1	Ready…. Set…. GO! A College Information Session for Seniors Jackson Preparatory School September 23, 2008
2	Check the Website frequently www.jacksonprep.net Scholarship Announcements College Recruiters Visiting Prep Upcoming events/meetings Links to ACT/SAT/ CommonApp/Fafsa
3	What you should be doing right now: Meet with college counselor if you have not already done so Begin narrowing down your preliminary list of colleges Meet with college reps visiting on our campus. Visit college campuses Begin working on applications, essays, scholarships Complete all testing (Send scores directly to colleges and to Prep) ACT SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I) SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II)
4	Continue With a Strong Academic Record ! But GPA and Test Scores aren’t everything in an admission or scholarship decision
5	Athletes Register with NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Print out permission to release transcript to clearinghouse and bring to counseling office Send out letters to coaches with athletic resume
6	Remember the School Code: 251-398
7	Completing Applications for schools that do not require essays or recommendations Complete application on-line Submit application fee Request transcript from counseling office Have ACT/SAT scores sent electronically from testing agency Complete housing forms at appropriate time Print a copy of everything for your files **Submit scholarship/financial applications by deadline dates
8	Admission Requirements In-state public universities GPA for admission is re-calculated by the college using 4.0 scale GPA is based on core college prep curriculum 2.0 GPA & 18 ACT (minimum)
9	Mississippi State University Application for Admission is used for Freshman Academic Scholarships Deadline is Feb. 1 Deadline for consideration for Schillig, Presidential Scholarships is Dec. 1 Complete listing of scholarships Available at admissions.msstate.edu
10	University of Mississippi Application for admission is used for all scholarship applications. Deadline for scholarship applications is Feb. 1 Separate application is required for Honors College, Croft Institute, Lott Leadership Institute, etc.
11	University of Southern Mississippi Application for admission used for Academic Excellence Scholarships Presidential Scholarship deadline – Jan 5
12	For all schools: Be sure to check literature from the college for a complete listing of all scholarships available with eligibility requirements and deadlines
13	For selective schools requiring essays and recommendations: Make an individual folder for each school List all deadlines. Adhere to the counseling office deadlines. Visit college counselor to discuss deadlines, essays, recs, etc. – bring all application materials Separate parts of the application. Complete information on top of each part Distribute forms to the proper persons
14	Most applications to selective schools will have: Students information with essay (some will have part I, part II) Teacher Evaluations (l or 2) Secondary School Report (Counselor’s Rec) Mid-year Report (bring to college counselor)
15	The Common Application Download from www.commonapp.org Used by over 350 colleges & universities Can file electronically or print out and mail Fill out ONE complete application Save original. Send copies to all schools. When completing on-line, just click on which schools to receive application Most schools have an additional supplement
16	Using the Common App: Student can send his/her part electronically or print and mail Teacher/counselor/transcript must go by mail Should use Common App if you are applying to more than one school that subscribes to this service.
17	Prep is not prepared to send electronic transcripts. Info from school must be all electronic or all paper. SO…… Print out forms for teacher, counselor, mid-year report. Student may apply on-line, but everything else from school will be mailed
18	Letters of Recommendation Request early (give 3-4 weeks notice) Usually should be teacher of academic subject in junior or senior year Provide resume or profile to teacher Provide information on purpose of letter (admission, scholarship) and to whom it should be addressed Give clear instructions on how letter should be sent Give definite deadline for submission
19	Remember to Request transcript in counseling office when you submit paper application or after electronically submitting application Keep a copy of everything you send out!!!
20	How Many Applications Should I Send? 1-3 “reach” schools 1-3 “appropriate” or “target” schools 1-3 “safety” schools
21	Types of Admission Rolling (apps read as they come in) Early Decision/Early Action (~ Nov l, Nov. 15)) Early Decision (Binding) Early Action (Non-binding) Early Action Single Choice (Non-binding) Regular Admission (~Jan – Feb) Candidates are notified on/before April 1 Must decide and reply by May l
22	Admission Decisions Early Decision/Early Action Admitted Rejected Deferred Regular Decision Admitted Rejected Wait-Listed
23	Reply by May 1
24	Scholarships/Financial Aid Financial Aid Meeting for Jr. and Sr. Parents: November 20, 7 p.m., Guyton Lyceum Representative from Education Service Foundation (ESF) will present program
25	Scholarships Merit Based (academic, talent, community service, athletics) Institutional (Colleges & Universities) Usually are the largest awards Some require separate applications; some use admission application Check for scholarship deadlines. Important!! Corporate, Organizational (Rotary, Coca-Cola, etc.) Check websites, bulletin daily Some are based on financial need
26	MTAG/MESG All Seniors should apply! Apply on-line after February 2009 (www.ihl.state.ms.us) Prep will send in GPA’s for all students, on 4.0 scale, calculated on all subjects that count toward graduation ACT scores will be sent directly from the testing agency If using SAT for eligibility, send a copy of SAT score report
27	MTAG: Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant 15 ACT 2.5 GPA $500 first 2 years $1,000 last 2 years
28	MESG: Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant 29 ACT or 1280 SAT 3.5 GPA $2,500 per year, renewable for 4 years Must maintain 3.5 GPA in college
29	Financial Aid Loans, Grants, Work Study Must complete FAFSA (based on 2007 tax return) Some require CSS Profile & an institutional form
30	How Financial Aid is Calculated FAFSA determines ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) Total Cost of Attendance – EFC = Amount of Financial Need Amount of Need will vary according to the cost of attendance. EFC will not vary.
31	Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
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