Planning Your Future
Information and Resources for students and parents
Topics Covered
2. Post-Secondary Options: finding a good fit and building a good list
3. College Visits: why, when, how and what
4. Admission Basics: policies, deadlines and types of applications, the process, college application preparation
5. Junior Year Testing: SAT, ACT, MME, PSAT results
6. Senior Schedule
7. Scholarships: Merit Scholarships, community/organizational scholarships
8. NCAA Eligibility: Student-athletes interested in D1 and D2 college athletics
9. Community College & Transferring Credit
10. AP Exam Scores & College Credit Equivalencies
11. Special Interests
1. Career Decision Making
Future career planning and educationally planning takes time and intention. Ideally, students need to make time to explore, research and reflect on potential future careers and planning for their future in order to make informed decisions around their educational planning and post high school plans. It is also recommended that families are apart of this exploration and investigation process. Our hope for students is that they will be able to identify careers that will match their passions, interests, skills and personality and work from that angle. It will be an amazing attainment for students when they are working in a career that brings them satisfaction, a sense of purpose and meets their life goals.
For some it may seem early to know what career you’d like to pursue. But developing career awareness now so when the time comes, you’ll feel more confident in knowing who you are so you can make a decision. Additionally, this comes in handy when you are looking at and considering what types of college, college majors or educational training you need to plan for.
2. Post Secondary Options
Consider Your Preferences
What do you value and prefer when looking at colleges and educational programs?
Need help filtering colleges and educational opportunities?
Try using Xello, College Board Big Future or Going Pro
- Xello Use your RCS gmail account login information
Questions and Ideas you should consider before choosing a college!
How will this college prepare me for my life after graduation?
Does the college serve my academic and personal interests?
College Express- 30 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a College
Resources on Finding a Good Fit College and Educational Path
Online Resources
Xello: (use your RCS gmail login info)
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
https://www.nacacfairs.org/learn/decide/determining-the-right-fit-college/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-find-your-college-fit
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
https://www.petersons.com/college-search/colleges-universities-choosing-fit.aspx
http://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/find-your-best-fit-college
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search
Other Resources
- College admission representative visits at SCHS (every fall)
- College nights (RCS hosts one each fall)
- College websites
- Join the colleges' mailing lists
- College visits
Forming Your College List
- There is no exact amount of college applications you should send, however we recommend you consider a range of 3-6.
- Apply to Safety colleges (at least 1): your GPA and/or test scores are above their average incoming freshmen data.
- Apply to Good Match colleges (at least 2-3): your GPA and/or test scores match their incoming freshmen data profile.
- Apply to Reach colleges (try for 1-2): The college's data profile is above your GPA and/or test scores OR this college is a highly selective school. A highly-selective college is defined as the acceptance of 15% or less of everyone who applies.
*Note: Admissions data is typically listed as UNWEIGHTED GPA. Students should unweight their GPA to have a realistic comparison to the college incoming freshmen profile.
Criteria Colleges Look for In Potential Students
Organize and Document Your Research and Discoveries
3. College Visits
College visits are both an important and exciting part of the college selection process. Many colleges have a variety of opportunities for potential students to participate and access information. Explore their websites for more information on future student events!
Why Visit?
- Does it feel like home?
- Is campus up-to-date, clean?
- What are some things you can do outside of classes?
- What’s the town like around it?
- Is it the right mix of support and challenge?
- Living conditions, food, facilities, etc.
- Does it meet your academic goals and needs?
When and How to Visit
- It is best to visit when classes are in session prior to applying. The campus culture can feel very different on weekends and breaks.
How Can I Make Arrangements for a Visit
- Most colleges will have an online sign up for a tour or visit. Check their website under future/prospective student or admissions.
- Call the admissions office if you have further questions or want to inquire about specific priorities for your visit.
Considerations Prior and During Visit
- Do your research! This way you won't be overwhelmed on the tour and can listen for the information important to you.
- Ask if they will allow you to sit in a class. Look up the schedule of classes and pick a few classes you would be interested in visiting.
- Visit the department or college of your major
- Talk to students
- Eat in the dining halls or student union
- Bring your list of questions. Take time to reflect in advance what is most important to you.
- Take pictures and notes
- Find out what other opportunities they offer: summer camps, career days, etc.
College Visit Checklist & Questions
- http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/campus-visits/articles/campus-visit-tips/essential-campus-visit-question-list/
- http://blog.prepscholar.com/good-questions-to-ask-on-a-college-tour
College Visit Tips
Virtual Tour
Questions to ask a college student during your college visit?
