POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Class of 2025

Mr. Ferguson

A-Fl

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Mr. Crowell

Fo-La

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Mr. Pemberton

Le-Ra

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Ms. Brackett

Re-Z

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Who is your Counselor at Washburn?

The WHS CCC

WHS CAREER & COLLEGE COORDINATORS: �Wanna Sato-Perry

Erin Kottke

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CCC Location: Room 107

HOURS: Monday-Thursday

8:00am-4:00pm

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

• Post-Secondary Planning
• Everyone is at a different stage right now
• This presentation will have a college heavy focus, because the college timeline comes quickly
• More information will be given about other pathways later in the year
• It can seem overly complicated, but WHS has many people supporting you!

COUNSELORS/CCC IN THE CLASSROOM

• Periodic visits to Social Studies classroom
• Visits give info throughout the year on post-secondary planning
• Application timelines (for all post-secondary pathways)
• Financial Aid/Scholarships
• Highlight events/info sessions in the CCC
• Nuts and bolts
• These presentations will be sent to your Social Studies teacher to be posted in your class’ Google Classroom and on the WHS CCC website

WHERE ARE THESE PPTS?

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They will also be in your Social Studies class Google Classroom for future reference!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO HIGHLIGHT

• U of MN Twin Cities Info Session (Highly recommended if you plan to apply! Sign up here!)
• Monday, September 23rd at 1:15pm
• Applying to Private and/or Selective Colleges and Universities Info Session (Highly recommended if you plan to apply! Sign up here!)
• Wednesday, September 18th at 9:45am
• Thursday, September 19th at 1:30pm
• NACAC National College Fair at Convention Center
• October 22nd @ 9am-12pm & 5-8pm
• October 23rd @ 9-12pm
• CCC Sessions (More info on next slide!)
• Financial Aid Support
• Scholarships
• How Tos
• Community College/Tech Schools/Apprenticeships/Gap Years

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SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT

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Thursday, September 26th from 6:00-8:00pm

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Seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend together. The event starts in the Auditorium with optional breakout sessions to follow.

Breakout Session Topics Include:�

• Create Your FSA ID
• Common Application
• Financial Aid Timeline
• Writing an Effective Essay
• Large Regional Schools
• Scholarships

*Information will also be provided in Spanish and Somali.

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SIX COLLEGES EVENT @ WHS

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Wednesday, September 18th at 7pm

in-person at WHS in the Auditorium

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Join Six Colleges for an evening where they share the value and affordability of the liberal arts and provide specific information about:�

• Amherst College
• Bowdoin
• Carleton
• Pomona College
• Swarthmore
• Williams

RSVP at www.sixcolleges.org

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CCC Exploration Sessions

The WHS CCC is offering sessions throughout the fall for students to have intentional-structured time to explore different post-secondary pathways. Sign up HERE!

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CCC Exploration- Not thinking college? Explore other pathways: This session will be for students who want to research other options outside of high school like: gap year programs, apprenticeship, military, and short-term training opportunities!

First session is on Monday, September 16th at 1:30pm

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CCC Exploration- Finding the best fit college: Are you thinking about going to college after high school, but unsure of places to apply? Find, explore, and research schools and area of study in this session!

First session is on Monday, Oct 7th at 10:45am

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CCC Info/Work Sessions

The WHS CCC is offering multiple work sessions throughout the year for students to work on post-secondary applications and steps. Sign up HERE!

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Application Work Sessions: Intentional time during the school day to work on post-secondary applications and questions answered by Hana and Erin in the CCC.

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Common Application Info Session: Gather information on if you should utilize the Common Application and helpful tips and tricks.

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Connect Your CA to Xello and Add Schools: A session to learn and understand how to get your transcripts sent to your colleges so you have a complete application!

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Applying to Highly Selective Colleges and Universities: Understanding how to make your application stand out to highly selective colleges and universities– like UW Madison!

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Create Your FSA ID for FAFSA: Take the first step in creating your FAFSA (financial aid application if you have a SSN/eligible citizen)

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Money Mondays: Financial Aid Support for Seniors: Use this session to work through the multiple steps to complete your financial aid.

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Learn Over Lunch Sessions

The WHS CCC is offering sessions throughout the year during the all lunches These are meant for learning tasks that students may have when completing post secondary tasks. Bring your lunch to the CCC and learn about a variety of different topics. Sign up HERE!

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Tues, 9/10: Letters of Recommendation How-Tos

Tues, 9/17: Common App Activities Section

Tues, 9/24: Self Reporting Grades in Common App

Tues, 10/1: Letters of Recommendation How-Tos

Tues, 10/8: Common App Activities Section

Tues, 10/22: Self Reporting Grades in Common App

Tues, 10/29: MN Direct Admissions

Tues, 11/12: Finding Scholarships

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UNSOLICITED ADVICE

• Make informed choices, engage with the process & use resources well
• Stay organized!
• Personal email (folder system or a specific college email– you will get lots of emails with lots of info)
• Passwords (you will need to make many passwords that have to meet many requirements)
• College Planning Workbook
• Be prepared to change your mind many times
• Ask adults about their career path, regrets & philosophy toward work
• Things will work out

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College Order of Operations in a Nutshell

• Step 1: Get organized and ask questions
• Step 2: Develop your list
• Step 3: Start applications
• Step 4: Meet with counselor (will sign up today!)
• Step 5: Send ACT or SAT test scores to colleges (if choosing to send scores)
• Step 6: Complete and track applications
• Step 7: Apply for Financial Aid (Opens Dec 2024)
• Step 8: Apply for scholarships (WHS Scholarship Spreadsheet)

