CHECKLIST - Seneca High School



CHECKLIST

(

FOR

CAREER

AND

COLLEGE

SUCCESS

2009/10

Dear Parents:

The enclosed materials have been prepared by the counselors at Seneca High School to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about college and financial aid. Please review the information and discuss it with your son or daughter. Future dates of upcoming tests and meetings might be of special interest. College and technical school applications should be turned into the guidance office by November 1st. All paper applications for schools and scholarships must go through the guidance office for review. If your student is applying online, the guidance office must be contacted after submitting the application in order to send a transcript to make the online application complete.

We realize that all students may not have a desire for further education. We have additional information on careers available in the office and on the internet site, Career Cruising in the computer lab. This site includes information on 2-year and 4-year schools, college majors and occupations, financial aid and scholarships and military careers. The uername for is seneca307, and password is irish.

If you have any questions or comments, please call us at 357-5000 or visit the guidance office. We hope to see you at parent conferences on Thursday, October 29th.

Sincerely,

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Kirk A. Houchin

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Christopher M. Jackson

Preparing for College…

Course work Requirements

Do you think you might like to go to college? Here’s some advice, especially if you think you’d like to get a bachelor’s degree.

There are over 180 colleges and universities in Illinois alone. Each decides for itself how it will select high school graduates for admission. Admission requirements vary from one college to another. You must contact each one to find out what its specific requirements are. However, the chart below will give you an idea of what type of high school course work that state colleges and universities in Illinois require.

MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION OF FRESHMEN TO ILLINOIS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

| | | | | | | |

| | |Social | |Lab |Electives |For. Lang.* |

|College |English |Studies |Math |Science |(Inc. Voc. Educ.) |& Fine Arts |

| | | | | | | |

|Chicago State University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

| | | | | | | |

|Eastern IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 | |

| | | | | | | |

|Illinois State University |4 |2 |3 |2 |2 |2 |

| | | | | | | |

|Northeastern IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

| | | | | | | |

|Northern IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

| | | | | | | |

|Southern IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

|Carbondale | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

|Southern IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

|Edwardsville | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

|University of Illinois |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

|Chicago | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

|University of Illinois |4 |2 |3.5 |2 |2 |2** |

|Champaign-Urbana | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

|Western IL University |4 |3 |3 |3 |2 |2 |

* Check the following pages for specific foreign language admission and graduation requirements for each state school.

** U of I – Champaign – all colleges require 3 semesters of college foreign language or 3 years of high school foreign language for graduation. Liberal Arts and Business requires 4 years of high school or 4 semesters of college level foreign language.

◊ Math requirements – 3 years refers to Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II minimum

◊ Math requirements at the University of Illinois include Trigonometry

Preparing for college...

Entrance Tests

One part of college admissions is the college entrance test. To do your best on the entrance examinations, you should become familiar with the content and format of the tests. When you sign up for any test, you will be given an information booklet with sample tests, test-taking strategies, and review of question types and interpretation information.

These tests are the most common:

PLAN

The PLAN is given to all sophomores. It is a comprehensive guidance resource that will help students measure their current academic development, explore career training, and make plans for the remaining years of high school and post-graduation years.

PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)

The PSAT is recommended for high-achieving juniors. It is a multiple-choice test measuring verbal and mathematical reasoning skills important in doing college work. The PSAT/NMSQT is also used as the qualifying

exam for scholarships and enrichment programs such as the National Merit Scholarship Program. Many scholarship applications request this score.

ACT (American College Test)

It is recommended that juniors take the ACT in the spring of the year, thereby providing an opportunity for a re-test in the fall semester of their senior year, if necessary. The ACT is used for college admission to all Illinois State public schools and many other public and private colleges and universities. All juniors will take the ACT as part of the Prairie State Achievement Examinations.

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

The SAT is required for admission to many colleges, primarily on the east and west coasts. Many colleges will accept either ACT or SAT. There may be reasons to take both. Be sure to check the college catalog for admission requirements and see your counselor for assistance.

Junior College Placement Tests

The placement tests for both Joliet Junior College and Illinois Valley Community College are offered on our campus every spring.

