Pinconning High School
College HandbookTABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
The Counseling Department
Areas of Responsibility
Junior Year Checklist
Senior Year Checklist
Research & Selection of a College
Selection Process
Standardized Testing
Teacher Recommendations
The College Essay
The Application Process
How to Get the Most Out of Your College Visit
Financial Aid
College Comparison Worksheet
Websites
Introduction
The process of selecting a college is often a complex one. It can be exciting, fascinating, and challenging, yet very rewarding. The following material has been gathered to aid you in your college selection and application process. It is designed to help you make your decision and to familiarize you with the college counseling services at Pinconning High School.
Our task is to guide and assist you so that the college you choose fits your individual needs - one that is challenging to your intellectual curiosity and satisfying to your personal and professional growth.
The Counseling Office at Pinconning can provide you with information on college choices and admission requirements. Our program is designed to inform you of options available, to provide resources for use in selecting colleges, and to be available for any assistance needed in the college application process.
Please feel free at any time during the year, to call or make an appointment to discuss any questions or concerns you might have regarding your college plans.
Enjoy the process and remember- your counselor is there to help you.
Mrs. Tina Bersano- serving students whose last names begin with A-K
Phone: (989) 879-7210 Email:
Mrs. Danielle Hunt-serving students whose last names begin with L-Z
Phone: (989) 879-7205 Email:
Some of the services and resources offered by the Counseling Department are listed below. The counselor is available to both students and parents. It is best to make an appointment so that time is set aside for you.
SERVICES
· / · Guidance in College Selection
· / · Letters of recommendation for colleges and universities
· Assistance in planning class schedules to meet college entrance requirements
· Assistance in completing applications and essay
RESOURCES
The following information may be found in the Guidance Office:
· Applications for Michigan colleges and universities
· The Common Application used by many colleges and universities nationwide
· Information on military academies
· Scholarship information
· Financial Aid applications (FAFSA & Profile)
· PLAN, PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, and ACT test information and registration forms
Many colleges and universities send representatives to Pinconning to talk to prospective students. Most of these visits are during the months of September, October, and November. These visits are broadcast over the daily announcements. In order to attend, the student must:
1. Sign up in the Counseling Office.
2. Obtain a pass from the Counseling Office.
3. Bring to the meeting the pass which has been signed by the teacher whose class the student will miss.
Passes will be collected and a list of students attending is sent to the teachers and the attendance office. The student is responsible for making up any missed work in the classroom.
The Counseling Office has information concerning post high school plans. A career exploration program that can help you search for a career and can also give specific information on hundreds of careers is Career Cruising. Career Cruising is available on the internet at www.careercruising.com. The USERNAME is: pinconning. The PASSWORD is: 48650.
Information about Michigan and out of state colleges, universities, and vocational schools is available at www.anycollege.com.
Scholarships that come through the school are posted in the daily announcements and on the schools website: www.pasd.org.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
By working together throughout the college planning process, we hope to provide all students the assistance needed to attain their goals.
COUNSELING OFFICE RESPONSIBILITY
· Discuss college planning with the student
· Provide information regarding admissions
· Provide opportunities to learn about various colleges
· Provide information about visitations, special events, and scholarships
· Provide certain applications and forms (applications for Michigan colleges and universities, ACT registration forms, financial aid forms, special scholarship applications)
· Prepare transcripts and recommendations to be sent to colleges
· Send mid-year and final grade reports to colleges as requested
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
· Discuss future plans, including the financial picture and any restrictions, with your son/daughter early in the selection process
· Be aware of deadlines
· Complete your portion of the applications (signature, checks, etc.)
· Fill out financial aid forms (FAFSA) by March 1
· Call the counselor if you have questions
· Attend Financial Aid Night at PHS
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
· Begin selection process early
· Use the Internet and Guidance Office for catalogs, brochures, etc.
· Meet with college representatives when they visit Pinconning High School
· Plan to visit the colleges before making final decision
· Be aware of grades and graduation requirements and associated costs
· Secure information about deadlines, special requirements, testing
· Submit applications to the records office between October 1st and December 15th.
JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
SEPTEMBER
· If your GPA needs improvement, now is the time to do it. Make the commitment and keep up the hard work.· Choose your activities and sports for the school year.
· Be active in school, high school activities, community service and leadership roles are extremely helpful when applying for college, seeking scholarships, and look good on resumes.
· Be sure that your meeting the requirements for graduation. Visit with your Guidance Counselor to be sure you have the required credits for graduation.
· Determine if you are interested in a Trade, Technical, 2 year or 4 year post-secondary school program for after high school.
· Register for the PSAT if you are going to take that test.
· Practice taking the PSAT by using their study guides and practice test available in the counseling office.
· Start preparing for the ACT.
· Make sure you are registered with docufide.
OCTOBER
· If you received any Progress Reports, visit with your Guidance Counselor and Teacher for ideas to improve your grades· Attend a College Fair.
· Attend Regional College Night at the Bay-Arenac Career Center in October.
· Consider participating in a Job Shadow
· Take the ACT test. This will allow you to take it again in the spring to improve your score.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
· Review your report card; visit with Guidance Counselor and Teachers for ideas to improve your grades.· Request view books and applications from schools that you are interested in attending after high school.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
· Study for your semester tests.
· Check your GPA after semester exams, is it where you want it to be? If not, assess your study habits, and visit with your Guidance Counselor for help in improving it
· Attend the Financial Aid Workshop at PHS to learn more about filling out the FAFSA form for next year.
