500,000 Minutes500,000 Minutes

Princeton High School Princeton High School Guidance DepartmentGuidance Department

Brian Church (A-L)Brian Church (A-L)

Debra Dullard (M-Z)Debra Dullard (M-Z)

Elena Hilmes - RegistrarElena Hilmes - Registrar

WorkWork Military Military TradesTrades Apprentice programsApprentice programs Proprietary schoolsProprietary schools CollegeCollege

Recognize strengths and weaknessesRecognize strengths and weaknesses Analyze interests and valuesAnalyze interests and values Achieve a personal goalAchieve a personal goal Increase earning powerIncrease earning power Prepare for a career and expand Prepare for a career and expand

learninglearning Participate in extracurricular activities Participate in extracurricular activities

and social lifeand social life Consider influence of family and Consider influence of family and

friendsfriends

Fitting The Pieces TogetherFitting The Pieces Together

Person…. Where do I fit?Person…. Where do I fit? Program…. What will I study?Program…. What will I study? People…. Who will I meet?People…. Who will I meet? Place…. Where am I going?Place…. Where am I going? Price…. How much will it cost?Price…. How much will it cost?

#1 The Person….Where Do I Fit?#1 The Person….Where Do I Fit?

My grade point My grade point average is…average is…

My class rank is… My class rank is… My ACT score is…My ACT score is… My high school course My high school course

of study is…of study is… My profile vs. the My profile vs. the

profile at choice profile at choice schools…schools…

#2 The Program-What Will I Study?#2 The Program-What Will I Study?

Factors to ConsiderFactors to Consider Favorite classesFavorite classes Work experiencesWork experiences Leisure activitiesLeisure activities School activitiesSchool activities Dream careersDream careers People admired People admired

#3 People - Who Will I Meet?#3 People - Who Will I Meet? Visit the campus…Visit the campus… Plan the trip…Plan the trip… Parents should Parents should

accompany…accompany… Take the campus Take the campus

tour…tour… Meet a department Meet a department

professor…professor… Ask questions…Ask questions… Trust your instincts…Trust your instincts…

#4 The Place-Where Am I Going?#4 The Place-Where Am I Going? Distance from homeDistance from home Residential lifeResidential life Campus settingCampus setting Campus sizeCampus size Campus safety/securityCampus safety/security Health servicesHealth services Sororities/fraternitiesSororities/fraternities Study abroad programsStudy abroad programs

#5 The Price - How Much Will It #5 The Price - How Much Will It Cost?Cost?

Discuss the cost of Discuss the cost of attendance as a familyattendance as a family

Community college & Community college & state university vs. state university vs. private school costsprivate school costs

COA (COA (Cost of AttendanceCost of Attendance))

- - EFCEFC (Expected Family Contribution)(Expected Family Contribution)

Financial Need Financial Need

Analyze Your ResultsAnalyze Your Results I Fit…I Fit…• I clearly meet admission criteriaI clearly meet admission criteria• Offers selected major of study Offers selected major of study • AffordableAffordable I Fit If…I Fit If…• Questionable criteria for admissionQuestionable criteria for admission• Offers selected major of studyOffers selected major of study• Financial need package is importantFinancial need package is important I Want To Give A Try… I Want To Give A Try… • Admission criteria clearly questionable or very Admission criteria clearly questionable or very

competitivecompetitive• Financial aid is a mustFinancial aid is a must

English 4 YearsMathematics (Algebra 1 and above) 3 YearsSocial Studies 3 YearsScience 3 YearsForeign Language (same language) 2 Years

Colleges may also require additional courses in:

Mathematics Science Fine and Performing Arts Computer Science

2007 ACT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 2007 ACT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS REPORTGRADUATING CLASS REPORT

The Application ProcessThe Application Process Online applications are typically preferred Online applications are typically preferred

and can be found under “Prospective and can be found under “Prospective Students” on the college website.Students” on the college website.

Use Use www.phs-il.org – click on the Guidance – click on the Guidance link and log on to PrepHQ for a link and log on to PrepHQ for a comprehensive list colleges and comprehensive list colleges and universities. universities.

A very limited number of paper applications A very limited number of paper applications are in the Guidance Office.are in the Guidance Office.