Other Tests

Competitive colleges may require achievement tests. Technical colleges and other training centers may require specific tests. See the catalog and/or your counselor.

2009-2010 AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTS

Registration Deadline

SATURDAY TEST DATES Regular Late

October 24 Sept. 18 Oct. 2

December 12 Nov. 6 Nov. 20

February 6 Jan. 5 Jan. 15

April 10 Mar. 5 Mar. 19

June 12 May 7 May 21

ACT does require a fee!

Preparing for college...

Admission Requirements

Colleges and universities consider 3 main factors when deciding a student’s admission -- cumulative grade point average (GPA) after six semesters of high school course work, class rank, and entrance exam score (such as ACT). While some colleges also consider a student’s school & community involvement, personnal statement, and student interview, GPA, class rank, and ACT score carry a lot of weight!

There are over 180 colleges and universities in Illinois alone. Each decides for itself how it will select high school graduates for admission. Admission requirements vary from one college to another. You must contact each one to find out what its specific requirements are.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR

STATE UNIVERSITIES

IN ILLINOIS

| | |

|Chicago State University |Northern Illinois University |

|GPA 2.5 (4.0 scale) and ACT score of 18 |H.S. class rank in 50-99th percentile or 2.75 GPA and ACT score of 19 |

|Application fee pf $25. |or H.S. class rank in 34-49th percentile or 2.5 GPA and ACT score of 23 |

|Eastern Illinois University |Application fee of $30. |

|Applicants will be considered for admission based on high school college preparatory |Southern Illinois University-Carbondale |

|coursework, cumulative grade point average, grade trends, class rank, ACT or SAT |Applications will be considered using the following factors: |

|score, personal statement and in some cases, academic letters of recommendation. |*Meet published deadlines |

|Application fee of $30 |*High school course work |

|Illinois State University |*Grade point average |

|(Guide to Standard Test Scores, Class Rank and Grade Point Average |*Class rank |

|In making admissions decisions, Illinois State considers your ACT/SAT scores, high |*ACT and/or SAT Composite score |

|school transcript (including grade trends and rigor of courses completed), high school|Application fee of $30 |

|class rank, grade point average, your personal statement, and in some cases, letters |Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville |

|of recommendation. |Applications will be considered using the following factors: |

|(Personal Statement |*Meet published deadlines |

|Illinois State believes that student motivation and academic preparation are not fully|*High school course work |

|revealed by a student’s high school transcripts(s) or standardized test scores. The |*Grade point average |

|ability to succeed at Illinois State may be indicated by factors which can only be |*Class rank |

|explained in written personal statements. |*ACT and/or SAT Composite score |

|Illinois State’s admissions process requires the submission of a personal statement, |Application fee of $30 |

|which will be reviewed along with other documentation submitted. |University of Illinois-Chicago |

|Your personal statement may be used to comment on your motivation for |High school course work and combination of high school percentile rank and ACT |

|college-level work or to explain circumstances that may affect our admission |score considered in admission |

|decision and that are not readily apparent from academic records. This|Refer to college catalog for requirements for specific programs. |

|is your opportunity to address the Admissions Committee directly-to |Application fee of $40 |

|let the committee know more about you as and individual in a way that statistics |University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana |

|cannot. |High school course work and combination of high school percentile rank and ACT |

|Application fee of $40 |score considered in admission |

|Northeastern Illinois University |Refer to college catalog for requirements for specific programs. |

|Class rank in 50-99th percentile or ACT score of 19 |Application fee of $40 |

|Application fee of $25 |Western Illinois University |

| |ACT score of 20 and 2.5 GPA |

| |or ACT score of 16 or above and a 2.2 GPA with a letter of appeal and two letters |

| |of recommendation. |

| |Application fee $25 for electronic application and $30 for paper application |

Selecting a College...

College Planning:

Dates to Remember

Sophomore Year April (continued)

Take the PLAN Test. Take the Prairie State Achievement Examination, which includes an official ACT exam.

Junior Year June - August College visits and interviews.

September Gather all the information on which you will base your

Research and understand the various kinds of higher final college choices.

education.

