attend tonight’s presentation, called “Beating the High Cost of College,” presented by Mr. Ryon Frische.

Attend Red Mountain’s Financial Aid Night in January.