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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Senior Resource Manual
We 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 2
History of CAW in Michigan and Nationally 3-4
What’s in a Name? Understanding the Word “College” 5
Section II: Senior Resource Guide 6
Senior Checklist – Before College Application Week 7
Senior College Application Checklist 8-13
Student Interest Survey 14
Michigan College Average Requirements 15
Senior College Profile 16
Michigan College Access Portal 17-18
Application FAQs 19-20
Application Personal Statement and Essay 21
Michigan eLibrary Resources 22
Trade/Vocational School Information 23-24
Military Education Worksheet 25
Section III: Apply 26
Sample Form for Seniors 27
Sample Confirmation Page 28
FAFSA 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 –
Ø www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-application-week/senior-resources
Ø www.knowhow2gomichigan.org
Ø www.itsmilife.com
Ø 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
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 Efforts
College 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 Concept
Inspired 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.
Acknowledgements
The 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.
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:
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Section I – Introduction
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
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Section II – Site Coordinator Planning
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:
ü 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.
ü 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.
ü 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.
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Section II – Senior Resource Guide
Senior Checklist- Before College Application Week
ü Create a Michigan College Access Portal Account at www.michigancap.org if you have not already done so.
ü 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.
ü Explore Postsecondary Schools
o 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.
ü Save your Favorite Schools
o 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.
ü 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.
ü 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.
ü 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.
ü 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.
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.