Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody Hansen February 6th, 2018(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627

The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park Center’s website http://schools.district279.org/pcsh/ (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of home page).

IMPORTANT!!! Attention seniors: When you are asked to indicate your school counselor on college applications note Diane Ahlberg, ahlbergd@district279.org, as your counselor. She is the counselor for senior students who need a recommendation letter, Secondary School Report or any other college reference.

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are also entitled to other free things, such as participating in activities and sports or taking the ACT for free twice. Free & Reduced Lunch Applications are available in the Student Support Office, Attendance Office, Counseling Office, and in the Kitchen.  Families may apply online as well at: https://fma.district279.org/fma/.

Attention Advanced Placement Students!  AP exam registration is open through February 27, 2018. English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, U.S. History, Studio Art, Calculus AB or BC, Statistics, and Human Geography exams will be available at Park Center. Register at www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/240319 or use the AP exam link on the Park Center home page.

The cost to take an AP test is $60 and must be paid by bringing a check or cash to the CCRC.  A test will not be ordered for you until payment is received.  Students who are on free or reduced lunch should indicate that on the registration form; pending verification, the exam fee/s will be waived.

Minnesota State University – Mankato Thursday, February 8th 8:45AM

North Hennepin Community College Tuesday, February 27th 8:30AM

Dunwoody College of Technology offers two great scholarship programs for new students. The Women In Technical Careers Program is designed to help female students succeed in a technical degree program.

Scholarships are awarded up to $10,000 per year for women enrolled in automotive, construction, computer technology, or robotics and manufacturing, and who demonstrate financial need. Advising, mentoring and a cohort experience are included.

They also offer the Youth Career Awareness Program - a six week paid summer camp filled with career exploration, field trips, and college-readiness courses. A $20,000 scholarship plus additional financial support are offered to students who complete the camp and attend Dunwoody in the fall. Come to the CCRC on Tuesday, February 20th at 10:00AM to hear more. Sign up for a pass.

A Brooklynk representative will be in the CCRC on Wednesday, February 21st at 9:10 assist students with their applications for summer work ready training and paid internships. Sign up to hear more about Brooklynk and to complete your application. (See Brooklynk information on page 3.)

First Step Summer Institute at St. Catherine University - Preparing young women of color and/or Indigenous women for higher education, the First Step Summer Institute is a free and unique college immersion experience on the St. Paul campus. In this four day residential program, students gain a deeper sense of commitment

to pursue higher education, a strong network of diverse, college-bound friends, a sense of support and encouragement from St. Kate’s staff, faculty and students, more perspective on college living, and ultimately, increased self-esteem about their capacity to apply to and thrive in college. Qualified alumnae of First Step who apply and are accepted to St. Kate’s will be considered for scholarships. First Step session dates: June 18th

– 21st, and June 25th – 28th. Apply online at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/firststep/app, or pick up an application in the CCRC. The application deadline is April 14th.

Have you heard of Genesys Works?  This is a program for juniors to gain real world experience

and get paid!Through Genesys Works you get professional training, strengthen your communication skills, and learn responsibility and accountability.  From there you get to work at a major corporation, gain real world experience and earn a real wage.  You will get ahead because you are building a strong resume, pursuing a professional career along with applying to college.

They will begin accepting applications for the next class of Genesys Works young professionals from the current high school juniors (Class of 2019) starting Wednesday, January 3th, 2018.  Go to https://genesysworks.tfaforms.net/453373 to apply.

Application Process:

1. Verify you meet eligibility requirements.2. Complete online application.3. Interview in our office in March or April.

If you are accepted, training generally begins mid-June and runs through early August. Once you have completed training, internships begin late August or early September, and typically run for one year.

Eligibility Requirements - To be eligible for the Genesys Works program, you must be:

A high school junior who is on track to graduate.

