Post High School Planning Guide

Post High School

Planning Guide

2019-20

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Introduction

MHS Counselors

Brad Burnham

952-401-5816 | [email protected]

Last names A-Bur

Jennifer Stout

952-401-5818 | jennifer[email protected]

Last names Bus-Em

Theresa Exenberger

952-401-5824 | theresa.exenberger@minnetonkaschools.org

Last names En-Han

Conor Maher

952-401-5819 | [email protected]

Last names Hao-Ka

Stephanie McClendon

952-401-5821 | [email protected]

Last names Kb-Mag

Christina Taylor

952-401-5813 | [email protected]

Last names Mah-Ol

Amanda Wavrin

952-401-5817 | amanda.wavrin@minnetonkaschools.org

Last names Om-Sam

Kendra Olson

952-401-5823 | [email protected]

Last names San-Tam

David Bierly

952-401-5820 | [email protected]

Last names Tan-Z

Phil Trout

952-401-5746 | [email protected]

College Counselor

Laura Herbst

952-401-5897 | [email protected]

Advanced Learning Coordinator and IB Diploma Candidate Advisor

This booklet has been designed by the Minnetonka

Counseling Department to assist Minnetonka

High School

juniors and seniors and their parents in the post high school

planning process. There are numerous options to choose

from, and knowing yourself well is the key to making

appropriate choices. Throughout this guide, you will find

answers to

many of your questions regarding post high

school planning, as well as

tools to help you gain further

insight into what path after high school is best for you. Also,

keep in mind the counseling seminars you have completed

in the past, which provided you with ideas for future

careers, educational paths and information regarding

your

abilities and interests. Consider what you

have learned about

yourself in your classes, high school activities, jobs, etc.

From experiences like these, you have gained knowledge

regarding your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your

likes and dislikes. All of this valuable data about yourself will

help you make appropriate choices for your future.

Now is definitely the time to begin studying the options

available to you and putting a plan in place that will allow

you to attain your goals. Your counselor is prepared to

help you in this process. Although your counselor cannot

make any decisions for you, he or she can help you find

more information, answer your questions, and assist

you in sorting through your options. In addition, spend

some time in the College and Career Center researching

careers and schools. Our college counselor, career center

coordinator and trained parent volunteers are eager to

help you find what you need. The planning process can

seem overwhelming; however, people are available to

assist you along the way—please utilize them!

What becomes of your future is up to you! For most

young people, this is the first opportunity you have had

to make significant decisions that can have great impact

on the rest of your life. Take advantage of the information

in this booklet, visit the College and Career Center, meet

with your counselor, and get excited about the next

great adventure in your life.

We wish you a fulfilling and

prosperous life beyond MHS!

MHS Counselors

Phone 952-401-5811

Fax 952-401-5814

Minnetonka High School

18301 Highway 7

Minnetonka, Minnesota 55345

High School Code # 240-780

Contents

“Greatness is not

in where we stand,

but in what direction

we are moving.

We must sail

sometimes with the

wind and sometimes

against it—

but sail we must,

and not

drift,

nor lie at anchor.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Post High School Options .......................................... 4-5

Four-Year Colleges

Two-Year Colleges

Technical Colleges and Specialty Schools

The Military

Employment

Apprenticeship

Self-Reflection .................................................................... 6-7

Timeline ................................................................................... 8-9

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Researching Schools ................................................ 10-12

Preparation Requirements

Admission Criteria

Admission Test Requirements

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Considering Personal Preferences

Resources Available

The College Visit

Putting It Together

The Application Process ....................................... 13-14

Applications

Transcript Release

Recommendations

The Essay

The Interview

Financing Your Education ................................... 15-18

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

CSS Profile

Scholarships

Scholarship Scams

Tuition Reciprocity

Glossary ...................................................................................... 19

Cover quote:

Abraham Lincoln

Post High School Options

There are many options for students after high school. The possibilities

include, but

are not limited to, the following:

• A four-year college (either public or private)

• A two-year college (either public or private)

• A technical college (either public or private)

• A specialty school

• The military (regular enlistment, ROTC, or a service academy)

• Employment

• An apprenticeship

• A post-graduate program (a “gap” year)

Four-year colleges

are located in every state and are either public (which means

they are partly supported by taxes and are therefore generally less expensive than

private colleges) or private (which are not supported by taxes). Both public and

private colleges offer a wide variety of programs and vary in size from very small

to very large. There are more than 3,000 four-year colleges in the United States to

choose from. Examples of four-year colleges in Minnesota are:

• The University of Minnesota (campuses in the Twin Cities, Crookston,

Duluth, Morris and Rochester)

• State University System (campuses in Mankato, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Winona,

Marshall, Moorhead and St. Paul)

• Private Colleges (Augsburg, Bethel, Carleton, Concordia-Moorhead,

Concordia-St. Paul, Gustavus, Hamline, Macalester, Minneapolis College of

Art and Design, St. Benedict, St. Catherine, St. John’s, St. Mary’s,

St. Olaf, St. Scholastica and St. Thomas, among others)

Two-year colleges

can also be either private or public and are located

throughout the United States. The most common two-year college is the public

community college, which

is usually the least

expensive and most convenient

option for students wanting to pursue a college education. Students who desire

to earn a four-year degree can complete their last two years

by transferring

their

community college credits to a four-year school that agrees to accept them.

