COLLEGE REFERENCE

(click to jump to each section)
• Timeline
• College Searches and Visits
• Steps for Applying to University and College from Black River Public School
• Common Terms and Definitions
• On-Line Resources

Cessandra Wright, College Advisor
Rhonda Pardue, Curriculum Director
Jennifer Wise, Registrar

I. Timeline at Black River Public School (High School Students)

Freshman Year
-do not stress about college; focus on opportunities in high school
-try many activities
-read; expand your vocabulary
-take an SAT II test in the spring
-get a summer job or do volunteer work

Sophomore Year
-focus on activities that you like to do
-take your interest to a higher level; rather than simply joining a swim club,   work to teach other students how to swim
-keep your grades up
- talk to your parents about paying for college
- research scholarship information with counselors
- start a list of colleges
-visit nearby campuses
- take the PSAT in October
- register for Advanced Placement courses for next year

Junior Year
“This is the pivotal year”
-keep your GPA high; colleges consider junior-year grades and activities to be the best indicator of what kind of college student you will be
-take the PSAT in October
- take the SAT in the spring
- MME in the spring (ACT plus writing, Workeys, science, math, social studies)
- take Advanced Placement examinations
- ask for recommendation letters from teachers
- narrow your list of colleges
- schedule a college interview

Summer prior to Senior Year
- fill out applications for colleges
- work on college application essays
- be aware of upcoming deadlines
- turn in completed forms to counselors
- review High School Transcript
- visit colleges
- retake SAT & ACT tests (optional)

Senior Year (first semester)
- submit an application early during your senior year
- request applications
- work on the personal essay
- apply for financial aid
- apply early
- complete senior project during fall semester so you can use it on applications

Senior Year (second semester)
- fill out FAFSA after January 1
- work with Director of Academics for scholarships
- receive notification letters from colleges
- continue to work hard academically: 2nd semester grades often count
- contact financial aid offices at proposed colleges
- develop a plan to finance college
- make final decisions and respond with your deposit by the deadline
- send “thank you” notes for scholarship awards and letters of recommendation

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II. College Searches and Visits

Things to Consider:
Environment (location, size)
Admission Requirements
Academics
College Expenses and Financial Aid
Housing
Facilities
Activities

How do we search?
College Visits at Black River High School
On-campus college visits
Online internet research
Research - Research - Research!

Helpful College Search Websites:
www.gocollege.com
www.petersons.com
www.smart.net/-pope/hbcu/hbculist.htm
www.campustours.com
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cosearch.htm
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org

College Advisor and Registrar have the following information:
College Catalogs and Videos
PSAT, SAT and ACT applications and practice tests
Resources on other Post-secondary planning: Military, Vocational Schools,
Apprenticeships
Scholarship Opportunities
Summer and Internship Opportunities

Scholarship and Financial Aid Websites
www.MI-StudentAid.org
www.salliemae.com
www.fastweb.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov

College Athletics
Playing sports in College is a major decision which requires careful planning throughout
high school. In the Spring of junior year you must apply to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse if you plan to play sports in college. Pick up information from Pioneer's Athletic Office and check the NCAA Clearinghouse website. Information changes yearly. Students being recruited and needing transcripts for that purpose must have a release form on file. Get one from the Records Office.

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III. Steps in Applying to College from Black River Public School

1. After careful research, select 3-4 colleges to apply to. Get applications from College Advisor, Registrar, online, or college admissions offices. It is in your best interest to submit college applications early.  Many colleges now make use of the Common Application, which can be filled out and submitted online.

2. At least 2-3 weeks ahead ask teachers for recommendations. Be sure to include your social security number on all college correspondence.

3. Complete application thoroughly and completely.  If completing a paper application, make sure it is done neatly in blue or black ink or typed. Sign in ink and make a few copies.

4. If one is required, attach check or money order for application fee made out to college. Application material must be complete when turned in. Online fees can be paid by credit card.

5. Applying online: nearly all applications submitted by Black River Public School students are done on-line. After you have completed the on-line process, print the counselor or secondary school page. Bring the page to the Director of Academics, just as you would a paper application. We will process it exactly like a paper application.

6. On-Site Admissions: Some universities have begun using an on-site admissions process. (Western Michigan, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan are those with which we have had experience; others may also do this). Student takes application materials to the university (typically on a Saturday in early October) and they will give student an admission decision that day. If you are interested in on-site admission call the university's admissions office for details.

7. If your college requires scores directly from ACT or SAT you are responsible to arrange for your test scores to be sent directly from ACT or SAT to your prospective colleges. Call the college to verify.