Legally able to work in the U.S. and have valid documentation allowing you to do so. At least 16 years of age by August 1 of your training year. Able to work in the afternoons during your senior year in high school. Since this can conflict with other

activities, you will have to make the choice before signing up with Genesys Works. Recommended by your school counselor, principal or specialty teacher. Willing to invest your entire summer, completing their intensive training program. Willing to commit to regular attendance. Your participation in Genesys Works has to be top priority. Able to provide your own transportation to and from Genesys Works and your worksite. Many students

use public transportation.  Able to meet the Genesys Works dress code and the dress requirements for corporate clients. Aware that Genesys Works is something you do in addition to your schoolwork. You must maintain

good standing in school and at Genesys Works.

You will gain real world experience at major corporations like 3M, Bremer Financial, Medtronic, Travelers Insurance, Best Buy, Ecolab, Thrivent Financial, Xcel Energy, Target, and Optum.

BROOKLYNK: Get Work Ready Training! Paid Summer Internships! Work Ready Training: Learn real skills for a real summer job! The trainings

will be fun, led by local professionals, and focus on topics such as: Networking, Resume Building and Professionalism. Youth between the ages of 14-21 are eligible to apply. The mission of BrookLynk is to prepare youth with essential job skills, experiential employment opportunities, and professional social networks to develop personal pathways to college and career.

Summer Internships: Youth aged 16-19 who have completed BrookLynk Get Work Ready Training can apply for paid summer internships. Internships are coordinated with local employers and provide opportunities for young people to explore career fields, regardless of previous work experience. During their internship, interns will be coached and mentored by staff on-site while receiving further support from BrookLynk Staff.

Get more information and apply online at www.brooklynk.works/apply.

Kansas University - KU - has the following out-of-state scholarships:  

KU Excellence KU Distinction KU Achievement30 ACT and a +3.75 GPA 28 ACT and a +3.5 GPA 24 ACT and a +3.25 GPA$64,336 ($16,084/yr) $54,320 ($13,850/yr) $44,308 ($11,077/yr)Equivalent to paying in-state tuition 125% of in-state tuition 150% of in-state tuition

For more information go to https://admissions.ku.edu/tuition-scholarship/freshman.

The University of North Dakota Scholarship application deadline is March 1st! As the March 1st scholarship deadline is approaching, you are reminded that paper scholarship applications will no longer be accepted. All students should complete a Scholarship Central application to be considered for 2018-19 scholarships. Scholarship Central is home to more than 800 scholarships, and these scholarships are in addition to any automatic academic scholarships students may receive. Students must be admitted to UND and have claimed their accounts before they're able to complete their Scholarship Central applications.  If you have any questions about 2018-19 scholarships, contact the UND Student Financial Aid office at 701.777.3121 or SFA@UND.edu.

Latest information from the University of Minnesota – Twin CitiesAdmission decision timeline

Students who submitted a complete application by November 15 (our grace period from the November 1 deadline) will receive their decisions by the end of January. Students who submitted a complete application by our second deadline by January 16 (our grace period from the January 1 deadline) will receive a decision by the end of March. See our admission decision FAQs for more information about admit, defer, waitlist, and deny decisions.

Admission decisions are released on a rolling basis so that students are able to consider their educational options as soon as we’ve made a decision on their application.

Defer decisionsWe are now releasing decisions via Application Tracker to students who applied by November 1. Many of the decisions released this week and next will be “defer” decisions. A defer decision indicates that the admissions committee has completed a holistic review of the application but has not yet made a final decision. Deferred applications will be reviewed a second time, taking into consideration the number of spaces available in the freshman class and competitiveness of the entire pool of applicants who met the January 1 application deadline. If a student receives a defer decision, they will hear from us about a decision (admit, waitlist, or deny) by March 31.

Direct college admissionAs a reminder, the University of Minnesota admits students directly to one of our seven freshman-admitting colleges. We consider students for admission to the college(s) of interest indicated on their applications and, when appropriate, other freshman-admitting colleges that may match their academic preparation and interests (even if the student did not indicate interest on the application for other colleges). In our review of application materials, we determine admissibility to an alternate college based on a student’s academic preparation and academic interests. However, all of our colleges have space constraints and admission is competitive to all University of Minnesota colleges. We must be mindful of each college’s space limitations that the students who enroll will have access to courses, advising, and other resources that will ensure their success.

