Class of 2024

Senior Seminar

DuPont Manual Counseling Department

Follow Along

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Meet your Senior Counselors

Ms. Brockman

Last Names (A-G)

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Ms. Leslie

Last Names (H-O)

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Dr. Benson

Last Names (P-Z)

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All YPAS Students

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Ms. Romans

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Mr. Hite- All Manual Freshmen

Ms. Meeron - HSU & VA 10th - 11th, Last Names L-Z

Class of 2024

Counseling Resources

Google Classroom

• Seniors will find important information, assignments to complete and receive reminders via Google classroom.

Counseling Website

• Senior resources are located on a senior page. Scholarship information is updated regularly.

*new students contact your counselors to be added

THE COLLEGE PLANNING PROCESS

Six Steps to Success

6. FINANCIAL PLANNING

1. TRANSCRIPT REVIEW

2. QUESTIONNAIRES

3. PROSPECTIVE COLLEGES

5. APPLICATION COMPLETION

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Transcript Review

Be sure that your transcript is correct!

What is a Transcript???

The transcript is the report sent to colleges that reflects every semester of high school that you have completed and includes:

• Credits you have earned
• Level of rigor (AP, advanced, honors, etc.)
• Cumulative weighted and unweighted GPA
• Attendance record
• A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and U’s!!!
• Demographic information

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Transcript Review

• Confirm that all courses are reported accurately (name, grade, credit & level of rigor)
• Make sure you have completed all required courses for graduation or you are enrolled in necessary courses your senior year
• Look for Summer School, eSchool, and Ind. Study grades
• Contact your counselor immediately for any necessary corrections
• Notice the GPA – weighted and unweighted
• Notice your attendance record
• Confirm the name, address, birth date, phone number, etc. are correct

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Sample

Transcript

2. Questionnaire Completion

Counselor Questionnaire

The counselor questionnaire

• helps the counselor describe you in detail on a recommendation letter
• is intended to elicit information about a student that is not evident from transcripts and test scores
• should be personal and include information about you beyond the classroom or school setting
• When to submit?
• September 1st for October deadlines
• September 15th for Nov 1 deadline
• October 15th for Dec 1 & later deadlines

Due by

Sept. 15th

Submit to GC

Teacher Questionnaire

The teacher questionnaire

• helps teachers remember specifics from when you were in their class
• should be given to someone you feel knows you well as a student
• should be given to someone with whom you have a good relationship
• is designed to assist a teacher in writing a recommendation letter that does include specific about you as a student

Due by

Sept. 15th

to Teachers

Parent Questionnaire

The parent questionnaire

• is optional
• is available on the website to electronically copy and fill out or to print
• is an opportunity for parents/guardians to share information that their child may not consider
• should be submitted to the appropriate counselor through email

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Due by

Sept. 15th

to Counselors

3. Prospective Colleges

Research individual colleges and make a list of specific requirements for each.

Research

Compare Schools

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Review school websites

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Attend campus visits

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Collegedata.com

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College Board Big Future

Attend College Fairs

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Talk to admissions officers

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NACAC

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GoToCollegeFairs.com

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College Fair Worksheet

Get Organized

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Compile information

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Organization Template

How many schools?

Quality is more important than quantity.

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• 1-2 dream
• 2-3 reach - in and out-of-state
• 2-3 safety - at least one in-state (KEES $)

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Admissions criteria and essays can vary by institution. Applying to a high number of schools will increase your stress so make sure to find a balance that works for you.

Graduation vs Admission Requirements

Some state universities have different high school graduation and college entry requirements than Kentucky. Examples of out-of-state requirements may include

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• 4 years of Social Studies
• 4 years of Science
• Pre-Calculus

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Each college/university sets their own admissions requirements.

Finding the right fit

Typical Factors

• Intended Major, Cost, Size, Setting, Location

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Students often say these opportunities were factors that helped them make decisions.

