This document provides guidance and timelines for Algonac High School seniors regarding their post-secondary education planning. It outlines details about college applications, financial aid, scholarships, ACT/SAT testing, and timelines for specific tasks throughout their senior year. Students are expected to have a post-secondary plan on file with their guidance counselor prior to graduation.

1. WELCOME to Algonac High School Seniors Post Secondary Planning Meeting

2. To Contact the Class of 2010 Guidance Counselor Mrs. Karen Blair 10 th , 11 th and 12 th Grade Students (810) 794-4911 ext. 1282 [email_address]

3. Visit the AHS Counseling Center Website Go to the ACS website at www.algonac.k12.mi.us Click on the High School Click on the Counseling Center

4. PARENT CONNECT Parents may view all student data online at www.algonac.k12.mi.us – “Parent Connect” Up-to-date attendance information. Current grades and missing assignments Classroom announcements and more! Get information on username and password from the AHS Main Office Student CONNECT is also available! See Mrs. Blair for STUDENT CONNECT login info!

5. AHS Ranking System AHS Ranking System Suma Cum Laude: 4.0 – 3.67 Magna Cum Laude: 3.66 – 3.3 Cum Laude: 3.29 – 3.0 Ten (10) Summa Cum Laude speakers will be selected to compete for the opportunity to speak at graduation. The rubric is as follows: 1. Overall Grade Point Average 2. ACT Score 3. Class Selection Rigor These ten candidates will be invited to audition in front of a selection committee if they wish to be one of three speakers at graduation.

6. College Applications Apply Online! Visit the AHS Counseling Center Web Page for links to all colleges & universities in Michigan. http://www.algonac.k12.mi.us/ahs/counseling.php Complete all required steps for applying and PRINT THE COUNSELOR PAGE for Mrs. Blair to complete! Drop that off at the AHS Counseling Center. Mrs. Blair will complete the counselor recommendation portion, and mail it with an official transcript, and a copy of the students highest ACT score. Mrs. Blair will keep a record of the date your application was sent out, you can check with her anytime.

7. More on the college application … Optional information may be included, such as … Letters of recommendation List of accomplishments while in high school Record of involvement in school and community Record of honors and/or awards earned while in high school Most college applications have an application fee ranging from $35 - $40. Some colleges grant fee waivers if the student attends a college fair or open house. Community college applications are FREE!

8. College Visitation (Off-Campus) Seniors are allowed two college visit days. These visits will be marked as school business. These visits can be arranged through most college/universities official websites. In order to use these days, we require that a parent/guardian call in their student and excuse him/her for that day. Your senior needs to get official documentation from the college that they were in attendance. That documentation needs to be turned into the attendance office, where the absence will be changed the school business.

9. College Visitation (On-Campus) The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges in the State of Michigan. Representatives from the respective college will set up a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant. Seniors are allowed four (4) on-campus college visits . The absence will be marked as school business. College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Counseling Center.

11. St. Clair County Community College (SC4) College Night Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood Avenue Information Sessions First Session -- 6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Second Session – 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

12. Annette Maxwell – RESA Higher Education Consultant Higher Education Consultant at St. Clair County RESA (810) 455-4261 [email_address] She will be hosting seminars for parents at AHS in the up-coming months Tuesday, October 6, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. AHS Media Center “Parents, College and Kids” Workshop.

13. Free College Survival Kit 2010 Parents and Seniors Get help organizing your college related materials Register for one of these “Parent, Kids and College Workshops” Last one is tomorrow Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009 Session 1 (4:30 – 6:00 p.m.) Session 2 – (7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ) Workshops are at ST Clair TEC, rooms 120A Call or email Annette Maxwell (810)455-4261 Email Maxwell.Annette@sccresa.org

14. Financial Aid Basics Scholarships(free money) – does not have to be paid back TWO KINDS -- Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in school and community, character Need Based – based on parents financial situation (income, assets, debts) Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid back (based on income) FAFSA Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized (borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest)

15. What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid ) is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.

