Applying to Colleges

1
Where am I going?
2
Knowhow2gowisconsin.org
3
WICareerPathways.org

• Resource for career pathways and programs or
  study for both Technical Colleges and
  Universities.

4
UW HELP

• www.Uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
• Admissions Information
• Career Information
• Placement Testing Information
• And MORE!

5
Minnesota National College Fair

• Minnesota National College FairMinneapolis
  Convention CenterTuesday, October 7 900 am -
  1200 pm
• 430 pm - 800 pmWednesday, October 8 900 am
  - 1200 pm
• www.nationalcollegefairs.org

6
Wisconsin Educational Fair

• Zorn Arena UW-Eau Claire
• Sept 30 630-830 pm
• October 1 9-11 am

7
Tips for Visiting College Campuses

• Contact the admissions office for your visit
• Visit when school is in session
• Verify you meet college admission requirements
• Determine college cost
• Attend a class if possible
• Tour the campus

8
How do I get there?
9
What are colleges looking for?

• RIGOROUS Course load! Do not catch senioritis!
• Leadership Qualities
• Diversity
• Non-academic Achievement
• Positive Influence to their campus

10
Applying to College

• Apply on-line
• MN State College or Technical College
  www.mnscu.edu
• UW Wisconsin Colleges www.apply.wisconsin.edu
• Wisconsin Technical Colleges www.witechcolleges.o
  rg
• Pay Application Fee (on-line)
• Request Transcripts through the Counseling
  Office.

11
Transcripts

• Your transcript is a contract indicating that you
  will complete all courses you are enrolled.

12
ACT/SAT Scores

• ACT/SAT Scores sent by BWHS are unofficial. Some
  colleges will accept ACT sent via BWHS for
  admission purposes, but you may need to request
  official scores from ACT at www.act.org or SAT at
  www.collegeboard.com.

13
ACT Register at https//services.actstudent.org

Test Date Registration Deadline
October 23 Sept 19
December 13 Nov 7
14
ACT Mobile APPs
15
Letters of Recommendation 2 letters

• Ask someone who can attest to your academic
  ability, especially in the areas of Math,
  English, and Science.
• Ask someone who can attest to your leadership and
  non-academic achievement.
• Can not be a relative!
• Can be e-mailed to the college.

16
The Applicant Statement Tell me who you are and
how you got there.

• VERY IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION!
• For some colleges, this is the scholarship
  application as well.
• Write about personal experiences, people who have
  influenced you, and/or why you are a good fit for
  this college.

17
Transfer Information System

• www.Tis.uwsa.edu/
• This is a web-based interactive program that
  allows students to see how credits will transfer
  to any UW or Wisconsin Technical College campus.

18
NCAA

• https//web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter

19
What does an education cost?
High School
Cost
Technical college degree (WITC) About 120/credit 2-year degree about 8,000 1-year degree about 4,500
Public 4-year College degree ( University of Wisconsin- River Falls) About 400/credit 4-year degree all inclusive about 102,000
Private 4-year College degree (University of St. Thomas) About 1000/credit 4-year degree all inclusive about 163,000
Baldwin-Woodville
20
Selective Service

• 18 year-old males must register with the
  selective service in order to qualify for federal
  student loans or grants. You can register online
  at www.sss.gov.

21
FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Apply on-line for student loans, work-study, and
  grants by completing the FAFSA (Free Application
  for Student Aid) as soon as possible after
  January 1.
• Both student and parent need to apply for a PIN
  (electronic signature) at www.pin.ed.gov.

22
www.fafsa.gov

• Never pay a fee to file the FAFSA

23
HOW IS FINANCIAL AID DETERMINED? Cost of
Attendance - Expected Family Contribution
Need
23
24
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

• Federal and State Grants
• Scholarships
• Institutional Aid
• Loans
• Employment Opportunities

24
25
Local Financial Aid Meetings

• Plan to attend local Financial Aid Meetings held
  at local colleges (UWRF, WITC-NR, etc.) or
  College Goal Sunday.

26
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

• http//www.bwsd.k12.wi.us/highschool/SitePages/Cou
  nseling20Office.aspx

27
Scholarship Resources

• Financial Aid Office of your college
• On-line data bases Collegeboard.com.
  fastaid.com, Studentaid.ed.gov, Fastweb.com,
  Petersons.com
• BW Counseling Webpage
• Local Businesses
• Civic Organizations
• Your parents employers

28
DONT GET STUNG!

• Scams net 5 million annually
• 350,000 students/parents affected
• Selling what you can get for free
• Never pay to find a scholarship

National Fraud Information Center
1-800-382-4357
28
29
Books about Scholarships

• How to go to College for Almost Free
• Free for College for Dummies
• Kaplan Scholarships
• The Scholarship Book
• College Board Scholarship Handbook
• Petersons Scholarships, Grants Prizes

30
Completing scholarship applications/applicant
statements

• Follow the directions
• Proofread your essay
• Ask someone else to proofread your essay
• Make sure your e-mail address is appropriate (not
  hotgirl_at_yahoo.com, etc.)

31
Academic Portfolio

• A single to go resource to complete college
  applications, scholarships and financial aid.
• Includes School records, health records,
  standardized test scores, awards, personal
  assessment resume, etc.

32
Independent Study Opportunity

• Create an Academic Portfolio
• http//www.bwsd.k12.wi.us/highschool/teachers/ksme
  stad/Academic20Portfolio/Forms/AllItems.aspx

33
Questions We can help!

• Mrs. Smestad
• ksmestad_at_bwsd.k12.wi.us
• 715 684 3321 x113
• Mrs. Pagel
• rpagel_at_bwsd.k12.wi.us
• 715 684 3321 x125