Class of 2024

Red Rock Central Schools

It’s time to get serious about your plans for

after graduation!

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• This year will go incredibly fast

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• Parents, neighbors, friends, and literally everyone you know will be asking what your plans are for next year

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• Decisions can be intimidating, cause anxiety, raise your stress levels

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• Starting now will make the process easier - I promise!

Smartphones - download the Remind app and make sure you turn notifications on

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Text reminders - send a text to “81010” you should type @d26ckch

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~Do not have reminders sent to your email~

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Senior Meetings with Ms. Karnitz

15-20 minutes (longer if you need it)

Lets me know where you’re at in your planning

You can ask questions, get help applying, etc…

Everyone must sign up for 1 time

You can get help as often as you need after that :)

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Schedule Here!

40%

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35%

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3%

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20%

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Typical RRC Grads

Fall

Winter

Spring

Visits

Applications

Scholarships

Financial Aid

Decisions!

*Goal: have at least an idea about your plans by Thanksgiving

Work Options

• If you are planning to enter the workforce after high school, this can take some planning too

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• We have several local resources to help you find a good paying job and the training needed for it

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• MN Career Force
• MN WorkForce Center
• Southwest MN Private Industry Council

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Military Service

• If you are interested in military service - please contact the local recruiters now to get this process started

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• Various options include branches of service, full-time/part-ime enlistment, etc…

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MN National Guard - SSG Matt Persons

Marines - SSgt Mason Chamberlain

Army - SGT Ethan Blankenberg

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College Visits

MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR DECISION

• Visit options
• Week-day visits
• Weekend open house events
• MEA Weekend - most have special events - register soon!
• College fair
• Thursday, Oct 12 @SMSU 6-7:30 p.m

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• Check the college websites for dates and how to register

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• Bring a parent along

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• Counts as an absence - but please have your parent contact the school so that it is considered “excused”

Testing

2-year college - Accuplacer

• Usually given at the college during a visit or during registration
• Free
• Determines which math/English class you will take
• Sometimes determines admission to a certain program/major

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4-year college - ACT

• Re-test as many times as you want
• Scores determine scholarships at many colleges
• $68 per test / fee-waiver if you get free/reduced lunch
• October 28, December 9, February 10

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FREE tuition for MN Colleges starting Fall 2024

*Must complete the FAFSA to qualify

• All public colleges in Minnesota
• (2-year and 4-year colleges

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• Any major that leads to a degree
• (1 year, 2 year, 4 year)

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• Fact Sheet

Applications

Deadlines

• Most have a “rolling” admissions process where you can apply any time
• Some have early, strict deadlines (U of MN & others)

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Application Fees

• Usually $20-30
• Fee waivers available if you get free/reduced lunch (ask me for waiver)

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Transcripts/Test Scores

• Parchment
• Allows you to request/track your transcripts

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How Do I Apply?

Online

• All applications are completed online
• Find the website of the school you are interested in
• Look for a link on the main page that says “Apply” or “Admissions”

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Username/Password

• You will need to create an account
• Write this information down or put it in your phone
• Most MN colleges use the “Star ID”
• Only create one Star ID and use it at multiple colleges

Other steps…

• Complete all required fields
• Pay fee (if required)
• Submit the application
• Request a transcript to be sent to the college - they will not give you a decision without this!

What is Direct Admissions?

• Direct Admissions is a new program that starts with the belief that all students are “college material”.
• The goal is to reduce the anxiety around the “will I get in?”
• You will receive a personalized letter with a list of colleges and universities committed to admitting you for Fall 2024.
• 55 Minnesota colleges and universities are participating
• Your list will include colleges and universities from all over Minnesota
• The number of school on your list will be determined by your GPA and grades in core classes through the end of your junior year
• Direct Admissions applies to general admission; some programs or majors may not be eligible.

Sample Letter

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Student Letters were sent on 9/22 to your school email address

What Direct Admissions Means For Students

• Students must still complete the college/university admissions process to secure their spot
• Application fees waived
• If you aren’t interested in any of the colleges on your list, you don’t need to select that college
• You aren’t limited to the colleges/universities on your list! This list just helps you know which schools you will be admitted to for sure!

Opting Out

• If you would rather not participate, you can opt out by contacting your counseling office
• There is no cost for this program and your data will not be shared with any colleges/universities without your consent

Optional Tagline Goes Here | mn.gov/websiteurl

28

8/10/2023

Does not include:

Univ of MN, Twin Cities

St. Olaf College

Carleton College

Macalester College

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• Direct Admissions FAQs
• Student Flyer
• Fact Sheet

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Financial Aid

This is a MUST for everyone!

• LOTS of changes for this year
• Application won’t be available until December/January
• Less questions
• Easier process
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~Stay tuned for more information~

*Parent meeting on 10/9/23 cancelled until we get more info*

Scholarships

National

• Harder to win because of the number of applicants
• Apply if you have time after working on college/local first
• Use reputable sites - do not pay a fee

College

• A majority of your scholarship $
• Based on GPA/ACT scores
• Check the college website to see requirements and deadlines

Local

• Usually smaller award amounts - but these add up!
• Many times you cannot get the $$ until the 2nd semester of college
• List is found on school website under “Counselor”

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Scholarship Tips and Advice

Look for other scholarship sources

• Parent’s workplace, church, other local organizations

Activity Lists

• List of your involvement in school, community activites, accomplishments, part-time jobs, etc…
• Save time by creating a list to attach
• Samples are available on the bottom of the school scholarship page

Essay Questions on Scholarships

• Short answer or 1-2 questions
• Save your essays to reuse/modify - many have the same questions!
• Avoid using ChatGPT - it give very generic essays

Little things that will help you this year…

• Check your email every day

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• Get organized
• Keep a folder of important papers from your college
• Keep a folder of scholarship applications
• Use some kind of calendar/planner to keep track of deadlines

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• Read the daily announcements

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• Use the information on the school website - links to EVERYTHING you need
• Under “Counselor” and then “Ms. Karnitz”

Senior Year Timeline

Use this as a to-do list!

September

• Make plans for college visits this fall

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• Get organized - write deadlines and important dates on your calendar

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• Register to re-take the ACT if needed

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• Get involved in activities and volunteer work to boost your resume/activity list

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• Sign up for an FSA ID (everyone that applies for financial aid will need one)

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October

• Create an activity list for scholarships and applications

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• Go on campus visits

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• Re-take the ACT if needed

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• Begin your college applications

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November

&

December

• Finish any college applications

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• Search/apply for scholarships

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• Go on campus visits

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• Track your applications/acceptance letters

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• Double check your high school/PSEO schedule for next semester

January

&

February

• Search/apply for scholarships

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• Complete the FAFSA

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• Compare the colleges where you have been accepted

(Cost, location, majors, activities, housing, etc…)

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• Watch for important emails from colleges about deadlines, housing, financial aid, etc…

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• Practice for the Accuplacer test if you are going to a 2-year college

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March

&

April

• Search/apply for scholarships

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• Take the ACCUPLACER

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• Make your college decision and notify the colleges you are not going to attend

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• Verify your FAFSA has been received by the college

(March 1st priority deadline)

• Create a budget for college expenses & how you’ll pay for it

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May

• Finalize your plans

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• Receive scholarships (hopefully!)

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• Look for a summer job (save up for college expenses!)

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• GRADUATE

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June

• Complete paperwork for student loans, grants, work study, etc…

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• Attend college orientation/registration

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• Make a packing list for college

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• Write thank you notes for scholarship & graduation gifts you’ve received

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• Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending

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