Revised August 6, 2013

Senior Resource Manual

November 4-8, 2013

Table of Contents

Senior Resource ManualWe intend for these documents to be a useful guide for graduating seniors when preparing and participating in a Michigan College Application Week event. The full and some individual sections of this Resource Manual are available online at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week for you to download and print.

Section I: Introduction Welcome Letter 2History of CAW in Michigan and Nationally 3-4What’s in a Name? Understanding the Word “College” 5

Section II: Senior Resource Guide 6Senior Checklist – Before College Application Week 7Senior College Application Checklist 8-13Student Interest Survey 14Michigan College Average Requirements 15Senior College Profile 16Michigan College Access Portal 17-18Application FAQs 19-20Application Personal Statement and Essay 21Michigan eLibrary Resources 22Trade/Vocational School Information 23-24Military Education Worksheet 25

Section III: Apply 26Sample Form for Seniors 27Sample Confirmation Page 28FAFSA Timeline and Checklist for High School Seniors 29

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Section I - Introduction

Dear Senior:

On behalf of the Michigan College Access Network, congratulations as you prepare to take the next big step in preparing for life after college! The goal of Michigan College Application Week is to provide all seniors at participating high schools the opportunity to apply to college.

This is the third year College Application Week has been implemented in Michigan. Please see the following page for a history of the College Application Week effort, both in Michigan and across the nation. 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 college application process, we are pleased to provide the following resources through this Resource Guide:

Senior Checklist Michigan College Access Portal overview Activities for finding the right fit Next steps after completing your applications

Please contact your high school counselor or MI College Application Week site coordinator if you have any questions about the college application process.

Be sure to check the following websites for help in knowing how to go to college – www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week/senior-resources www.knowhow2gomichigan.org www.itsmilife.com www.michigancap.org

Again, congratulations as you take this next step in planning for life after high school!

Sincerely,

Michigan College Application Week – Steering Committee

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Section I – Introduction

College Application Week: A History

What is College Application Week?College Application Week is a national initiative with the goal to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college. Special focus is placed on assisting students who would be the first in their families to attend college and students who may not have otherwise seriously considered applying to college. College Application Week can open the door for students by encouraging them to take a significant step toward college in their senior year.

National EffortsCollege Application Week began in North Carolina as a pilot effort at a single high school in Siler City, NC in 2005 and has since grown to a state-wide effort in North Carolina. Since then, many other states including Georgia, Tennessee, Colorado, South Carolina, West Virginia and Florida also have begun to develop College Application Campaigns to meet the needs of their respective states with a common goal of increasing the percentage of first-generation and low-income students that pursue a postsecondary education. Activities now occur in more than 1,200 schools in 24 states and the District of Columbia. We anticipate 37 states to participate in 2013.

As the College Application Week initiative has grown, the American College Application Campaign— a national effort to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential— was developed to support all states currently participating and to encourage new states to participate. Because of Michigan’s quick success to pilot College Application Week in 2011, MCAN was asked to serve on the American College Application Campaign advisory committee.

Michigan Efforts and ConceptInspired by the national concept, the purpose of Michigan College Application Week is to target low-income students, first-generation college going students and those who would have not otherwise considered college. Our goal is to ensure all seniors complete at least one application by the conclusion of Michigan College Application Week at host high schools.

In Michigan's pilot year (2011) for College Application Week, the 37 high schools hosting National College Advising Corps members were selected to participate. We estimate that 2,377 seniors participated in College Application Week activities and an estimated 3,116 applications were submitted. In 2012, 73 high schools and career technical centers participated in Michigan College Application Week. This year, 2013, over 200 schools have signed up to be a host site.

AcknowledgementsThe Michigan College Application Week Site Coordinator Resource Manual was revised August of 2013. We’d like to thank the College Foundation of North Carolina and the College Foundation of West Virginia for their help in creating our original Resource Guide, of which sections have been adapted from their respective guides.

A Steering Committee guides the development and growth of Michigan College Application Week by providing oversight to the campaign and information programming, encouraging buy-in, assisting with planning and publicizing the event, ensuring necessary resources are available, recruiting and mobilizing volunteers, and evaluating effectiveness of the campaign. The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) serves as the state coordinator by providing how-to materials for site coordinators, training volunteers, producing collateral materials for the campaign, and facilitating marketing and communication.

Section I – Introduction

About MCAN: As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. We believe:

College is postsecondary education: MCAN uses the term "college" to refer to the attainment of valuable postsecondary credentials beyond high school, including professional/technical certificates and academic degrees.

College is a necessity: Postsecondary education is a prerequisite to success in a knowledge-based economy. Everyone must pursue and complete a postsecondary credential or degree beyond high school.