Examples of community colleges near Minnetonka are:

• Normandale Community College, Bloomington

• North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park

• Minneapolis Community and Technical College

“Excellence is never

an accident. It is

always the result

of high intention,

sincere effort and

intelligent execution;

it represents the

wise choice of many

alternatives —

choice, not chance,

determines your

destiny.”

— Aristotle

Post High School Options (continued)

Technical colleges and specialty schools are

somewhat different from two- and four-year colleges

in that they offer training for a specific occupation and

usually do not offer general coursework such as English,

social studies, the humanities, etc. (This can vary somewhat

by school.) Lengths of programs vary but most can be

completed in one or

two years. The student is then ready to

enter the job market.

Technical colleges or specialty schools

can be either public

or private. Examples of technical

colleges and specialty schools in Minnesota are:

• Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie

(public)

• Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park (public)

• Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis

(private)

• Aveda Institute in Minneapolis (private)

The military offers a variety of training opportunities

and requires a service commitment in return. In addition to

regular enlistment, students who want to pursue a college

degree before they complete their service commitment

can apply for a ROTC program or a service academy. ROTC

scholarships allow students to complete their education

at a civilian college at the same time they are training to

become a commissioned officer in a branch of the armed

services. Many college campuses offer ROTC programs.

Names and phone numbers of military contacts can be

obtained in the MHS College and Career Center.

The service academies, which require a fairly extensive

application process, include the following:

• United States Air Force Academy

www.usafa.af.mil

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80840

Ph. 800-443-9266

• United States Coast Guard Academy

www.cga.edu

New London, Connecticut 06320

Ph. 800-883-8724

• United States Merchant Marine Academy

www.usmma.edu

Kings Point, NY 11024

Ph. 866-546-4778

• United States Military Academy

www.usma.edu

West Point, N.Y. 10996

Ph. 845-938-4041

• United States Naval Academy

www.usna.edu

Annapolis, Maryland 21402

Ph. 410-293-4361

Employment immediately after high school is an option

chosen by students who know that they wish to be involved

in an occupation which requires no additional training

beyond high school or who want to delay formalized post

high school training. Sometimes companies have their

own training programs. Students wishing to pursue the

employment option should talk with their counselor about

resources.

The following Web sites provide information on career

planning and researching jobs:

www.bls.gov/ooh

www.careeronestop.org

www.iseek.org

Apprenticeship programs are another way to get

training for a particular occupation. Programs are available

in more than 200 skilled trades in Minnesota. Information

can be obtained from:

Apprenticeship Programs

Department of Labor and Industry

443 Lafayette Road N.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-284-5090

- and -

www.dli.mn.gov/workers/be-apprentice

The post high school options are many.

Which one is right for you?

Perhaps the most important step in the

post high school planning process is that

of self-reflection. Read on to learn how

to get started in this process.

Self-Reflection

Who are you? Finding the right plan for you requires

understanding of your values, skills and interests.

One

factor you should consider is how your learning style

matches the educational institutions that you are considering

attending. If you prefer courses that relate directly to

a particular career, and/or a more hands-on approach

to education, you may want to consider beginning your

education at a community college or technical school. Or,

you might decide that you want to begin college coursework,

however you do not want to move away from home

or attend

a four-year institution quite yet. Community

colleges can help ease the transition from high school to

college. Of course, the decision of whether to attend a

two-year college or a four-year college is not this simple.

We want to remind you of the importance of considering

who you are when you are deciding on what type of

institution to attend.

The following questions may help you consider your

readiness for attending a four-year college.

Ask Yourself!

1. Are your academic record and/or your college

admissions test scores better than average?

2. Do you have effective study skills?

3. Do you enjoy doing academic work?

4. Do you read well?

5. Do you write well?

6. Why are you pursuing college?

a) Your chosen career requires college training.

b) You like school and want to further your

education.

c) Attending college is an important family value

or tradition.

d) You’re not sure what the alternative is.

e) All of your friends are.

7. How have you prepared for college academic work?

a) Studying and working in high school.

b) Taking the most academically challenging

coursework available.

c) Making reading a daily habit.

d) Pursuing opportunities outside school such as

mentorships, camps, and other academic

opportunities.

8. How do you know that you are ready to live

independently?

a) You manage your own bank accounts.

b) You do your homework without parental

supervision.

c) You have independent living skills (i.e., laundry,

waking with an alarm clock, etc.)

d)You have spent time away from home before.

