College and Career Department                             

 

Steps for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

1. Decide whom you will be asking for letters of recommendation. Most colleges require two academic teachers and one administrator, advisor or counselor letter.

2. Plan ahead! Allow at least three weeks for the letter to be completed.

3. Fill out this form completely for each individual who has agreed to write a letter. Personalize your answers according to the writer.

4. Attach your resume. You can note on this form to “refer to resume” on applicable questions.

5. Bring this completed form and resume to each person. Explain that it contains information about you in order to help write the letter.

6. Tell your teacher that you will email them specific instructions for uploading their letter of recommendation.

7. Write a thank you note to the person(s) who provided you a letter of recommendation.

Download Student Profile

Thank you to all the students and parents who joined the AHS College Counseling team on April 22nd for our underclassmen college night, which included an amazing panel of upperclassmen who shared their "secrets" for being successful high school students.

Click here to download the PPT Gearing Up!

Thank you to all the students and parents who joined us Tuesday, April 15th for the college night presentation and senior panel.  To download the PPT, please click here. All handouts are available in the AHS College Advising office.

AHS Alumna, Sara. M (Class 2013), continues to shine as a student athlete at Finlandia University located in Hancock, Michigan.

The best thing about college is…

The best thing about college is probably my professors, and the ability for them to teach me something that I am fully interested in every single day.  

I was not expecting….

I was not expecting to get the amount of support that I receive from my professors, trainers, and coaches.  It feels like I am back at Animas High School getting extra support from Rachael S. and Roxy M.!

What advice can you give to seniors as they prepare for the admissions process?

Have fun!  That’s the best advice that I can give to the upcoming college students! Senior year flies by and all of a sudden you will be sitting in the library studying for six hours before your first big exam!

In collaboration with Matt Hughes, Senior Humanities teacher, the College Advising team taught a college essay writing workshop to help students brainstorm, write, and revise their college essays. The essay is a valuable part of the college application that allows students to showcase their writing ability as well as tell a unique story.  The essay is an increasingly important aspect of the application process that allows admissions officer the chance to meet the "person" behind the application and to assess whether the applicant is a good fit for the college.

• College essay tips
• Essays that worked from John Hopkins University
  
• Click here to access the essay writing workshop PPT. 
  

 You are invited to join us for a FREE financial aid presentation by Mindy Mickelson of College in Colorado. If you need help understanding how to pay for college, this session is for you. You’ll get valuable information about college costs, types of financial aid available, and how to apply. This can sometimes seem like a complicated process, so College In Colorado, a free resource for career and college planning, is available to help you understand all the steps and to answer your college funding questions.  To watch the PPT, click here. 

When: Wednesday, Sept. 25th from 6- 7:30 p.m.

Where: AHS Commons

AHS Alumna: Hannah Quick reflects upon her first month at Colorado College

The best thing about college is…The best thing about college is the independence!!  It's great doing what you want and staying up however late you want (even though you almost always regret it in the morning).  What I love is being on my own and getting involved with different things because everything is on your own time; you don't have to be home for dinner or do your chores before you go out, you are responsible for yourself.  I'm also really taking advantage of my free time by participating in clubs like Globemed, the Pre Health Professions Club, Intramural Inner Tube Water Polo, and even a sorority (I know, I didn't see that one coming either).  

I was not expecting…

 I was not expecting how hard the block plan would be.  I started in a Spanish 300 level class and our first exam was that first Wednesday, with a midterm a week later.  I definitely got overwhelmed really fast, but as I've progressed through this block (exactly one week left!) I've learned how to manage myself and have started to see the benefits of the block plan.  For example, you take your midterm 2 weeks into the class, so everything you're being tested on is only 2 weeks old instead of 2 months! Plus, when finals come around, you only have to focus on 1 class instead of 4 or 5.  

What advice can you give to seniors as they prepare for the admissions process?

