Minnesota College Application Week is now College Knowledge Month!

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Minnesota College Application Week is now
College Knowledge Month!
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Session Overview

• College Application Week Historical Background
• Impact and Implications of 2012 CAW in MN
• A Look Ahead the Transition from CAW to CKM
• College Admission Insights Use of Volunteers
• High School Site Coordinator Insights Cooper HS

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Historical Background

• The original Minnesota College Application Week
  was based on the development of college access
  initiatives that have occurred in North
  Carolina.
• North Carolina created a statewide education
  collaboration with a primary goal to increase
  the college-going rate in the state.
• One of the most effective means of achieving that
  goal
• Increase college access for those who are the
  first generation in their families to attend
  college.

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What is a Statewide Education Collaboration?

• Loosely defined, a statewide education
  collaboration
• is created when the educational partners within a
  state
• are working in unison toward an identified goal
• (in this case, increasing access to a college
  education).
• - public schools
• - public colleges and universities
• private colleges and universities
• community colleges
• state government

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• About the American Council on Education
• ACE represent the presidents of U.S. accredited,
  degree-granting institutions, which include two-
  and four-year colleges, private and public
  universities, and nonprofit and for-profit
  entities.
• ACE is consistently at the center of federal
  policy debates in areas critical to higher
  education.
• ACE addresses the rapidly changing needs of
  Americas colleges and universities by providing
  research and identifying innovative practices.

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ACAC is a college application assistance
initiative that began in a single North
Carolina high school in 2005

• ACEs American College Application Campaign is a
  national effort to increase the number of
  first-generation and low-income students pursuing
  a college degree or other higher education
  credential.
• The primary purpose of this effort is to help
  high school seniors navigate the complex college
  admissions process and ensure they apply to at
  least one postsecondary institution.
• The effort occurs during the school day, with a
  focus on students who might not otherwise apply
  to college.

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National Steering Committee formed in 2010

• American Council on Education
• U.S. Education Department
• White House Domestic Policy Council
• Lumina Foundation
• The Education Trust
• National Governors Association
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• State Higher Education Executive Officers

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Minnesota Steering Committee

• The following Minnesota organizations were
  represented on the 2012
• MN College Application Week Steering Committee
• Achieve Minneapolis
• Chicano Latino Affairs Council (CLAC)
• Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM)
• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Minnesota Association for College Admission
  Counseling (MACAC)
• Minnesota Association of Counselors of Color
  (MnACC)
• Minnesota Association of Secondary School
  Principals (MASSP)
• Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
• Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
• MN Minority Education Partnership/MN College
  Access Network (MMEP/MCAN)
• Minnesota Private College Council
• Minnesota State College and Universities (MnSCU)
• MN School Counselor Association (MSCA)
• Office of Higher Education (OHE)
• Parents United
• University of Minnesota

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The Proclamation
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State Participation Growing

• After North Carolina started the program in 2005,
  South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, West
  Virginia, Florida and Colorado followed.
• In 2011, Kentucky, Michigan and Minnesota were
  added to the ranks.
• 2012 saw the inclusion of Arizona, Delaware,
  Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana,
  Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia,
  Washington, Wisconsin and the District of
  Columbia.
• The goal is to have a total of 35 states and
  territories on board for 2013.

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In 2012, ACAC programs took place in almost 1,600
schools in 24 states and the District of Columbia
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Minnesota Impact Implications
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Impact in 2012

• 106 high schools and 5 adult basic education
  centers statewide
• Approximately 16,000 students served
• 185 volunteers
• Associated with about 25,000 applications
• matriculation unknown

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Impact in 2012

• 64
• Very helpful in establishing college-going
  culture
• additional 30 reported it being somewhat helpful
• 69
• Successful at helping under-represented seniors
  complete at least one college application
• additional 30 reported it being somewhat
  successful

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Volunteers in 2012

• 44
• Heard about the opportunity through MACAC
• 69
• Very positive ratings from volunteers
• additional 26 reported being somewhat positive
• 90
• Willing to volunteer for the event again
• additional 7 unsure

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Application fees

• Dropping past focus on week-specific waivers
• Emphasizing instead waivers and fee-free options
  that are year round
• Ensuring we have clear and consistent information
  for all schools and students

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Application fees

• As of today, for Minnesotas public and private
  nonprofit colleges, we know most either
• Waive fees through NACAC form for eligible
  students based on family income and
  circumstances, or
• Have fee-free application options, especially
  online
• U of M private nonprofit colleges covered by
  that language
• MnSCU working to clarify position of its 2- and
  4-year institutions expects language to cover
  most

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Reminder on importance

• 89
• Minnesotans agreeing that the number one goal
  of high schools should be preparing almost all
  students to enter and succeed at some type of
  education after high school

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Reminder on importance
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A Look Ahead Transitioning to College Knowledge
Month in 2013
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College Knowledge Month Frequently Asked
Questions (handout)

• Why was College Application Week changed to
  College Knowledge Month?
• What does this mean for a participating school?
• What are the expectations for participating
  schools and site coordinators?
• What support will participating schools and site
  coordinators receive?

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www.CollegeinColorado.org
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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MN Office of Higher EducationExpanded
Integration of CKM Initiative _at_ OHE Website
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Planning Timeline

• June 15 Preferred Site Registration Deadline
• August 2 Volunteer Registration Deadline
• August 12 Site Coordinator Resource Manual
  available online notified by email
• August 12 Site Coordinator Training Webinar
  available online notified by email
• September 1 Site Coordinators receive volunteer
  contact information
• September 20 Site Coordinator Training Session
  (900 am 1200 pm)

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Site Registration _at_ OHE website preferred
deadline 6/15/13
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Volunteer Registration _at_ MACAC website
preferred deadline 8/2/13
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Insights from College Admissions

• The Impetus for Improving College Access
• Challenge 1 Changing demographics
• Majority of the projected growth is among
  students who are historically underrepresented in
  higher education.
• In particular, Hispanic and African-American
  students.
• Often come from lower income families and are
  likely to be the first in their family to pursue
  a postsecondary education.
• Challenge 2 The cost of college attendance and
  financial aid Issues
• Dramatically increasing costs of higher
  education.
• Declining value of federal and state grant
  programs.
• Challenge 3 Perceived obstacles
• Can I really go on to higher education? (is
  there a college for me)?
• Can I even afford to go to college?