· When registering for your senior classes choose academically challenging courses.
· If you plan on attending a 4-year college or university, review with your Guidance Counselor to see if you are meeting the requirements for admissions.
· Visit with your parents/guardians about your class selections for your senior year.
· Register for elective classes that allow you to explore your interests.
· Plan to attend the ACT Prep night at the ISD
· Attend College Information Night at PHS in January or February.
MARCH - APRIL
· Take the MME/ACT test in March administered at PHS.· Check out an ACT Prep book in the library to prepare for this test.
· Learn about scholarships, grants, and loans.
· Talk to your counselor to learn how to sign up for Fastweb, a scholarship search engine.
· Explore the possibility of volunteering during the summer.
· If you received any Progress Reports, visit with your Guidance Counselor and Teacher for ideas to improve your grades.
MAY
· Review your goals for post-secondary options with your Guidance Counselor· Don’t get discouraged and drop out of school. Visit with your Guidance Counselor, Teacher. Principal or Career Center about any difficulties you are having.
· Study for your semester tests.
· Consider getting a summer job to explore your career interests.
· Prepare to visit Colleges over the summer.
· In May register for the ACT test if you plan on taking it in June.
· Begin the certification process for NCAA ELIGIBILITY at the end of your Junior year if you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II athletics. NCAA Eligibility is determined by the number of college prep Core Curriculum classes you have taken, G.P.A. in Core Classes, and ACT or SAT scores. A list of NCAA requirements and P.A.H.S. core classes is listed in the Pinconning Area High School Student Handbook. NCAA brochure and Student Release Forms are available in the Counseling Office. On-line applications and information are available at www.ncaa.org.
SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
SEPTEMBER
· Choose your activities and sports for the school year.· Be active in school, high school activities, community service and leadership roles are extremely helpful when applying for college, seeking scholarships, and look good on resumes.
· Make your “Application for Graduation” appointment with your Guidance Counselor.
· Attend College Fairs.
· Make Campus Visits and meet Representatives.
· Apply early to schools that have difficult entrance requirements.
· Register for the October ACT Test if you are not happy with your previous score or you have not taken the ACT.
· Consider the professionals you will ask for references on scholarship applications.
· Create a Letter of Recommendation Worksheet to use for college admissions, scholarships, and jobs.
· Review Scholarship Websites for scholarships; sign up for Fastweb if you have not yet.
· Register for Selective Service.
· Visit your counselor for information about post-secondary options.
OCTOBER
· If you received any Progress Reports, visit with your Guidance Counselor and Teacher for ideas to improve your grades.· Think about getting a tutor for any classes you are struggling in, a mid-year transcript is important when applying to schools and training programs.
· Consider participating in a Job Shadow.
· Submit applications for admission to the schools you are interested in attending with appropriate fees and required documents to the counseling office.
· If further schooling is not for you and you plan on entering the workforce directly, visit your Guidance Counselor for more information.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
· Review your report card; visit with Guidance Counselor and Teachers for ideas to improve your grades.· Learn about housing and meal plans at the schools you are interested in.
· Many colleges and universities make the month of December their deadline to apply, keep close track of these deadlines.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
· Study for your semester tests.· Check your GPA after semester exams, is it where you want it to be? If not, assess your study habits, and visit with your Guidance Counselor for help in improving it.
· Attend the Financial Aid Workshop at PHS to learn more about filling out the FAFSA form.
· Parents- Complete income tax forms as soon as possible so an early FAFSA form can be filled out.
· Continue to check the Counseling Office for Scholarships.
· Visit with your Guidance Counselor to be sure that you are on track for graduation.
· Don’t give up, stay in school you’ve almost made it.
MARCH - APRIL
· Check for Scholarships in the Counseling Office· If accepted by more than one school, notify and withdraw your application.
· Priority application Deadline for FAFSA is March 1st.
RESEARCH AND SELECTION OF A COLLEGE
With more than 4,500 colleges and universities to choose from in the U.S. alone, the task of choosing a college, the right college can be daunting. As has been previously stated, this is the most important decision you have had to make to date. Not only is it a decision that you will literally have to live with for the next four years of your life, but also one that will have a major impact on the rest of your life, as well. Therefore, the selection process is critical. If you take the time to think about the following considerations, the decision process will be much easier for you.
Academic Environment
When assessing the academic environment, you might want to ask yourself the following questions:
• Will this college admit me? LOOK AT ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• Have I satisfied the course or other academic requirements of the college?
• Are my test scores in the appropriate range for this school?
• Are the standards appropriate for my abilities and interests?
• What courses are required of all freshmen?
• When will I have the opportunity to study with full professors rather than graduate students?
• What are the typical class sizes for both the freshmen and upper classmen?
• What is the availability of counseling or tutorial programs in the event that I find myself in
academic trouble?
• Where do graduates of this school attend graduate school?
• What kind of professions or careers do the graduates of this school enter after they leave this
school?
Majors
Most students change their majors at least once during their college days (some of us three or four times).
It is quite possible that there are majors that you have never heard of which would interest you greatly or that there are majors in fields that at the present time do not appeal to you.
However, you probably have some sense of what you would like to do as far as a career is concerned and it might be wise for you to check how strong those departments are at the colleges on your list. Of additional concern are the library (how many volumes) and laboratory facilities.
Geographic Location
Where you spend the next four years of your life is of grave importance. For some students, staying close to home is very important, while for others they want to go some place far from home. Perhaps as important as the proximity to home is the type of college community.