Each application we receive is important to us and we are committed to ensuring that every student receives a thorough and fair review. Applications are reviewed in their entirety and all application materials are carefully considered. Decisions are based on an individual, holistic assessment of the information provided in each application; we do not use automatic criteria or minimum scores to make decisions.

Highly selective admission to engineering and nursingDemand for the College of Science and Engineering and the Freshman Nursing Guarantee Program is especially high and space is very limited. In support of student success, retention, and graduation, we must limit our enrollment in these areas in particular to ensure that students have access to critical courses and lab space to ensure their academic success and degree progress. Both programs have expanded in recent years, but space remains limited and admission to these programs is highly selective. We know that interest in these fields has been high across the country, and we are very grateful that students have shown interest in the University of Minnesota.

Still accepting applications to the College of Liberal ArtsAlthough our January 1 deadline has passed, we still are accepting applications from qualified students with a genuine interest in the College of Liberal Arts. Applications will be considered on a space-available basis, so we encourage students to apply as soon as possible. Students can visit z.umn.edu/apply and choose either the Common Application, Coalition Application, or our University of Minnesota application.

North Hennepin Community College Scholarships: NHCC offers scholarships for new and returning students based on program of study, academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $1000. Please apply between February 1st and April 30th at http://www.nhcc.edu/scholarships.

IF YOU MIGHT WANT TO PLAY SPORTS DURING COLLEGE, THE NCAA HAS MADE IT EASY AND FREE TO SET UP A PROFILE ACCOUNT.  CHECK IT OUT!

Student-Athlete Profile Account: When the NCAA Eligibility Center redesigned its registration website at www.eligibilitycenter.org , one of the most significant enhancements was the creation of the profile account.  The profile account gives college-bound student-athletes the opportunity to make the best decision about their college choices earlier in their high school careers. Students may now choose from the traditional certification account for those wanting to attend and compete at Division I and II schools, or a free profile account for those attending Division III schools and students who are not yet sure at what school they want to attend and compete.

Registration for a profile account is free and easy. Students should expect 10 to 20 minutes to complete a profile account. Also, if a student with a profile account decides to compete at the Division I or II level, they can easily transition their profile account to a certification account. A registration fee of $80 is required to begin the certification process.

A copy of the most recent College Bound Student Athlete Guide can be found at http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA17.pdf fNCAA Eligibility Center's Updated Academic Fact Sheets for DI & DII can be found at http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/play-division-i-sports

Do you want to be a police officer? Do you have exceptional diversity skills, knowledge, and connections to help serve our growing and diverse community? Brooklyn Park may be able to help you start your police career.  This is a perfect position for a high school senior to apply for.  The graduation requirement is purposely set for mid-June to make sure all current seniors are eligible to apply.   They will pay 100% of your 2-year degree for Law Enforcement!

Police Cadets: The Cadet program is hiring. The objective of the Police Cadet Program is to facilitate the entry of qualified candidates for police officer positions into the Police Department and to provide the best possible police service to our very diverse community through the recruitment of persons with exceptional diversity skills, knowledge, and connections. Police cadets are individuals the Police Department has conditionally committed to employ as peace officers as soon as they become qualified for such a position and the Department has an opening it is authorized to fill. The Department assists the cadet in preparing for the pending police officer position by providing a full school scholarship for the required pre-service education and by a part time, uniformed, paraprofessional position to orient the cadet to the Department’s mission, policies, procedures, equipment, and methods of providing law enforcement services. Cadets work a flexible, part-time schedule to allow them to complete their college courses in law enforcement.

What do cadets receive?

College Scholarship: Cadets receive a scholarship to obtain the college courses necessary to qualify for a peace officer position, including books, fees, uniforms and equipment. They expect cadets to attend school full-time.

Compensation: Cadets receive $20.72 per hour, plus part-time benefit package. They provide uniforms and equipment

Mentoring: Cadets have a working peace officer advisor.

Practice: Cadets have opportunities to ride along with officers and practice skills needed to graduate from school, including firearms training on the range.