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IV. Common Terms & Definitions

Admissions Information

Rolling Admission -- An admission procedure by which the college considers each application as soon as all required materials have been received. The college then notifies each applicant of acceptance or rejection as soon as possible.

Candidates Reply Date -- A policy among subscribing institutions that permits students to wait until May 1 to choose, without penalty, among offers of admission/financial aid.

Wait List -- A term used by institutions used to describe a process in which they may initially delay offerings or deny you admission. Rather, the institution extends to you the possibility of admissions in the future. Colleges offer admission to wait list candidates if insufficient numbers of regularly admitted candidates accept their offers of admission.

Deferred Application - The practice of some colleges of allowing and accepted student to postpone enrollment for one year.

Selective Admissions Options

Early Action -- An application process which permits students to make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision during the senior year, well in advance of the normal response dates in the spring. The candidate is not committed to enroll at that particular institution.

Early Decision -- An application process in which a commitment is made by the student to the institution that, if admitted, the student will enroll. Only a student who can make a deliberate and well-reasoned first choice decisions should apply under an Early Decision plan because the institution will require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1. This is a binding commitment from the student.

Financial Aid Terms

Aid Package -- a combination of aid (possibly including a scholarship, grant, loan, and work) determined by a college financial aid office.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -- The application required for students to be considered for federal student financial aid. Obtain a FAFSA form or electronic filing information from the Registrar (usually available in November). The FAFSA is processed free of charge. FAFSA is used by most state agencies and colleges. Plan to do your Income Taxes early during your child's senior year. FAFSA requires information from the previous year's income.

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Important Junior Year Tests
-- A Quick Review: PSAT, SAT, ACT, MEAP, AP Standardized College Admission Exams

SAT I -- Reasoning Test -- This SAT is a three-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission.

SAT II -- Subject Tests -- Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you're considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement.

ACT -- Assessment Test -- A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year.

AP (Advanced Placement) -- Colleges grant credit and/or assignment to an advanced course on the basis of evidence that the student has mastered the equivalent of an introductory college course. Scores range from 1-5. Very selective colleges expect students to demonstrate mastery of some of these courses through the AP program.

MEAP -- Michigan Educational Assessment Program -- Michigan Educational Assessment Program. The state MEAP High School Test is used to award State endorsements on student transcripts as well as the Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Program to make post secondary education more affordable. Areas tested are Mathematics, Science, Reading, Writing and Social Studies. Students take the tests initially in April of 11th grade and may retest in Fall and Spring of 12th grade.

What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?
Both are used by colleges and universities to predict potential success during the first year of college. Both will have significant changes starting in the Fall of 2004.

ACT composite score is an average
SAT results are presented as a sum

ACT has separate science questions
SAT does not have separate science questions

ACT usually has four trigonometry questions in the mathematics portion of the test
SAT does not include trigonometry math questions

ACT measures your achievement in the subjects it tests
SAT is an aptitude test (it predicts your capacity to learn)

ACT does not penalize for guessing answers
SAT penalizes for guessing answers

ACT gives no math formulas
SAT gives several math formulas to help you with the test

You will need to research the colleges you plan to attend to see which tests each requires. Many Black River students take both tests.

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V. Websites

Resources on the Black River Public School web site
http://www.blackriverpublicschool.org
Black River announcements, dates and times when college representatives will be at Black River, examination dates and times and registration-for-exam dates/times
Check the Master Calendar!

Sites Useful for College Search
www.collegeboard.com
www.gocollege.com
www.petersons.com
www.smart.net/-pope/hbcu/hbculist.htm
www.campustours.com
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cosearch.htm
www.act.org

Colleges and Universities General Information
www.finaid.org/fafsa Links to college financial aid offices
www.collegeboard.com The College Board for SAT and Profile Information
www.apcentral.collegeboard.com The Advanced Placement site
www.act.org The American College Testing Service
www.usnews.com Information on colleges, financial aid, study abroad, etc.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
www.nasfaa.org National Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Administrators
www.finaid.org Financial Aid General Information
www.mde.state.mi.us Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority
www.ed.gov/funding.html The Student Guide and Funding Your Education
www.MI-StudentAid.org Michigan Student Financial Aid Association
www.treasury.state.mi.us Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Program

Scholarship Searches and On-Line Applications
www.finaid.org/finaid/calculators/estimate.html Financial Aid Eligibility estimator
www.fastweb.com Federal Scholarship search
www.fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA on the web
www.salliemae.com General information, aid estimator, scholarship search
www.MI-StudentAid.org MI Search (phone 1/887/323-2287)

Testing Preparation
www.number2.com Test Preparation site
www.TestU.com Test Preparation site

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