* (Adapted from A Step-by-Step Guide to Life after VAHS)

Self-Reflection (continued)

Once you decide what type of institution you would like

to attend, you must consider what school criteria are

most important to you. This will allow you to narrow your

list of schools to those that match your needs best. You

may

be living on campus for four years, so don’t forget

the importance of comparing campus life, diversity of

the student body, living arrangements, etc. The following

factors may be helpful to consider:

• Size of the school

• Location of the school

• Availability of your major

• Size of the classes

• Quality of the faculty

• Flexibility and availability of interdepartmental

study or transfer

• Availability of courses through registration

• Availability of faculty and facilities to

undergraduate students

• Success of graduates pursuing graduate studies

and/or employment opportunities

• Instructional facilities and equipment

• Academic structure and core requirements

• Type of sports programs available

• Advising programs

• Programs to meet special needs

• Cost of the institution

• Composition and interrelationships of the student

body

• Availability of extracurricular activities

• Selectivity and admissions requirements

• Living arrangements and facilities

• Availability of financial aid & scholarships

• Kind of school (i.e., public, private, church-

affiliated, liberal, conservative, etc.)

• Campus/community safety and security

• Relationship of the school and the community

• Climate and geographical considerations

• Aesthetic components of the school

• Prestige and name recognition

• School calendar

Once you complete your self-reflection,

we recommend the college search feature

on Naviance Student.

https://student.naviance.com/minnetonka

Timeline

Freshman Year

• Meet with your counselor to review your four-year plan.

• Get involved in high school activities.

• Pay attention to your grades—it helps to have a solid

first year in high school.

Sophomore Year

• Review your four-year plan, making adjustments to

coincide with your post-high school plans.

• Find a community service activity that suits you.

• Open your account in Naviance Student. Complete the

Career Interest Profiler to begin exploring career and

educational options.

• Know what is on your transcript.

• Explore summer opportunities to enrich your

experiences.

Junior Year

• Attend the National College Fair in the fall with the

rest of the Junior class.

• Take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying

Test in October. This is strongly encouraged for all

college bound juniors and necessary for anyone

wishing National Merit recognition.

• Start your post-high school planning in earnest. A

good first step is to meet with your counselor and

review your strengths and interests, your academic

plan, and your current record. Attend one of the

college admission presentations given by our college

counselor.

• Sign on to Naviance Student and complete My Game

Plan and any other assignments from the Junior

Seminar.

• Research colleges using the College and Career Center,

talking with college representatives, and asking

colleges to send you information.

• Discuss college costs with your family and begin to

research financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

• Register carefully for your senior year courses, making

sure that you will have the necessary preparation

requirements for college.

• In the spring, take the ACT and/or the SAT

and possibly SAT Subject Tests. If you are considering

ROTC or a service academy, contact the appropriate

persons so that you are doing the preliminary parts of

the application.

• Build a list of colleges that meet your criteria and

your interest. Note their application deadlines

and testing requirements.

• Submit the NCAA Eligibility Center form if you plan to

participate in a Division I or II sport in college.

• Visit colleges you’re interested in.

Timeline (continued)

Senior Year

Fall

• Make an appointment to see your counselor. Review

your credits, college entrance requirements, and

college choices. Talk about the application process

and, if needed, the counselor recommendation.

• If needed, see teachers about recommendations.

• Attend a college admissions presentation given by our

college counselor

• Meet with college admission representatives during

their visit to MHS. See schedule of visits on Naviance

Student.

• Attend the National College Fair in the evening and with

your parents, if possible. Firm up your alternatives.

• If needed, complete the Senior Questionnaire on

Naviance Student.

• Re-take the ACT or SAT if necessary. Have test scores

sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

• Check out scholarship opportunities on Naviance

Student.

• In October, attend the financial aid program at MHS.

• After October 1, fill out the FAFSA if you plan to apply

for need-based financial aid.

• Complete the CSS Profile (financial aid) form if your

college choices require it.

• Check application deadlines and meet those deadlines.

Remember that most college applications are

submitted prior to winter break, and that counselors

need requests for recommendations at least three

weeks before the application deadline. The University

of Minnesota early action deadline is November 1.

Many other colleges have early deadlines as well.

• Complete applications and essays.

• Fill out an MHS Transcript Release Form

(forms are also available for download from

Naviance Student). Allow enough time for

processing (at least one week).

Requests are date-

stamped and handled on a first come,

first served basis.

• See your counselor, or our college counselor, with any

questions you may have about the application process.

January–February

• Submit any additional applications.

• Request mid-year grade reports be sent to colleges

that require them.

• Stay focused on your academic work while you wait

for acceptance letters.

March–June

• Make final campus visits if needed.

• Send in confirmation and the housing deposit.

• Notify colleges of your decision to attend or not

attend. Note: The national candidate reply date is

May 1.

• Notify your counselor of your plans.

• Request that your final transcript and verification of

graduation be sent to the college you plan to attend.

Researching Schools

Researching schools thoroughly can be the difference

between a satisfying post high school experience and one

that is not quite so satisfying. There are many aspects to

the research process.

Preparation Requirements

Knowing what preparation is needed in high school

is important. Most four-year colleges have specific

coursework they want students to have completed before

entering their college. These preparation requirements

can vary from college to college. The minimum preparation

requirements for a majority of four-year colleges are: four

years of English; three or more years of social studies;

three years of laboratory science; three years of math

(starting with algebra); two years of a world language; and

one year of the arts. However, students wishing to apply

to a very competitive college (or a specialized program,

such as engineering) will most likely need to take more

math, science, and/or world language. It is always best to

check directly with the colleges to which you are applying

for information about admissions criteria.