Promotional offer: Cadets receive an immediate conditional promotion offer to become a police officer with the Brooklyn Park Police Department as soon as the cadet becomes eligible for police licensure, the cadet meets of all normal hiring standards for a peace officer position and the Department has an opening.

Applying to Become a Cadet: You must complete a City of Brooklyn Park Cadet application online. Candidates must be 18 or older.  If you are under the age of 18, please look into the Explorer program.

 

SENIORS, if you choose to take the ACT again you will need to know what your ACT ID number is...this information can be found on the top center of your April score report.  

Test Date: Registration Deadline: (Late Fee Required):April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 March 10-23, 2018June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018 May 5-18, 2018July 14, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 16-22, 2018

TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:

ACT (No Writing) $46.00 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are

provided when you register).

ACT Plus Writing $62.50 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are

provided when you register). The Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.

5th & 6th college choice fee is $12 for each school.

Late registration fee is $27.50.

Standby testing is $51 in addition to the basic fee, if you missed registration.

Test date change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.

Test center change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.

Test information release service is $20.

International testing is $33.

Students need to register on-line at www.actstudent.org

Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the letter they received from Food Service to the CCRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late fees.

Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.org. Preparing for the SAT Test booklets that include a full length practice test, including the writing test, strategies to prepare for the test and what to expect on test day are available in the CCRC.

You can take free ACT or SAT practice tests online at: https://www.princetonreview.com/offer/free-practice-tests#!Test-ACT and at www.mncis.intocareers.org. Contact the CCRC staff for login information for MnCIS.

Check out the Learning Express Library.  There is a test prep resource that is a free resource for Park Center students available through ELM (Electronic Libraries for Minnesota). Here, you can access practice ACT, SAT, AP, TOEFL tests, as well as others.http://www.learningexpresshub.com/productengine/LELIndex.html#/learningexpresslibrary/libraryhome

Chegg offers ACT lessons, quizzes and practice tests. https://test-prep.chegg.com/#/dashboard.

Union Test Prep Free Practice Tests for the ACT: If passing the ACT is standing in the way of getting into the college of your dreams, there is help! A free ACT practice test to help you identify in which areas you are strong and which areas could use a little more work is available at https://uniontestprep.com/act/practice-test

HOW TO SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT: The Osseo School District is offering FREE electronic transcripts for current students. Students needing a transcript should go to www.parchment.com, set up a personal profile using an e-mail address that is not their school apps e-mail address and then request their transcript to be sent electronically. Transcripts will be processed within two school days with the following exceptions – weekends, holidays, during processing of final transcript grades and two days before and three days after trimester end. Former students will be charged a $5.00 processing fee for this service. Note: When putting in your school, put in “Park Center” only and a drop down menu will come up and then choose “Park Center IB World”.

Beginning with the class of 2018, class rank will no longer be reflected on the transcript; however, it will be added to the report card each trimester. Very few institutions require class rank recorded on the transcript for admissions purposes. If the institutions for which you are applying requires class rank reported on the transcript, simply file a request with our office, and it will be added. Each trimester report cards will have the student’s class rank and GPA (weighted and unweighted) included, and official transcripts will continue to reflect the student’s GPA (both weighted and unweighted). Please contact the CCRC or your guidance counselor if you have any questions. 

HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPLICANTS…. IMPORTANT TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION

When sending your transcript through Parchment to Hennepin Technical College you must use the following e-mail address as the recipient’s address: corey.young@hennepintech.edu

North Hennepin Community College is offering several upcoming events including the Discover STEM Event on Tuesday, February 13th from 5:00-6:30PM. This event will help students explore potential STEM majors and learn about STEM scholarship opportunities. RSVP at https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp.

The NHCC Financial Aid Workshop is on Wednesday, February 28th from 5:00-6:30PM. Students will learn all about financial aid and have the opportunity to fill out their FAFSA. RSVP at https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp.

