RHSSENIOR PARENT NIGHT

Hosted by: Mrs. Mary Jane McCullars and Ms. Caroline

Bowlin

QUICK REFERENCE PAGE• Ragland High School Counseling Department Website: - http://rhs.sccboe.org/

**Click School Staff and locate my name.

• Frequently Used Telephone Numbers Throughout Senior Year:– ACT: (319) 337-1270, www.actstudent.org– SAT: (609) 771-7600, www.collegeboard.com– NCAA Eligibility Center: 1-800-638-3731, www.eligibilitycenter.org– FAFSA (Financial Aid): 1-800-433-3243, www.fafsa.ed.gov– Alabama Pact Program: 1-800-ALA-PACT, www.treasuty.state.al.us

• Ragland High School Code: 012-250– Will be asked for this code when completing applications for the

items listed above.

2

SENIOR CALENDAR• AUG/SEPT.

– Begin filling out college applications (Applications due December 1)

– Register for SAT (Test: Nov 7, Registration Deadline: Oct. 9)

– Register for ACT (Test: Dec. 12, Registration Deadline: Nov. 6)

– Begin drafting essays for scholarship applications• Remember to save your drafts. You can usually alter 1 essay to serve

on multiple occasions. • Drafts should include: (paragraph about self: family, extracurricular,

etc.; paragraph about future goals: career, college major, etc.; paragraph about financial need: how do you plan to apply the scholarship money and why will it be beneficial?)

– Plan college visits• Preview Days are an excellent way to get a feel for the campus and

student atmosphere. **Discuss upcoming preview days from newsletter

• Seniors will also be provided with the opportunity to tour a couple of colleges with the senior class (First come, first serve basis & a minimal fee)

– Attend each session offered at Ragland with College Representatives• These representatives will be able to answer any specific questions

you may have regarding their particular college3

SENIOR CALENDAR• OCT.

– Create/Update Resume (Ms. Bowlin will be coming into the classroom to review this.)– Take ACT/SAT (if unsatisfied with current score)

• Major Universities require at least a 27 on ACT /or 1210on SAT prior to awarding academic scholarship (e.g. 27 at Alabama is solely a partial scholarship, valuing at $3,500.00/yr; current Alabama tutition is $25,000 /yr. including books, housing, & meal plan) (eg. 28 at Auburn is solely a partial scholarship, valuing at $4,000.00/yr., current Auburn tuition is $23,500/yr. including housing, meal plan, & books)• Mid-size Universities require at least a 22 on ACT/or 1030 on SAT prior to awarding academic scholarship (e.g. 22 at JSU is solely a partial scholarship, valuing at $1,590.00/per semester, a 26 on the ACT will award you full tuition at JSU; Yearly tuition at JSU including housing, books, and meal plan is approximately $15,000)• Community colleges offer full tuition scholarships beginning at a 22 on the ACT (e.g. Jefferson State offers full tuition scholarships to students who have scored a 22 on their ACT & possess at least a 3.00 GPA, these scholarships are competitive, limited number available, Yearly tuition at Jefferson State including books is approximately $5,500)

– Register for the SAT: (Test: Dec 5 Registration Deadline: Nov 5)

– Attend St. Clair County College Fair, Hosted by Springville High School Oct. 8 (During School Hours, permission forms will be sent home)– Work on essays for scholarship applications– Plan college visits/attend preview days

4

SENIOR CALENDAR• Nov.

– Participate in College Application Day (November 2) **Let Ms. Bowlin speak about this event.– Order Senior Materials from Balfour Oct. 15th and 16th @ lunch – Take SAT (if unsatisfied with current score)– Register for the ACT (Test: Dec. 12, Registration Deadline: Nov. 6)– Research scholarships with the Kuder program

• www.alcareerinfo.org , see Mrs. McCullars or Ms. Bowlin for an access code.

– Review Mrs. McCullars’s Scholarship Listings & CollegeBoard’s Scholarship book.