16. How do you complete the FAFSA? Filling out the FAFSA, and applying for student financial aid is free . The official website is www.fafsa.ed.gov Michigan Priority Deadline March 1, 2010 College Goal Sunday – Feb 14, 2010 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org

17. Other Forms of Financial Aid Check out your college’s financial aid website You can also check out these resources: www.studentaid.ed.gov http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid www.students.gov www.fastweb.com Check out your affiliations – employers, unions, religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available The AHS Counseling Center Newsletter is available at the AHS website – www.algonac.k12.mi.us

19. Local Scholarships Packet will be distributed January of 2010 to all seniors. Deadline will be mid- March 2010. Over 49 local scholarships in the Local Scholarship Packet Over $43,000 in scholarship money given away Addition packet for students who reside on Harsens Island Students need two (2) letters of recommendation Need and merit based scholarships in packet Mrs. Blair – local scholarship coordinator

20. What is the ACT? The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in: English, math, reading & science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests and a 30-minute Writing Test. ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities. The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks (or just over four hours if you are taking the Writing Test). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the Writing Test). Highest score is 36

21. ACT Dates 2009/10 Test Date Registration Deadline w/Late Fee September 12, 2009 August 7, 2009 Aug 8 – 21, 2009 October 24, 2009 Sept 18, 2009 Sept 19 – Oct 2, 2009 December 12, 2009 Nov 6, 2009 Nov 7-20, 2009 February 6, 2010 Jan 5, 2010 Jan 6-15, 2010 April 10, 2010 March 5, 2010 March 6 – 19, 2010 June 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 8-21, 2010 Register online at www.actstudent.org

22. ACT Fees Basic Fee (No Writing) $32.00 ACT (Plus Writing) $47.00 Late Fee $21.00 Additional colleges $9.00 each Test date change $20 Test center change $20 Standby testing $41 Viewing Scores Online Free

23. Post Secondary Planning In an effort to ensure that all students have the tools necessary to continue their education beyond high school, the staff of Algonac High School has developed a strategy to assist all seniors with post- secondary education planning. Beginning with the class of 2009, all seniors will have a post-secondary plan on file with their guidance counselor prior to graduation. The individualized plans will be developed collaboratively with the student and will include as much information as possible to prepare the student for their education after high school. This post-secondary education plan may include any of the following:  A plan for post-graduate study at a college or university  Post-graduate study at a trade or technical school  Involvement with or acceptance to any branch of the United States Armed Forces For students planning to transition directly from high school to the work place, assistance will also be provided in resume writing and interviewing skills.

24. Timelines for the senior year September 2009 All seniors will attend a presentation in the counseling center. If your student has additional questions, he or she should meet with the counselor. The student should get started on applications right away especially if they plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action programs. Deadlines for early applications tend to fall in October or November. Students should start working on college essays. They should write essays that focus on experiences and make them stand out from the crowd. Student should update their "resume" -- list accomplishments, involvements, and work experiences -- with the senior year activities. The resume will help the student complete the applications and essays.

25. Senior Year – October 2009 Gather letters of recommendation. Student should ask counselor, teachers, and coaches, or employers for letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of time to meet the deadlines and be sure to give them a list of your activities & accomplishments. Take ACT/SAT tests. If you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action program, be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible. Applying online might be the right option for you. Look for scholarships – Counseling Center, with search engines like Fast Web, through community and parental involvement.

26. Senior Year - November 2009 Student should submit early decision and early action applications on time. Student should work hard at completing college essays. Proofreading them rigorously for mistakes. Mail applications as early as possible for colleges with "rolling" deadlines (admission decisions are made as applications are received). Take /ACTSAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges. Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.

27. Senior Year - December 2009 Students should try to wrap up college applications before Christmas break. Make copies of each application before they are sent. Take ACT/SAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges. Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month. Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.

28. Senior Year – January 2010 Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month. Some colleges include first-semester grades as part of your application folder. This is called the mid-year grade report. Student shoud have the counselor send grades to colleges that require them. Complete FAFSA.

29. Senior Year – February/March 2010 Student should contact colleges to confirm that all necessary application materials have been received. Encourage students not to get senioritis! Colleges want to see strong second half grades. Some admissions decisions arrive this month. Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on the student and parent’s part. Attend FAFSA workshop – College Goal Sunday at SC4 – Feb 14, 2010

30. Senior Year – April 2010 Most admissions decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on your part. Make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school the student selects before May 1 (the enrollment deadline for most schools). Notify each of the schools to which student was accepted that he or she will not be attending in writing so that the spot can be freed up for another student. On the waiting list? Contact the admissions office and let them know of continued interest in the college and update them on spring semester grades and activities.

31. Senior Year – May & June 2010 May 2010 -- AP Exams are administered. May 2010 -- Finalize housing plans. Friday, June 4, 2010 – last day for exam exempt seniors Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – June 7, 8 & 9, 2010 Senior Exams Thursday, June 10, 2010 Graduation Practice Friday, June 11, 1010 – Senior Awards Assembly – beginning at 8:00 a.m. AHS Gymnasium Friday, June 11, 2020 - Graduation June 11, 2010 – beginning at 7:00 p.m. Truman Pippel Stadium