Activities Leadership Potential to contribute to the vitality of a college

campus Ability to do more than study Research or involvement in something related to

your major. Activities are not just school related Consider anything of substance that you do on a

regular basis outside of the classroom (Probably not video games)

Activities

Develop leadership

Make you an interesting person

Allow you to show commitment 4 years of a sport

4 years of performing arts

Colleges prefer depth in activities rather than breadth

Create your own opportunities

Awards & Recognition

Sets you apart from others

Proof of your participation

Shows competitive nature

Grades 9 – 12 unless national recognition

Not just school related

Awards you Pay For are not your best option

Admissions Officials Know: Your school courses & opportunities

Your local demographic

Your regional college opportunities

Your non-profit volunteer opportunities

Your state capital opportunities

Your professional internship possibilities (Such as IT, Medical, Legislature, FBI, Military, etc.)

They know all about your possibilities

Side by side - your world versus your application

Community Service

Shows awareness of the needs of others

Opportunity to stretch your horizons

Leadership

Recognition

Career Exploration

Develop community connections

Maturity

Document your service!

Service form is available on our website

Very few seniors have documented the 60 hour requirement

Freshmen – Juniors need 80 hours of service documented to meet the Western Sierra graduation requirement.

Employment

Admissions officials like to see students who are invested in themselves.

Nearly all students work during college

Evidence of ability to balance a busy lifestyle with a job

Shows maturity

Shows awareness of financial responsibility

Develops first professional network

Financial Aid package may include “Student self-help” which is a job!

Resume’

Snapshot of the total student

Academics

Activities (Anything you do on a regular basis)

Awards & Recognition

Volunteer Experience

Employment

References

Can be uploaded to the Common App

Add from the top

Weave a theme

Update regularly

Depth rather than breadth

Less is more

Leadership Maturity

Awareness

Stretching your comfort zone

What will look good?

Passion

Leadership

Depth

Outside of the normal or traditional role

Shows potential to contribute to the vitality of a college campus

Be AUTHENTIC! NOT A RESUME’ BUILDER!

Counselor Recommendation

Counselor Mr. Kling A – K or Mr. Crosson L - Z

Registrar or Student Records Office - Mrs. Allen

College AdvisorMrs. BMrs. Cutts

Letters of Recommendation

College admission (some schools)*

Scholarships

Employment

Membership in organizations

*Not for CSU or UC unless requested

Letter of Rec Form

Fill it out

Attach your resume

Attach any documentation provided by the college, scholarship, etc.

Who knows you?

Follow directions for recommenders

Letters of recommendation should have substance

Be written by someone who knows you well

AND Is your fan

Naviance

Common App Counselor Report

Common App Transcript

Common App Teacher Recommendations

Naviance

Scholarships

Resume’ Builder

College Search

Career Search

Interest Profile

Letters are gifts

Ask with plenty of lead time

Provide details to the writer Why you need the letter

What qualities you would like them to address

Always follow up with a hand-written thank you note.

Common Ap RankingsBelow average - - - - - One of the top few I’ve encountered (top 1%)

Academic achievement Intellectual promise Quality of writing Creative, original thought Productive class discussion Respect accorded by faculty Disciplined work habits Maturity Motivation Leadership Integrity Reaction to setbacks Concern for others Self-confidence Initiative, independence OVERALL

Scholarships

Not just for 4.0 student Variety of styles If financial need is criteria, often scholarships use

different rules than FAFSA Pay attention to details

Deadlines Letters of Recommendation Qualifications Complete

Scholarships go to the students

who actively seek them!

Discriminating? Yes!

Scholarships can be offered based on anything the donor chooses: Ethnicity Religion Interest Talent Personal Quality Grades Family background Life experiences Major School Region Other Life challenge Or any combination

What if I don’t have a sad story?

Merit awards - based on all the good stuff in your life

Essays Contests General Scholarships Specific Interest or Talent

Scholarships Specific Major Scholarships Specific Industry or Career

Scholarships

Finding Scholarships

WSCA College & Career Center

Naviance

College Financial Aid Office

College Departments

Scholarships are Everywhere!

www.fastweb.com

Church or Temple

Industry or Corporation

Local organizations Clubs Businesses Affiliates Churches

Items commonly needed Transcript

Official & Unofficial, PDF or Paper Resume’ or profile Letters of recommendation

School Non School

W2 or copies of tax returns Parent or student

Essay – Read the prompt!

Talent portfolio, Performance DVD or audition

Start Now to be a Winner!

Begin to gather the documents

Keep them current

Update resume or profile

Apply broadly

How Do I Win?

Apply Meet Deadlines Use all your answers to show how you are the

best candidate based on the criteria Changing the order on your profile

Highlighting your history by demonstrating common values with sponsor

Don’t Disqualify Yourself!

Scholarships go to those who:

Actively seek them

Apply broadly

Apply with complete application

Meet deadlines

Presentation is as important as Content

Social Media is NOT private

APPLICANTS ARE SEARCHED

IF IT’S OUT THERE

THEY WILL FIND IT

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM, ET AL

Financing an EducationStarts with FAFSA

FAFSA Federal government methodology

Family Income Family Size Cost of attendance

= Need

Need can be met:GrantsScholarshipsWork StudyLoansStudent “Self help” (job!)

Western Sierra FAFSA & Scholarship Night

January 136 p.m.Right Here

Seniors – but all grade levels welcome

Federal Financial Aid Philosophy

The less $ you have

The more $ you qualify for

Financial incentives for underserved minorities*

Academic support for underserved minorities*

* Various definitions to qualify such as first in your family to go to college

FAFSA Do not apply now

Opens January 1, 2016

Apply each January throughout college

FAFSA Night January 13, 2016

FAFSA Forecaster Link https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1

www.fafsa.gov NOT .com

Most Financial Aid Packages

Include a combination Grants

Scholarships – Gift Aid

Work Study

Loans

Most students have some debt upon graduation

Questions

ckling rocklinacademy.org – Counselor scrosson rocklinacademy.org - Counselor mallen rocklinacademy.org - Registrar mbuttweiler rocklinacademy.org – Career Tech

www.wscacollege&careercenter.weebly.com