Site Coordinator Resource Manual

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October 29 - November 2, 2012

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Dear College Application Week Site Coordinator:

On behalf of the Michigan College Access Network, thank you for hosting a College Application Week event October 29 to November 2 at your school! The goal of College Application Week is to provide all seniors at participating high schools the opportunity to apply to college.

While the focus of College Application Week is particularly on first-generation college students and students who may not otherwise apply to college, we encourage participating high schools to include activities for all students, including freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who have already applied to college. The involvement of all your students in College Application Week will help your school build its college-going culture at your high school.

This is the second year College Application Week has been implemented in Michigan. We thank you for helping drive this program and we look forward to continuing this tradition across Michigan for years to come.

To help you prepare for the event, we are pleased to provide the following resources:  Site Coordinator Resource Guide

 Site Coordinator Checklist  Senior Checklist

 Volunteer Recruitment Materials

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about planning and implementing the event at your school. I will be sure to keep you updated regarding any changes or additional information you may find useful. Be sure to check our website – www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week

for program information for this year’s College Application Week!

We hope that you will share your successes and new ideas with us to strengthen the initiative. If you have questions, contact me at (517) 316-1713 or [email protected].

Thank you in advance for your commitment to this important college access event. Your participation will encourage Michigan students and their families to make college a part of their future.

Sincerely,

Lisa King

Assistant Director, Michigan College Access Network [email protected]

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “COLLEGE”

College is important – there’s no doubt about it. At least 62 percent of all new jobs in Michigan will require a college education by 2018, and Michigan needs tens of thousands more college graduates to build our economy1. But what does that mean for our students?

Most workforce developers and education leaders use the word “college” to include any type of

postsecondary education or education and training beyond high school. That means students have many options when it comes to attending college. But it also means a high school diploma is no longer enough. On average, four-year college graduates earn more than double the salary of individuals who stopped their education after high school.2 And students who complete some form of postsecondary education are far less likely to be unemployed than those with just a high school diploma.

Every Michigan student should plan to complete some type of education beyond high school. The good news is Michigan’s colleges and universities offer a wide variety of education options to fit the unique needs of all of our state’s students. Options include:

 Certificate or Licensing Programs: Certificate and licensing programs are specialized plans of study that are usually intended for students planning to pursue a trade. Most of these programs can be completed in a matter of months, and Michigan’s public community and technical colleges offer several certificate and licensing programs throughout the year. Additionally, some

employers and/or trade groups offer such programs.

 Associate’s Degrees: Associate’s degrees are typically awarded to students who complete a two-year period of study at a college. These degrees are often required for technical fields, but students can also pursue two-year degrees in business or other professional careers. Students can earn an associate’s degree at any of Michigan’s public community and technical colleges — and associate’s degree students are often eligible for many financial aid programs.

 Bachelor’s Degrees: Bachelor’s degrees (or baccalaureate degrees) are typically awarded to students who complete a four-year period of study at a college or university. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree take classes in their career field and in general education subject areas.

Bachelor’s degree students also often qualify for state and federal financial aid programs.

1_{According to data from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.} 2_{According to data from the College Board’s 2010 “Education Pays” report.}

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Site Coordinator Resource Manual

We intend for these documents to be a useful guide for Site Coordinators when planning and

implementing a College Application Week event. The full and some individual sections of this Resource Manual are available online at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-weekfor you to download and print.

Plan

Site Coordinator Checklist 5

Key Reminders: Prior to and during College Application Week 9

Sample Schedule(s) for Event Day 10

Application Fees and Fee Waivers 11

Student Resource Guide & Checklist 13

College Application Checklist 14

Student Interest Survey 21

Frequently Asked Questions about Independent and Public Colleges 22 Application Personal Statement and Essay 24

MI College Average Requirements 25

Trade & Vocational School Information 26

Military School Worksheet 28

Creating a College-Going Culture 29

Complementary Activities List 30

Promoting College Application Week at Your School Poster 32 College Application Week Poster Template 33

Sample Poster 34

Ask Me About It! 35

College Alumni and Family Night 35

Sample “Ask Me About It” Poster 36

Bingo 37

Scavenger Hunt 38

Outreach

Sample Press Release 42

Example Social Media Tools 43

Sample Newsletter 43

Sample Letter to the Editor 44

Sample Letter for Students and Families (in English and Spanish) 45

Informative Letter 45

Family Follow up Letter on FAFSA 47

An Overview for Teachers, Staff, and Community Members 49

Volunteer Resource Guide 50

Recruitment Letter 51

Volunteer Information on College Application Week 52

Volunteer Tasks 53

Volunteer Training Agenda 54

Thank You Letter 55

Apply

Student Sign-In Sheet 57

Submitting the Application – “Now What?” Student Handout 58

College Goal Sunday 60

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Foundation of West Virginia for their help in creating this Resource Guide, of which

sections have been adapted from their respective guides.

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Site Coordinator Checklist

This is a recommended planning process and timeline. You are welcome to adjust dates to fit your school best. Use the blank spaces for additional tasks necessary for planning your event. Remember, the earlier you are able to complete these tasks the better!

AUGUST

Status

Recommended

Due Date Task

○

8/20 Review Site Coordinator Resource Manual.

www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week

○

8/29 Participate in a site coordinator webinar training.

○

8//31

Set up a College Application Week committee or team at your school to discuss the timeline of events and activities. This may include school counselors, teachers, students, administrators, parents/guardians, LCAN representative, etc.

○

8/31

Discuss with teachers possible tie-in assignments for students related to college application information and selecting colleges. Feel free to include activities for 9th-11th grade students to prepare them early for applying to college!

○

_8/31 Elect to participate each day of College Application Week, or just one day during this week and confirm the event date(s) with the school and district’s master calendar.