Admission Criteria

In addition to the coursework requirements, colleges

have admission criteria that vary from college to college.

Admission criteria most commonly refer to minimum

grade point average and/or standardized test scores

needed for admission. These items are looked at carefully

by college admission staff. Many colleges also consider

the rigor of coursework taken in high school. It is certainly

educationally sound to be taking coursework that is

appropriately challenging for you. Colleges require that

you have a copy of your high school record (your transcript)

sent to them so that they can see what kind of academic

work you did in high school. Most commonly, admissions

offices of public colleges rely heavily on the transcript and

test scores for making admission decisions. Most private

colleges will give the transcript and test scores primary

consideration, but will also look at special talents as well.

Colleges may want to know what activities you were

involved with while in high school, how your teachers

viewed you (via the teacher recommendation), and what

you are like as a person (via the personal essay and

sometimes an interview). Keep in mind that the academic

record is of primary importance. Service academies

have their own special criteria. It is always best to check

directly with the colleges to which you are applying for

information about admission criteria.

Admissions Test Requirements

Taking a college admissions test is a good idea for students

considering attending a four-year college. Most four-year

colleges require that you take either the ACT or the SAT and

have those test scores sent directly to the college from the

testing agency. It is generally recommended that the ACT

or SAT be taken no later than spring of the junior year. (It

is possible to take either test in the fall of the senior year.)

These tests can be taken more than once. Students with

a disability may qualify for accommodations for the ACT/

SAT college entrance exams. For details, visit the following

websites. You can register for the ACT at www.actstudent.

org and for the SAT at www.collegeboard.org.

Minnetonka is a test site for the ACT and the SAT, and

several neighboring high schools are also test sites. These

tests are given on designated Saturday mornings. It is

common practice for colleges to consider your highest score

when reviewing an application for admission. Students

who register for the ACT test may choose either of two

options—the ACT Assessment or the ACT Assessment Plus

Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing Test. A few

colleges (usually very competitive private colleges) require

that students take at least two SAT subject tests, in addition

to the SAT or ACT. The schedule for this year’s ACT and SAT

national test dates are listed on the following page.

Researching Schools (continued)

ACT

ACT Test Dates Registration Deadline

September 14, 2019 August 16, 2019

October 26, 2019 September 20, 2019

December 14, 2019 November 8, 2019

February 8, 2020 January 10, 2020

April 4, 2020 February 28, 2020

June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020

July 18, 2020 June 19, 2020

SAT

SAT Test Dates Registration Deadline

August 24, 2019 July 26, 2019

October 5, 2019 September 6, 2019

November 2, 2019 October 3, 2019

December 7, 2019 November 8, 2019

March 14, 2020* February 14, 2020

May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020

June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020

*SAT Only (no subject tests)

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Students who intend to play a varsity sport in college

at the Division I or Division II level

must meet the

NCAA’s eligibility requirements and abide

by their

recruiting guidelines. Eligibility requirements include

successful completion of a core curriculum of at

least 16

specified academic courses (called “core courses”)

and

meeting admission test score requirements. Specific

information on NCAA eligibility requirements, as well

as the NCAA form to request that a transcript be sent to

NCAA at the end of the junior year, can be obtained at

http://eligibilitycenter.org.

Students may register for

eligibility on-line with the NCAA

Eligibility Center. See your

counselor if you have questions.

Considering Personal Preferences

When researching and comparing colleges, you will want

to consider your preferences such as selectivity, type of

school (public or private), majors offered, size, location,

activities available, faculty to student ratio, composition

of the student body, facilities, special programs available,

and cost. It is a good idea to have in mind what is most

important to you before you begin exploring schools. Many

students benefit from using a comparison worksheet like

the one included in this booklet. (See back cover.)

Resources Available

There are many resources available to you as you research

colleges. In addition to your parents and your school

counselor, a primary resource is the Minnetonka High

School College and Career Center. The center is located

adjacent to the Counseling Office. A staff of parent

volunteers, the College and Career Center Coordinator

and the College Counselor are available to assist you.

In the College and Career Center you will find major

college resource guides, computer programs and other

resources about colleges and universities. Many college

representatives visit the MHS College and Career Center

every year. To find out when they are available, check

the Naviance Student website or stop in the College

and Career Center for a schedule of visits. Another good

way to access information about colleges is through the

National College Fair, which is held in Minneapolis every

fall. Representatives from colleges across the country are

available in one place to visit with students (and parents)

and provide information. MHS facilitates an annual “field

trip” for all juniors to the college fair. Check with the

College and Career Center for details. Every spring there

is also a regional college fair, which highlights primarily

Midwestern colleges.