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Note: Your application test scores & letters of recs can be submitted separate from your application as long as they are sent in by the final deadline. If your application is complete minus these items, you can/should submit your application.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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Student

• Knows and understand deadlines
• Completes and submit applications
• Sends the ACT score (act.org)
• Request Letter(s) of Recommendation (only if required!) in person.
• Complete LOR info form for the teacher
• Makes required appointment with counselor
• Uses Xello to track that your LOR’s and transcripts have been sent

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Counselor

• Reviews schools have been added and helps student assign counselor in Xello
• Sends your transcripts and school forms using Xello
• Will assist you in making rec letter requests in Xello
• Writes LOR (if required)
• Approves fee waivers (if eligible)
• Provides guidance

GENERAL INFORMATION

• You must meet with your counselor prior to winter break
• Bring your Chromebook to your appointment with your counselor
• College application fee waivers available for students who qualify for Educational Benefits
• Must have parent/guardian fill out online form from WHS website
• For more than 3 out-of-state transcripts there will be a $5 transcript fee (collected in June)
• North Star Promise Scholarship Program
• free college tuition< $80,000

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COLLEGE APPLICATIONS INFO CONT.

• Determine which kind of application(s) you must use or want to use
• Common Application (ideal to have started prior to counselor appointment)
• Institutional Application (ex: Golden Gopher Application, MNSCU)
• Coalition Application
• Black Common App
• Unless directed to use a specific application, within admissions office, there is no advantage or disadvantage to using one over the others
• Use a professional, personal email address
• Create an organization system for ALL the college emails you will get
• Don’t rely on spellcheck
• Use Career & College Center for support

Letters of Recommendation

• If you need a LOR from teacher:
• Make sure it is required (vs. recommended) before asking
• Counselors and/or CCC will review this with you and sign a LOR authorization form to show your teacher– teachers will need to see this signed form!
• Generally, letters should come from core subject area or world language teachers (strongly recommended that you choose teachers from 11th or 12th grade). Min 2-week notice before deadline.
• Be prepared your teacher may ask you to fill out the “Letter of Recommendation form” to write the best letter for you
• Do not click “Request” in Xello until you have talked to your teacher and they agreed to write a letter of recommendation. Counselors will assist you using Xello.

Understand and Know Application Deadlines

• Early Decision: A student who applies and is accepted must attend the college. You can only apply to one school ED. Legally binding contract between student & the school. �
• Early Action/Priority: A student who applies early action will receive an early response to their application, but is not binding.�
• Regular: This is the final date you need to submit your application if you want to be accepted and receive financial aid.�
• Rolling: There is no set application deadline. Applications are being reviewed and accepted as they are received.

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Common App Things to Remember

• Use the Dashboard to click on “Application Requirements” grid to view a snapshot of requirements
• “My Colleges” Tab
• Sign FERPA Waiver
• You cannot request LOR’s here as we are a Xello school.
• You can use this area to request a non-teacher LOR
• Common App Tab
• Request Fee Waiver tab if you are eligible. Counselors will confirm.
• Education:
• Size 372
• Decile Ranking: Talk to counselor or see table/bulletin board in CCC
• Unweighted grades
• Current Courses
• We are on quarters, not semesters!
• Courses and Grades: Needed by some schools.

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Determining “Good” Schools

• A good school is one that is a good fit for you
• What is a good fit? A school where you will be happy, engaged, grow and meet your needs (educational, personal social and financial)

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MN DIRECT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

• WHS is participating in the State of MN Direct Admissions Pilot Program

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• WHS will submit your GPA to Direct Admissions and based on your GPA you will be provided a list of schools that you are automatically accepted to if you apply by the deadline

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Process of MN Direct Admissions Program

1. WHS will send you communication about the program.
2. In early October, you will be emailed a list of MN colleges and universities you have been accepted to by the program. We will notify you in class when this occurs
• GPA determines which schools will automatically accept you
3. If you are interested in applying to one of the schools on the list, you will respond and check, “Yes, I want to be accepted for admission” This does not obligate you to attend.
4. You still MUST fill out and send application and required materials by the deadline
• All application fees will be waived (some require a code)
• You still need to complete a financial aid application
• Not all MN schools are participating (U of MN TC, Carleton, Macalester, St. Olaf notably)

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DA Tiered GPA College Admittance Examples

Tier 6* (GPA 3.5>): St. Thomas, Gustavus, UM Rochester

Tier 5 (3.0-3.49): UMD, UM Morris, St. Kate’s, St. John’s/Ben’s,

MSU Mankato, MCAD, Bethel, Augsburg

Tier 4* (2.75-2.99 ): Winona State, Hamline

Tier 3 (2.75-2.99): Concordia (St. Paul), Bemidji State

Tier 2 (2.50-2.74): St. Cloud State, Dunwoody, St. Scholastica

Tier 1 (<2.50): Normandale, Minneapolis College, Henn Tech

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*Must have at least a C average in Math, English, and Science

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SIGN UP FOR CCC EVENTS

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FULL LIST OF CCC EVENTS HERE

SIGN UP FOR REQUIRED

SENIOR COUNSELOR APPOINTMENTS!

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• Appointments in September & October are suggested for students with Nov. 1st college deadlines
• November & December appointments are suggested for students applying to colleges with later deadlines, 2-year colleges, or non-college pathways
• Bring your laptop to the appointment & be ready to share about your pathway (i.e. college list, interests)

* YOU MUST SIGN IN AS A GUEST TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT *

Questions?

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