○

SEPTEMBER

○

_9/10 Review recorded Site Coordinator training webinar found at

www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week. (available after Sept. 10 if unable to participate on Aug. 29)

○

9/10 Review recorded Michigan College Access Portal training webinar found at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week

○

_9/14 Plan a schedule for your event(s) – what students/classes will be in the computer lab at what times and / or what other college access activities will be available to students. Share final plans with MCAN.

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○

9/14

in your community. Discuss with your team possible volunteers and/or speakers to recruit.

 Press release to local newspapers and TV stations  Invite media and/or a “guest speaker” such as a

community/political/business leader, alumni, college professor, student, parent/guardian, etc. to attend your schools’ event.

 Brainstorm locations to hang flyers outside of the high school (public library, churches, coffee shop, etc.)

 Encourage business community to wear college clothing/promote week  Adding information to school and district website

 Robo calls to parents (if school already has system in place)

○

_9/14 Confirm that all seniors have a Michigan College Access Portal account

(www.MichiganCAP.org) and have completed their profile and academics/scores section.

○

9/21

Recruit volunteers to assist during College Application Week by using the volunteer letter. We estimate you will need at least two volunteers at any given time. MCAN will contact local colleges to invite admission staff to volunteer during your College Application Week event. Volunteers need to understand the application process, consider reaching out to college representatives. MCAN will assist with volunteer recruitment but it is up to your site to confirm all volunteers.

○

_9/21 Consider working with Art teacher to create classroom challenge for College Application Week poster design. If limited on time, ask Art teacher to select one or two students to design poster as class project.

○

9/21

Add event information to:  Morning announcements

 School website and ISD/RESA website  Official school kiosk/outdoor signs  School newspaper

 School newsletter (to staff, parents, community)

○

9/21 If all seniors are required to take an English course, confirm with teachers that a college essay assignment can be built into week of Oct. 22

○

9/21 Remind students to consider taking or re-taking the SAT/ACT depending on the institution of interest.

○

9/21 Encourage all teachers to relate lessons to College Application Week.

○

9/28

Confirm the event date(s) with the school and district’s technology team to ensure the computer labs are ready to go.

 If paper applications are needed, request copies via MCAN or your college representative.

 Have printer accessible if student is unable to complete the application online

 Verify that there are no firewall issues with institutional websites

○

9/28

Verify which seniors have not applied to a postsecondary institution and encourage these students to meet with counselors and research colleges and universities on www.MichiganCAP.org.

○

9/28 Give the “Ask Me About It” flyer to all staff and request they hang it on their door.

○

9/28 Send student and parent letter. Notify both students and parents of evening and/or

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daytime information session(s) to them assist them in preparing information needed for the event.

 Encourage students to visit www.MichiganCAP.org to explore colleges and universities.

 Include information about reviewing the list of colleges and universities without application fees during College Application Week

 Remind them that students will need a credit card to apply to a college or university with application fees. If a credit card is not possible, the student can print the application and mail it in with a check.

 Students can meet with their counselor or college adviser to discuss application fee waivers.

○

OCTOBER

○

10/5

Finalize volunteer list.

 Confirm the time and place for all volunteers.

 Provide school visitor/volunteer policy (if applicable)  Encourage them to wear college clothing.

 Share with all volunteers the volunteer guide which can be found at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week

 Provide any security clearance information.

○

10/12

Once the list of volunteers has been finalized, ensure that all volunteers have the necessary security clearance to assist in the school during College Application Week.

○

10/15 Assist English teacher with College Essay homework assignment to prepare students for College Application Week.

○

10/15-10/19

Host student/parent/guardian event(s) (day and/or night) to assist students and parents/guardians who have questions or need help with the College Application Checklist.

○

_10/22 Remind volunteers of time and place and confirm attendance by sending the volunteer information form. Encourage them to wear college clothing.

○

10/22 Confirm publicity and/or attendance of guest speakers.

○

10/22 Confirm all seniors have completed their College Application Checklist.

○

_10/22 Remind teachers, counselors, administrators of the day’s schedule and planned

activities. Ask them to wear college clothing on event day and decorate their classrooms with “college-going culture” materials.

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10/26

 Envelopes and stamps for students that need to mail hard copy applications  Name tags for volunteers

 “I Applied!” stickers  Pens

 “I applied! Now What?” student handout  Sign-in sheet

 Sign-out sheet  FAFSA handout

 NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver form  Have High School 6-digit code ready and visible

○

_10/29-11/2 _{COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK!}

○

10/29-11/2 Conduct Volunteer Orientation morning of event(s), if necessary.

○

10/29-11/2

Encourage/remind students to complete FAFSA –

 Hand out FAFSA fact sheet as students leave event Promote College Goal Sunday site, if applicable.

○

November

○

11/5 Mail NACAC Request for Admission Application Waivers to respective institutions

○

11/5 Submit student transcripts to respective institutions.

○

_11/9 Submit the online College Application Week Site Coordinator Survey. This will be emailed to Site Coordinators on 11/5 and will be available at

www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week

○

11/9 Send thank you letter to volunteers.

○

11/12 Send follow up letter to students who participated and their families. Congratulate them on being one step closer. Remind them to complete the FAFSA in January.

○

11/30 Submit CAW participant data to MCAN

○

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Key Reminders

Prior Steps Before Your College Application Week Event

 Encourage students to use the Michigan College Access Portal www.MichiganCAP.org to research the right college or university for them, work on essays and manage their portfolio.  Direct seniors to the College Application Checklist to fill out any additional information.

 Contact students eligible for a fee waiver. Usually those students who are eligible for fee waivers on college entrance exams are also eligible for college application fee waivers.

 Remind students to prepare early for their admission essay(s) and encourage teachers to include classroom activities geared toward writing essays.

Completing College Applications

 Remind students that information about their addresses and parents will be used to determine tuition and residency.

 Students may question information they are asked to supply about their addresses and parents residency (i.e., in-state or out-of-state). This private information, such as their SSN, will only be reported to the college(s) where they apply.

 A credit card will be required for colleges or universities with application fees. Alternatively students will need to print the application and mail in with a check. Recommend students bring the checks and envelopes with them and offer to mail the applications for them.

