Welcome To The Parents’ Guide to the Senior YearAugust 2013

OR

I have a senior and I am…

confused, scared, freaked out, excited, can’t wait ‘til they leave, needing direction, wanting to hold on a little longer…(all in two seconds time)

A demonstration of the senior

decision-making process…

I know EXACTLY where I am going and

what I am doing.

For the MOST PART…

I know what I am doing and where I am

going.

Not so much…

I have NO EARTHLY idea…

Actions Inaction/Need

Exactly:

Excited, will do the work quickly, follow through

Reluctant to look at other options, may not have a back up in case something falls through; needs encouragement to check all options

Mostly Confident, nervous, open to many options, spits & spurts

to spur on, may have too many optionsMay need more information or to talk outloud

Not so much:

Spends time thinking/dreaming, asks questions, talks to others

May avoid talking if stressed, may wait too long and miss deadlines.Needs more information or experiences

No idea:

May be weighing options and remaining open, internal thought process

Won’t act, missing deadlines, needs to experience options in order to process

Other Topics to Tackle in the Decision-Making Process

• Having discussions about finances• Disappointing family members• Change• Leaving friends or letting friends choose• Balancing & prioritizing• Making the RIGHT decision

How do Parents help?

•Be informed•Be a coach•Let them do the work

General Guide Points• You will never know it all.• You can’t ask too many questions or have too many contacts.

• The process works best when your senior is initiating and doing most of the work.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Knowing the Game Has Changed…

• More kids going to school (2-year and 4-year)• Fewer kids finishing college (less than 40%)• Less than that end up a career that fits the

degree (25%)• More kids getting out after 1-2 years…owing

a lot of money and not having a high enough salary to pay the debt

• Dramatic increase in the number of students defaulting on school loans

• School loans are not forgivable, even in bankruptcy

So…what does that mean?

• Finding the MATCH is more important than ever1. Academic match2. Career match3. Financial match4. Social match

• Knowing the difference between good and bad debt• Total loan amount should be LESS than

30% of what he/she can expect to make his/her first year out of college

• Awarded to students who excel in academics, athletics, performance and other skills.

• Used to attract “the best and brightest”.

• Learning to “package” yourself and match your interests and abilities to the institution is key.

Merit Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships

Financial Aid

MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

• Need is determined by information you provide on the FAFSA using 2013 income tax information. Most communication will be with the financial aid department at the prospective college.

• To specifically address this topic, we will have a meeting in January.

Need-Based Scholarships

Cost of Tuition & Required Fees

KU KSU WSU ESU PSU FHSU2013 $4639/$48

39

Up 4.4%

$4293Up 6.7%

$3463Up 8.1%

$2807Up 6.5%

$2953Up 7.5%

$2179Up 3.0%

2013

$4444/$4839

Up 4.9%

$4023Up 5.1%

$3204Up 3.5%

$2636Up 6.5%

$2747Up 6.4%

$2117Up 3.7%

2012

$4234$4610

$3828 $3095 $2476 $2581 $2041

2011

$4012 $4366

$3688 $2945 $2318 $2424 $1971

Rates reflect one semester based on 15 credit hours TUITION ONLY.

*Kansas Universities are still less costly when compared to in-state tuition & fees in Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, & Iowa. http://www.kansasregents.org/board_approves_state_university_tuition_rates

Regional Comparison (IN-STATE)

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

• Missouri -- $9035• Colorado -- $8166• *Kansas -- $7678• Oklahoma -- $7716• Nebraska -- $7563• Iowa -- $7563• AVERAGE -- $8240

• * KSU, KU, WSU

REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS• Iowa – $7008• Missouri -- $6188• Nebraska -- $5781• Colorado -- $5935• *Kansas -- $4867• Oklahoma -- $4751• AVERAGE -- $5654

* ESU, PSU, FHSU

In otherwords…Kansas has several affordable options.

College is a MEANS to and END

• When looking at colleges, gone are the days of “the experience”

• Focus should be “bang for your buck”• Frank discussions at home about

finances and reality• Marketable skills -- pay attention to the

world of work and economy• In the end…they’ve got to find a job

Beginning Points• ACT Scores

• higher the better• Apply (3-5)• Consult with others

• teachers• parents• counselors• graduates

• College Visit• representatives at school

• on campus visits

• phone or email• brochures, websites & catalogues

ACT Scores• www.act.org -- Do not register for your student!

• Important cut off scores• 21• 24• 27• 30• 32 +

ACT: retake or not• Close to a “cut off score”• Dedicated to prepping• Tested only once• Consider taking the SAT if…

• Going out of state• Needing to try a different type of test• Check PSAT scores

• STUDENT needs to register!

Application for ADMISSION: Which ones & When?

• Safe School www.butlercc.edu• Moderate Range School www.wichita.edu• Reach School (Rice University in Houston)

http://www.futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Freshman.asp?SnID=796568928

• Beginning of October• Reach Schools – check deadlines and will

take more time and resources• Application fees. . .