Application fee waivers are available.Application fee waivers are available.

When Do I Apply For College?When Do I Apply For College?

The month of October is The month of October is considered “Application Month”.considered “Application Month”.

Apply to your top 3-5 choices.Apply to your top 3-5 choices.P.H.S. Application Mania NightP.H.S. Application Mania Night Many schools have priority filing Many schools have priority filing

deadlines.deadlines.

Application DeadlinesApplication Deadlines University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois @Chicago - No Priority Deadline - January 15 – Application @Chicago - No Priority Deadline - January 15 – Application

Period Deadline Period Deadline @Springfield - September 1 - March 15 - Application Period @Springfield - September 1 - March 15 - Application Period

Deadline - After March 15, applications will be considered as Deadline - After March 15, applications will be considered as space permitsspace permits

@Urbana/Champaign - September 1 - Nov.1 - Priority Filing Period @Urbana/Champaign - September 1 - Nov.1 - Priority Filing Period (postmark deadline) January 2 – Application Period Deadline(postmark deadline) January 2 – Application Period Deadline

Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University September 1 - November 15 - Priority Filing Deadline September 1 - November 15 - Priority Filing Deadline March 1 – Application Period DeadlineMarch 1 – Application Period Deadline Western Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University To guarantee consideration apply by May 15To guarantee consideration apply by May 15

What is a Transcript? What is a Transcript?

A complete record of your grades, rank in A complete record of your grades, rank in class and credits. (through the 6class and credits. (through the 6thth semester) semester)

Your highest ACT composite score will be Your highest ACT composite score will be included on the transcript. included on the transcript.

Upon student's request, the Guidance Office Upon student's request, the Guidance Office will mail the transcript and a school profile will mail the transcript and a school profile sheet or email a PDF transcript.sheet or email a PDF transcript.

The Personal ResumeThe Personal ResumeYour list of academic, Your list of academic,

athletic, and community athletic, and community activities.activities.

Study examplesStudy examplesMake several copiesMake several copiesBegin immediatelyBegin immediately

The Personal StatementThe Personal Statement

Offers information not found Offers information not found on the application. on the application.

Explain what you can offer Explain what you can offer the school.the school.

Write it yourself.Write it yourself.Have it proofread.Have it proofread.

The Teacher RecommendationThe Teacher Recommendation

Best to write out a request.Best to write out a request. Share where you are going.Share where you are going. Include addressed envelope and stamp.Include addressed envelope and stamp. Share what you want in the Share what you want in the

recommendation.recommendation. Share with the author the common link Share with the author the common link

between the school and yourself.between the school and yourself. Give the teacher a deadline. Give the teacher a deadline.

IVCC ApplicantsIVCC Applicants

Complete the admission application in the Complete the admission application in the fall.fall.

Visit Visit www.ivcc.edu for more information. for more information. IVCC Tuition Guarantee Notice of Intent IVCC Tuition Guarantee Notice of Intent

Form - Check your eligibility Form - Check your eligibility

IVCC Placement Testing IVCC Placement Testing

All first-time, full-time students must take All first-time, full-time students must take placement tests at IVCC in English and placement tests at IVCC in English and Math (Accuplacer)Math (Accuplacer)

The following ACT sub-scores will The following ACT sub-scores will exempt you from the IVCC placement exempt you from the IVCC placement testing: testing:

Math - 24Math - 24 English - 22English - 22

Reading - 23Reading - 23

An Overview of Financial AidAn Overview of Financial Aid

Apply for your PIN number at : Apply for your PIN number at : www.pin.ed.gov

File the FAFSA as soon as possible after File the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, 2010 at January 1, 2010 at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Use a FAFSA worksheet to help complete Use a FAFSA worksheet to help complete the filing process. the filing process.

Financial Need CalculationFinancial Need Calculation

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by completing the FAFSA.determined by completing the FAFSA.

Outside scholarships and awards are then Outside scholarships and awards are then added to expected family contribution which added to expected family contribution which then decreases the financial aid package then decreases the financial aid package offered by the university.offered by the university.

Finally, the student’s financial aid package Finally, the student’s financial aid package is determined. is determined.