Numerous Web resources are available for researching

colleges. A handout, including Web sites for students and

parents, is available in the Counseling Office. Here are

examples of some college search sites and guides:

student.naviance.com/minnetonka

www.collegeboard.org

www.collegedata.com

www.petersons.com

www.princetonreview.com

collegecost.ed.gov

https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

Researching Schools (continued)

The College Visit

An excellent way to research a college is to visit the campus. You should contact

the admissions office of the colleges you wish to visit and arrange a specific date

and time. Most colleges conduct tours on a regular basis and some have special

event days or weekends, which are designed especially for prospective students.

You should also look at the bulletin boards in the Counseling Office and the

College and Career Center for upcoming events and visit opportunities.

When participating in a college visit, you will most likely meet with an admission

counselor and take a campus tour. Come with a list of your questions and talk

with students and faculty as well as admissions representatives. Ask to see a dorm

room and perhaps attend a class or classes. When you arrange your visit, tell the

admissions representative what your special interests are so that any special

appointments can be set up ahead of time. If you cannot visit in person, take a

virtual tour of the college or university. A good site is www.ecampustours.com.

Putting It Together

A comparison worksheet, like the one on the back cover of this booklet, can be very

helpful once you have researched several schools. You will want to personalize it

to include the categories most important to you. It is a way to see “at a glance”

how the schools compare in those areas of greatest interest to you. It is also a

handy way to access admissions requirements, testing, and deadlines.

“If you are going to

achieve excellence

in big things, you

develop the habit

in little matters.

Excellence is not

an exception; it is a

prevailing attitude.”

— General Colin Powell

Decision Day — May 1

Each year on May 1,

MHS Seniors are invited to

the College & Career Center

to celebrate Decision Day.

Seniors wear a shirt that

represents their post-high

school plans, have cake and

watch a “senior slide show” to

celebrate their next steps!

Application Process

The application process begins early in the senior year;

therefore, it is important to have completed most of

your research during your junior year. Every year, the

counselors introduce juniors to resources available for

researching colleges. This can be a very time consuming

and stressful experience, but with some planning and

organization, it can be productive and more enjoyable.

Once you have determined your final list of schools to which

you are applying, you will need to be very aware of deadlines

and application requirements. Sometimes it is helpful to

create a chart that includes valuable information about

your final list of colleges. On your chart, you should list the

factors

that are important to you in choosing a college (listed

in the

Self-Assessment section) as well as the important

application

information such as deadlines, school profile

information, and what components

are required in the

application package. A sample is available

on the back cover

of this booklet. The application process often varies from

school to school, some requiring several steps and others

requiring a more straightforward process.

Applications

A number of colleges use the Common Application,

which allows you to apply to numerous schools with one

application form. To access the form or submit the

application electronically, go to www.commonapp.org.

Pay

close attention to unique

requirements; for example, some

colleges may ask for letters

of recommendation and others

may not. By accessing the Common Application website,

you will be able

to see the list of schools that accept it and

what specific requirements

they each have.

Some colleges also use the Coalition Application, which

is structured similarly to the Common Application. A

few colleges have their only application on the

Coalition website: University of Maryland, University

of Washington, and Virginia Tech. To access the

form or submit the application electronically, go to

www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.

For those students using the Common Application, you will

need to fill out the FERPA release form in the My Colleges

section. In addition, you will need to enter your Common

App username in the “Colleges I’m Applying To” section of

Naviance Student.

When applying to public colleges or universities, you will

find that the applications are fairly simple to complete.

Usually, you will be asked to provide an official transcript,

a list of your senior classes, your ACT or SAT scores and

answers to other basic kinds of questions. Therefore,

applications to the University of Minnesota campuses or

to any schools within the State University System are not

quite as time consuming as some others.

If you are applying to any private colleges,

you will find that, in general, most of these schools have

applications that require you to share more information

about yourself. You may want to develop a resume

including activities, involvements, honors, and experiences

that will help give a strong picture of your interests

and accomplishments. This will allow you to be more

efficient as you complete applications. If you have other

applications that do not ask for this information, you may

still want to include your resume so the college gets a

broader perspective of who you are.

Transcript Release

Most colleges will require an official copy of your high

school transcript. Your transcript includes your classes,

final grades and cumulative grade point average. For it

to be official, it must be sent directly from MHS. Allow

the time necessary for your transcript to arrive on time.

Complete a Transcript Release Form. You will need:

• College name

• Location of college

• Parent signature

Transcript Release Forms are available online in Naviance

Student and in the College and Career Center.

Allow a minimum of one week for processing your

transcript request.

Application Process (continued)

Please allow one week

for your Transcript Release

Form to be processed. When you also are asking

for

a counselor recommendation to be submitted,

you must complete the Senior Questionnaire form

on Naviance Student. Your counselor will be able

to write a more effective letter with this information. You

must allow three weeks for your counselor to complete

a letter of recommendation; don’t leave this until the last

minute! Please see your counselor personally to ask him

or her about writing a letter of recommendation for you.

More extensive application packages usually involve some

combination of the following components:

Recommendations

Many colleges require or encourage that your application

includes two to three school-related recommendations.