Application for ADMISSION: What do I need to include?

• Application • Transcript – (via parchment.com) – students

are registering through English class• Grades• GPA• Rank• *Test Scores

• Application fee for MOST 4-year institutions• Additional requested information

College Visits #1 Factor

• Seniors have 5 college visits per semester that do not count against attendance

• Purple Visit Form

• Senior Days http://www.ku.edu/visit/

• Individual visit WITH parent

• Parent calls in to excuse

• Bring back signed form to waive

• College students claim that the VISIT influenced their decision to attend more than COST.

Where Do I Look for the $?

• Universities

• academic

• performance

• service

• Departmental Scholarships

• Local Scholarships

• National Scholarships

University $$$$

• Apply EARLY for admission

• Apply EARLY for scholarship

• Contact financial aid department

• Keep a list of contacts & numbers

• Fill out FAFSA in January and turn in quickly

• Don’t wait to file taxes

• Athletes contact coaches

• Utilize CoreCourseGPA.com

• NCAA or NAIA requirements

Departmental $$ • Declare a major (if possible)

• Contact Dean of Department• call

• campus visit

• ask about scholarship opportunities

• Check into working on campus in that department

Local Scholarships $• Wendy’s Heisman

• Goddard Pride Band

• NHS

• Workplace (student & parent)

• Wilbur Floyd Memorial

• Eston Beery Memorial

• John Markham Memorial

• Dan Pfiester Memorial

• Eilert Family Performing Arts Scholarship

• Lions Club Scholarship

• Wichita Panhellenic

• West Wichita Rotary Club

• Church Match Scholarships

• Other GHS Only Scholarships as

added (see Kim Hoetmer if you

are interested in sponsoring a

new scholarship!)

National Scholarships

Some examples

•Coca-Cola Scholars

•Wal-Mart

•Target

•Toyota

•Asthma Athlete

Keep in Mind

• highly competitive

• very selective

• national

• few get them

• specialty

• if you meet the requirements…apply

Where To Look . . .

• PRIDE

• Internet searches

• Bulletin

board/posters

• Scholarship rack

• Announcements

• Workplace

• Church

• Community

Computer Aided Searches

• Popular Internet Sites• http://

www.collegeguidanceconsultants.com• www.fastweb.com• http://ghs.goddardusd.com/• www.finaid.com

• SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE!

Scholarship Application• Completed

application• Have someone

proof• Recommendations• Transcript• Essay• Resume/Activity

Chart

Beat the deadline Keep a copy of

everything (even if you submit online – print out

Addressed correctly

Follow up Keep a calendar

Factors Influencing the Decision

• College Prep Grades

• Cumulative GPA• Test Scores• Counselor

Recommendations• Teacher

Recommendations• Interview

• Field of Study• Community Service• Extracurricular• Work• Essay• Personal

Recognition• LEADERSHIP

10 Scholarship Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting until the senior year to worry about GPA

2. Failing to take (or dropping) challenging courses

3. Thinking, “I won’t qualify for scholarships.”

4. Not getting involved in extra-curricular activities

5. Waiting too long to begin the scholarship search

6. Not following applications instructions

7. Not choosing references wisely or in time

8. Turning in sloppy, mistake-filled application

9. Missing the application deadline

And the #1 scholarship And the #1 scholarship mistake . . . mistake . . .

Not being committed to the time and energy needed for success in the scholarship process!!!!!!!!!

The “To Do List” Begins

• NOW: Begin applying

• Online when possible (ex. KU available starting 9/1)

• GOAL: Beginning October

• NOW: Start scholarship search

• ASAP: Visit, get information

• Soon: Narrow your choices

• September 20: Registration deadline for October ACT

• October: Attend Futures Fair & retake ACT

GHS -- Guiding Your Senior• Senior Seminars (voluntary sign ups during school hours)

• Senior Meetings (monthly through English 12 class)

• Scholarships (Sept. 6)

• SENIOR PRIDE!!!!!!!! (exciting changes!)

• “TESTRAVAGANZA DAY” (mid October)

• Futures Fair – October 7 evening program for seniors &

parents

• Graduate Panel (early January – weather permitting)

• Financial Aid (early January)

• End of Year Feedback, Forms, Scholarship Sheet (late

April)

• Graduation Meeting (late April – early May)

We’re here to help!

• Hours: 7:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

• Phone: 316-794-4115

• Email:

• mmurray.cline@goddardusd.com (A-L)

• khoetmer@goddardusd.com (M-Z)

Check Out Our Websitehttp://ghs.goddardusd.com/ -- COUNSELING TAB

A Message for the Future

• change is constant. . .

• let go and let them…

• follow your heart. . .

• focus on the journey. . .

• stay learning. . .

• Hug ‘em & tell them you love ‘em every chance you get!

Isaac Hoetmer, Class of 2012

Attending Wichita State University

Hannah Hoetmer, Class of 2013

Wichita State University

You Are Important in this process!

Thank you for your time tonight. . .