The NHCC Open House is on Tuesday, April 17th from 4:00-7:00PM. Prospective students can attend program breakout sessions and admissions informational sessions, visit resources tables, learn about 4-year partnerships, and tour the campus. Graduating seniors can apply for FREE! 

Collaboration: Spanish Financial Aid and Transferring Presentation, Tuesday, January 23rd and Thursday, February 1st from 5:30-8:30PM. Their Latin Outreach and Success Specialist, Felipa Cespedes, will be collaborating with CLUES to give a two-part Spanish presentation. The first part of the presentation will be on financial aid. The second part will be on the process on starting at a community college and transferring to a four-year university. Please contact Felipa at 763-424-0770 or at fcespedes@nhcc.edu if you have any questions. 

Energy ExplorersGreat River Energy participates in the Northern Star Council’s “Exploring and Learning for Life” career program. The purpose of Great River Energy’s program is to provide high school students with information and experience in a variety of career fields possible in

the energy industry.

Students will explore technical careers related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of utility power systems.  These include generation, transmission, telecommunications network, and information technology systems.

On Tuesday, February 13th: “Using Technology to Influence Customer Behaviors” Through the use of technology, consumers can save money by making choices about how they consume energy. To expand public awareness, we will create public service announcements (PSA) to promote new technologies that improve the efficiency of the electrical grid and provide consumers more control of their energy usage. We will also discuss concepts and trends driving innovation in the industry, and explore careers in business and conservation. The presentation runs from 6:30PM – 8:00PM at the Great River Energy headquarters, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd in Maple Grove. The first 45 minutes consist of a professional, qualified man or woman talking about their career. The second 45 minutes will include a hands-on activity for students to experience that type of career.

For more information and to register go to http://greatriverenergy.com/company/careers/a-rewarding-career-choice/energy-explorers/

Hibbing Community College is hosting an Open House on Thursday, April 12th from 3:30PM to 6:00PM. College faculty, staff and students representing academic programs, admissions, student services, disability services and financial aid will be available to talk about program and career options. A campus tour, prize drawings and a light dinner will be provided. For more information call 218-969-4520.

Century College is opening their campus on February 20th from 5:00PM – 7:30PM. While on their campus you can talk with their expert faculty from over 70 areas of study, take a tour, and engage with Century College staff to learn about admission, financial aid, scholarships, and more. Enter to win one of two $500 tuition giveaways! Apply at the open house and they will waive your application fee!

Experience for yourself what life is like as a student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. During your Red Letter Day you’ll tour the campus with a current Nebraska student as your guide, explore your academic interests, visit a residence hall, learn more about student involvement opportunities, discuss important admissions, scholarship and financial aid information, and discover the many services that help students at Nebraska succeed. February 23rd, March 9th and 16th, April 2nd and 27th. If you are interested in any health-related fields, check out our Pre-Health Red Letter Day.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Nebraska Office of Admissions at 800-742-8800, ext. 2023. Because Red Letter Days fill up quickly, we encourage you to reserve your spot early at www.admissons.unl.edu/visit. Walk-in registration is open only on a space-available basis the day of the event. Fee: $10.00 per person, no refunds.

Simpson College in Iowa invites you to Junior Visit Day on Friday, April 13th. This is a great day for juniors to learn about academics, campus life and the Simpson Experience. Register at www.simpson.edu.

Rainy River Community College invites you to their “Become a Voyageur in 1 Day” event. Students will be able to complete all of the necessary admissions steps in one visit to RRCC, to be ready to begin college Fall Semester 2018.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  There will be a parent information session, an opportunity to meet their staff and faculty, a campus tour, and free lunch and prizes. You can complete the application, take the placement test if necessary, and register for classes. Friday, April 27th from 10:00AM – 2:00PM. Sign up with Recruiter, Molly Franz by Friday, April 20th. Call 218.285.2236 or e-mail molly.franz@rainyriver.edu.

You are invited to attend Lake Superior College Career Nights: February 9th – Firefighting and Truck Driving, February 28th – Integrated Manufacturing, March 16th – Aviation. All events run from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. RSVP at www.lsc.edu/visit.

