Peak to Peak’s Senior Night: Applying for College and

Graduation

Hosted by: Linda Bostic

Welcome! Stand if you are a first time senior parent

1 off to college? 2 off to college?

More?!

Form a group of 3-4 with your neighbors 90 sec. Question: What do you think are the top 5 mistakes P2P seniors make in applying

to college?

Application Mistakes

1) College List is not balanced (between safety/match/reach)

2) FIT is not considered seriously (Research & VISIT!)

3) Student & Family do not discuss finances & research costs/scholarships of individual schools (run Net Price Calculators)

4) Student applies only to In-state schools or all Public schools, but has high need ( & no or few merit scholarships)

5) Student applies only to highly selective ‘name brand’ colleges

More Application Mistakes6) Student applies to highly selective colleges and 1-2 In-state

schools they are not excited about

7) Student misses Early application deadlines

8) Student fails to limit parents’ involvement & loses their own ‘voice’ in the process, or their own personal choice (who is going to college and why?!)

9) Family doesn’t hear from college re financial aid package (by spring break) and never calls to check

10) Student puts too much stock in college promotional materials and thinks “they want me”! Colleges want to boost their ‘yield’ and appear more selective—it is in their best interest to get as many students to apply as possible.

Snippets from “Did You Know” Video Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdvo5FlRqmM The 25% of the population in China w/ the highest I.Q. is

greater than the entire population of N. America China has more honors kids than America has kids! China will soon become the #1 English speaking country in

the world The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2013 did not exist in 2004! 1 of every 2 workers has been with their current employer

for less than 5 years Today’s learner will have 10-14 jobs by the age of….38 Students are being prepared for jobs that don’t yet exist

using technology that hasn’t been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t know are problems yet!

What Does This Mean for Seniors About to Enter College?

Higher Education has changed from when you were a college student to address the ‘Information & Data age’

Choosing a major is important, but difficult in a world that’s creating new job categories yearly. The average college student changes their major 3-4 times. A student is LESS likely to change their major frequently if they enter college UNDECIDED.

Majors & Areas of Study exist that you and your child have never dreamt of!

Your children are competing for admissions against more International students than ever before.

The competition is fierce in the job market & students must be prepared.

Importance of Higher Education By 2018, 67 % of all jobs in Colorado will

require post-secondary education. Over the course of a lifetime, the earnings

difference between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree is over a million dollars.

Currently, 86% of jobs in the job market require at least a two-year degree.

Source: Center on Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University

College Counselors

Ms.Gannett: A-F Ms. Wilson: G-J Ms. Bostic: K-P Ms. Campbell: Q-Z

Ms. Lindquist: (Post Grad Coordinator) Ms. Vicki Lundquist (Registrar)

Call Rachel Benitez at 303-453-4781 to make appointments (Senior Meetings are currently being scheduled—please try to work within our school day)

Why Do P2P Counselors Do What we Do?

Fit + Funding = Finish College (talk about the 50% of

students who don’t finish college (largely due to finances) and that we don’t want their children to be part of this statistic—college MUST be affordable)

College Research, Good fit & Family discussions surrounding finances are crucial

Help students determine interests/ passions

Decrease stress We are here to help!

Peak to Peak College Statistics 100% of students who applied got accepted to a

college of their choice

Class of 2014: $32 million in scholarship money for 149 students, $89,000 average for each student who used the money (over 4 yrs)

Class of 2015 (your kids!): 26.1 avg. ACT- 1st in district, 5th in State!! Tied the highest P2P average ever! A composite of 21 indicates college readiness.

Critical Senior Dates (not to miss!): Resume/Teacher Profile: Should be complete and updated NOW

Peak Scholar deadline: Oct 1st

Peak to Peak College Day: Oct 14th

Financial Aid/FAFSA night: November 3rd @ 6:30pm

First Application due: November 1st

CSS Profile Due Nov 1st or 15th (highly selective schools)

FAFSA due: February 1st –February 15th (available Jan. 1)

Community Service hours due: April 1st

Senior Transition Night (parents only)- May 7th 5:00pm

College Decision deadline: May 1st

Graduation Day: May 23rd

CSS Profile Session

What works for parents? Morning @ Drop-off? Lunch? After school/Evening?

Graduation Week May 4-15: AP testing

May 18-20 Senior Finals

May 21st: Night of Reflection

May 22nd Senior breakfast & rehearsal

May 23rd 2014: Graduation! @ Peak to Peak 6 guests recommended

Expectations for Senior Meeting Parent/Guardian and Student must attend

Parent Brag Sheet completed

Have Resume & Profile updated

Research college list given during Junior Meeting and narrow down list w/ balance in mind (academic & financial)

Student leads and parent guides

Student Uploads: ‘This I Believe’ Essay & Senior essay (draft) into Naviance

Who sends what? Peak to Peak:

- Transcripts (w/ State ACT score)—form available in counseling office to replace State score w/ a National ACT score (if necessary)

- Letters of Rec (teachers & counselor)

- School Reports (SSR) w/ School Profile

- Mid and final year reports & transcripts

Who Sends What?Student/Family sends:

- Applications- Payment- ACT/SAT scores from testing agencies-Financial info (FASFA and CSS if

applicable)- Email/thank you to reps

EXPECT: You will get emails/postcards from colleges stating that they haven’t received ________; 99% of the time, the material has been sent. Don’t panic; check with counselor!

How to Get Information: Peak to Peak College Day!!!! Oct 14th Volunteers please sign up—email

andrea.lindquist@bvsd.org

Peak to Peak College counseling webpage Senior Fast Facts (top right)

Individual meetings w/ counselors as needed

Email questions!

Naviance College Searches

Majors

Scattergrams (visual plot of ‘chance’ of admission)

Ordering transcripts

Common App Schools- Use Common App whenever possible

(important.: student must indicate yes/no in Naviance)!!

Finding & stating application deadlines (EA, REA, ED, RD, rolling)

College visit sign ups and reminders

Final college and scholarship lists/amounts

Senior check-out and survey

Tips from P2P Counselors: Be Calm! Do your research! Ask for help!

Retake ACT/SAT as needed to earn more $

Secrets of scholarships (apply & investigate school financial aid/scholarship web site)

Talk as a family about costs & finances—be open & realistic with your child

Learn from past successes/disappointments we have seen:Now vs. springGetting in, but not enough $“Top choice” vs. affordable choice

Award GPA**Test

ScoreAmount

Renewal Criteria

President Joseph A. Sew all Aw ard

433 ACT or 1440 SAT*

$5,000 per year

President Horace M. Hale Aw ard

431 ACT or 1350 SAT*

$3,500 per year

3.928 ACT or 1240 SAT*

3.830 ACT or 1310 SAT*

Renew able for a total of 4 years. Requires a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA and completion of 28 credit hours per academic year.

President James H. Baker Aw ard

$2,500 per year

Qualifications for the University of Colorado Boulder Esteemed Scholars Program (weighted gpa)

Tips continued… Utilize your counselor (fall & spring w/ costs

and decisions) Open your mind to new options (colleges,

location, selectivity…) Apply early (especially EA, not necessarily ED) Visit for 24 hours before making a decision Success = happiness/good fit…which is different

for everyone Students: Create a proper email for yourself!

Parents please stand if…. You knew what you wanted to do for a profession when

you were 17 You knew what you wanted to major in at 17 You never changed your major You applied to an out of state college You had to take the ACT, SAT & SAT subject tests You applied to more than 10 colleges; 5 colleges; 3 colleges You were nervous about the college process You can’t believe your “baby” is graduating in 8 months You are proud of your child Tell your child why….NOW!