Exploring College & Career Readiness: Senior Year Success

Presented By:Rakiba Mitchell, MA, LPCSenior School Counselor

OBJECTIVESTo review high school graduation/senior year expectationsTo obtain an understanding of post secondary optionsTo obtain an understanding of how the college application process worksTo begin the framework for your post secondary plan (your next steps)

Ms. Mitchell’s Role in Post Secondary PlanningInterpret academic transcriptAnalyze student progress and refer for academic supports when necessaryProvide an understanding of graduation requirementsProvide post secondary options that address individual student needsFacilitate college/career readiness activitiesCollaborate with recruiters to schedule college visits (onsites & informationals)Provide official transcripts and fee waiversOrganize and update the college calendar (monthly)Facilitate the EDP (Educational Development Plan)Analyze student transcript and determine graduation status Review all application materials before submissionProvide resources that support interests, passions, talentsProvide letters of recommendation Provide information routinely that relates to college career readiness and scholarshipsOrganize any college fairs and/or college visitsDevelop a relationship with each senior to better understanding who they are, where they are know and where they desire to be

FOREIGN LANGUAGE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

Beginning with the class of 2016 all students will be required to complete two years (2.0 credits) of Foreign Language which shall be comprised of one of the following options: • Option 1: Foreign Language Course (2.0 credits) • Option 2: Foreign Language Course 1.0 credit + Career Technical Education 1.0 credit • Option 3: Foreign Language Course 1.0 credit + Visual, Performing & Applied Arts 1.0

credit *You are responsible for recovering any credits in foreign language as Detroit Public Schools does not offer credit recovery opportunities *Any failed language courses must be taken online to recover the credits at a cost

Helpful Websites: Open Culture http://www.openculture.com/freelanguagelessons Learn A Language http://www.learnalanguage.com/ BBC Languages http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/ Free Foreign Language Courses Online http://education-portal.com/articles/Free_Foreign_Language_Courses_Online.html Translate GOOGLE https://translate.google.com/

A High School Junior (At-A-Glance)•Completed >15.0 credits in accordance with DPS graduation requirements•Completed credit recovery as needed •Completed 5 semesters of academic coursework•Made progression in overall academic coursework from grades 9-11•Taken the ACT (March 2015) and reviewed results•Familiarized oneself with the overall GPA to date•Gotten involved in student activities/organizations/academic programs•Obtained letters of recommendation •Attended college fairs/college tours/campus visits•Researched post secondary plans of interest•Inquired to familiarize oneself with admissions requirements•Registered on free college exploration/scholarship websites•Networked with a professional in field of interest•Completed volunteer work/community service projects

High School Senior (At-A-Glance)• Completed >18.0 credits in accordance with DPS graduation requirements• Completing credit recovery as needed for 2016 graduation• Completed 6 semesters of academic coursework• Made progression in overall academic coursework from grades 9-11• Taken the ACT (March 2015) review results & scheduled retake by Dec if

necessary• Familiarized oneself with current cumulative GPA/ACT score• Maintained involvement and/or obtained leadership positions within

student activities/organizations/academic programs • Obtained letters of recommendations from key individuals who can speak to

your strengths/personal goals for future success (teachers, counselor, etc)• Attended college fairs/college tours/campus visits• Researched post secondary plans of interest• Researched admissions criteria for college/military/career technical schools• Completing several scholarship applications• Networked with a professional in field of interest• Completed volunteer work/community service projects

WHO IS COLLEGE BOUND?Students with a willingness to increase their skill-

set and prior knowledge post high schoolStudents that would like to maximize potential

career opportunitiesStudents that have prepared themselves

academically, socially and emotionally for the next level

Students that want to establish networks, develop leadership skills, acquire internships/study aboard opportunities and get actively involved in student organizations

WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS TO BEING COLLEGE BOUND?

Know Yourself- Interests, passions, academic strengths (These are potential majors/academic programs at the college level)

Be Realistic- What type of school would best suit you? What is your academic makeup? Is your ideal school affordable?

Be Informed- What are the admissions criteria for enrollment? How do you apply? When are the admissions deadlines?