1. How easy is it to get help in class or get in touch with your professors?
2. Have you been able to get into the classes you’ve wanted?
3. What’s life outside of the classroom like?
4. Do most students stay here on weekends, or do they go home?
5. How is the food?
6. How much time do you spend studying?
7. How responsive is the administration when it comes to addressing students’ problems?
8. Do you feel safe on campus?
9. What do you wish you’d known before coming here?
10. If you had to make the decision again, would attend this college?
4. Admissions Overview
Types of Admissions Policies
Types of Applications
Updates
First-Year Class Profiles
Application Process, Dates, & Costs
Apply through Common App
- Used by over 1000 colleges nationwide
- Apply to multiple colleges at the same time
Apply through the Institution's website
- Check with your counselor if you have questions if the school offers both options
The College Application Process in Four Steps
1. Student completes application online and submits the application.
2. Student creates an account on Parchment and requests a transcript to be sent to their colleges. Note: the transcript will include the student’s senior schedule.
3. If required, students will send their standardized test scores to the colleges directly from the testing agency.
4. Track and double check that your applications, transcripts, and test score(s) are received by each institution. The student's college application account will serve as a portal of communication.
Prior to Senior Year...
- This is a good time to politely ask for letters of recommendation if your college requires them. This gives the recommender enough time. Provide your recommender with your student profile sheet.
- Continue to attend college visits/tours/open houses.
- If needed, retake the SAT or ACT.
- Continue to work hard and seek help to get the best grades you can as you finish out junior year.
- Review social media profiles and posts if necessary.
- Create a new and appropriate email account for college apps and scholarships.
- Work on college essays over the summer. This will eliminate a lot of added stress during the school year.
Note: Common Application will have their essay prompts posted in May and most college will have their essays posted by August.
College Essay Tips and Resources
Dates and Deadlines
Application Timelines:
We encourage students to have most of their applications completed and submitted by the end of October of their senior year, especially students who are applying Early Action or to a rolling admission school.
Decision Timelines:
Final decisions must be made by May 1st. Send a deposit to the college you choose, if applicable.
What Happens After You Apply?
What do Colleges do once they have the student’s application? Either they….
1. Accept: College will send you information on housing, orientation, financial aid etc.
2. Defer: means you will remain in the applicant pool for consideration but the college will ask the student to provide more information. Examples could be first semester grades, updated test scores, etc.
3. Wait list: Unfortunately you just have to wait. The college is still considering your application, but must hear from the admitted students first before they may offer you admissions. Ask if scholarship and financial funds will be available if you're accepted.
4. Deny: Unfortunately the college cannot offer you admissions.
5. College Admission Tests
Quick Facts
- 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the SAT Essay (school day only, optional on Saturday testing)
- 400–1600 score scale
- 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it
- 4 answer choices
- 4 free score sends
SAT Testing Months
- December
- March
- May
- June
- August
- October
Registering for SAT
To register for a National Saturday SAT test students can login to their College Board account and register for the SAT.
Know What to Expect on the SAT
Find out what kinds of questions you’ll see on the new SAT and what the test will measure. Where do you want to start?
Sending Your SAT Scores and Score Choice
Sending Your Scores to Colleges
- Before a National Saturday SAT test day: You can send four free score reports to colleges every time you register for the SAT. This is the fastest way to send scores to colleges and scholarship programs—and there’s no fee. Many colleges view receiving your scores early as a demonstration of your interest.
- After test day: You can still send four free score reports to colleges up to nine days after the test—after that there's a fee for sending score reports, unless you’re eligible for an SAT fee waiver.
Official FREE SAT Test Prep
ACT Testing
Description of the ACT
The ACT consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT with writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a writing test.
Test Content
English: 75 questions, 45 minutes: Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics; 60 questions, 60 minutes: Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Reading; 40 questions, 35 minutes: Measures reading comprehension.
Science; 40 questions, 35 minutes: Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Optional Writing Test; 1 prompt 40 minutes: Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition course.
September
October
December
February
April
June
July
Should I Retake a College Admissions Test?
1. Do you think you can do better?
2. Do you need to do better (cut off score for scholarships?)
3. How much time are you willing to give to study?
Interesting Facts...
◦ For 55% of you, your score will improve when you retest
◦ Scores don’t typically go up after twice unless you study, practice, take a prep class, etc.