• Honors Colleges (Honors Housing, Seminars, Advantages, unique instructional methods)
• Travel/Study Abroad
• Renewable Scholarships
• Research at the Freshman Level
• Study Communities - Housed by Majors/Areas of Interest (Freshman Interest Groups or FIGs)
• Freshman level courses taught by full professors, not graduate assistants (GA’s)
• Rock Star Effect - One of the top students on a public school campus vs one of the top students on a selective campus with other top students

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4. Recommendations

How to Request a Recommendation

Teacher Recommendation

Email Request to the Teacher

• Subject Line: Student Last Name, First Name SENIOR COLLEGE APPLICATION MATERIALS
• Attach completed teacher questionnaire
• Include a list of the schools where you are applying
• Include the deadlines for each school

Counselor Recommendation

Recommendation Request Form

• The Google form will be located in the 2024 Google Classroom
• It should be submitted each time a recommendation letter is needed
• The form must include where, how, and when you need to have the recommendation sent
• Give counselors as much notice as you possibly can - minimum of 10 days.

5. Application Completion

Filling out and submitting the best possible college application along with required documentation by set deadlines.

The College Application process…

How to Apply

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Ordering transcripts and test scores

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Writing and submitting essays

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College Application Submission

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Two Ways to Apply

Multi-Application Platform

• The Common App
• The Black Common App
• The Coalition App
• QuestBridge
• SendEdu
• ApplyWeb

School-Specific Application

• Some institutions that require students to apply using their website for a direct application process (ex. MIT, Georgetown).
• Others will allow students to choose the application method.

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• Over 900 college/universities in membership
• Extensive application that includes:
• Minimum one Essay
• Counselor & teacher recommendations
• Other detailed information
• College application fees still apply
• Fee waivers apply also
• Takes (some) several weeks to complete
• First-time applicant guide is helpful

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The College Essay includes…

• Admission Essays
• The Common App requires completion of one essay prompt
• Scholarship Essays
• You may be able to use the same essay for both
• Essays should demonstrate
• Writing ability
• Ability to build and support and argument
• Demonstrate if applicant is a “good fit”

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7 Tips for Crafting Your Best Essay!

• Brainstorm your strengths.
• Create an outline to organize your thoughts and use it to build your first draft.
• Develop a three-part essay: introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion.
• Take a specific angle on how your personal qualities relate to the essay question. Everything you write should support your viewpoint.
• Be honest and true to yourself, rather than write what you think readers want to hear.
• Share your draft with others (family, teachers, mentors) for feedback.
• Fix errors and proofread, it is a good idea to have others proofread as well.

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And the most important thing: Don’t plagiarize or take too much inspiration from an online source.

Transcript ordering

Parchment is an online transcript ordering system that allows students to submit and track transcripts.

Click for step-by-step instructions on how to order transcripts from Parchment

• All transcript requests should be submitted via Parchment.com
• Account set-up is required, you must initially use your JCPS email account when you register. You should update it to a personal (and accessible) email address after initial set-up.
• If you have already created a Parchment account, you will need to delete that one and instead use the information sent to your JCPS student email.
• There is no fee for JPCS to send transcripts to colleges/universities via Parchment
• Seniors can order a self-view transcript now.
• Request orders AFTER you have completed a transcript review

PARCHMENT ORDERS MAY BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 1

Mid-Year Reports and Final Transcripts

• Some colleges (and all that use the Common Application) require a mid-year report and all colleges require a final transcript.
• Colleges want to make sure you continue to excel in your classes and that your schedule is consistent with what you reported at the time of your application.
• Mid-Year Reports are available in mid-January and reflect all the courses and grades you took senior year first semester.
• Final Transcripts are available in mid-June and reflect all the courses and grades you took senior year second semester.