College is for everyone: The postsecondary education attainment rates among low-income students and students of color are significantly lower than those of other students. MCAN is committed to closing these gaps.

College is a public good: Postsecondary educational opportunity and attainment are critical to a just and equitable society, strong economy, and healthy communities.

For more information, visit www.micollegeaccess.org.

A special thanks to the 2013 Michigan College Application Week Steering Committee:

Directors of Admissions as State Universities in Michigan (DASUM)

King*Chavez*Parks Initiative (KCP)

Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC)

Michigan Association of College Registrars & Admissions Officers (MACRAO)

Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP)

Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)

Michigan College Access Programs and Personnel (MI-CAPP)

Michigan Community College Admissions Directors

Michigan Community College Association (MCCA)

Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF)

Michigan Department of Education, Office of Education Improvement & Innovation

Michigan Parent Teacher Association

Michigan State Board of Education

Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA)

Michigan State Senate

Michigan State University

Michigan State University College Advising Corps

Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan

The Kresge Foundation

University of Michigan College Advising Corps

Section I – Introduction

What’s in a name? Understanding the word ‘College’

College is important – there’s no doubt about it. At least 70 percent of all new jobs in Michigan will require a college education by 2020, and Michigan needs tens of thousands more college graduates to build our economy.1 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 Degrees: Associate 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 degree at any of Michigan’s public community and technical colleges — and associate 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.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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 Schoolso 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 Schoolso 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 or on the document MCAN provides at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week. 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.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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. Because each Michigan college or university has its own application process, this checklist is comprehensive and can be used to help guide seniors on any question they may be asked.

NAME: ________________________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND & RESIDENCY INFORMATION 1. Current Mailing Address and County of ResidenceIf your mailing address is a Post Office Box, you will also need a physical street address.

2. Social Security Number

3. Place of Birth CityStateCountry4. 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 NumberVisa TypeNon-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 date7. 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 AppointmentCity and CountyState and CountyFirst Designated Next of Kin/RelationshipSecond 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

OccupationEmployerAddressDates EmployedHours per WeekWork Telephone

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FAMILY INFORMATION 20. Father’s Employment Information

OccupationEmployerAddressDates EmployedHours per WeekWork Telephone21. 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) NameAddressHome PhoneWork Phone Family PhysicianPhysician Phone26. 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.

Name Relationship College Dates

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COLLEGE APPLICATION & MISCELLENEOUS INFORMATION28. 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 NameHigh School’s 6-digit codeMailing 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

Note: Be able to provide the information requested in #30 for other high schools you may have attended.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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

ASSET

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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, 2009Algebra 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?

Student Interest Survey

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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)? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Michigan College Average Requirements

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 and should be used prior to CAW. Reminder: Students can use the Michigan College Access Portal to research and keep track of schools of interest.

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

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Approximate GPA: ___________________ ACT Score: _____________

Colleges in Michigan: GPA & ACT TiersGPA & ACT Averages of college freshman class based on information found on institutions’ websites & michigancap.org

*Open Admissions

Ave. GPAAve. 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.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Senior College ProfileName:

What is your Ideal College?

Circle all the aspects you are considering in a college.

What are your top three considerations for choosing a college? Rank the aspects you have circled.

1.______________________2.______________________3.______________________

G.P.A _______ACT Composite Score _____ What Colleges are you considering right now?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is your ultimate career goal?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What have you done so far in the college process?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Utilizing the Michigan College Access Portal

Public Private 2-year 4- year Tech schools Liberal arts

Religious Competitive Rural Urban Science/Math Diverse Campus

In-state Out of State Close to Home

Far away Co-Ed Single Sex

Small College

Large College

Warm Weather

Cold Weather

Commuter Campus

Major/Area of Study

NCAA Sports

Intramural Sports

Clubs & Organizations

Residential Program

Campus Resources

Other

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Another great resource for creating a Senior College Profile is the Michigan College Access Portal. Using the Portal, you will be able to:

Search for Colleges: You can search for colleges by name & location, academics & scores, size & environment, sports & activities, cost of attendance, and majors to get the most personalized search specific to your priorities and interests. You can also save your searches and return to them later.