Senior Year

October June - December

Take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Visit the colleges of your choice and narrow down the

Attend the College Fair at Joliet Junior College and/or possibilities.

Illinois Valley Community College.

September

November If you have not taken the ACT and/or SAT, pick up an

Individual conferences with your counselor to review application from the counseling office. Make sure it is

your program and plan your senior year courses with an mailed in before the deadline.

eye to your post-graduation plans. Meet with your counselor on an individual basis to

Understand the interpretation of your PSAT scores. finalize your post-high school plans.

Begin to determine the kind of education you want, your If you do not have college applications, write for them or

academic and personality characteristics that will pick them up in the counseling office.

determine the kind of institution you should attend, and Visit with college representatives who come to SHS.

the characteristics of the institutions which correspond

to your needs and interests. October

Attend the College Fair at Joliet Junior College and/or

March IVCC.

Identify, with the help of your counselor and parents, the Take the ACT and/or SAT if you have not done so.

schools which could satisfy your preference compatible Visit with college representatives who come to SHS.

with your academic qualifications. Mail in applications. Make November 1st your deadline for

Send for college catalogs and applications. Addresses all applications.

are available from your counselor. November - December

Study college catalogs and other information carefully Your final choice for the college you will be attending

to see which colleges offer the type of training you seek, should be completed or near completed.

determine the exact admission requirements, and

evaluate your chances of admission.

Register for and participate in the ACT preparation January

classes at IVCC. Attend the Financial Aid Seminar at Seneca High School

Pick up ACT and/or SAT application form from the with your parents.

counseling office and mail it in by the deadline. Fill out FAFSA -- a federal financial aid form. (Available

in the counseling office beginning in December).

April

Take the Saturday ACT examination or take in the Fall Entire Year

of your Senior year. To qualify for the Illinois State Watch for scholarship applications and other available aid

Scholar program you must take the test in the Spring. forms through the counseling office.

Selecting a College...

Choosing A College:

A Checklist for Students

Would you buy a car that was advertised in the newspaper without first seeing or test-driving it? No! Chances are you could end up with something that wasn’t right for you or that caused a lot of problems.

The same thing applies in choosing a college or career school. You have to check things out to make sure the school you have in mind is really what you want. Look at several schools that offer the field of study you’re interested in. Apply to three to four of your top choices.

1. PROGRAMS OF STUDY - What do you plan to 6. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - Some

study in college? people want the most difficult academic program

they can qualify for, others seek more variety or are

looking for other qualities in their colleges. With

2. DEGREE - What degree do you plan to pursue now? this item you can identify schools with different

Associate (2 year) types of student bodies. Which schools do you

Bachelor’s (4 year) want to consider?

Master’s (6 year) OPEN ADMISSIONS - Schools that are open to

Doctorate (more than 6 years) people regardless of their high school grades.

MINIMALLY DIFFICULT - Schools that usually

expect average or better high school grades but

3. REGION - Where would you like to study? accept some freshmen with lower grades.

New England Gulf MODERATELY - Schools that take freshmen

Mid-Atlantic Mountain mostly from the upper half of their high school

South Atlantic Pacific class.

Great Lakes Territories VERY DIFFICULT - Schools that accept

freshmen from the top half of their high school

class with many from the top 10%.

4. SCHOOL SETTING - In which size community do MOST DIFFICULT - Schools that accept

you want to go to school? freshmen mostly from the top 10% of their high

Urban area - metropolitan area (500,000 or more pop.) school class.

Suburban area - (within commuting distance of a major

city)

Small Town - Rural area (in a town not within

commuting distance of a major city) 7. MAXIMUM TUITION AND FEES - How much could you pay the school each year for tuition and

fees? Keep in mind that books, transportation, and

living expenses would be extra.

5. SCHOOL SIZE - How big do you want the school to Less than $3,000

be? About $4,000

Very small (fewer than 500 students) About $6,000

Small (500 - 1,999 students) About $8,000

Medium (2,000 - 4,999 students) About $10,000

Large (5,000 - 9,999 students) About $12,000

Very Large (10,000 or more students) About $14,000

$15,000 or more

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Selecting a College...