SAT ACT Concordance Table
MME STATE TESTING
April: SAT plus essay
April: ACT WorkKeys
- Tests personal workplace skills tests: applied math, reading for info and location info
- National Career Readiness Certificate
April: M-STEP (Science and Social Studies)
Results are available in your College Board account. See link below for details.
Test Prep Resources
- Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/sat (OFFICIAL SAT TEST PREP)
- ACT Test Prep: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
- Princeton Review: 1-800-273-8439 www.princetonreview.com
- Kaplan: 1-800-KAP-TEST (1-800-527-8378) www.kaptest.com
- Study Point: 1-87STUDYPOINT or (1-877-883-9764) www.studypoint.com
- College Quest Educational Services: 248-647-8378 www.collegequestmi.com
- Kabir Prep: https://www.kabirsprep.com/ (website was done at time of this update)
- Zara Tutoring:1130 Tienken Ct #221, Rochester Hills, MI 48306 Phone: (586) 789-9238
NOTE: THIS LIST IS COMPILED AS A COURTESY SERVICE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS. IT IS NOT TO BE TAKEN AS A RECOMMENDATION. TUTORS LISTED ARE NOT EMPLOYED AS TUTORS BY ROCHESTER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO BACKGROUND CHECKS. IF YOU INTEND TO USE THIS LIST TO LOCATE A TUTOR OR ORGANIZATION, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INTERVIEW CANDIDATES AND MAKE A SELECTION BASED ON INFORMATION YOU FEEL IS RELEVANT TO YOUR PARTICULAR NEEDS.
Free Websites
- www.4tests.com/
- www.number2.com/
- www.actstudent.org/sampletest/
- www.petersons.com/college-search/free-act-practice-test.aspx
- www.test-guide.com/free-act-practice-tests.html
- www.princetonreview.com/freepracticetest
- https://www.kaptest.com/college-prep/getting-into-college/free-practice-test
- http://www.freetestprep.com/
6. Senior Schedule
Scheduling will take place in February, 2025. If you haven’t already put some thought into what your senior year will look like, now is a good time. Remember that a college prep course load should have least 4 core courses; selective colleges prefer 5.
Don’t forget to include any graduation requirements. During your senior year, you must take English and math both semesters (regardless of taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade).
7. Scholarships
Merit Scholarships Examples
https://www.oakland.edu/financialservices/available-financial-assistance/undergrad/
http://www.udmercy.edu/apply/financial-aid/scholarships/freshmen/index.htm
http://www.svsu.edu/cfsc/typesoffinancialaid/scholarships/academicscholarships/
https://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/incoming-freshman-and-transfer-merit-scholarships-160.htm
http://adrian.edu/admissions/financial-aid/tuition-scholarships/
Scholarship Search Engines and Tips
1. Check the scholarship/financial aid webpage of the colleges you are interested in.
2. Use a FREE scholarship search engine such as:
http://www.college-scholarships.com/free-scholarship-searches/
3. Review scholarship posting on SCHS Counseling Website
4. Complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid starting in December, 2023. FAFSA will be using parent(s)/guardian(s) most recent tax information.
Students interested in Division I or Division II college athletics need to make sure they meet eligibility requirements
Core Courses (see list of approved course on the eligibility center website)
- NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses with a 2.3 or higher GPA
- NCAA Division II requires 16 core courses with a 2.2 or higher GPA
- Register during Junior year for NCAA
- Request your transcripts to be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center through Parchment
9. Community College & Transfer Credit
- See transfer equivalency charts at each school of interest. You will know exactly what will transfer and how much credit you'll receive.
- Talk to a college advisor to explore transfer options
- Save money on your general education courses
- Transfer scholarships might be available!
- Save money
- Couldn’t get into class during fall or winter semester
- Accrue credits faster
- Allows for a lighter load during the school year
10. AP Credit
Each college will have their own AP credit equivalency guidelines. Be mindful when registering for AP exams, as some colleges don't offer credit for certain classes.
Examples:
https://oakland.edu/registrar/collegecredit/
https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/freshmen-applicants/ap-ib-credit
https://wmich.edu/registrar/students/advising/students-advising-ap
11. Special Interest Colleges & Programs
- Co-ops Colleges
- Military Academy: A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps of the army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard.
- Disability Services: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html and check the individual colleges disability services webpage.
- Apprenticeship Guide for Oakland County
- Professional Trades Careers: https://www.going-pro.com/