Create a College List: Once you conduct your college search and find schools that fit your interests, you can save them to your account’s college list where you can organize and manage prospective schools and begin to narrow your focus. With thousands of universities to choose from, you should begin narrowing your list in the spring of your junior year. To help you supplement your online research:

Visit the College Campus Talk to students and alumni Meet with Admissions Offices

Compare Colleges: After completing your college list, you can then compare different colleges/universities based on

these criteria: Key Factors

o Type (2/4-year, public/private)o Setting (Urban, rural, suburban) and sizeo Calendar (Semesters, trimesters)o Athletic conferenceo Location, including proximity to home

Undergraduate Infoo Number of full- and part-time undergraduates and number of total undergraduateso Male/female and student/faculty ratioo Retention rate

Financial Infoo In- and out-of-state tuition and feeso Estimated annual and total costso Financial aid applicants/recipientso Average yearly financial aid amount

Academic Infoo Overall acceptance rateo GPA

Test Scores and Admissions Rating (SAT and ACT)

Use the Michigan College Access Portal to Navigate the Application Process Profile: Use your profile to manage your academic and extracurricular history. Your profile is a

space to keep track of the additional information that college applications will ask you for in one convenient spot. Make sure your profile is up to date with your:

o Middle/high school historyo College history (dual enrollment, etc.)o Employment history

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

o Extracurricular activitieso Honors and awardso Resume

Academics and Scores: In addition to your academic and extracurricular history, you can also manage your testing history through the Portal. You are able to record:

o Scores (SAT, ACT, PLAN)o Upcoming tests that you have registered foro Tests you have already taken and your scores

Educational Development Plan (EDP): My EDP helps you organize your career search by giving you tools to decide what works best for your unique ability and interests, and setting goals to keep you on track. Start by setting an After High School goal – do you want to earn an associate’s degree at a community college (2 years) or a bachelor’s degree at a university (4 years)? Maybe you are considering going directly into employment, or joining the military?

o My Career Profile: My Career Profile is a place for you to record your preferences and interests in a way that helps you understand how to search for careers. You can use quizzes and search tools to get a better sense of what careers are right for you. Organized around:

My Interests My Values My Career Pathways My Subjects

o My Occupation List: Here you can explore careers and save the ones that sound interesting to you.

o My Goals and Strategies: Consider and record what you can do to ensure that you graduate ready for success after high school.

Goals (Academic/Financial): Record a description of your goal, your expected completion date, and notes on your progress toward your goal.

Strategies: Create a list of academic, personal, and career preparation strategies that will help you toward completing your goals.

o Applications: The Portal allows you to keep all of your college application information in one spot. In this section, you may also monitor the status of your transcripts, add and manage your letter of recommendation requests, and managing your essays. Organize your college applications based on:

App. type Deadline Status Delivery type Application method

o Scholarships: Build your scholarship list by searching for scholarships through the Portal, and then organize them based on deadline, status, and award amount.

Paying for CollegeAfter you have applied for college, the next step is to determine how to best pay for college. Use the Portal to explore financial aid options. The Portal will help you to:

Understand financial aid Apply for financial aid Compare costs Find money Look up unfamiliar terms in the glossary

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Applications for Independent and Public Colleges and Universities

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment InformationWhat 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 after graduating 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.

AddressCan 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 InformationWhat 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 InformationWhat 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 InformationWhat 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 InterestsDo 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 Michigan College Access Portal account at www.MichiganCAP.org.

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.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Campus Specific InformationWhat 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 InformationWhat 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)

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Application Personal Statement and Essay

Choose a Topic That Will Highlight YouDon’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 PersonalDon’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 TellDon’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 VoiceDon’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 ProofreadDon’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. The Michigan College Access Portal has resources for developing college essays.

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

Michigan eLibrary Resources

The Michigan eLibrary provides Michigan residents with free access to online texts and resources, many of which include guides to writing college admissions essays and college practice tests, usually in the form of downloadable ebooks.

Test prep: The Learning Express Library, created by Michigan eLibrary, is a great source for test prep materials, especially the ACT. Here you will find practice tests in every subject, as well as strategy guides and games to help you prepare for the exam. You can access these resources here: http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/learningCenter/collegePreparation/ACT_Prep_LEL.

Essay guides:The Learning Express Library also offers a comprehensive guide to writing college entrance essays and offers tips on everything from proofreading and revising to writing in the high-pressure, little-time situation that college essays sometimes entail. These essay guides range from basics such as sentence structure and how to use quotations to more complex aspects of the college essay. Tools for practicing and improving the admissions essay can be found here: http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/learningCenter/collegePreparation/College_Admissions_LEL/College_Essay_LEL

Note that before you can begin to download and use these free resources, you will be asked to create an account by providing your name and email address and creating a password. Not only will creating an account give you access to college admissions resources, it will also allow you to organize and store all of your downloaded resources in your account’s dashboard, called “My Center.”

