Junior College Planning Meeting

Four Year Institutions: Two Ways to get there

Applying while in high school

OR

Transferring from a community college (or another college or university)

Investigate and Evaluate• Attend NHS College Visits•Attend the Schoolcraft College Fair in October•Visit College Campuses•Research on-line: NHS Counseling Department•Take a Virtual Tour

Touring College Campuses

• When is the ideal time to visit?• What do you want to accomplish while you are there?• Contact the Admission office to schedule a visit.

• Online Registration is the most popular option for larger colleges.

• Visit Registration Example• Prepare questions in advance.• Utilize your college contact.

Things to look for on Campus

•Size of the Campus•Class Size•Location (urban vs. rural; distance from home)•On-campus Housing•Activities•Program Requirements

Apply• Review the NHS Senior Planning Guide• Identify the college application deadlines• Seniors can apply as early as the September.• Complete the on-line college applications

• 2017-18 applications should be available August 1 – August 15• Directly through the colleges and universities• Through the Common Application• Coalition for Access

• Make sure everything you need has been submitted• All personal essays• Transcripts• Letters of Recommendation• Standardized Test Scores

What do Colleges look for in students?

• Grades• Test scores• Rigor of Curriculum

• On-Level/AP/IB? • Essays• Activities• Letter of Rec• Summer programs and their value (or lack thereof)

Standardized Testing• For college applications: Scores must be submitted directly from

ACT or College Board• PSAT/NMSQT - National Merit Scholarship Competition • SAT - 2nd Semester of 11th grade• ACT - If desired, 2nd Semester of 11th grade• SAT II Subject Tests• Test Prep Resources• Standardized Testing in September of Senior Year• Colleges that do not require the SAT or ACT

Standardized TestingMichigan law: A standardized test score must accompany each student’s transcript.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(morzpeqprddtf20elcoxcfg2))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-380-1279g

● Northville’s goal is to minimize concern regarding this law and its potential disruption with the college application process.

○ In June of senior year, we will include the Michigan Merit Exam standardized test score (SAT) on final transcripts.

○

Rigor of Curriculum• Senior Year schedule matters

• Colleges want to know that you are challenging yourself.

• On-level/AP/IB Courses?

• A balanced schedule is important.

Essays• Be authentic, it needs to be the STUDENT’S voice, not the voice of

a parent in the essay of a 17 year old student• Answer the prompts• Be explicit if asked why you want to attend that specific college.• DO NOT count on spell or grammar checks as exclusive editing

tools• No more than two individuals should proofread• This is something to work on over the summer!• The Common Application Essay prompts are available now.• Some colleges are renowned for their essay prompts.

Letters of Recommendation• Optional versus Required

• Who should you ask?

• Ask the teacher in person

• Ask three weeks in advance

• For the counselor, complete the Student Brag Sheet

• For the teacher(s), complete the Teacher Brag Sheet

• Follow Up with a face-to-face or paper ‘thank you’

Stats for MSU & U of MThe Freshman class of 2017

• MSU*• ACT score of 26; SAT 1190 (average) • GPA of 3.5/3.9 (approx.)

• U of M* • ACT score of 30/34; SAT score of 1430 (average)• GPA of 3.85 (approx.)

* prepscholar.com

Financial Aid & Scholarships• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

• Michigan College Goal Sunday and App Week

• College Board EFC Calculators and More

• Scholarship Opportunities• NHS Counseling Department-Scholarships• College Offered• Community

Small Group JCP Meetings

Small group Junior College Planning meetings start Friday. During this time we will further discuss the college search and what you should be doing before senior year begins. This is an opportunity to personalize your college process and ask specific questions that relate to your individual college search.

Upcoming College Visit

Central Michigan UniversityWednesday, April 26, 2017

Bus will be leaving at 7:00 a.m.

CMU has invited NHS to campus as part of their ‘Special Bus Trip High School Visitation Program.’ The program includes an admissions presentation, a student panel, a student led campus tour and a luncheon on campus.

MSU Future Spartan Event

Northville is proud to once again host a Future Spartan Event on behalf of MSU. This year the event will take place on Wednesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the NHS Auditorium. Emphasis will be placed on the Residential College programs at MSU.

Where do I go if I still have questions?

• The NHS Counseling Web Page will answer many questions – please use this thorough resource

• Small Group Junior College Planning Meetings

• Counseling Drop-In Hours

• Students can sign up to see their counselor• With Ms. Purcell• On-line

• For parent meetings, students should be present