High SchoolSite Coordinator Training

2014 Montana College Application Week

November 3-7, 2014

AGENDA

• Introductions• College Application Week Overview• Key Information• Preparing for College Application Week• During College Application Week• Following College Application Week• Questions

College Application Week

• Primary purpose: help high school seniors navigate the complex college admissions process

• During school day• Focus on low income students and those

who might not otherwise apply

Montana College Application Week

• Started in 2012 with 4 pilot schools• 84 schools participated in 2013; 1773 students

submitted an application• 138 schools participating in 2014• Collaborative statewide initiative

Key Information• All MUS institutions are DEFERRING* application fee;

colleges will determine at time of enrollment if fee will be waived depending on income eligibility

• HS will receive the following information:• Participating colleges• Deferral or waive• Online vs. paper

Key Information Cont.• Students may submit ONE college application with

fee deferred or waived; track all applications submitted during week

• Materials mailed to schools starting October 23• Participating student information to MT GEAR UP by

November 12th • Paper applications need to be mailed directly to

college immediately following event• Student surveys due day of event• Site Coordinator surveys due by November 12th

• www.mus.edu/gearup/caw.asp

Preparing for College Application Week• Utilize ‘Site Coordinator Checklist’ • Familiarize yourself with state CAW website:

www.mus.edu/gearup/caw.asp• Identify a team • Identify and reserve site for event(s) with computers

available• Build school-wide enthusiasm & promote event(s)• Implement college & career activities• Prepare students for the event• Recruit volunteers

Examples of Activities

• Sponsor College Alumni • Student/Parent nights• College Fridays/CAW – staff/students wear college apparel • College Doors – “College Opens Doors” poster• College Trivia Contests• College & Career Fairs• College Visits• Bulletin Boards – a state map with all PSE options• Academic Assignments• Newsletters and Posters – frequent and regular reminders to

students, parents, teachers• Speakers

PREPARING: StudentsFind the right MATCH

Ensure student meets admission requirements

Research options and indicators of campus success:

www.mtcis.intocareers.org

www.mus.edu

www.collegegreelight.com

Identify one college to apply to (fee deferred or waived)

during the College Application event and complete the

College Application Information Sheet prior to the event

PREPARING: Volunteers

Identify and invite volunteers – Why College Application Week?– What will they do?– High school campus: security measures; parking;

key facilities (restrooms, cafeteria, guidance office, etc.)

– Provide written confirmation to volunteer

During College Application Week

• Utilize the Event Day Reminder Checklist• Remind students and post times for the event• Create and place inviting directional signs to the

site• Print out your high school information to have

available at each site (address, phone number, school code)

• Distribute and wear “Ask Me” stickers to staff & volunteers

During cont.

• Print out a senior list with 9-digit state ID number and space to include name of college applied to using deferment or waiver, additional college(s) applied to with application fee paid, and whether application was submitted online or by paper. Use for your student sign-in sheet

During cont.

• Review college participation list and access applications through CAW web portal

• Capture and celebrate events (social media)

DURING: Students

APPLY TO COLLEGE!• Print out application confirmation page• Complete the student survey• Collect the ‘I applied…now what?’ locker magnet, I

applied tattoo, and the FAFSA card • Notify counselor if applied online off site

After College Application Week

• Complete the site coordinator survey• Submit data (participating students’ names, state ID#,

name of college(s) applied to, online or paper) to Montana GEAR UP by November 12, 2014.• Email: mtgearup@montana.edu• Mail: 2500 Broadway, Helena, MT 59620

• Hold a debriefing session with volunteers and school personnel • Send thank you notes to volunteers • Prepare press release about the success of the event• Present at conferences on your experiences

AFTER: Reminders for Students• Register to take the ACT or SAT if needed• Plan to participate in FAFSA events (College

Goal MT)for financial aid• Continue researching campuses and consider

applying to ones that are a good match• Apply for scholarships• Communicate with counselors about acceptances

QUESTIONS?

Montana College Application Week

Sara Berg, MT GEAR UP 444-0646 mtgearup@montana.edu

Terry Kendrick, OPI 444-3449 tkendrick@mt.gov