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According to the National College Access
Network, to be successful, a college access
initiative mustaddress these five objectives

• Objective 1 Range of postsecondary
  opportunities available
• Objective 2 Affordability compensate for
  limited economic resources.
• Objective 3 Academic Preparation align/ match
  entrance requirements
• Objective 4 Aspiration need to assist
  low-income and first generation students to
  develop broadly-based educational and career
  goals that may go beyond their immediate frame of
  reference.
• Objective 5 Application streamline and
  simplify the application process for admissions
  and financial aid.
• (Tafel, 2002)

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Explore. Plan. Apply!

• Explore.
• Suggested activities
• Utilize college admissions counselor visits
• College Board https//bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
  get-started
• Princeton Review http//www.princetonreview.com/c
  olleges-majors.aspx
• NAVIANCE
• Virtual campus tours
• Schedule campus tours

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Plan.

• Suggested activities
• Have your students write down questions before
  the college representative visits
• Encourage your students to do research prior to
  the college visit
• majors and major requirements
• cost and financial aid

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Apply!

• Apply to right fit colleges and universities

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College Application Week 2012 Cooper High School
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COOPER HIGH SCHOOL New Hope, MN
Demographic Breakdown of Seniors Demographic Breakdown of Seniors
Total number of seniors 412
American Indian/Alaska Native 1
Asian 54
Black/African American 159
Hispanic/Latino 41
Two or more races 9
White 148
Free/Reduced Price Lunch 58
First Generation College Students (if you have this information) Didnt have
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How did we get started??

• Enlisted a College Application Week Committee
• College Counselor, AVID teacher, Career Center
  Director
• Attended the MDE College Application Week
  Training
• Created a list of ideas for the week
• When would we do it?
• What would we do?
• How would we do it?

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What did we do?

• Advisors facilitated advisory lessons 2 weeks
  before the event
• Volunteers signed up on the Google Docs created
  by MDE
• Made announcements in Advisory, through e-mail,
  phone dialer, intercom
• Pep-fest with Goldy and Cooper Hawk Trivia with
  college gear
• give-aways
• Sent all seniors a pass to their first hour class
• Decorated the hallways Stepping to College
  Pathway to College

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When did we do it??

• College Application Week-Nov. 14-18th
• Every period of the week starting on Monday
  during 3rd hour
• Scheduled 10-14 students per period in our
  College Application Computer Lab.
• Thursday/Friday- sent out 2nd passes to students
  who didnt show up the first time

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WELCOME TO COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK!Student
Instructions

• READY TO APPLY?

• WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

• Step 1- Log in to Naviance
• Step 2- Add colleges to Colleges Im Applying
  to List
• Step 3- Go under the college profile and choose
  Apply Online
• Step 4- Complete Application
• -Do you need a teacher recommendation?
• -Do you need to pay the fee or is it waived?
• -Do you need an essay?
• -Have you sent your ACT score yet?
• Step 5- Request transcript through Naviance

• Step 1- Check in with College Application Week
  Mentors
• Step 2- Create a plan (research colleges in
  Naviance, create a resume, career interest
  profiler)
• If you are ready to apply, follow the
  instructions.
• If you are not ready to apply, schedule an
  appointment with your counselor, college
  counselor, or visit the career center.

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Now that youve applied.whats next?

• Call or e-mail the college in 2 weeks to verify
  that your application is complete
• In January, fill out the FAFSA (Free Application
  for Federal Student Aid)
• Parent/guardian income tax information will be
  needed in this process
• If you need help with the process, come to
  Coopers Financial Aid Night (Feb. 9th) to
  receive help filling out the online form. We will
  have financial aid experts available to answer
  questions
• In March, you should receive financial aid
  packages back from the colleges/universities that
  you applied to. Many students wait to pick their
  college until they know how much it is going to
  cost them.
• May 1st is the standard deadline for housing for
  most colleges however, you should verify the
  housing deposit deadline with each individual
  college. In order to get housing, it is important
  that you have your decision and deposit completed
  by this date.
• Continue working hard in all of your classes.
  Colleges require an end of the year transcript!!

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Results at Cooper

• We met with 90 of available seniors
• Did not include PSEO or transition students
• 856 transcripts sent out
• Student application rates
• Start of week 23
• End of week 78
• 55 increase

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What about 2013College Knowledge Month?

• Ideas for improvement
• More lessons in advisory leading up to and during
  the month
• Various presenters throughout the month
• Advertise starting in September
• Staff will wear buttons Ask me about college!
• Celebration event at the end of the month

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• Explore the opportunities CKM provides!
• Plan to participate on behalf of our students!
• Apply as a site coordinator or volunteer!
• THANK YOU!!!

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Questions?

• Chris Franken College Planning Assessment,
  Eastview HS
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  (Apple Valley)
• chris.franken_at_district196.org
• Norma Gutierrez Asst . Director of Admissions,
  U of Minnesota-TC
• normag_at_umn.edu
• John Manning Dir. Marketing Comm., MN Private
  College Council
• jmanning_at_mnprivatecolleges.org
• Laura Ritter College Counselor, Robbinsdale
  Cooper HS
• Laura_Ritter_at_rdale.org