Career & College Exploration Resources•College Week www.collegeweeklive.com•College Prowler www.collegeprowler.com•College Board www.collegboard.org•Free Career Test www.yourfreecareertest.com•Peterson’s www.petersons.com•Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com•Career Cruising www.careercruising.com•US News & World Report

www.usnews.com/education•Profiles of American Colleges 2015. Barron’s. $18.51Barnes & Noble Bookstore www.barnesandnoble.com•Ms. Mitchell’s College Listings (Military, HBCU, Career Technical, Flexible Admissions with Housing, Michigan CC, etc)•Research the Michigan Colleges & Universities Profiles by accessing the Michigan Post Secondary Handbook: http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/0,4636,7-128-60969-134448--,00.html

College Admissions/Military Exam Resources

•SAT REGISTER ONLINE@ http://sat.collegeboard.org/register•ASVAB (Military Entrance Exam) *Scheduled by recruiters after practice test is takenn

HELPFUL WEBSITESACT http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/ ACT Tips http://testprep.about.com/od/tipsfortesting/a/ACT_Tips.htmMarch 2 Success https://www.march2success.com/ Number2.com www.number2.com SparkNotes http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/ Princeton Review http://www.princetonreview.com/sat-act-free-practice-test.aspxKhan Academy SAT Prephttps://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/full-length-SAT-1Peterson’s http://www.petersons.com/college-search/act-scores-tips-strategies.aspxTest Preview http://www.testprepreview.com/Test Anxiety http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/test_anxiety.htmlTest Taking Tips http://testtakingtips.com/test/genpre.htm

Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)

September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 8–21, 2015

October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015 September 19–October 2, 2015

December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 7–20, 2015

February 6, 2016* January 8, 2016 January 9–15, 2016

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5–18, 2016

June 11, 2016** May 6, 2016 May 7–20, 2016

• ACT ***REGISTER ONLINE @ www.actstudent.org

Scholarship Websites

•Fastweb www.fastweb.com•Scholly www.scholly.com•Scholarships www.scholarships.com•Cappex www.cappex.com•Zinch www.zinch.com•Scholarships360 www.scholarships360.org•Michigan Scholarships & Grants http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/0,4636,7-128-60969---,00.html•Ms. Mitchell’s Scholarship Listing

Additional Scholarships & GrantsTIP Scholarships (Selective, Need Based)1-888-4-GRANTS (1-888-447-2687)https://www.michigan.gov/documents/FactSheetTIP_161201_7.pdf

Compact Scholarships (Criteria-Based)313.964.4000 http://www.detroitchamber.com/economic-development-2/education-talent/detroit-compact

/Detroit Scholarship Fund (Criteria-Based)www.detroitscholarshipfund.comReal Life 101 Scholarship (Males, Criteria Based)www.reallife101.orgFAFSA (Free Application for Federal Aid) (REQUIRED)AFTER JANUARY 1, 2015www.fafsa.ed.gov 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

The Post Secondary Planning Traffic LightGREEN= APPLY NOW ONLINE/CONTACT

YELLOW= APPLY NOW WITH CAUTIONRED= WAIT TO APPLY

GREEN= Community Colleges/Junior Colleges (Both In-State and Out-of-State) (USE MY COMMUNITY COLLEGE LISTING & LIST OF INSITUTIONS WITH FLEXIBLE ADMISSIONS)

Apply-online if possible. If a paper application is required, print it out, bring it in completed and we will review. If you submit online please print out the confirmation page (the final page that reads “thank you for your

submission…” and bring that in to me for my records.

GREEN= Historically Black Colleges & Universities (USE MY HBCU LISTING)Consider the HBCU Common Application http://www.eduinconline.com/

***You can apply to 36 colleges at one time for only $35!!!Apply-online if possible. If a paper application is required, print it out, bring it in completed and we will review. If you submit online please print out the confirmation page (the final page that reads “thank you for your submission…” and bring that in to me for my

records so that I can proof the application and provide your official documents needed for admission.

GREEN= Career Technical Schools (USE MY CAREER TECHNICAL LISTING)You will need to contact the school’s admissions and/or registration to receive enrollment information. Once admitted please

bring the official acceptance letters to me for my records.

GREEN= Military *Please come obtain the recruiter’s contact information from me(FOR MILITARY SCHOOLS USE MY LISTING)

YELLOW=FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS (OUT OF STATE)Make sure that you meet the admissions criteria. If it is not spelled out on the website then contact the admissions office and inquire. Apply-online if possible. If a paper application is required, print it out, bring it in completed and we will review to provide the official documents needed for admission. If you submit online please print out the confirmation page (the final page that reads “thank you for your submission…” and bring that in to me for my records so that I can proof the application and provide your official documents needed f

or admission.