Sample Letters to Get Information from a School

Pick a paragraph (or a combination of paragraphs) that meets your needs:

Paragraph A – “Information Request”- Letter

Paragraph B – “Campus Visit” - Letter

Paragraph C – “Financial Aid” - Letter

Date

Office of Admissions

Name of School

Street Address

City, State and Zip Code

Admissions Office:

I am a student at Seneca High School and will graduate in ________(month), 20____.

A. Please send me an application for admission and information about your school – a general information bulletin, school costs, and program descriptions. I am considering ________________________ as my major.

B. I am interested in visiting your campus, taking a campus tour, and meeting with an Admissions Counselor. Since I am considering _________________ as my major, I would also like to meet with someone from that department, if possible. Please advise me of a date and time that would be convenient.

C. My parents and I would like to investigate school costs and possible sources of financial aid. Please send us information about costs, how and when to apply for financial aid, and what forms are necessary.

For your information, I plan to enroll in the ______________(fall, spring, summer) term, 20 _____.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Name

Selecting a College...

College Representative Visits

Many representatives from college and technical schools visit Seneca High School each year. Dates and times of visits will be posted on the Guidance bulletin board and in the daily announcements. Sign up in the Guidance Office if you are interested in meeting with a representative.

These schools usually visit Seneca High School during the school year:

Augustana College Illinois Wesleyan University North Central College

Bradley University Illinois Valley Comm College Northern Illinois University

Cornell University Joliet Junior College Olivet Nazarene University

DeVry Institute of Technology Lewis University Robert Morris College

Eastern Illinois University Lincoln College SIU- Edwardsville

Eureka College MacMurray College Western Illinois University

Illinois State University Millikin University University of St. Francis Monmouth College

Questions to Ask College Representatives

1. Does the school offer the major I want?

2. What are the entrance requirements and what does the admission committee specifically look for in their selection of students? Is the ACT or SAT more important, or is grade point average (GPA)?

3. What is the total cost -- tuition and fees, room and

board, books and supplies, transportation costs, personal expenses, etc.? What opportunities are available for financial assistance? How and when do I make application for financial assistance? What is the financial aid packaging philosophy of the institution?

4. Are there housing regulations? Where do the majority of the students live? What are the housing options -- high rise? older dorms? co-ed? study rules?

quiet floors? What meal plans are available?

5. Are there Saturday classes? What do most students do on weekends?

6. What are the opportunities for proficiency credit?

7. What grade average is required to remain in college?

8. Are freshman and sophomore classes taught by

full professors or by graduate students?

9. What is the teacher-to-student ratio?

10. Can all students have access to computer facilities?

11. What opportunities are available for on-campus or

off-campus part-time jobs?

12. Do certain departments (colleges) within the institution have higher or specific entrance requirements?

13. What high school prerequisites does the institution require in general or for my major area of study?

14. Does the institution have a counseling service to assist students with course selection, vocational plans, school difficulties, and/or personal problems?

15. What distinguishes this institution from other schools of the same size and reputation?

ANNUAL

COLLEGE FAIRS!

OVER 75 DIFFERENT COLLEGE AND

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES

AND

FINANCIAL AID SEMINARS

JJC COLLEGE FAIR

AT JJC IN JOLIET

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009

5:30-8:00 P.M.

IVCC COLLEGE FAIR

AT IVCC IN OGLESBY

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2009

6:30-8:00 P.M.

Selecting a College...

Senior College Day Visits

Friday, October 9 Institute Day

Monday, October 12 Columbus Day

Thursday, October 29 Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King Day

Monday, February 12 President’s Day

Monday, March 1 Casimir Pulaski Day

March 29 thru April 2 Spring Break

Open House Dates

Most universities have a scheduled open house on Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday and Casimir Pulaski’s Birthday.

Contact the counselors to get more information.

Selecting a College...

Applying to a College

Most applications are available from your counselor --

CHECK DEADLINES!

***Apply to state universities by November 1st.

Fill out your applications, enclose your application fee, return it to your counselor who will add your class rank, grade point average and other required information.