Visit Southwest Minnesota State University and experience what life is like as a Mustang. “Junior Visit Day” – March 24th. Mustang Saturdays are on December 2nd, January 13th and 20th. Schedule your visit at www.smsu.edu/go/visit.

Experience life in the Pack! Northern State University invites you and your families to join them for “Northern Bound Days” on February 16th, March 23rd and July 13th. Register at www.northern.edu.

Augustana University has “Junior Visit Day” scheduled for April 6th and 27th. To register go to www.augie.edu/visit.

Minnesota State University Moorhead invites you to attend one of their “Preview Days” on February 17th and March 24th. Meet with faculty and current students, tour the campus and residence halls, apply onsite and have your application waived. Sign up at www.mnstate.edu/preview-day.

The University of Wisconsin – Superior is hosting “Preview Days” on April 7th and July 21st. Register to attend at www.uwsuper.edu/visit.

Kean University: The Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP) is a 6-week, hands-on research experience aimed at attracting and developing talented students who are interested in pursuing an education in a STEM field.  Upon entering the program students are divided into small research teams that are paired with a faculty mentor conducting authentic scientific research in Analytical Chemistry, Virtual Reality & Scientific Visualization, Microbiomes & Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Computational Mathematics and Modern Drug

Discovery.  Students learn how to conduct basic and applied research during this program and develop a true appreciation of the scientific research process while contributing first hand to the acquisition of new scientific knowledge.  

The 2018 GSSRP runs from July 9 - August 16. Applications are now being accepted.  The application deadline is March 30th.  For more information, you can visit their website at: www.kean.edu/summer-scholar. Please note that scholarships are available for low-income families and those with financial need to help cover the cost of the program.

NAPA Auto Parts will be having a hiring event this week, February 6th-9th, at their distribution center in St. Louis Park. They have over 70 positions available and will be making on-the-spot job offers to qualified applicants! Interested candidates may call ahead to schedule an interview time. http://www.napaautojobs.com/events/

FedEx Ground is currently hiring part-time package handler employees.  All package handlers are eligible for multiple pay increases in the first six months!  Full-time and flexible schedules available in specific locations.  FedEx Ground, 8450 Revere Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55369. You must be 18 years of age to apply.

Why should you get in with Ground?

Earn up to $13.25/hour to start Multiple pay increases in the first six months Flexible schedule:  early and late shifts are available to accommodate your schedule Paid time off and health/dental benefits after requirements are met Tuition reimbursement program Transfer opportunities so you can keep your job, wherever life may take you.

Looking for a summer filled with fun in the sun? Do you want to make a difference in a child's life? Camp Olami at the Sabes JCC is looking for qualified young men and women to serve as staff for the summer. Positions Available: Junior Counselor – Ages 16-18, Special Needs Advocate – Age 18 and up, Senior Counselor – Age 19 and up, Specialist – Age 20 and up.

Staff must be available Monday-Friday, June 11 - August 10 from 8:30AM-4:30PM. Some late nights and overnights are required, depending on assignment. Applicants should have previous experience working with children. 

For an application or more information: Visit us online at www.sabesjccsummercamp.org.  Contact Allie at (952) 381-3308 or agreenstein@sabesjcc.org.  Apply today!

 Staff application: https://www.sabesjcc.org/contact/careers/camp-olami-staff-new/

Birch Grove: 2/8 and 2/12 – Book Fair

Willow Lane: 2/12, 3/12, 4/9, 5/14 – childcare during a parent meeting 6:15PM to 8:15PM

Palmer Lake: 2/6 – childcare 6:15PM – 7:45PM

Palmer Lake Kindergarten: 2/15 – Circus performance helpers 5:30PM to 7:30PM

Zanewood: (any day) – shelving books

The Beach Ball – Glam in the Sand – 2/24 – Marriott City Center

Brooklyn Park Community Center: 2/25 – Skating Competition 7:00AM – 10:00AM; 10:00AM – 1:00PM; or 1:00PM – 4:00PM

See Mrs. Hennen in the front office to sign up to volunteer.