 Print the confirmation page after submitting the application.

Uploading Essays and Personal Statements

 Note that some applications will require an admission essay or a personal statement. Please have students bring their essay(s) with them. Some applications will allow the file to be uploaded. Others may require that the student copy and paste from an existing document (which they may have stored on an external device or emailed to themselves.)

 Most essay questions are open-ended, but some may have word minimum and/or maximum limits (which are validated as such). If there is a word limit, it will be specified within the essay

question.

 Students can save essay(s) to their MichiganCAP profile. MichiganCAP also provides resources to help students get started on their essays.

Transcripts

 The Michigan College Access Portal allows a student to request a transcript and that it be sent to a specific college. The request goes through the high schools designated contact person, who then sends the request through Docufide by Parchment. To accomplish this task in

MichiganCAP, the student should click on the Portfolio/EDP tab and then Applications. As long as the college is in their College List, they can add the information to their Application page and a Send Request option comes up. This student will have to create an account in Parchment before a request can be made.

Confidentiality

 Please assure parents and students that all information submitted for online applications is confidential.

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During the planning and implementation stages of your College Application Week event, it is very

important to keep your school staff apprised of the event schedule. Work with members of your staff to identify the most effective schedule possible for your specific high school. Use the following schedule templates as a guide and make adjustments for your event. You may use the following sample half-block, open, or required senior class schedules.

Sample Half-Block Schedule – 2 computer labs (by block teacher’s name)

Computer Lab A Computer Lab B 8:05 – 8:45 AM Block 1 Kincaid Block 1 Smith 8:50 – 9:30 AM Block 1 Robinson Block 1 Andrews 9:40 – 10:20 AM Block 2 Fisher Block 2 Synder 10:25 – 11:10 AM Block 2 Hundley Block 2 Hunt Lunch Break

12:05 – 12:50 PM Block 3 Boyd Block 3 Page 12:55 – 1:35 PM Block 3 Hannity Block 3 Anderson 1:40 – 2:20 PM Block 4 Combs Block 4 Lopez Sample Open Schedule – 1 computer lab

(by senior’s last name)

Computer Lab A 8:05 – 8:45 AM A-Co 8:50 – 9:30 AM Cr-Fi 9:40 – 10:20 AM Fl-K 10:25 – 11:10 AM Ke-O Lunch Break 12:05 – 12:50 PM Or-Ru 12:55 – 1:35 PM S-Z 1:40 – 2:20 PM Make-up

Sample Required Senior Class – 1 computer lab (Priority days and Thursday make-up day)

Monday Wednesday Thursday

8:05 – 8:45 AM

8:50 – 9:30 AM English 12 (Media Center) English 12 (Media Center) English 12 (Media Center)

9:40 – 10:20 AM

10:25 – 11:10 AM

Lunch Break

12:05 – 12:50 PM English 12 (Media Center) English 12 (Media Center) English 12 (Media Center)

12:55 – 1:35 PM

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Application Fees and Fee Waivers

To see a complete list of colleges and universities that do not require online application fees visit www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week.

With the average college application fee now around $35, applying to several colleges can be expensive for any student—and prohibitive for families on the lower end of the economic scale. Let your students and their parents know that they may be eligible for waivers of these fees. Students who are eligible for fee waivers for the standard college entrance tests are usually eligible for application fee waivers as well. Encourage students to talk with their school counselor well in advance of College Application Week to discuss need and availability.

Application Fee Waivers Based on Financial Need

Waivers of admission application fees for students with a demonstrated financial need and for whom an application fee would create an undue burden are provided at most of Michigan’s public and private colleges and universities. Application fee waivers due to financial hardship are provided to ensure that no student is deprived of the opportunity to pursue admission to the institution(s) of their choice. Application fee waivers must be authorized by high school counselors through the NACAC fee waiver program, if available, or otherwise by high school certification on school letterhead stationery. The school counselor will complete the fee waiver form which should be mailed in with the college application (hard copy) or shortly after the student has completed the online application.

The NACAC fee waiver request form described below should be given out on the basis of family financial hardship. After your student completes his or her waiver, you may be asked to detail the student's financial hardship in writing.

NACAC fee waiver form

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) provides a form called the "Request for Application Fee Waiver" to be completed by students with the help of their high school counselor. This document, which you can download from the NACAC site, is updated annually.

 Download and print the NACAC Request for Admission Application Fee Waiver

Suggested annual family income guidelines for this waiver are from about $29,900 to about $46,000, depending on family size. However, income is not the only determining factor in application fee waivers; many are based on the counselor's personal knowledge of family circumstances.

Students are eligible to use the NACAC fee waiver form if:

 Student has received or is eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.

 Student is enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).

 Student's annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

 Student is enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids student from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).

 Student's family receives public assistance

 Student lives in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or is homeless.  Student is a ward of the state or an orphan.

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immediately transitioning after high school graduation are not eligible to use NACAC's Request for Application Fee Waiver Form. NACAC recommends that prospective students in these categories contact the admission office of the institution(s) to which they are seeking admission regarding an institutional fee waiver.

Requirements for completing the form:

 Students must complete the student section in its entirety.

 The student’s secondary school counselor, independent counselor or TRIO representative must verify that the student is eligible to use the form.

 The high school’s raised seal or stamp must be included on the form.

 The form must be mailed directly to the admission office of the college or university to which the student is seeking admission.

Application Fees

Fee Payment: Credit or Debit Card Required with Online Submission

Some colleges accept online applications only if accompanied by credit card payment for the application fee. If a student has a Financial Based fee waiver or needs to pay by check to these institutions, payment should accompany a paper copy of the application mailed to the admission office.

If students would like to apply to any of the schools requiring online payment during college application week and do not have a credit card with them during the event, please inform them that some institutions allow you to save the application details they have filled in and complete the application from home.