The Student Aid Report (SAR)The Student Aid Report (SAR)

Will receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filingWill receive in mail 2-3 weeks after filing

Make any necessary correctionsMake any necessary corrections

Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family Pay attention to EFC (Expected Family Contribution)Contribution)

NO! NO! ““Financial Need” is determined using the cost Financial Need” is determined using the cost of attendance at individual institutions.of attendance at individual institutions.

Is “Financial Need” the same at Is “Financial Need” the same at all institutions?all institutions?

College “A”College “A”

COACOA $18,000$18,000

EFCEFC - - 5,0005,000

College “B”College “B”

COACOA $8,500 $8,500

EFCEFC - - 5,0005,000

FINANCIAL FINANCIAL NEEDNEED

$13,000$13,000 FINANCIAL FINANCIAL NEEDNEED

$3,500$3,500

ScholarshipsScholarships Register at Register at www.fastweb.com Check PrepHQ for a complete listing of Check PrepHQ for a complete listing of

local scholarships – Wal-Mart, Princeton local scholarships – Wal-Mart, Princeton Memorial Scholarship, Princeton Rotary. Memorial Scholarship, Princeton Rotary.

Check Check PrepHQ daily for PrepHQ daily for announcementsannouncements

Prairie State Achievement Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE)Examination (PSAE)

Day 1 – Wed., April 22 - Day 1 – Wed., April 22 - ACT Plus WritingACT Plus Writing Day 2 - Thursday, April 23 Day 2 - Thursday, April 23

ISBE Science TestISBE Science Test Reading for Information Reading for Information (WorkKeys)(WorkKeys) Applied Math Applied Math (WorkKeys)(WorkKeys) PSAE pre-registration will be completed PSAE pre-registration will be completed

at PHS during Block 4 at PHS during Block 4

on Friday, April 17. on Friday, April 17.

Should I Retake The ACT?Should I Retake The ACT?

Next test: April 4 and June 13, 2009Next test: April 4 and June 13, 2009 PHS School Code: 143-560PHS School Code: 143-560 PHS Test Center Code: 163030PHS Test Center Code: 163030 ACT No Writing - $31 (2009 fee)ACT No Writing - $31 (2009 fee) ACT Plus Writing - $46 (2009 fee)ACT Plus Writing - $46 (2009 fee) The ACT is given at PHS in October The ACT is given at PHS in October and February (National Test Date). and February (National Test Date).

Become familiar with the ACT test content and Become familiar with the ACT test content and format.format.

Review your PLANReview your PLAN®® results to identify academic results to identify academic weaknesses.weaknesses.

Learn appropriate test-taking strategiesLearn appropriate test-taking strategies Use ACT Online PrepUse ACT Online PrepTMTM – ACT’s test preparation – ACT’s test preparation

program.program. Review Review The Real ACT Prep GuideThe Real ACT Prep Guide – the official – the official

test prep book – available for purchase at test prep book – available for purchase at www.act.org.www.act.org.

Visit the ACT at Visit the ACT at www.actstudent.org - take the - take the ACT free practice tests.ACT free practice tests.

What’s Next for You? What’s Next for You? Encourage the completion of college Encourage the completion of college

applications in October and Novemberapplications in October and November Take college visits – Spring Break 2009Take college visits – Spring Break 2009 Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2010Complete FAFSA after January 1, 2010 After the final school selection is made, After the final school selection is made,

contact schools not chosen.contact schools not chosen. Be organized and meet all deadlines!!!!! Be organized and meet all deadlines!!!!!

Determine college costsDetermine college costs Investigate ALL possible resourcesInvestigate ALL possible resources

− ParentsParents− SavingsSavings− Summer earningsSummer earnings− Financial aid: scholarships, grants, Financial aid: scholarships, grants,

loans and work-studyloans and work-study− Other sourcesOther sources

Secure necessary forms and note the Secure necessary forms and note the deadlinesdeadlines

Apply for financial aid as early as possibleApply for financial aid as early as possible

Take Responsibility!!!Take Responsibility!!!

Stay Positive!!!Stay Positive!!!

Utilize PREPHQ!!!Utilize PREPHQ!!!..