DELPHI COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR YEAR PLANNING GUIDE ~

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Student Servic es Department 765-564-3481

SENIOR YEAR PLANNING PAGE College Applications: Complete your applications prior to fall break. Those of you considering Purdue, Ball State, or IU should apply as soon as possible. If required, please print and bring the “counselor page” to your counselor. Students who have not yet taken the SAT (or are planning to retake it in October) should apply to the college(s) of your choice NOW. Once available, your scores should be sent electronically to the colleges.

College Visitations: You are permitted TWO college visitation days during your senior year. You are encouraged to make additional campus visits over fall break. If you plan to visit a college on a school day, you may pick up a form in the guidance office. This form must be completed and turned in at least two days in advanced of your visit.

SAT Registration and Fee Waiver: (www.collegeboard.org) If you wish to take the SATs in Delphi, we offer them the first weekend in October. You will need to register no later than September 1st in order to avoid paying the late fee. If you are a 21st Century Scholar, you may be eligible for a few waiver. Ask Student Services.

ACT Registration and Fee Waivers: (http://www.act.org/) ACT is not offered at Delphi Community High School. It is offered in nearby schools. Some students find this test is a better fit to their learning styles. If you are a 21st Century Scholar, you may be eligible for a few waiver. Ask Student Services.

Letters of Recommendation: It is time to prepare a resume for your school and community-related activities. The next step is to ask three or four teachers, coaches, employers, or community members if they would write a letter of recommendation for you. Since these letters are used for college and scholarship applications, they should be saved on a computer whenever possible. Always allow someone two to three weeks to write a letter for you.

TEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE APPLICATION  Complete your application(s) ONLINE whenever possible. If a Counselor Page is required, print it out and bring it to Student Services. Be sure to open a Parchment account, which will enable you to electronically send your transcripts to colleges.

 Strive to maintain a high academic standing during your senior year. Senior year grades may positively or negatively affect acceptance into a university or a certain major within the university.  Meet your deadlines!!! Give teachers and employers plenty of advance notice. These letters may be included with your applications. They might be needed for various scholarship applications as well.  Get organized!! Make a file for all of your college and scholarship-related materials. Write a timeline for when you will complete and submit your applications. Mark your calendars with important due dates!  Check-in with your school counselor. Even if you are up to date, we like to hear your latest thoughts about your future applications, campus visitations, etc.  Research possible scholarships well in advance. Search websites and determine the scholarships you would like to apply for.  Register for SAT/ACT tests well in advance of the deadlines.  You are allowed two college visitation days. Discuss with your parents whether you prefer touring the campus on “Group” days or making an individual appointment.  Attend College Goal Sunday in November or February. This will provide you and your family an opportunity to ask questions regarding state and federal financial grant and scholarship assistance. (http://www.collegegoalsunday.org/)  Complete the FAFSA form. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows you to apply for federal and state financial aid, including grants, loans, and work study programs. (https://fafsa.ed.gov/)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q When should I apply to colleges? It is a good idea to apply EARLY (September/October) to four-year colleges. Applications to Ivy Tech and most vocational schools should be completed by the end of the first semester. Q How do I apply for admission to colleges? Most colleges and universities prefer that you apply ONLINE. Some will waive application fees if submitted ONLINE. You may, if necessary, request paper applications. This occasionally results in a delay in determining whether you are accepted. Q Should I wait for my SAT / ACT scores to arrive before applying? NO! Regardless of whether you are waiting for your first or second set of scores, you should apply before they arrive. Most schools consider applicants in the order in which they apply. Your scores can be forwarded when they arrive. Q How long does it take for colleges to decide if I am admitted? Most schools will notify you within two to three months. However, there are factors (such as your intended area of major and the number of applicants) which may alter their timetables. You are usually able to check the status of your application ONLINE. Q Do I need letters of recommendation? Many scholarship committees want them, but most colleges no longer require these letters. Q What should I see when I visit a college? This is an individual choice. If you are setting up an individual appointment, it is recommended that you meet with admissions advisor, financial aid officers, and faculty in your department of choice. If you are considering ROTC or playing a sport, speak to those departments as well. If you are going on a group day, many activities are already planned for your day.