Fee Payment: Mailed with Hard Copy of Application Confirmation Page

Some colleges accept online applications with or without credit card payment. Students who do not pay at the time they submit the application online are requested to mail their payment via check or fee waiver with a hard copy of their application confirmation page. Instructions are given online at the time the student submits the application.

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Senior Checklist

-

Before College Application Week

 Create a Michigan College Access Portal Account at www.michigancap.org if you have not already done so.

 Update your MichiganCAP Profile

o Hover your mouse over “Portfolio/EDP” then click on “Profile” – Review the

information in your student profile and make sure all the data is up-to-date. Repeat this process after clicking on “Academics and Scores.” By checking this information first, your application process will be easier and take less time.

 Explore Postsecondary Schools

o Check out colleges and universities by hovering over Colleges and select College Search. The College Search feature will help you choose which postsecondary schools best meet your needs. There are several different characteristics you can choose from including Academics & Scores, Size & Environment, Sports & Activities, Cost of Attendance, and Majors. Once you have selected the options that best meet your needs, you may view a list of matching schools.

 Save your Favorite Schools

o When you are exploring schools, you can save your favorites by selecting Add to My College List using the green plus sign to the left of the college name. This way, when you log into your MichiganCAP account, you are linked to this school directly from your profile.

 Find out the Application Deadline(s)

o While you are researching colleges, find out what deadlines, if any, campuses have for applications. This information can be found in the College Profile under Calendar & Deadlines. Some schools will not accept applications after a certain date, so if you have a favorite school, make sure to find out early in your search the application schedule.

 Identify Application Fee(s)

o Many colleges require an application fee when you submit an online application. You can find this information in the Michigan Postsecondary Handbook

(http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mistudentaid/PostSecondaryHandbook_317266_7. pdf). Unless you have a fee waiver from your school counselor, you need to be prepared to enter a credit/debit card number or mail a check once you complete your online application. If you think you may be eligible for an application fee waiver contact your high school counselor.

 What if you are required to submit an admission essay or personal statement?

o Make sure you write your essay before the event! You can save your essay(s) to your MichiganCAP profile. Or bring your essay(s) with you preloaded on a disc or flash/jump drive you can use to copy and paste into your online application. Make sure you have a hard-copy as well for back-up. You will be able to upload your essay file or copy and paste it during the online application session.

 Read the Introduction and Instructions Page on the Online Application.

o Take your time and read this information carefully. Every college has different requirements and instructions for applicants. The introduction page will offer helpful hints to guide you through the process specific to each college and keep you informed every step of the way.

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SENIOR COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Below is a list of information you will likely need in order to complete your online college application(s). Bring this completed worksheet with you when you are ready to apply. Note that not all college applications require the same information.

NAME:

________________________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND & RESIDENCY INFORMATION

1. Current Mailing Address and County of Residence

If your mailing address is a Post Office Box, you will also need a physical street address.

2. Social Security Number 3. Place of Birth

City State Country

4. Are you a U.S. citizen? (Yes/No)

5. If you are not a U.S. citizen, enter your INS SEVIS, if you have one, as well as the following information (if applicable):

Permanent Resident Number Visa Type

Non-Immigrant Visa Number and Expiration If you are an international student, have you taken the TOEFL? Date? Score?

6. Date you moved to Michigan

This may be your birth date

7. Driver’s License Number and Date Issued

8. Dates and locations of places you have lived outside of Michigan in the past five years. Dates: Location:

Dates: Location: Dates: Location:

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FAMILY INFORMATION

9. Are you eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits?

10. Are you active duty military or a military dependent?

If yes, duty station and home of record

11. Are you a military dependent?

If yes, expiration date of military ID card and sponsor’s duty station

Note: If you have a legal guardian, answer the questions in #12 for that person and fill in the following information requested on the right side.

12. Place and Date of Guardian Appointment City and County

State and County

First Designated Next of Kin/Relationship Second Designated Next of Kin/ Relationship

13. Are your mother and father living? 14. Parents’ First, Middle, and Last Names

15. Is your father a U.S. citizen?

If not, country of origin?

16. Is your mother a U.S. citizen?

If not, country of origin?

17. Home address of mother and father, if different from yours

18. Dates your parents have been living at the home address

19. Mother’s Employment Information Occupation

Employer Address Dates Employed Hours per Week Work Telephone

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FAMILY INFORMATION

20. Father’s Employment Information Occupation

Employer Address Dates Employed Hours per Week Work Telephone

21. Mother’s Educational Background with College Attended, if applicable

22. Father’s Educational Background with College Attended, if applicable

23. Parents’ Marital Status

24. Custody Status – Please select.

If parents are separated or divorced

Joint custody – Mother and Father Sole custody – Mother or Father Other:

25. Emergency Contact Information

(other than parent(s) or guardian) Name Address Home Phone Work Phone Family Physician Physician Phone

26. List any siblings by name and age with any colleges attended including dates.

Name Age College Dates

27. Names and relationship of any relatives who attended institutions to which you may apply.

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COLLEGE APPLICATION & MISCELLENEOUS INFORMATION

28. To what other colleges have you applied or do you plan to apply?

Name(s) Location(s)

29. Intended Program(s) or Major(s)

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

30. High School Name High School’s 6-digit code Mailing Address City County State Country 31. Date of Entry 32. Graduation Date

33. Course of Study (i.e., college tech prep, etc.)

34. School Counselor Name

Phone Number Fax Number

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ACADEMIC INFORMATION

35. List the courses you are taking during senior year. Please indicate any that are Honors, AP, or IB.

Fall Semester Spring Semester

Other (Summer School, Online, etc.)

36. List any college you have attended with address and dates or courses for which you expect to receive college credit or have received college credit.

37. College Entrance Tests Dates and Scores: (if applicable)

Test Date Score(s) PSAT

ACT SAT

SAT Subject Test(s) COMPASS

ACCUPLACER/CPT

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EXTRACURRICULAR, HONORS, and EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

38. Extracurricular Activities:

List in order of importance with dates, positions held, honors, and awards.