Often, you are asked to include two letters from academic

teachers and a letter from your counselor. Occasionally,

you may want to include a special recommendation from a

coach, activity advisor, or non-academic teacher who can

provide an exceptional view of a particular area of interest

or strength.

To be sure that your recommendations are effective and

timely, you should complete the Senior Questionnaire on

Naviance Student. Give teachers and your counselor at

least three weeks to write the evaluation. Your teachers

and counselor may also appreciate a copy of a resume to

assist them in writing a thorough letter. Finally, a thank-

you note is greatly appreciated for your teachers’ efforts.

The Essay

Don’t let the essay paralyze you with fear! The admission

representatives simply want to know you better and discover

your unique qualities. Ask yourself the question, “what

else would I like others to know about me that I feel is an

important part of the person they may ultimately select?”

When writing an essay or personal statement, a short and

original essay is desirable. If a choice of topics is given,

choose a topic, make a list of ideas to be covered in the

essay, develop an outline, and write a first draft.

Be certain the personal statement is broken into

paragraphs. One long paragraph does not look good in a

personal essay.

Vary the

structure and length of your sentences to provide

interest. Use intelligent sentences and common sense.

Use your own style and write in a direct, conversational

manner. Make certain you have a smooth transition

from one idea to another and from one paragraph to

another, and be absolutely sure to check your spelling.

Ask someone to proofread your work; often your English

teacher or someone in the Writing Center is willing to

review it for you.

The Interview

A handful of colleges and universities require you to

interview with one of their admission representatives.

Other schools may give you the option of having an

interview. If you do participate in an interview, go prepared.

You should have some basic knowledge of the school,

and a list of questions that you intend to ask. Remember,

the interview is as much an opportunity for you to find

out about the school, as for the school to find out about

you. Appearance, mannerisms and first impressions are

important. Mostly, be yourself! Be sure to send a

thank-you note to your interviewer.

Most financial aid is based on evidence of financial need,

but there are also scholarships available that are merit-

based.

Financial aid packages that colleges offer students

may include a combination of grant money, student loans,

and/or work-study programs. Grants and scholarships are

forms of gift aid, or free money, and student loans and

work-study are forms of self-help aid, or money that is

repaid or earned through job opportunities.

The MHS College and Career Center has a great deal of

information regarding

financial aid, and the Counseling

Department puts scholarship information in Naviance

Student that you should check

throughout your senior year.

The financial aid office of the

college you are interested in is

an important resource for you.

Be sure to contact them for

scholarships specific to the

college, and for any questions

you have regarding financial

aid forms they require. The

financial aid representatives at the colleges you are

applying to are experts who want to assist you, so feel

free to call them. Finally, be cautious about eliminating a

college from consideration based on cost until you have

applied for assistance and have been told what support

you will be receiving.

Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All colleges and universities nationwide require that you file

the FAFSA if you wish to apply for a financial aid package.

The FAFSA is a federal form that asks for information about

your family circumstances and financial status. After you

have submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a SAR (student

aid report) that will inform you of your EFC (estimated

family contribution). This is the approximate amount that

your family will be expected to pay for your education that

academic year. If the cost of the college is more than your

EFC, you have financial need and should be eligible for some

type of financial aid. This information will be provided to the

colleges that you are applying to, and they each, in turn, will

offer you a financial aid package to consider.

The FAFSA may be submitted online anytime after October 1.

Submit the form as soon as possible after this date. Be sure

to print a copy of your completed FAFSA.

Profile

The CSS Profile is a financial aid form used by some

colleges and scholarship

programs. Check with

the colleges and scholarship programs to which you

are applying to determine what forms are required:

https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org

Scholarships

Regardless of whether or not you apply for financial aid,

you should consider applying for scholarships. Check the

scholarship listings on Naviance Student. In addition, in

the spring of your senior year, you should complete a

Local Scholarship Application form, which will be available

you in the Counseling Office. By completing

this one

application, you will be able to compete for approximately

twenty local scholarships (note: no applications are

accepted after the deadline!). Also, be sure to ask the

college financial aid representatives for any scholarships

offered by the college that are applicable

for you, and you

should consider other private sources, such

as employers

of parents, your church, local foundations and

civic groups.

Several community organizations do allow you to apply

through our Local Scholarship Application form, but some

have their own application process. Finally, be sure to

search for scholarship information on the Web. There are

a number of free sources such as:

Financial Aid Information Page

www.finaid.org

Comprehensive Scholarship List

collegefactual.com

Financing Your Education

Interactive web version of the

Free Application for Federal Student Aid:

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financing Your Education (continued)

Scholarship Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in Washington, D.C.,

has a special enforcement and education campaign called

“Project $cholar$cam” to prevent fraudulent scholarship

search services from operating, and to increase awareness

among students and parents of warning signs if you are

contacted

by an agency.

Six warning signs of a scam:

1. “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”

No service can guarantee that it will get you a grant or

scholarship.

2. “The scholarship service will do all the work.”

Unfortunately, nobody else can fill out the personal

information forms, write the essays, and supply the

references that many scholarships may require.

3. “The scholarship will cost some money.”

Before you send money to apply for a scholarship,

investigate the sponsor.

4. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

Scholarship directories are available in any large

bookstore, public library, or in the MHS College and

Career Center. You can also do extensive searches on

the Web.

5. “You are a finalist—in a contest you never

entered,” or “You have been selected by a

national foundation to receive a scholarship.”

Most legitimate scholarship programs do not seek out

particular applicants. Before you send any money,

investigate the program to be sure that it is legitimate.

6. “The scholarship service needs your credit card or

checking account number in advance.” Get information

in writing first.

For assistance in recognizing a scam, check out this

scholarship scam alert:

www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml

To report and stop a scholarship scam, contact the Federal

Trade Commission at P.O. Box 996, Washington, D.C. 20580.

On the web, go to www.ftc.gov.

*Information in this section was obtained from Peterson’s Guide to

College Planning and Career Exploration.

Tuition Reciprocity

The Minnesota Higher Education Services Office administers

tuition reciprocity agreements with our neighboring states,

which typically means that if you attend a public college in

those states, non-resident admission fees and tuition are

reduced (or eliminated). Minnesota has tuition reciprocity

agreements with the states of Wisconsin, North Dakota, and

South Dakota. It also has an agreement with the Canadian

Province of Manitoba and a limited agreement with the

State of Iowa which includes one school in Iowa: Iowa Lakes

Community College. If you are a Minnesota resident, the

Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) provides you

with the opportunity to be eligible for tuition reduction at

a limited number of Midwest public and private schools

and programs of study in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan,

Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

If you are a Minnesota student, the fastest way to apply is

by using the online application. If you apply electronically,

you do not need to complete a paper application. If you are

not able to apply online, you can get a paper application

from participating reciprocity colleges or universities. You

can print or download a paper application from the Office

of Higher Education Web site: www.ohe.state.mn.us or

request it by writing to:

Reciprocity

Office of Higher Education

1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350

St. Paul, MN 55108

Tel: (651) 642-0567 or (800) 657-3866

If you are a Minnesota resident and enroll in a North Dakota

reciprocity college or university within 12 months of graduating

from a Minnesota high school, you may not need to complete

a reciprocity application. Just present your official Minnesota

high school transcript to the participating reciprocity college or

university. Check with the college to make sure it participates.

If you are a Minnesota resident attending any public college

or university in South Dakota, your eligibility for reciprocity

benefits will be determined by the campus you attend. You

should not submit an application to the Minnesota Office of

Higher Education.

Financing Your Education (continued)

Wisconsin

As a Minnesota high school graduate, you are eligible for reciprocity benefits if you attend any

Wisconsin technical college or any two- or four-year public college or university in Wisconsin.

What Rate Do You Pay?

New Minnesota undergraduate students attending participating Wisconsin schools pay the

higher of the tuition charged by the Wisconsin college attended or the tuition charged at a

similar Minnesota school. The reverse also holds true (see the following examples).

If you are planning on attending:

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison: your tuition will be the higher of the tuition

charged by the University of Wisconsin-Madison or by the University of Minnesota-Twin

Cities.

• The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: your tuition will be the higher of the tuition

charged by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or by the University of Minnesota-

Duluth.

• The University of Wisconsin-River Falls, or any other University of Wisconsin

comprehensive college: your tuition will be the higher of the tuition charged by the

Wisconsin campus attended or by a Minnesota State University.

• A University of Wisconsin System College (a two-year school): your tuition will be the

higher of the tuition charged by the Wisconsin campus attended or by a Minnesota

Community College.

• A Wisconsin Technical College: you’ll pay what a Wisconsin resident pays for tuition at

that school (apply directly to the school to receive your reciprocity benefits).

To determine the exact tuition rate, you should directly contact the school(s) you are

interested in attending.

North Dakota

As a Minnesota high school graduate, you are eligible for reciprocity if you attend any

North Dakota public college or university.

What Rate Do You Pay?

If you are an undergraduate student from Minnesota attending:

• North Dakota State University or the University of North Dakota: your tuition will be

what you’d pay if you were attending a Minnesota State University.

• Another North Dakota public four-year school: your tuition will be slightly higher than

the North Dakota resident rate.

• A North Dakota public two-year school: you’ll pay approximately the same tuition as if

you were attending a Minnesota community or technical college.

To determine the exact tuition rate, you should directly contact the school(s) you are

interested in attending.

“Unless you try

to do something

beyond what

you have already

mastered, you will

never grow.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Financing Your Education (continued)

South Dakota

As a Minnesota high school graduate, you are eligible for

reciprocity benefits if you attend any South Dakota public

college or university.

What Rate Do You Pay?

If you are an undergraduate student and plan to attend:

• South Dakota State University, the University of South

Dakota, or another South Dakota public four-year

school, your tuition and fees will be about the same

as if you were attending a similar Minnesota school.

• South Dakota technical schools in Watertown, Mitchell,

Sioux Falls, or Rapid City, you’ll pay the South Dakota

resident tuition and fee rate (contact the school

directly for residency and tuition rates).