Additional writing resources found on the Michigan eLibrary: Tips for Writing Your College Application Essay: http://www.acm.edu/uploads/cms/documents/acm-college-guide-writing-essay.pdf

Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions

Trade/Vocational School Information

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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/MicroportalHome.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.aspxRoss 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

http://www.dorsey.edu/

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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

Web Design Wind Energy

Section II – Senior Resource Guide

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.comclick on Professional examschoose ASVAB under military

(Close any popups)

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

Section III – Apply

Section VI - Apply

Sample Form for Seniors

Submitting Your Application …“I Applied! Now What?”

The puzzle pieces of going to college are almost together! Read the following information to learn more about the “Now What?” pieces of paying your application fee, keeping your confirmation page, when to expect schools to contact you, and information on transcripts, test scores, essays, financial aid, and more!

Paying Your Application Fee When you submit your application online, you may be required to pay an application fee (unless it is a college/university that has a free application for admission). If a payment is required, you can pay your application fee the following ways:

1) You can pay via credit or debit card online. Some colleges require a credit card to apply online. Do your research prior to the event to see if the college you want to apply to requires one! If you chose this option, you will need the following information: Credit card type (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), credit card number, security code, name on credit card, date credit card was issued, and expiration date.

2) You can submit your application online and pay via check in the mail (if the school allows this form of payment). You will need to include a copy of your Confirmation Page with your check.

3) You may qualify for an application fee waiver. Check with your school counselor or college adviser about this option. You will need to include a copy of your Confirmation Page with the fee waiver. Ask your counselor for more information.

4) You may be able to save your application, print it, and mail it in with your payment (varies by institution).

Follow Up with Transcripts, Test Scores, and Essays Many admission offices require students to submit additional information in order to complete the application process. It is important to find out what other information is required and send it to the campus ASAP! The more quickly you submit all the necessary forms, the sooner you will receive a response from the admission office. Some additional requirements are the following:

Official transcripts (mandatory)o Your transcripts will be sent through a www.parchment.com account or through your high school

by request. To make an account, do the following steps:1. Go to the main page and select the “sign up” option2. Pick the student option and complete the registration page3. Request your transcripts from your high school4. Click ‘deliver’ and choose the colleges/universities where you want your transcripts to be

sent. For scholarships, you can request your transcript to be sent to your email. ACT score (mandatory) Essays (depends on the institution)

o See pages 36-37for additional essay resources. Letters of recommendation (depends on the institution)

o These letters can be from a teacher, counselor, principal, coach, supervisor, pastor, employer, etc.

Don’t forget your Confirmation Page … Do not leave the computer lab without a hardcopy printout of your Confirmation Page! Also, some schools may require this page to be signed and mailed to the admission office to complete the application

Section III – Apply

process. Whether the school requires this form or not, you still need a printed copy for your records. Either way, make sure you put this confirmation page in a safe place.

Sample Confirmation Page

Schools should contact you! Once you have submitted your online application, campuses should be in touch with you via email or letter to inform you of the status of your application. If you have not been contacted by the school within 2-3 weeks of your submission, get in touch with the college or university’s admission office to inquire about your application status.

Now that I applied to college, where can I learn more about paying for college? Go to www.michigancap.org to research financial aid options such as scholarship opportunities,

available grants, loans, and incentive programs to help make your college costs affordable. Speak with your family and guidance counselor about your financial aid options. Mark your calendar for FAFSA College Sunday at a college, university, or community center

near you to learn more about your options. Complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible. The sooner you submit the form, the better

chances you have of getting an affordable financial aid package. Be sure to pick up copies of the handouts before leaving the event.

Congratulations! You are on your way!

Section III – Apply

FAFSA Timeline and Checklist for High School Seniors

November/December- Request your PIN, and keep it in a safe place! Both the student and parent/guardian need to have

a PIN. You can request your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.- Check out the FAFSA4Caster (www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov) to get an estimate of you Expected

Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC will be used to determine what types of federal grants, loans, and work study your student qualifies for.

- Encourage your student to continue researching national and local scholarships. Try www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, and the St. Clair Community Foundation website (www.stclairfoundation.org/scholarships).

- Complete your income tax forms ASAP!

January- JANUARY 1ST is the first day you can file your FAFSA!

o The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or on paper.- The FAFSA should be submitted by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools your student

is applying/going to (this is usually in early February).- Call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) for any problems with your FAFSA.

March/April- MARCH 1ST is the deadline for priority aid consideration, and is the deadline for STATE

FUNDING as well! Please file your FAFSA by March 1st, 2014!- You will receive financial aid award letters from colleges around the end of March/in April. - When your student decides which school they are going to attend, notify the school and make any

required financial deposit. Most schools need to know by MAY 1ST. o Make sure to notify any schools your student will NOT be attending as well.

Section III – Apply

Thank you for participating in

Michigan College Application Week