39. Academic Honors/Awards: List these with names and dates.

(i.e., National Honor Society, 2009 Algebra II Award, 2008)

40. Employment Information:

List any jobs, internships, and volunteer

positions with dates, places, hours per week, and a brief description of responsibilities.

41. You may be asked to answer the following questions and provide an explanation for any to which you respond “yes.” Also be aware you may need to provide additional information at a later date.

Have you been convicted of a crime?

Have you entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere, or an Alfred plea; or have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued for a criminal crime?

Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime? Do you have any criminal charges pending against you?

Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, or otherwise subject to any disciplinary sanction by any school, college, or university?

If you have ever served in the military, did you receive any type of discharge other than an honorable discharge?

42. During any school year, have you been out of school for reasons other than routine vacations, disability-related reasons, or school-related activities?

43. Has it been 3 months or more since you graduated, or since you have been enrolled in school?

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Student Interest Survey

Application Request: Select schools to which you would like to apply. Using the chart included

and your own GPA and ACT score select:

Two Schools you will

FOR SURE

get into:

1.

__________________________________________________

2.

__________________________________________________

Two schools that you

MEET

their admission averages:

1.

___________________________________________________

2.

___________________________________________________

Two schools whose averages are

SLIGHTLY HIGHER

than your own:

1.

___________________________________________________

2.

___________________________________________________

If you wish to acquire a specialized trade/certificate (cosmetology, Barber, construction, massage

therapy) List the program you are interested in below:

______________________________________________________________________________

Are you interested in the Military (Circle response)?

YES

NO

If Yes, Which Branch:

___________________________________________________________________

Have you already applied to

at least

ONE college? If so which one(s)?

______________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

The following forms can be given to seniors to determine which schools

they are interested in and whether they meet the minimum requirements.

They are optional.

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Applications for Independent and Public Colleges and Universities

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment Information

What is my entering term and year? Most students will select the Fall semester following senior year; however, choose the summer option if you intend to attend summer school prior to Fall enrollment. What is my entrance status? The following are definitions for each status.

Freshman: This will be the first college in which you enroll aftergraduating high school. Check this even if you have advanced placement (AP) credit, or dual enrollment, or have earned college credit in high school.

Transfer: If you are graduating high school in 2013 and going directly to college, you are not a transfer student even if you have college credit.

Non Degree: You want to take college course(s) but are not seeking a degree.

What is my desired major? Under First Choice, you can choose your first choice of majors. You may select “Undecided.” Please note that you can change your major during your college program.

Address

Can I list a Post Office Box? You will need to also include a physical address if you use a Post Office Box for your mailing address. Make sure this information is correct. The date the address became your permanent mailing address is the month and year you moved to this location which may even be your date of birth.

Personal Information

What types of personal information will I need to provide? Social Security Number: Enter your nine digit social security number. This information is not required, but preferred.

College Information

What should I list for current college courses in progress or planned, including the term (to be) taken, course subject and number (example: BIO 1001), credit hours, and college/university? You will want to list dual enrollment courses; however, do not list AP courses.

Family Information

What family information am I required to submit? You will may to answer the following question: Are your father and/or mother living? Also, Legal Guardian Information is the same information requested for father and mother and Emergency Contact Information is required if it is other than parent or guardian.

Activities and Interests

Do I have to list all my activities and interests for each college application? Some colleges and universities may ask this question but it is not required. Be prepared to answer the question by completing your MichiganCAP account.

Applications for Independent and Public Colleges and Universities include more questions

and fields than other college applications. The following information includes frequently

asked questions your seniors may have.

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Campus Specific Information

What additional information will I need to include for each college application? This information varies by educational institution. You can find more information on www.MichiganCAP.org or the institution’s website.

Miscellaneous Information

What types of questions will I be asked about my past criminal activity?

You may be asked the following questions regarding past criminal activity and may be asked to explain the circumstances. Note that some institutions may request further information at a later date.

1. Have you been convicted of a crime? (Yes or No)

2. Have you entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere, or an Alford plea, or have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued, to a criminal charge? (Yes or No)

3. Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime? (Yes or No) 4. Do you have any criminal charges pending against you? (Yes or No)

5. Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, or otherwise subject to any disciplinary sanction by any school, college, or university? (Yes or No)

6. If you have ever served in the military, did you receive any type of discharge other than an honorable discharge? (Yes, No, Currently Serving, or Never Served)

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Choose a Topic That Will Highlight You

Don’t focus on the great aspects of a particular college, the amount of dedication it takes to be a doctor or the number of extracurricular activities you took part in during high school.

Do share your personal story and thoughts, take a creative approach and highlight areas that aren’t covered in other parts of the application, like your high school records.

Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal

Don’t try to cover too many topics. This will make the essay sound like a résumé that doesn’t provide any details about you.

Do focus on one aspect of yourself so the readers can learn more about who you are. Remember that the readers must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Ask a parent or teacher to read just your introduction and tell you what he or she thinks your essay is about.

Show, Don’t Tell

Don’t simply state a fact to get an idea across, such as “I like to surround myself with people with a variety of backgrounds and interests.”

Do include specific details, examples, reasons and so on to develop your ideas. For the example above, describe a situation when you were surrounded by various types of people. What were you doing? Whom did you talk with? What did you take away from the experience?

Use Your Own Voice

Don’t rely on phrases or ideas that people have used many times before. These could include statements like, “There is so much suffering in the world that I feel I have to help people.” Avoid overly formal or business-like language, and don’t use unnecessary words.

Do write in your own voice. For the above example, you could write about a real experience that you had and how it made you feel you had to take action. And note that admission officers will be able to tell if your essay was edited by an adult.

Ask a Teacher or Parent to Proofread

Don’t turn your essay in without proofreading it, and don’t rely only on your computer’s spell check to catch mistakes. A spell-check program will miss typos like these:

 "After I graduate form high school, I plan to get a summer job."  "From that day on, Daniel was my best fried."