RED= FOUR YEAR INSTUTIONS (IN-STATE)ALL of the major 4-year institutions will be coming to CMA. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY TO IN-STATE FOUR YEAR INSTITITIONS UNTIL THEY VISIT CMA. THEY WILL CONDUCT ONSITES AT THE SCHOOL!!! The reps will be working with you individually to give you the best possible options for admissions. I WILL TELL YOU WHEN TO APPLY AND HOW TO APPLY!!!

Benefits of College Visits at CMA High School• Representatives waive the admissions fees• The minimal admissions criteria is considered• Students can hear about the college/university/school/military institutions, the

academic programs available, housing, scholarships, student organizations and other pertinent information

• Students can also get their questions addressed• Students are able to develop a relationship with the admissions representative

assigned to CMA• Students have the chance of hearing about special academic/admissions programs• Students are able to obtain onsite admissions • Students have the best chance of obtaining admissions to the institution of choice

when they participate in on-sites

STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A COLLEGE CALENDAR ROUTINELY AND CAN SIGN UP ON FRIDAYS THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE VISIT

College Realities• There is a college for everybody (you have to take the time to find the one that

best fits you)• The numbers don’t lie (It is what it is….you must own it, learn from it and move

forward)• There is more than one way the acquire admissions into a university (consider

the transfer option)• Be honest with yourself---You know how you best learn at this point. Choose a

college/career school/military institution that can best prepare you for your career field of choice (big schools aren’t for everyone, 4 year institutions aren’t for everyone)

• There is no limit to the number of admissions letters you can receive or scholarships that you may be awarded---apply to all that you qualify for

• GO VISIT! (Sit in the lectures, ask students questions, ask admissions explore the campus/surrounding city stay overnight, go to an event for future students, attend a game/concert/performance, etc.)

• Utilize US News & World Report to explore college rankings for your academic major(s) of interest

Myths in College Application Process•GPAs don’t count•Your overall GPA will greatly improve in your senior year•Colleges don’t look at your freshman year•If you have a lower GPA you can’t go to college•Colleges will find you•Community college is for students with low GPAs•HBCUs aren’t good schools•The admissions criteria don’t apply to YOU•You can apply whenever you feel like it•Colleges don’t check your social media pages•If your friend was admitted you will be as well•That because this is the college of your dreams they have to admit you•There is only one school that suits you

Applying to College1. Conduct research to investigate at least 5 institutions based on the following: academic

area(s) of interests, location, degrees offered, programs/majors, tuition and fees, setting, size, sports, student organizations, housing

2. Inquire about the ADMISSIONS CRITERIA• Application (online or paper)• Application Fee (waiver?)• MINIMAL GPA & ACT SCORE (Do they use the sliding scale?)• Essay/Personal Statement Required?• Letters of Recommendation• Interview• Resume• Submission Deadlines3. If you meet the MINIMAL ADMISSIONS CRITERIA • apply online• they will display or send you a request for your official transcript & test score• submit to Ms. Mitchell and return for your sealed envelope in 48 hours• you are responsible for postage4. If you do not meet the MINIMAL ADMISSIONS CRITERIA PLEASE SEE MS.MITCHELL so

that she can suggest an alternate institution that may suit your interests/needs

Things to Consider Explore the Community College & HBCU Options

If you don’t meet the minimal admissions criteria but are close (under the guidance of Ms. Mitchell) download a printable application and complete

Utilize the Institutions with Flexible Admissions & Housing Institution Listing Familiarize yourself with open admission institutions (community college,

junior colleges, select HBCUs, etc.) Familiarize yourself with institutions that only require a minimal GPA or an ACT

score (Ex: University of Toledo only requires a 15 ACT composite) Research Tuition Free Collegeshttp://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2015/08/27/tuition-free-colleges-higher-education-lower-prices/ Familiarize yourself with institutions that have partnerships/dual degree

programs/continuing education programs with other institutions(Ex: Schoolcraft has partnerships with Wayne State University & University of Toledo & Lansing Community College has partnerships with some HBCUs) Apply to institutions where you exceed the admissions criteria in order to

qualify for possible scholarships Use the HBCU common application if and when possible

• Common Black College Application https://www.connecttocollege.net/application.asp

Seniors Should Know• SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER• COMPLETE APPLICATIONS LEGIBLY USING BLUE OR

BLACK INK ONLY • HOW TO ADDRESS AN ENVELOPE• HOW TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS &

CHECK ROUTINELY• HOW TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS• MY CONTACT INFORMATION:Rakiba Mitchell, MA, LPC14471 MansfieldDetroit, Michigan 48227(313) 866-9300 EXT 227