College Admission Glossary: Learn the Lingo Excerpt from BigFuture.collegeboard.org

What is a transcript? What is the difference between early action and early decision? When applying to college, you are bound to come across unfamiliar terms. This glossary can help you make sense of all the information you’re sorting through.

ACT: A standardized college admission test. It features four main sections: English, math, reading and science — and an optional essay section.

Admission Tests: Also known as college entrance exams, these are tests designed to measure students’ skills and help colleges evaluate how ready students are for college-level work. The ACT and the College Board’s SAT are two standardized admission tests used in the United States. The word "standardized" means that the test measures the same thing in the same way for everyone who takes it. Read more about admission tests. 

Articulation Agreement: An agreement between two-year and four-year colleges that makes it easier to transfer credits between them. It spells out which courses count for degree credit and the grades you need to earn to get credit.

Candidates Reply Date Agreement (CRDA): An agreement many colleges follow that gives applicants until May 1 to accept or decline offers of admission. This agreement gives students time to get responses from most of the colleges they have applied to before deciding on one.

Class Rank: A measurement of how your academic achievement compares with that of other students in your grade. This number is usually determined by using a weighted GPA that takes into account both your grades and the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken.

Coalition Application: A standard application form accepted by members of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. You can use this application to apply to any of the more than 90 colleges and universities that are members of the Coalition.

College Application Essay: An essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their application. Some colleges offer applicants specific questions to answer, while others simply ask applicants to write about themselves. Colleges may refer to this as a “personal statement.” Learn more about college application essays.

College Credit: What you get when you successfully complete a college-level course. You need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Colleges may also grant credit for scores on exams, such as those offered by the College Board’s AP Program® and CLEP. Learn more about AP and CLEP.

Common Application: A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one — or several — of the nearly 700 colleges that accept it. Go to the Common Application.

Deferred Admission: Permission from a college that has accepted you to postpone enrolling in the college. The postponement is usually for up to one year.

Early Action (EA): An option to submit your applications before the regular deadlines. When you apply early action, you get admission decisions from colleges earlier than usual. Early action plans are not binding, which means that you do not have to enroll in a college if you are accepted early action. Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which has a later application deadline than their regular EA plan. Learn more about applying early. 

Early Decision (ED): An option to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline. When you apply early decision, you get an admission decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to enroll in the college immediately if admitted and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs. Some colleges have an early decision option called ED II, which has a later application deadline than their regular ED plan. Learn more about applying early. 

Financial Aid: Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Learn more about financial aid. 

Grade Point Average (GPA): A number that shows overall academic performance. It’s computed by assigning a point value to each grade you earn. See also Weighted Grade Point Average.

Legacy Applicant: A college applicant with a relative (usually a parent or grandparent) who graduated from that college. Some colleges give preference to legacy applicants (also called “legacies”).

Need-Blind Admission: A policy of making admission decisions without considering the financial circumstances of applicants. Colleges that use this policy may not offer enough financial aid to meet a student’s full need.

Open Admission: A policy of accepting any high school graduate, no matter what his or her grades are, until all spaces in the incoming class are filled. Almost all two-year community colleges have an open-admission policy. However, a college with a general open-admission policy may have admission requirements for certain programs.

Placement Tests: Tests, like the Accuplacer, that measure the academic skills needed for college-level work. They cover reading, writing, math and sometimes other subjects. Placement test results help determine what courses you are ready for and whether you would benefit from remedial classes. Read more about placement tests. 

Priority Date or Deadline: The date by which your application — whether it’s for college admission, student housing or financial aid — must be received to be given the strongest consideration.

Registrar: The college official who registers students. The registrar may also be responsible for keeping permanent records and maintaining your student file.

Rolling Admission: An admission policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly.

Sophomore Standing: The status of a second-year student. A college may grant sophomore standing to an incoming freshman if he or she has earned college credits through courses, exams or other programs.

Transcript: The official record of your course work at a school or college. Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission and for some financial aid packages.

Transfer Student: A student who enrolls in a college after having attended another college.

Undergraduate: A college student who is working toward an associate (two-year) or a bachelor's (four-year) degree.