Do ask a teacher or parent to proofread your essay to catch mistakes. You should also ask the person who proofreads your essay if the writing sounds like you.

*Adapted from The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty. When you apply to college, you’ll need to complete an essay as part of your application. This is your opportunity to show admission officers who you are and to provide information about yourself that didn’t fit in other areas of your

application. The essay also reveals what you can do when you have time to think and work on a writing project

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3.8-4.0

29-36

 Alpena CC  Baker College  Bay College  Delta College  Glen Oaks CC  Gogebic CC  Grand Rapids CC  Henry Ford CC  Jackson CC  Kalamazoo Valley CC  Kellogg CC  Kirtland CC  Lake Michigan College  Lansing CC  Macomb CC  Mid-Michigan CC  Monroe County CC  Mott CC  Muskegon CC  North Central Michigan College  Northwestern Michigan College  Oakland CC  Schoolcraft College  Southwestern Michigan College  St. Clair County CC  Washtenaw CC  Wayne County CC  West Shore CC

Michigan College Average Requirements

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Approximate GPA: ___________________

ACT Score: _____________

Colleges in Michigan: GPA & ACT Tiers

GPA & ACT Averages of college freshman class based on information found on institutions’ websites & michigancap.org

*Open

Admissions

Ave. GPA

Ave. ACT

2.5-2.8

16-19

2.8-3.2

18-22

3.3-3.5

21-25

3.5-3.8

23-29

Community Colleges No minimum GPA & ACT requirements.

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Trade/Vocational School Information

Trade schools, or vocational schools, offer programs that focus on providing graduates with the

job-specific skills needed for their chosen career path. Rather than requiring students to study a

diverse curriculum made up of different subjects, trade schools emphasize only those fields that

are relevant to the student’s future profession.

School name

Location(s)

Website

International Academy of Design & Technology

Detroit http://www.iadt.edu/Detroit

The Art Institute of Michigan

Novi, Troy http://www.artinstitutes.edu/detroit/ Everest Institute Dearborn, Detroit, Grand

Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southfield

http://www.everest.edu/programs/complete_list/state/MI

Sanford-Brown Dearborn, Grand Rapids http://www.sanfordbrown.edu/ Kaplan Career

Institute

Dearborn, Detroit http://www.kaplancareerinstitute.com/Pages/Microportal Home.aspx Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology Detroit http://www.miat.edu/ Stautzenberger Institute

Allen Park http://www.sitoday.net/allenpark/

South University Novi http://www.southuniversity.edu/novi.aspx Ross Medical

Education Center

Ann Arbor, Brighton, Davison, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Madison Heights, New Baltimore, Port Huron, Portage, Redford, Roosevelt, Saginaw http://www.rossmedicaleducation.com/ Northwestern Technological Institute Southfield http://www.northwesterntech.edu/ Career Quest Learning Centers Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing http://www.cqlc.edu/ ITT Technical Institute

Canton, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Swartz Creek, Troy

http://www2.itt-tech.edu/campus/

Dorsey Schools Farmington Hills, Madison Heights, Roseville,

Saginaw, Southgate, Waterford-Pontiac, Wayne-Westland

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Trade schools offer classes to focus on careers in:

Accounting Administrative Assistant

Animal Care Animation Audio Production Aviation

Mechanic

Baking & Pastry Business Business Administration

Business & Computer Technology Business Management CADD Cardiovascular Technology Communication Studies Computer Programming Computer Repair

Computer Security Computer Support Computer Technician Computer Information Technology Construction & Building Construction Management

Counselor Training Criminal Investigations

Criminal Justice Culinary Arts Culinary

Management

Dental Assistant Design Diagnostic Medical Sonogram

Dialysis Technician

Digital Media & Design

Digital Photography Electrician Engineering Environmental

Technology

Environmental Training

Fashion Buying Fashion Design Fashion Marketing & Merchandising Fitness and

Nutrition

Flight Schools Graphic Design Health Care Aide Health Care Management Health Information Technology Health Services Administration

Help Desk HVAC Information Systems

Interior Design Internet Design & Web Development

Internet Marketing Legal Legal Assistant Legal Office Administration LPN Marketing Massage Therapy Master of Business Administration Medical Assistant Medical Information Management Medical Insurance, Coding & Billing

Medical Office Administration Medical Office Specialist Motion Graphics

Music Production & Recording Arts

Networking and System

Administration

Nursing Nursing Assistant

Office

Administrator

Paralegal Patient Care Technician

Personal Trainer Pharmacy Phlebotomy Photography Project Management Psychology Radio/Television

Broadcast Renewable Energy Retail Merchandising & Management

Secretary Training Social Sciences Software Technology

Technology Management Telecommunications Television Production Ultrasound Technician Veterinary Technician Video Game Design

Video Production Visual

Communications

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Military Education Worksheet

Go to military.com and click on the GI Bill to answer these questions

1.

Under the new Post- 9/11 GI Bill, how much of your college education will the

government pay if you serve…..

a.

36 months? _________

b.

30 months? _________

c.

12 months? _________

2.

If eligible for full benefits, Name 5 things that will be paid for (and maximum amount

paid when applicable)

a.

________________________________________________________________

b.

________________________________________________________________

c.

_________________________________________________________________

d.

__________________________________________________________________

e.

__________________________________________________________________

3.

What is the Yellow Ribbon program?

________________________________________________________________________

4.

What criteria do you have to meet in order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program?

_______________________________________________________________________

Practice for the ASVAB Test

www.4tests.com

click on Professional exams

choose ASVAB under military

(Close any popups)

Take the practice exam. Remember if you want to see what the answer was, click on view

answer.

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Creating a College-Going Culture

Now that students know what information will be required for their applications, it is time to

keep enthusiasm high in the time leading up to application week.

