Welcome Welcome totoPonderosa High Ponderosa High

SchoolSchoolThe The FinalFinal CountdownCountdown

SENIORSSENIORS 2015 2015

Ponderosa High SchoolPonderosa High SchoolCounseling Department StaffCounseling Department Staff

Laurie PortmanLaurie Portman A – EA – E 303-387-4103303-387-4103 Amy LarsenAmy Larsen F – KF – K 303-387-4018303-387-4018 Renee BreurRenee Breur L – PL – P 303-387-4017303-387-4017 Christy KiddChristy Kidd Q - ZQ - Z 303-387-4019303-387-4019 Peggy Laverty, RegistrarPeggy Laverty, Registrar 303-387-4016303-387-4016 Sandy Gress, SecretarySandy Gress, Secretary 303-387-4032303-387-4032

Counseling OfficeCounseling Office SAT, ACT, PLAN, PSAT Testing SAT, ACT, PLAN, PSAT Testing

InformationInformation Information about Test Prep Information about Test Prep

OpportunitiesOpportunities Naviance Family Connection, Post Naviance Family Connection, Post

Grad ResearchGrad Research Military & Vocational Military & Vocational

OpportunitiesOpportunities College VisitsCollege Visits Academic Guidance and SupportAcademic Guidance and Support Social/Emotional SupportSocial/Emotional Support

OptionsOptions After High SchoolAfter High School

Technical/Vocational Schools Technical/Vocational Schools – Catalogs and occupational information are Catalogs and occupational information are

available.available.

Community/Junior Colleges Community/Junior Colleges – There are 12 in Colorado on 15 separate There are 12 in Colorado on 15 separate

campuses.campuses.

Four Year Colleges/Universities Four Year Colleges/Universities

– Liberal Arts CollegesLiberal Arts Colleges– Specialized CollegesSpecialized Colleges– UniversitiesUniversities

Options After High School Continued...Options After High School Continued...

Work Work – – Sometimes a good option while you Sometimes a good option while you determine your goals for the future. determine your goals for the future. Community colleges have a large adult Community colleges have a large adult population who went to work immediately population who went to work immediately out of high school, then entered community out of high school, then entered community college to pursue his/her occupation.college to pursue his/her occupation.

Military – A minimum commitment of two Military – A minimum commitment of two years or career status is available in all years or career status is available in all branches of the military. Military recruiters branches of the military. Military recruiters are here during lunches several times each are here during lunches several times each month. month.

Apprentice Programs – Most large Apprentice Programs – Most large companies have training programs for their companies have training programs for their employees which provide the opportunity to employees which provide the opportunity to earn while you learn.earn while you learn.

MilitaryMilitary A minimum 2 year commitmentA minimum 2 year commitment Military careers availableMilitary careers available Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a

monthmonth On-the-job trainingOn-the-job training Scholarships for college after serviceScholarships for college after service ROTC Programs available for most branchesROTC Programs available for most branches

A minimum 2 year commitmentA minimum 2 year commitment Military careers availableMilitary careers available Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a Recruiters visit PHS during lunch twice a

monthmonth On-the-job trainingOn-the-job training Scholarships for college after serviceScholarships for college after service ROTC Programs available for most branchesROTC Programs available for most branches

All males must register with the All males must register with the SELECTIVE SERVICESELECTIVE SERVICE when they when they turn 18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not turn 18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not register may find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, register may find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, grants, job training and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for grants, job training and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. PHS students may register online at: male immigrants. PHS students may register online at: www.sssgov/regist.htm

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Higher Education Admissions RequirementsHigher Education Admissions Requirements

ACADEMIC AREAACADEMIC AREA HS GRADUATES 2010+HS GRADUATES 2010+

EnglishEnglish 4 credits4 credits

MathematicsMathematics 4 credits4 credits

Natural/Physical SciencesNatural/Physical Sciences

(2 units must be lab based)(2 units must be lab based)3 credits3 credits

Social SciencesSocial Sciences

(At least 1 unit of U.S. or world (At least 1 unit of U.S. or world history)history)

3 credits3 credits

Foreign LanguageForeign Language 1 credits1 credits

Academic Electives*Academic Electives* 2 credits2 credits

TotalTotal 17 credits17 credits

CCHE IndexCCHE Index

What Type of Degree Do You Want?What Type of Degree Do You Want?

BACHELORS DEGREEBACHELORS DEGREE– 4 or more years of study at a college or university. 4 or more years of study at a college or university.

2 years general education 2 years general education 2 years of courses that complement your major during junior and 2 years of courses that complement your major during junior and

senior yearsenior year

ASSOCIATES DEGREEASSOCIATES DEGREE– Complete up to 2 years of general education at a community Complete up to 2 years of general education at a community

college and later transfer to a four year institution orcollege and later transfer to a four year institution or– Combine some general education with vocational training for a Combine some general education with vocational training for a

specific careerspecific career CERTIFICATE PROGRAMCERTIFICATE PROGRAM

– Typically for job-oriented students seeking shorter training to Typically for job-oriented students seeking shorter training to prepare to enter the workforce. Credit hours vary depending prepare to enter the workforce. Credit hours vary depending on the study, and can range from one semester to two years.on the study, and can range from one semester to two years.

Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School StudentHigh School Student

1.1. Grades that represent strong effort and an Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trendupward trend

2.2. Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT)ACT)

3.3. A high school curriculum that challenges a A high school curriculum that challenges a studentstudent

4.4. Passionate involvement in a few activities, Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiativedemonstrating leadership and initiative

5.5. Community service showing evidence of Community service showing evidence of being a “contributor”being a “contributor”

Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a High School StudentHigh School Student

6.6. Work or out-of-school experiences (including Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer activities) that illustrate responsibility, summer activities) that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and development of areas of interestdedication, and development of areas of interest

7.7. A well-written essay that provides insight into the A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goalsstudent’s unique personality, values and goals

8.8. Letters of recommendation from teachers and Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skill, and positive character traitsspecial skill, and positive character traits

9.9. Supplementary recommendations by adults who Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had significant direct contact with the studenthave had significant direct contact with the student

10.10. Anything special that makes the student stand out Anything special that makes the student stand out from the rest of the applicants!from the rest of the applicants!

Time to Get Time to Get Started!Started!

The Application ProcessThe Application Process

Complete your college application Complete your college application onlineonline Keep a copyKeep a copy Common Application vs. College Common Application vs. College

ApplicationApplication Complete a Transcript Request Form in Complete a Transcript Request Form in

Naviance (*Will not be fulfilled unless Naviance (*Will not be fulfilled unless Naviance tasks are complete!)Naviance tasks are complete!)

Allow 5 school days for transcript Allow 5 school days for transcript requests to be processed requests to be processed

Pay attention to College Application Pay attention to College Application Deadlines!Deadlines!

NAVIANCENAVIANCE https://connections.naviance.com/ponderosahttps://connections.naviance.com/ponderosa

Students and parents can use Naviance to Students and parents can use Naviance to gather valuable information throughout gather valuable information throughout the college search and application process. the college search and application process. Use Naviance to access information about:Use Naviance to access information about:– ScholarshipsScholarships– College SearchesCollege Searches– College VisitsCollege Visits– NCAANCAA– Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation– Myers Briggs Personality ProfileMyers Briggs Personality Profile– Career ExplorationCareer Exploration– Links to crucial college/career websitesLinks to crucial college/career websites

CollegesCollegesYour former college research is

under colleges I am thinking about

As you find new colleges

add them here

Now…click on colleges I’m applying to

Colleges I’m Applying ToColleges I’m Applying To

Once you apply to a school go to:

•colleges I’m thinking about

•check the box next to the school you applied to

•then click move to application list

•colleges will be moved to colleges I am applying to

Transcript RequestsTranscript Requests Go to www.phsmustrangs.com

Click Departments

Click on Counseling

Click Transcript Requests Use the help document

located under Counseling Resources Requesting a High School Transcript

Log into Naviance

Log into Naviance

Click on Colleges

Make sure you have Colleges listed under colleges I’m Applying to.

Allow 5 school days for completion

The Registrar will notify you when they have been sent or if you need to pick them up.

Transcript RequestsTranscript Requests

My My PlannerPlanner

Assignments to complete

• Brag Sheet

• Update resume

• Update game plan

My Letter of Brag Sheet in My Letter of Brag Sheet in NavianceNaviance

About Me

• click on Brag Sheet

• Answer each question thoroughly in order to provide your teachers with adequate information.

Things YOU need to know:Things YOU need to know:

DO use a professional/appropriate email DO use a professional/appropriate email address when applying to colleges. address when applying to colleges. – Make sure your email address is current in Make sure your email address is current in

Naviance.Naviance. DO begin requesting teacher/counselor DO begin requesting teacher/counselor

recommendations as soon as you have recommendations as soon as you have completed the completed the Brag SheetBrag Sheet in Naviance. in Naviance.

DO write thank you letters to letter writersDO write thank you letters to letter writers DO plan to apply early during the fall of your DO plan to apply early during the fall of your

senior year. Decide if you want to apply Early senior year. Decide if you want to apply Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-binding).binding).

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NCAA OverviewNCAA OverviewNCAA Initial Eligibility ClearinghouseNCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Commonly referred to as “The Clearinghouse”Commonly referred to as “The Clearinghouse” An Organization that works with the NCAA to determine a student’s An Organization that works with the NCAA to determine a student’s

eligibility for athletic participation in college sports during their first year of eligibility for athletic participation in college sports during their first year of college enrollmentcollege enrollment

Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a student’s high school academic records, ACT or SAT scores and key student’s high school academic records, ACT or SAT scores and key information about amateurism participation.information about amateurism participation.

Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year!Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year!