Universal College Application: A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are Universal College Application members. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one — or several — of the more than 3,044 colleges that accept it. Go to the Universal College Application.

Waiting List: The list of applicants who may be admitted to a college if space becomes available. Colleges wait to hear if all the students they accepted decide to attend. If students don’t enroll and there are empty spots, a college may fill them with students who are on the waiting list. Learn more about waiting lists.

Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA): A grade point average that is calculated using a system that assigns a higher point value to grades in more-difficult classes. For example, some high schools assign the value of 5.0 (instead of the standard 4.0) for an A earned in an AP class.  

Class of 2018! Important Information – Diane Ahlberg writes letters of recommendation and completes counselor forms for seniors.

If you need a college secondary report, recommendation, or scholarship recommendation please pick up a Senior Information Sheet for Recommendation in the CCRC, complete it and e-mail it as an attachment to ahlbergd@district279.org or bring it to the CCRC. You should list Diane Ahlberg as your school counselor on your applications as ahlbergd@district279.org.

Career Websites to Explore:

Minnesota Career Information System ( https://portal.mncis.intocareers.org/ ) combines a wealth of career, education and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. Learn about over 520 occupations, develop a personal profile, research colleges, universities and career schools, find scholarships and financial aid, and improve job search skills and create a resume. Contact the CCRC personnel to access this website which is subsidized by all Osseo School District secondary schools.

Check out CAREERwise Education Resources for Career Planning. Explore Careers: assess your skills, set goals, and explore 800+ careers. Plan Your Education: prepare, pay and apply for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Find a Job: explore the job market and learn how to search and apply for jobs. http://careerwise.minnstate.edu/

Try Engineering (http://tryengineering.org/) - great site for students to explore engineering careers. This site has information on how you can get involved with internships and competitions, as well as a college search feature. 

Accounting Career Guide (http://www.efficientlearning.com/accounting-career-guide) - useful information on how to become an accountant and it lists the top accounting schools and scholarship opportunities. 

Is nursing the right career choice for you? Check this out -https://www.allnursingschools.com/.

Are you interested in a health care career? Check out the Health Career Explorer: Everything you want to know about a wide variety of health careers. https://explorehealthcareers.org/

1. Allied Health Professions Arts and Humanities in Health2. Chiropractic Medicine Complementary and Integrative Medicine3. Dentistry Environmental Health4. Forensic Science Geriatrics5. Health Administration/Management Informatics6. Medicine Mental Health7. Nursing Nutrition/Dietetics

8. Occupational Therapy Optometry9. Pharmacy Physical Therapy10. Podiatric Medicine Public Health11. Speech-Language-Hearing Sports Medicine12. Veterinary Medicine

Community colleges require freshman students to take the ACCUPLACER if they scored lower than a 21 on the reading part of the ACT, scored lower than an 18 on the English part of the ACT, scored lower than a 22 on the Math part of the ACT, or did not take the ACT at all.  It is important to score high enough to be placed in college English and college math and not a developmental class to get you to college level in each of these.  If you are assigned a developmental English or math

class in college you have to pay the same as any other credit, but this credit does not go toward your diploma or degree.

There is a free web based practice app for the Accuplacer with sample questions in each subject.  Students can use this tool to explore the format and content of the tests, and get immediate explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. Go to https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org/login to download the app.

Effective for 2017-2018: Minnesota legislation now enables college students to be placed into college-level courses based on their high school Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores. For students who attended a Minnesota high school and entering Minnesota State colleges and universities in the 2017-2018 academic year and beyond, scores from the grade 10 MCA Reading assessment and grade 11 MCA Math assessment will be used in the course placement process. Students who meet the designated MCA scores benchmark in a subject area, within the validation window, are not required to take a developmental level course in that subject area.

Use of College-Ready Scores on High School Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) Frequently Asked Questions for Secondary Schools: http://www.minnstate.edu/system/asa/studentaffairs/academicreadiness/docs/mcafaqforsecondaryschools.pdf.

COLLEGE COURSE