Students who have expectations from their parents, school, and community that college is the

next step after high school see college as the norm. However, the idea that college is the next

step after high school may seem unrealistic for those students who are from one or more of the

following groups: low achievers, middle to low-income levels, underrepresented minorities,

disabled youth, and families where no one has attended college before.

3

The following resources are examples of ways to build a college-going culture in your school

and community.

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Purpose

 To create a college-going culture in your school by:

o Encouraging students to complete college applications

o Initiating or culminating the college application process for seniors

o Providing awareness to the entire school about the college application process o Celebrating the academic achievements and college aspirations of seniors

Activities

 Create a “College Wall.” Seniors write the names of the colleges to which they have applied on banners or strips of construction paper to hang in a main hallway. Highlight college names when acceptances are received. Utilize art teachers (if available) for additional promotional materials to create a “college-going culture” on the walls of your school.

 Provide pre-college application activities for all students in your school prior to and during your College Application Week event. Use KnowHow2GO.org web resources or Michigan Campus Compact College Positive Volunteer Toolkit (http://compactaccess2success.com/) to incorporate grade level appropriate activities for 9th – 11th grade students, as well as seniors who have already applied to college. You may organize workshops during Student/Family precollege evening events, during homeroom with students, or during the actual College Application Week. Some examples include:

o 9th grade: Decision making, learning styles, study habits, HS transcript and academic planning, connection between school and careers, how to qualify for a scholarship, colleges and the degrees offered, college admission criteria, setting up a MichiganCAP account etc.

o 10th grade: Progress check, extracurricular activities, earning college credit during HS, world of work, college costs and ways to pay, college visits (online), PSAT, etc.

o 11th grade: Money management, finding scholarships, admission process, college entrance tests, preparing to apply, writing personal statements and essays, etc.

o 12th graders who have already applied to college: what to expect in college, resume writing, FAFSA, searching for scholarships, finding the right college for you, setting up a MichiganCAP account if not already done so.

 Coordinate writing workshops for personal statements or essays. English teachers can use tips within the Michigan College Access Portal to encourage students to work on admission or scholarship essays.

 Complete a sample application with your students. Teachers can go over the correct grammar and language to use on a college application. Additionally, stress the importance of using appropriate email addresses.

 Widely publicize students’ college applications. Interview seniors about their college plans and send the articles to local newspapers, as public service announcements on local radio, as

intercom/homeroom announcements, as ads in the school newspaper; or create a special section in the school newspaper that gives the names of seniors and their prospective colleges announcing applications submitted and acceptances.

 Involve teachers and staff. During College Application Week, ask teachers to share their college experience, wear their alma mater gear and post signs on classroom doors advertising where they went to school. Promote the idea of college, not a specific school

Foundation of North Carolina Educator’s Toolkit and the West Virginia Toolkit. You are encouraged to find activities appropriate for your school.

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Complementary Activities –

Promoting College Application Week in Your School Community.

Purpose

 To promote College Application Week events to the school community by:

o Disseminating information by phone, mail, email, website, flyers, meetings, and word of mouth

o Holding special events/meetings prior to the event

o Recruiting volunteers from students’ families and community organizations o Hosting guest speakers during the event

Activities

 Bring together a planning committee to decide on the options throughout the week and brainstorm additional activities, then make assignments and deadlines. This committee may include different groups such as faculty, staff, families, student groups, and community members. The committee should begin as early as August identifying activities to be implemented throughout the fall to promote College Application Week in October and November.

 Set goals for the number of seniors participating, number of volunteers, etc. Remind everyone of these goals and the importance of reaching as many people as possible in order to promote a college-going culture in your school community.

 Hold special event(s) such as a College Alumni Parent Night and “Ask Me About It!” (see details included on pg. 34) or schedule visits to your school prior to and during College Application Week by college admission professionals, first year college students, and/ or community and business leaders.

 Hold one or more “Senior Meetings” with school staff to facilitate communicating high expectations regarding College Application Week and pre-event activities to students. Often, principals hold these types of meetings to communicate information.

 Send email reminders to all parents, students, and school staff in addition to the official Student / Family letter. Also, include information in the school newsletter and post fliers around the school and community about your College Application Week event.

 Invite a “Guest Speaker” to your College Application Week event as part of a kick-off ceremony to elaborate from personal experience on the importance of applying to and completing college. This guest speaker could be a prominent member of your community, alumnus from your school who is currently in college or recently graduated, and / or a parent advocate for college.

 Recruit volunteers from students’ families and community organizations. Be creative! Send the volunteer letter to your Local College Access Network, volunteer groups, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, church groups, businesses in the community, banks, etc. Your Local College Access Network will be able to help you establish a point of contact.

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[Insert event information]

Michigan

College Application Week

October 29-November 2, 2012

[insert high school name/logo]

Questions?

[insert site coordinator name, email, phone, and office

location]

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Michigan College Application Week

WHO?

Class of 2013 and students interested in learning

more about college

WHAT?

Seniors across the state apply to at least one

college or university with the support of school

staff and volunteers.

WHERE?

(NAME OF SCHOOL, ROOM NUMBER OR

LOCATION)

WHEN?

(DATE AND TIME OF EVENT)

WHY?

Studies show that if you continue your education

beyond high school you:



Will make more money in your lifetime



Are less likely to be unemployed



Are likely to have better health and live

longer

Completing college applications online is a faster

and more efficient way to apply.

WHAT NOW?

Go to www.MichiganCAP.org to create your user

account, start or update your Profile. Visit

www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week to complete the College

Application Checklist.

For more information or questions please contact:

(SITE COORDINATOR NAME)

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35

Complementary Activities –

“Ask Me About It!”

Purpose

 To identify staff members by their institutions of higher education.

 To engage students in dialogue with faculty and staff members regarding college access, college preparation, application, etc.

Activities

 Have the entire faculty and staff display an 8 ½” x 11” poster that lists alma maters (colleges and/or universities where they completed degrees).

 Post college signs and display them all year.