Information is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAAInformation is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAA

NCAA Clearinghouse – NCAA Clearinghouse – www.eligibilitycenter.org

CoreCourseGPA.comCoreCourseGPA.com

Scholarships Scholarships

and and

Financial Aid Financial Aid

InformationInformation

Terms to Know…Terms to Know…

Pell GrantPell Grant SEOGSEOG

(Supplemental (Supplemental Educational Educational Opportunity Opportunity Grant)Grant)

Work StudyWork Study Perkins LoanPerkins Loan Stafford LoanStafford Loan

Parent Loan for Parent Loan for Undergraduate Undergraduate StudentsStudents

PrivatePrivate Grants & Grants &

ScholarshipsScholarships Education LoansEducation Loans Western Western

Undergraduate Undergraduate ExchangeExchange

Financial AidFinancial AidExplore each opportunity for financial aid:Explore each opportunity for financial aid: ScholarshipsScholarships are awarded to students who meet certain are awarded to students who meet certain

criteria. They do not have to be paid pack. There are criteria. They do not have to be paid pack. There are hundreds – and you may qualify for some!hundreds – and you may qualify for some!

GrantsGrants are awarded to students who have high financial are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not have to be paid back.need. They do not have to be paid back.

Work-studyWork-study positions offer you a way to earn money to put positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and toward your education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on your financial need.may or may not depend on your financial need.

LoansLoans (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay back.must pay back.

Tax credits and savingsTax credits and savings are additional incentives for are additional incentives for educationeducation

College Opportunity FundCollege Opportunity Fund – the State of Colorado will – the State of Colorado will provide a stipend to eligible undergraduate students when provide a stipend to eligible undergraduate students when you attend a participating Colorado public or private you attend a participating Colorado public or private institution.institution.

FAFSA FAFSA What is the FAFSA?What is the FAFSA?

– The Free Application for Federal The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, is used to apply Student Aid, FAFSA, is used to apply for federal financial aid.for federal financial aid.

Where can I find more information?Where can I find more information?– Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)– VisitVisit www.ed.gov/studentaid or or

www.students.gov

College Goal Sunday ColoradoCollege Goal Sunday Colorado– February 8, 2015, 1-3 pmFebruary 8, 2015, 1-3 pm– Locations across the state-check Locations across the state-check

websitewebsite– An opportunity for students and parents to An opportunity for students and parents to

get free help in filling out the FAFSAget free help in filling out the FAFSA

CommunicationCommunication

Communication with Seniors will occur in Communication with Seniors will occur in the following ways:the following ways:

– Naviance –Naviance – check for updatescheck for updates– Counseling office boardCounseling office board– School AnnouncementsSchool Announcements– Rolling MarquisRolling Marquis– PHS Parent Newsletter emailed weeklyPHS Parent Newsletter emailed weekly– Email and Monthly Counselor Email and Monthly Counselor

NewsletterNewsletter– Web SiteWeb Site www.phsmustangs.com

Graduation Status ChecksGraduation Status ChecksYour student’s counselor has Your student’s counselor has

been having an individual been having an individual conference with each senior. conference with each senior.

Bring all of your college Bring all of your college questions to this meeting. questions to this meeting.

Have all required NAVIANCE Have all required NAVIANCE information in the task bar, information in the task bar,

completed. completed.

Credit checks are completed Credit checks are completed during September, October, during September, October,

November. November.

Important Important DatesDates

Community Community ServiceService

Deadline for 20 hours of Deadline for 20 hours of

community service iscommunity service is May 1, May 1, 20152015

2014-15 Testing 2014-15 Testing DatesDates

ACTACT RegistrationRegistration

Test DateTest Date DeadlineDeadlineSeptember 13, 2014September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 August 8, 2014October 25, 2014October 25, 2014 September 19, September 19,

20142014December 13, 2014December 13, 2014 November 7, November 7,

20142014February 7, 2015February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 January 9, 2015April 18, 2015April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 13, 2015June 13, 2015June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 8, 2015

SATSAT

RegistrationRegistrationTest DateTest Date DeadlineDeadlineOctober 11, 2014October 11, 2014 September 12, September 12,

20142014November 8, 2014November 8, 2014 October 9, 2014October 9, 2014December 6, 2014December 6, 2014 November 6, 2014November 6, 2014January 24, 2015January 24, 2015 December 29, December 29,

20142014March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 February 13, 2015February 13, 2015May 2, 2015 May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015April 6, 2015June 6, 2015June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015May 8, 2015

Financial Aid Night @ PHSFinancial Aid Night @ PHS

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014

6pm to 7pm6pm to 7pm

Ponderosa High SchoolPonderosa High School

AuditoriumAuditorium

College Fairs of Greater Denver College Fairs of Greater Denver Inc.Inc.

October 11, 2014October 11, 2014 October 16, October 16, 20142014

10:00 am to 12:30 pm10:00 am to 12:30 pm 6:30 to 7:30 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.p.m.

Mountain Vista H.S.Mountain Vista H.S. JFK High JFK High SchoolSchool

GRADUATIONGRADUATION

May 19, 2015May 19, 2015

9 am9 am

Sports Authority StadiumSports Authority Stadium