For the Class of 2016 (And Their Parents)

For the Class of 2016 (and their parents) College & Career Center Newsletter For the Class of 2016 (and their parents) College & Career Center Newsletter For the Class of 2016 (and their parents) College & Career Center Newsletter For the Class of 2016 (and their Parents) The College & Career Center Can Help! (Located in the Guidance Office) It is an exciting time in your high school career as you look to the future and start to plan your own path. Whether you plan to go to college, technical school, an apprenticeship program, the military, or straight to work; the College & Career Center can help. The center houses a wide variety of material to assist students in locating information about careers, employers, training programs, military service, colleges, universities and financial aid. Other resources include scholarship information, SAT and ACT registration materials and practice tests, college profiles and viewbooks to name a few. See Mrs. Arthur for an appointment. If we have not already seen you, we hope to see you soon!! Financial Aid Night: Mark Your Calendars!

Thursday, January 21, 2016 7:00 p.m. CHS Cafeteria Timely Advice

Early Senior year: Narrow your list of colleges to consider and apply. Many selective programs close early. November 1 has been set by many universities and colleges as their priority deadline for awarding scholarships. Early January of senior year: Fill out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Submit online or mail EARLY to be eligible for both state and federal assistance. March 10 is the FAFSA processing deadline for Indiana universities and colleges. Mid-April-May: Universities should be sending financial aid packages offering preliminary aid figures. If the packages still don’t meet your needs, the school may be able to adjust the package. May 1: This date is nationally recognized as the date students must commit to the college of their choice.

THE COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS: *Most colleges have online applications which can be found on the college website. Many colleges now use the Common Application which allows one application to be used for up to 20 colleges of your choice. When using the Common Application, you will need to invite your counselor and/or recommenders to participate. Please make sure names are spelled correctly. *Always ask permission to use someone’s name as a recommender. Please give counselors and teachers at least 2 weeks’ notice before due dates. Recommendation guidelines can be found here: http://www.duneland.k12.in.us/Page/351 *Following the submission of your application, you will need to request a transcript be sent. Please use www.parchment.com. You will create an account and use your account to send your transcripts electronically. In many cases this will be free. *If a school asks for OFFICIAL SAT or ACT scores, they must be sent directly through the testing agency. These tests scores will NOT be on transcripts. *If a paper transcript is needed, please complete a transcript request form and return it with $4 to Mrs. Arthur in the Career Center. Please allow 3 days minimum for processing. Plan ahead! WHEN SHOULD YOU RETEST WITH THE SAT OR ACT?

Each college or scholarship agency has its own policy. Typically, they take the best set of scores; but some average scores, some consider only the most recent, and some accept the best scores from multiple test dates. It is recommended that you know the policy of the schools and programs that interest you. You should consider retaking college tests if you:  intend to engage in concentrated review in areas covered on the test.  have chosen a college or a major that requires or strongly encourages a higher score than achieved.  you have been advised by a college or scholarship representative that you should take another test.  are not satisfied that your scores are an accurate representation of your abilities. were physically ill or experienced a strong emotional or nervous reaction while taking the test.  have since completed coursework in areas covered on the test. College & Career Center http://www.duneland.k12.in.us/chscareercenter 219.983.3730 Mrs. Arthur, College & Career Center Director