Sending Test �Scores

• If your college/university requires official scores: Requests must be sent directly from The College Board for SAT and ACT for ACT scores.
• Students may have already sent test scores during their ACT or SAT registration, these scores DO NOT need to be sent again
• To submit new requests, log on to the College Board website at www.collegeboard.com; or the ACT website at www.actstudent.org
• There is a fee to send test scores directly from ACT or College Board
• All ACT scores are listed on the Parchment transcript

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College Application Submission

• The Manual Counseling department suggests application submissions take place by Nov 1st. This will place your application in an earlier window while also allowing you to focus on end of semester exams and scholarship applications. BE AWARE: This is only a suggested deadline. Check each specific school for their deadlines for admission and scholarships as the date may be earlier.
• Is the scholarship or Honors College application separate from the application for admission?
• Check college scholarship deadlines – many December (or sooner) deadlines.

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Submit applications for admission by Nov. 1st

Getting Admitted to Highly Selective Schools

Remain focused on your academics. Academic rigor, GPA, and quality of senior year schedule are at the top of the important criteria for admission.

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Admissions staff look for indications of student: character, commitment, cultural awareness, sense of community, motivation and concern for others. Choose wisely when requesting recommendations and writing essays as these are the main mechanisms to demonstrate if you are a good fit for the college.

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Participation in extracurricular activities and athletics demonstrate leadership and involvement.

Highlight them on your application in order of importance and significance based on evidence

of leadership and time commitment.

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Communicate your interest at every opportunity. Use visits to campus, college fairs and contact

admissions officers to stay connected and make good impressions.

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*Be aware that social media can affect your admissions status

Attention - Student Athletes!!!

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WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY CENTER?

» A unit within the NCAA responsible for evaluating and certifying college-bound student-athletes for collegiate competition at Division I and II schools.

» Focus on:

o Academic preparedness.

o Sports participation.

o High school courses.

o Customer service.

» If students want to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school, they must meet NCAA Eligibility Center:

o Academic initial-eligibility requirements.

o Amateurism requirements.

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NCAA (Eligibility Center) vs. NAIA

Two different paths to register for post-secondary athletics

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Registration is dependent on college selection and the division of play (D1, D2, etc)

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TWO ACCOUNT TYPES

Profile Page Account and Certification Account

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Register for either account at eligibilitycenter.org.

FREE PROFILE PAGE ACCOUNT

• Students interested in a Division III school or currently are not sure in which division they want to compete.

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• No registration fee to create

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• a Profile Page account.

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• Transition to a paid Certification account at any time your student opts to pursue a Division I or II path.

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CERTIFICATION ACCOUNT

Students must be certified by NCAA Eligibility Center to compete at a Division I or II school.

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Registration fee:

» Domestic students: $90.

» International students $150.

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Before students take official visits or sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI), they must have a complete (paid) Certification account.

The NAIA Eligibility Center - PlayNAIA.org

Responsible for determining the NAIA eligibility of first-time student-athletes.

Students must receive an eligible decision by the NAIA Eligibility Center prior to competing for the first-time in the NAIA, and all NAIA schools are bound by the center’s decisions.

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Every student interested in playing sports at NAIA colleges for the first time needs to register online with the NAIA Eligibility Center and receive an eligible determination. This applies to high school seniors and transfers from both two- and four-year colleges.

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NAIA Eligibility Center at PlayNAIA.org

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Registration costs for students are as follows:

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US/Canada high school: $90

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International: $150

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This is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee and includes all services for the student type. Additional fees may be assessed if your student type changes.

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6. Financial Planning

The Financial Planning Conversation

It is important to discuss the financial resources available to you for higher education with your family.

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• Have honest conversations about your current financial situation and then narrow down your realistic college options

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• Research the cost of attending college including: tuition, fees, housing, AND associated costs like transportation and books

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• Families can use net price calculators (all colleges are required to post these on their website) and the federal student aid estimator to help in pre-planning

Types of Aid

FAFSA

• FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• BIG changes for the 2024-2025 application year (more information to come).
• The form requests your financial information for the previous calendar year.
• Colleges use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work study programs.
• The State and Federal government will use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal and state grants and loans.
• The FAFSA itself does not award financial aid – it just serves as a calculation and reporting service that provides documentation to colleges and universities that they in turn use to determine eligibility for the awarding of financial aid.
• If a student seeks any amount of financial aid from a college/university, the FAFSA must be completed first.
• Go ahead and create your FSA ID if you haven’t already.