Q Should I pay for a service that provides information about scholarships? ABSOLUTELY NOT! There are many free websites which provide this information. In addition, we will have information about Local scholarships in early December. Be careful to avoid internet scams regarding college loans, scholarships, and financial aid. Q Will we have a chance to talk to college representatives? Yes. DCHS will have different colleges visiting during the year. These will be announced in the weekly announcements. Check your email! It is also recommended that you attend a college fair early in your senior year. Q When should we complete the FAFSA form? FAFSA should be completed between October – March. It is best to complete it early. Q What should I be doing now to increase my chances of getting into the college of my choice? The most important things are to get good grades in your current classes and to begin researching various colleges. Q How does it help to be a 21st Century Scholar? If you are enrolled in the 21st Century Scholar program, you may be eligible to have your SAT and college application fees waived. Waiver forms can be completed in the guidance office.

ASSORTED INFORMATION PAGE • FAFSA ~ a federal form that determines how much a family can afford to pay for college. It must be submitted between October 1 – March 1. (https://fafsa.ed.gov/)

• Financial Aid – The four categories of financial aid are as follows:  Grant – money given, usually based on financial need  Scholarship – money awarded for achievement or talent  Work Study – money earned by working  Loan – borrowed money that must be paid

• Scholarship Tips  Apply for local scholarships  Contact college financial aid office  Be aware of deadlines  Do not pay a fee  Know that merit-based scholarships are generally based upon financial need, which is the difference between the cost of attending college and the amount the family can afford

• Loans ~ check out Stafford, Perkins, and other loans online • College Admissions Criteria  GPA  Strength of Schedules  SAT or ACT scores  Class Rank  Recommendations  Talents & Personal Qualities  Interviews

• Taking SAT / ACT ~ Visit www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org for more information about testing dates, locations, and registration deadlines.

• College Visits  Take a tour  Meet with an Admissions Counselor  Check out the admission requirements  Meet with Financial Aid Counselor  Talk to current students  Speak to someone from the faculty of the department of study  Read about the college prior to your visit.

• Things to remember:  2- year colleges are the most affordable option for many students.  Students may transfer from a 2-year college to a 4-year college  High school transcripts include course grades, credits, grade point average, class rank, and standardized test scores • The college application / selection process will be more enjoyable and less stressful if you plan in advance.

Make an appointment in Student Services if you have any questions! Good Luck

http://www.transferin.net/Indiana-College-Map.aspx#

Indiana Universities and Title IV Codes: 001784 Ancilla College (www.ancilla.edu) 001785 Anderson University (www.anderson.edu) 001786 Ball State University (www.bsu.edu/admissions) 001787 Bethel College (www.bethelcollege.edu) 001788 Butler University (https://www.butler.edu/admission) 001792 DePauw University (www.depauw.edu) 001793 Earlham College (www.earlham.edu) 001798 Franklin College (www.franklincollege.edu) 001799 Goshen College (www.goshen.edu) 001800 Grace College (www.grace.edu) 001801 Hanover College (www.hanover.edu) 007263 Holy Cross College (www.hcc-nd.edu) 001803 Huntington University (www.huntington.edu) 001805 Indiana Institute of Technology (www.indianatech.edu) 001807 Indiana State University (www.indstate.edu) 001809 Indiana University-Bloomington (www.iub.edu) 001813 Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis (www.iupui.edu) 001814 Indiana University-Kokomo (www.iuk.edu) 001822 Indiana Wesleyan University (https://www.indwes.edu) 009917 Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana (www.ivytech.edu)

007938 Lincoln College of Technology (https://www.lincolntech.edu/) 001820 Manchester University (www.manchester.edu) 001821 Marian University (www.marian.edu) 001824 Oakland City University (www.oak.edu) 001825 Purdue University (www.purdue.edu) 001830 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (www.rose-hulman.edu) 006257 Saint Elizabeth's School of Nursing (http://www.steson.org/) 001835 Saint Mary-of-The-Woods College (www.smwc.edu) 001836 Saint Mary's College (www.saintmarys.edu) 001838 Taylor University (www.taylor.edu) 001839 Trine University (www.trine.edu) 001795 University of Evansville (www.evansville.edu) 001804 University of Indianapolis (www.uindy.edu) 001840 University of Notre Dame (www.nd.edu) 001832 University of Saint Francis (www.sf.edu) 001808 University of Southern Indiana (www.usi.edu) 001842 Valparaiso University (www.valpo.edu) 001843 Vincennes University (www.vinu.edu) 001844 Wabash College (www.wabash.edu)

When selecting a university, be sure to compare costs and atmosphere of the campus in addition to the discipline of study. You will be spending several years on campus. State Universities: These universities usually have a discounted rate for students that reside in the state of Indiana

Private Universities: These universities usually cost more to attend. These universities usually have more scholarships and financial aid available.

Out of State Universities: These universities usually have a higher rate for students outside of the state. HOWEVER, many state universities have gone to a straight rate cost.

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