• Dec.– Most major universities application/scholarship deadline (Dec.1)– Take SAT/ACT (if applicable)– Register for the SAT (Test: Jan. 23, Registration Deadline: Dec. 28)– Take ASVAB (if applicable) **Must take if interested in Military!!– Check all other college of interest application/scholarship

deadlines

5

SENIOR CALENDAR• Jan.– File FAFSA– Register for ACT (Test: Feb. 6, Registration Deadline: Jan. 8)– Submit college applications/scholarships that are due– Review Mrs. McCullars Scholarship list, apply for scholarships

• Feb.– Complete FAFSA (if have not completed this task already)

**Will have FAFSA workshop at RHS in February if you need assistance with application. (Date TBA)– Review Mrs. McCullars Scholarship list, apply for scholarships– Submit college applications/scholarships that are due– Submit additional information to colleges if already applied &

application/scholarship deadline has not already passed (e.g. JSU deadline= March 1, if already submitted application, continue to submit information until deadline passes!!!! Eg. ACT score, update resume, etc.)

– Take ACT Workkeys assessment**http://www.act.org/products/workforce-act-workkeys

6

SENIOR CALENDAR• March– Big college application deadline (March 1)– Submit college applications/scholarships that are

due– Review Mrs. McCullars Scholarship list, apply for

scholarships• April

– Review college responses and aid offers with parents/counselor

– Write withdrawal letters to colleges you have selected to not attend by May 1

– Send acceptance letter to college of choice by May 1– Speak with admissions representative of college of

choice regarding meal plans, housing plans, & freshman orientation

• May– Confirm meal plan– Confirm housing plan– GRADUATE!!!!

7

ACT vs. SAT• ACT

– A national college admission examination that consists of the following subject areas: English, Math, Reading, & Science Reasoning. Also students can select to participate in an optional 30 minute writing portion of the exam for an additional expense.

– 215 multiple choice questions

– Approximately 3 ½ hrs. to complete, 4 hrs with the writing portion

– ACT composite scores range from 1-36 (2014 school year state avg.= 20.6, 2014 school year Ashville High avg.= 19.8)

– Writing scores range from 2 (lowest)-12 (highest); this score does not affect the composite score.• Most major universities and some mid-size universities require

the writing portion!!!! **Know what your college of choice prefers; there is a link on the ACT website to assess this information

– Cost: $39.50 ACT w/o writing; $56.50 ACT w/writing 8

ACT vs. SAT• SAT

– A national college admission examination that consists of the following subject areas: Critical Reading, Math Reasoning, & Writing Skills

– Approximately 3 hr and 45 min to complete

– Each section of the test will be scored using a 200-800 point scale

– The essay will be scored using a 2-12 point scale

– Cost: $54.40

– Fee Waivers are available for both the ACT & SAT for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch• Students can use the service twice throughout their high

school career!!!!• Students who qualify for fee waivers may also qualify for

admission waivers to college

– Accommodations are available for both the ACT & SAT for students with disabilities. If you feel that your child could qualify for this service, contact me prior to registering for the test!!!

9

SETTING COLLEGE PRIORITIES• Location:• ___Distance from home• ___Weather• ___Off Campus Setting (Rural vs. Urban)• ___Geography: Beaches, Mountains, etc.•  • Academics:• ___Majors offered• ___Academic reputation• ___Class size•  • Campus:• ___Size (Number of students enrolled)• ___Student Body (All male/female or Co-ed)• ___Atmosphere• ___Dorms• ___Diversity• ___Cost (Tuition + Housing + Books + Additional fees)• ___Scholarships/Financial Aid available•  • Social Life:• ___Clubs/Sports• ___Art Scene• ___Greek life• ___High School friends attending same college/university• ___ College facilities (fitness center, student union building, cafeteria)

• Should select the 5 most important items to you prior applying to college!!!

10

CHOOSING A COLLEGE• Reach school:

– A student’s top choice school. It is ok if this is a long shot school• Usually select one school

• Likely:– A school that has most

features that the student desires and the probability of admission is likely to certain (e.g. community college)• Usually select two schools

Students are encouraged to apply to at least two schools!!!

11

COLLEGE VISIT & INTERVIEW

• College visits should be completed prior to 2nd Semester of Senior year

• Preparing for your visit:– Call ahead & schedule an appointment. Never just show up

& expect to be assisted!!!– Inquire about speaking with a coach, band director, or

professor (if this is something that interest you)– Prepare questions to ask during your visit (Mrs. McCullars

has sample question sheet if you need one) **discuss a few sample questions

– Take an unofficial transcript on your visit so that the admission officer can inform you of how competitive you may be in comparison to their other applicants/past applicants.