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*The FAFSA application window opens late December 2023 *

CSS Profile

CSS stands for College Scholarship Service.

• The CSS Profile is an application distributed by the college board based on institutional methodology. The FAFSA is based on federal methodology.
• It is primarily designed to give private member (college/university) institutions of the College Board a closer look into the finances of a student and family.
• It is much more detailed and more time consuming than the FAFSA.
• Generally, highly selective colleges with early acceptance programs use the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.
• There is a fee to submit this document.

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Find out more about the CSS Profile at https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

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Questbridge

Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feel that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach?

The National College Match application gives you extra space to tell your unique story as a student who has excelled academically despite financial hardship.

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Who should apply?

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Deadline: September 26th, 2023

(Application opens August 1st)

Match Scholarship Recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $200,000. Our college partners use a combination of their own funds as well as state and federal aid to fund the scholarship.

What does it cover?

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Books and supplies
• Travel expenses

All Match Scholarship packages:

• Have NO parental contribution
• Have NO student loans
• May contain a student contribution in the form of Federal work-study, summer work, or student savings

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KEES Money & Academic Common Market

Each Kentucky high school student has the opportunity to earn scholarship money through the KEES scholarship.

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• Money earned based on GPA, ACT score(s) and/or free/reduced lunch status
• Bonuses can be earned based on AP test scores for fee waiver students
• May be used at any KY college/university.
• May not be used at out-of-state schools unless school is listed on Academic Common Market website
• The Academic Common Market allows students to pay in-state tuition at an out-of-state school if major isn’t offered in Kentucky, 15 institutions participate, students must remain in the major to receive in-state tuition.
• MUST HAVE SSN ON FILE TO BE ELIGIBLE!!! If you haven’t submitted your student’s SS Card, please send it in with them as soon as possible. It goes to our records clerk, Ms. Whitney Scott, in the Manual Counseling Office.

Financial Aid - KHEAA Information

Steven Held - KHEAA Representative

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CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

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Access Code:

Scholarship Search Tips

• Visit the scholarship page for your chosen college or university, most of your scholarship money will come from them
• Use the GoRamsGo newsletter (updated weekly) and community scholarship websites such as Community Foundation of Louisville to find scholarships
• Create an account(s) with scholarship search engines such as: GoingMerry, Fastweb and Scholarships.com
• Create a separate email address for scholarships
• Be strategic when choosing which scholarships to apply for, find ones that are more specific to your unique characteristics
• Create a plan and follow deadlines
• JCPS has a video presentation led by former Manual/YPAS counselor, Dennis Robinson to help guide you through the process

find it linked here

Academic institutions are the largest source of student aid

Additional Resources

NCAA

Guide for students interested in playing sports at the collegiate level.

AP Credit Search

Search college and university AP policies in one location.

Academic Common Market

Search majors not offered at Kentucky institutions.

Fair Opportunity Project

It’s the biggest planet in our Solar System and also the fourth-brightest object in the sky

The College Circuit

A Complete Guide to Higher Education and Financial Aid (KHEAA)

Essays

College Essay Workbook

Brainstorming Worksheet #1

Brainstorming Worksheet #2

Samples

During the college application process many students experience stress and anxiety.

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It is ok to take a break from the process and even to get a little off track with the plan.

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Share your experiences during this process with your loved ones and school staff (counselors, teachers) so that they can support you.

With Love & Care,

Your Counselors

Thanks!

Have additional questions?

Contact your student’s counselor directly

E-mail

Phone: 502-485-8241

dupontmanualcounseling.com

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