When letters of recommendation by teachers, employers or counselors are required, request them two or three weeks before they are due.

The Guidance Office will add your transcript and send it. There is no fee for this service.

Reminder: Submit your applications to your counselor at least two weeks before the deadlines to allow time for processing.

Selecting a College...

Make the Most of Your

Campus Visit

Post-high school education can be very expensive so it doesn’t make much sense to apply to a school you have never seen and might not like if you did. We strongly urge campus visits as a choice to see first hand if a facility will meet your individual needs. We encourage college visits when Seneca High School is not in session. Seniors are allowed two college visits per year. Be sure to stop in the Guidance Office to pick up a COLLEGE VISIT FORM before you leave or you will be marked absent.

Things To Do Before Your Campus Visit:

READ the catalog. Make sure you have looked at the programs that are offered.

TALK to anyone you know who has attended that school.

BE AWARE of your own information such as class rank and the list of course work you have completed.

WRITE or CALL the Admissions Office of the school you will be attending to make appointments for the following:

**Campus Tour** **Dorm Visitation** **Visit with Professors in the Programs you are interested in** **Arrange any Necessary Auditions** **Financial Aid Office, if needed**

Things To Do During Your Campus Visit:

ASK good questions which you have thought out in advance.

KEEP good notes on your visit, including the names of the people you meet.

IF you are visiting a prestigious school which requires a formal interview, make sure you go dressed appropriately; suits, sport jackets and ties for males and suits or dresses for females.

ASK to sit in on a class or two.

SPEND enough time there to really get the feel for the campus.

DON’T be afraid to ask about financial aid and scholarships. Almost 75% of the students on campus are getting some kind of aid.

Things To Do After You Are Home:

MAKE SURE you are caught up with your homework.

SEND thank you notes to people you talked with who helped you.

KEEP a file of information on all of the schools you visit so that you can make a good comparison.

Paying a College...

Financial Aid

Types of Aid

There are two basic types of aid -- gift aid and self-help aid.

Like the name says, gift aid is assistance you receive that does not have to be repaid. Gift aid includes scholarships and grants. You may receive a scholarship based on academic achievement, athletic ability, artistic talent, social organization affiliation or ethnic background to name just a few. Grants are gift aid usually awarded based on the family’s financial need or a family’s limited ability to meet the costs of college.

Self-help aid includes work opportunities and loans. It’s called self-help because you take responsibility for receiving this type of aid. Work-study programs allow you to earn money while you’re in college through a job that your college helps you find. In addition to low interest rates, loans can offer grace period (periods during which no payments are due) and manageable repayment terms. But remember, loans are financial aid that must be repaid. Not paying back money you borrow has consequences which can last a lifetime.

Applying for Aid

If you are planning to go to college, applying for financial aid is a process you will need to consider. Never assume you are too poor to attend college or too rich to receive some type of financial aid. Don’t look at just the price tag of a college – you’re likely to get sticker shock! You need to find out how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive at a particular college to help you in meeting your college expenses. The important thing to remember is if you don’t apply for financial aid, you won’t get it.

To apply for federal and state need-based assistance you must complete the federally approved financial aid application, also known as a need analysis form. It is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information you report on the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and to calculate your family’s financial need. The FAFSA cannot be completed before January 1 of your senior year in high school, but it can be completed before you have made a final decision about which college to attend. On the FAFSA, you can list as many as six different colleges that you might be thinking about attending, and have your information sent to them. The information reported on the FAFSA is confidential and remains with the financial aid office; it is not shared campus wide. You may be asked to submit documentation (like income tax returns) to the financial aid office at the college to verify the information reported on the FAFSA.

You need to check with the financial aid office at the college(s) you plan to attend to see if any supplemental applications or forms are required to apply for institutional assistance. Apply early. Many colleges have limited institutional dollars that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that some federal and state programs also may require separate applications and take note of all application deadlines. Be sure to complete the entire application and provide any required signatures. Incomplete forms will cause delays, and delays can cost you money. Always keep a copy of every form you complete and submit.

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Seneca High School

Code

143-865

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