 Create a scavenger hunt during a specific time-frame (i.e., during homeroom) and allow students to complete the challenges (use the scvngr phone app if possible) for as many different schools as they can find, the school farthest away, the school with the most alumni, etc. Award small prizes.

 Explore the KnowHow2Go University virtual tour in the classroom while teachers share their college experience.

Preparation

 E-mail a sample sign like the one included in this Handbook to all faculty and staff and designate a posting date.

 Scavenger hunt- provide copies to every home room.  Bingo- provide copies to every home room.

Complementary Activities –

College Alumni Family Night

Purpose

 To familiarize families and students with community and four-year public and private colleges and universities

 To provide networking opportunities

Activities

 Have staff and parents represent the colleges and universities. Ask parents and staff to wear college and university shirts and hats and display flags or other items of interest to represent their institutions of higher education.

 Invite college admission offices to send materials for display or to send admission staff to attend.

Preparation

 Schedule an evening, possibly in conjunction with a PTSA meeting. Reserve a space and make a promotion plan. Ask parents and the PTSA officers to provide refreshments and college paraphernalia door prizes.

 Invite parents and staff to represent colleges and universities for your student body.  Invite admission counselors from nearby colleges to set-up information tables.  Create sign-in sheets for each college/university represented to record attendance and

collect comments.

 Create a “Good Questions to Ask” sheet for students to use as they visit alumni and collect information on their selected schools of interest.

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Ask me about it!!

____(TEACHER/STAFF MEMBER’S NAME)____

Michigan College Application Week is

October 29-November 2, 2012!

I graduated

from…

_____ (COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY)___

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College BINGO Activity

Complete your BINGO card by locating teachers or other school staff members that experienced the following college scenarios or can answer “yes” to the following questions. Be sure to get the individual to sign in the space, and you can only use each person for one space!

Michigan College Application Week

College Application Week is sponsored by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN).

About MCAN:As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to dramatically increase Michigan’s

college participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation students and students of color. MCAN also supports two statewide college access initiatives: MichiganCAP, a one-stop-shop for students to plan, apply and pay for college at www.michigancap.org, and KnowHow2GOMichigan, a public awareness campaign designed to encourage and prepare low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward college.

(www.knowhow2gomichigan.org). For more information, visit www.micollegeaccess.org. You can also find MCAN on Facebook at www.facebook.com/micollegeaccess.

B

I

N

G

O

Attended a 4-Year College Lived at Home While Attending College Worked Full-Time While Attending College Is Still Close Friends with His/Her College Roommate Studied Abroad While in College Attended a College in Michigan Went to College on a Scholarship Changed Majors 2 or More Times Attended a

2-Year College Majored in Math

Majored in Science

Attended an

Out-of-State College FREE SPACE

Worked for the School Newspaper, TV Station, or Radio Station in College Met His/Her Partner in College Lived on Campus Is Currently Enrolled in a College Program or Course Had a Mentor or Other Close Advisor in College Was President or Leader of a School Club Has Completed Graduate School Attended 2 or More Colleges Wishes They Were Still in College Ate Ramen Noodles Several Times a Week While in College Played Sports in College

Took Out Student Loans to Pay for

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ONLINE SCAVENGER HUNT

Colleges in Michigan

1.

Find and list the names of five colleges in Michigan and where they are located.

________________________________________________________________________

2.

Find the name of the college where students and alumni are referred to as “Chips.”

What is the name of the college? : ____________________________________________

Where is it located? : ______________________________________________________

3.

Find the name of the college where sports teams are referred to as “Grizzlies.”

4.

What is the name of the oldest college in the United States? Where is it located?

Where is it located? _______________________________________________________

5.

What is the name of the state’s oldest university and where is it located?

Where is it located? : ______________________________________________________

6.

Which college newspaper refers to itself as the oldest college newspaper in Michigan?

________________________________________________________________________

7.

Michigan State had two other names before settling on its current name. What were the

previous two names of the university?

Other name #1: ___________________________________________________________

Other name #2: ___________________________________________________________

8.

Where did Sam Raimi, the director of Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, go to college?

Where is that college located?

9.

Name at least two colleges in Michigan’s upper peninsula:

First college: ____________________________________________________________

Second college: __________________________________________________________

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10.

What is a private college or university? Write the definition.

________________________________________________________________________

11.

What is a public college or university? Write the definition.

________________________________________________________________________

12.

Name the largest private college in Michigan: __________________________________

13.

List one possible college major: _____________________________________________

14.

List the name of two colleges in Michigan that offer degrees in that major.

First college: ____________________________________________________________

Second college: __________________________________________________________

15.

Find a college in Michigan where you can train to be a paramedic.

Where is it located? : ______________________________________________________

16.

Find a police academy in Michigan: __________________________________________

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Online Scavenger Hunt: Colleges in Michigan (answers)

1.

Answers will vary

2.

Central Michigan University. Main Campus, Mount Pleasant Michigan (the

school also has a number of satellite campuses)

3.

Oakland University, in Rochester Hills, Michigan

4.

Some potential answers:

1636 – Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

1693 - College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

1701 – Yale University, New Haven Connecticut

1746 – Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

1764 – Columbia University, New York City, New York

1757 – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1764 – Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island

1766 – Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

1769 – Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

5.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

6.

The Hillsdale Collegian, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI

7.

Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported;

coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the

first state agricultural college. From 1925-1959 it was known as Michigan State College

of Agriculture and Applied Science, and in 1964 its present name was adopted.

8.

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

9.

Possible answers: Bay De Noc Community College, Bay Mills Community

College, Gogebic Community College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan

Technological University, and Northern Michigan University.

10.

Possible Answers: The term “private” simply means that the university’s

funding comes from tuition, investments and private donor, not from taxpayers.

11.

Possible Answer: The term “public” indicates that the university’s funding

comes partly from state taxpayers.

12.

Baker College, with multiple locations throughout the state

13.

Responses may vary

14.

Responses may vary

15.

EMT training is offered at a number of two-year colleges in Michigan, such as