12

COLLEGE VISIT & INTERVIEW

• Questions you may be asked during a visit (BE PREPARED)

• How did you first hear about this college? • What are your career goals? • What are you interested in majoring in? • What kinds of things do you do outside of school? • What do you think are your academic strengths and weaknesses?• How familiar are you with this college? • What are your priorities in selecting a college? • How would you describe your high school?• What is the most significant contribution you have made to your

school?

*****After each visit send a letter of appreciation to the admission officer. This shows maturity as well as helps the admission officer to recall you at a later date when applications are being processed. 13

COLLEGE APPLICATION • Steps to applying for college:

– Apply and pay online (application processes at a faster rate)

**Always print anything you submit online for your records!!!– Complete transcript release form, so Mrs.

McCullars can mail your official transcript• Applications will not be seen as complete without your

official transcript• Notify Mrs. McCullars in advance so that your transcript will

have plenty of time to arrive prior to application deadline– Send ACT/SAT scores to college of choice

• Applications will not be seen as complete without your official ACT/SAT scores ** Must log on to ACT website to send official scores, not seen as official when they come from the high school

14

COLLEGE APPLICATION • When you apply to colleges you have the following

responsibilities:– Before you apply:

• You have the responsibility to research & understand the policies and procedures of each college or university regarding application fees, financial aid, scholarships, and housing. You should also be sure that you understand the policies of each college or university regarding deposits that you may be required to make before you enroll.

– As you apply:• You must complete all material that is required for application, and submit your

application on or before the published deadlines. You should be the sole author of your applications.

• You should seek the assistance of Mrs. McCullars or an admissions counselor from the college/university in which you are applying throughout the entire application period.  

• It is your responsibility to arrange, if appropriate, for visits to and/or interviews at colleges of your choice.

– After you receive your admission decision:• You must notify each college or university that accepts you whether you are

accepting or rejecting its offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision as to the college that you wish to attend, but no later than May 1. Some colleges

may require you to provide them with an answer by a certain date. (eg. JSU Scholarships)

15

FAFSA (FINANCIAL AID)• FAFSA= Free Application for Federal Student Aid• FAFSA website: www.fafsa.ed.gov • Apply after January 1, 2016, unless planning to attend college this upcoming summer, then apply now & after January 1, 2016• A student’s financial aid is determined based on their EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)

– The EFC is calculated by using the parent/parents’ contribution (income tax), student income (income tax), & student income from assets/benefits (e.g. child support, disability check, etc.) In addition, other factors are considered when reviewing the EFC (e.g. number of individuals in household, number of individuals in household currently enrolled in a post-secondary institute, etc.)– If you have a special financial circumstance, you may want to contact the financial aid officer at your student’s college of choice to discuss financial options.– Also, a student can file independent rather than dependant if the student has a child, is married, or if they are homeless. For more information, see Mrs. Cranford

16

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID• Pell Grant

– Money that does not have to be paid back – Valued in full at approximately $5,700.00

• Student Loan– Money that has to be paid back upon completion

of college/or “exiting” of college• Work Study

– Campus employment (e.g. RA, Resident Assistant)– Money earned assists in payment for college

courses/books

17

SCHOLARSHIPS• Most scholarships & financial aid are

obtained directly from the Office of Financial Aid of the college a student selects.– It is the student’s responsibility to secure and

implement the application process for scholarships

• Community-based scholarship opportunities are released & awarded each spring. – It is essential that seniors keep an eye on Mrs.

McCullars’ scholarship book all throughout the Spring Semester.

– Also, read & review each Senior Newsletter.

• May 1 is the latest any college can wait to hear back from a student regarding a scholarship offer 18

BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS

• Rules of Thumb:– If you must pay money to get money, it might be a scam– If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is– Spend time researching scholarships, not money– Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information

about scholarships– Nobody can guarantee your student a scholarship– Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge application

fees– If your suspicious of a scholarship offer, there is usually a good

reason. Trust your instincts!!!– FinAid offers good information on avoiding/reporting

scholarship scams at www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams/phtml

19

NCAA & NAIA• NCAA- National Collegiate Athletic Association

– $75 Registration Fee– Fee Waiver available for students who receive a free/reduced

lunch– www.eligibilitycenter.org– Registration for Division I & II College Athletics– See coach prior to applying

• NAIA= National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics– $70 Registration Fee– Fee Waiver available for students who receive a free/reduced

lunch– http://www.naia.org/ – Registration for Private College & Mid-size Universities– See coach prior to applying

20

QUESTIONS

21