• A professional program at the University of South

Dakota, you’ll pay no more than 150 percent of the

South Dakota resident tuition and fee rate

To determine the exact tuition rate, you should directly

contact the school(s) you are interested in attending.

Iowa

Who is Eligible for Tuition Reciprocity Benefits?

There is no statewide reciprocal agreement between

Minnesota and Iowa. However, there is a limited reciprocity

agreement between Minnesota West Community &

Technical College and Iowa Lakes Community College (with

campuses in Algona, Estherville, Emmetsburg, Spencer

and Spirit Lake).

Manitoba

As a Minnesota high school graduate, you are eligible

for reciprocity benefits if you enroll at one of the nine

participating universities and community colleges in

Manitoba. Students should apply directly to the college

they choose to attend.

What Rate Do You Pay?

Minnesota students who attend participating schools in

Manitoba pay the resident tuition rate for that school. To

determine the exact tuition rate, students should directly

contact the school(s) they’re interested in attending.

What Are the Participating Manitoba Schools?

• Assiniboine Community College

• Brandon University

• Booth University College

• Canadian Mennonite University

• Providence University College

• Red River Community College

• Universitaire de Saint-Boniface

• University of Manitoba

• University of Winnipeg

Midwest Student Exchange Program

As a Minnesota high school graduate, you are eligible for

reduced tuition charges at a limited number of Midwest

public and private schools and programs of study in Illinois,

Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and

Wisconsin.

What Rate Do You Pay?

Students participating in the Midwest Student Exchange

Program pay up to 150 percent of the resident tuition rate

(which is still below the non-resident rate) at participating

public schools

or a 10 percent reduction in tuition at

participating private schools.

When applying to an eligible school, students must

indicate that they are Minnesota residents interested in

being admitted as a MSEP student. The school will evaluate

the student’s request for MSEP status and respond directly

to the student.

Where Can I Get More MSEP Information?

Brochures listing eligible colleges, universities and

programs of study are available in the Guidance Office,

from the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office,

and online at the Midwestern Higher Education Compact

(www.mhec.org).

(Information in this section was obtained from the Minnesota Office of

Higher Education.)

Associate Degree – A two-year community college degree (Associate of Arts;

Associate of Science).

Bachelor Degree – A four-year college degree (Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor

of Science).

CEEB Number – The individual code that has been assigned to your high school.

The CEEB Number for Minnetonka High School is 240-780.

Cumulative Record – The complete record of all courses and grades earned. Your

high school transcript contains your cumulative record and cumulative GPA.

Early Action – An admission plan used primarily in highly selective colleges.

Under Early Action, you follow an accelerated application process and usually

apply by November 1. You will be notified of a decision by mid-December, but,

if you are accepted, you still have until May 1 to let the institution know your

enrollment decision.

Early Decision – A binding admission plan offered to well-qualified applicants

who are definitely committed to their choice of college. Applicants will be noti-

fied of their acceptance or refusal in December. Acceptance under Early Decision

requires you to withdraw applications at other colleges.

Impacted Program or Major – An overcrowded program or major in which

there

are many more applications than available spaces; supplementary admissions

cri-

teria must be met for consideration.

Liberal Arts College – A college in which the emphasis is on a program of

philosophy, literature, history, languages, and basic science.

Naviance Student – A Web-based program which helps students organize their

college search and applications.

Open Admission – An admission policy that accepts students without regard to

the criteria of grade point average and/or test scores.

Private College/University – A school that is not supported by state taxes.

Regular Admission –

The application process that requires application materials

to be submitted no later than the specified deadline date printed in the college

catalog or on the application form. Admission responses are usually received in

March.

Rolling Admission – The admission plan in which a completed application is

acted on as soon as it is received. Students are admitted on a continuing basis.

Secondary School Reports – Often called a Counselor Recommendation, many

selective colleges and universities require these to be submitted from your high

school counselor. Well in advance of the application deadline (allow at least

three weeks), you must complete the Senior Questionnaire on Naviance Student.

“Watch your

thoughts, they

become your beliefs.

Watch your beliefs,

they become your

words. Watch your

words, they become

your actions. Watch

your actions, they

become your habits.

Watch your habits,

they become your

character.”

— Vince Lombardi

Glossary (for Post High School Planning)

College Comparison Worksheet

There are many possible ways to organize your college information. These are some ideas put forth by ACT.

College Name

Location

- Distance from home

Size

- enrollment

- physical size of campus

Environment

- type of school (2 or 4 yr.)

- school setting (urban, rural)

- location & size of nearest city

- co-ed., male, female

- religious affiliation

Admission Requirements

- deadline

- tests required

- average test scores, GPA

- special requirements

Academics

- intended major

- special requirements

- student-faculty ratio

- typical class size

College Expenses

- tuition, room & board

- estimated total budget

- application fee, deposits

Financial Aid

- deadline

- required forms

- % receiving aid

- scholarships

Housing

- residence hall requirement

- availability

- types and sizes

- food plan

Facilities

- academic

- recreational

- other

Activities

- clubs, organizations

- Greek life

- athletics, intramurals

- other

Campus Visits

- when

- special opportunities