For all of the seniors, my advice would be to just take a deep breath before you start the application process, and understand that you're going to come up gasping for air by the time you've sent in your applications.  It's hard.  But you can do it.  Just stay focused on what you've been working for these past 4 years and don't let senioritis get the best of you.  To that end, once you've finished your applications, make sure you apply for scholarships! I know the last thing you want to do is write another essay, but you will thank yourself in the next 4 years when those extra couple thousand dollars make all the difference in the world.  Good luck this year and maybe some of you will be joining me at CC next year! 

Parent and Student Orientation

We hope to see you at the AHS Parent Orientations where College Advising will give an overview of our new college advising curriculum and tips for the admissions process.

9th Grade Parent Orientation: Aug. 6th , 5:30pm- 7:30 pm

10th Grade Parent Orientation: Aug. 8th, 5:30pm- 7:30 pm

11th Grade Parent Orientation: Aug. 13th, 5:30pm- 7:30 pm

12th Grade Parent Orientation: Aug. 15th, 5:30pm- 7:30pm

Unable to attend? Watch the PowerPoint Presentations here.

Freshman College Advising Orientation PPT

Sophomore College Advising Orientation PPT

Junior College Advising Orientation PPT 

Senior College Advising Orientation PPT 

Senior 2014 Welcome Back Letter

Welcome Back Class of 2014!!

What will you be doing next year at this time? The answer partially depends on how organized and hard working you are in the college admission process over the next few months.

I am excited to meet with each of you for a 45 minute individual session to see where you are in the College Admission Process and how I can best assist and guide you.

Your To Do List before you come to our meeting is to BRING WITH YOU:

1. Completed Questionnaire ( will be handed out in Humanities Class.)
2. Tentative list of colleges you wish to apply to ( include reach, target and safety schools)
3. Your laptop
4. Your completed College search on Naviance and College Board
5. College Resume ( please try to keep it on one page)
6. List of schools you have visited or plan to visit along with your impressions
7. Application Deadlines: Regular/ Early Action/ Early Decision( only for students that are certain if they get

accepted that they will attend.

Also, please come up with a method of organizing the materials for various colleges, essays etc ie: create a binder or computer filing system.

Sign up for individual meetings begins Tuesday, August 28 in the College Counseling Office.

MARK THESE IMPORTANT SENIOR DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR:

• Sept. 10 Day/Night College Fair @ FLC from 6pm- 7:30pm
• Sept. 12 Peter Van Buskirk: , 6:30-8:30 pm; Fort Lewis College Ballroom “Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”
• Sept. 17 Mandatory AHS’’s Senior College Night 6-7
• Sept. 25: “How to Pay for College” @ AHS ; 6pm-7pm
• Oct. 5 Denver NACAC College Fair @ Colorado Convention Center from 1pm- 4 pm
• Oct. 6: 2013 Colorado Western Slope College Fair @ Aspen High School from 11am- 2        pm

For more information, please visit the calendar on this website.

I can’t wait to meet with you all and see where you are in the college admission process!

Sincerely,

Elaine Ehlers

Senior College Counselor

Steps for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

1. Decide whom you will be asking for letters of recommendation. Most colleges require two academic teachers and one administrator, advisor or counselor letter.

2. Plan ahead! Allow at least three weeks for the letter to be completed.

3. Fill out this form completely for each individual who has agreed to write a letter. Personalize your answers according to the writer.

4. Attach your resume. You can note on this form to “refer to resume” on applicable questions.

5. Bring this completed form and resume to each person. Explain that it contains information about you in order to help write the letter.

6. Tell your teacher that you will email them specific instructions for uploading their letter of recommendation.

7. Write a thank you note to the person(s) who provided you a letter of recommendation.

Download Student Profile

Download Parent Brag Sheet

Spring College Advising Letter 

Dear AHS Parents of 9th and 10th Graders,

As a college preparatory school, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to attend college. The primary goal of the College Advising Department is to ensure that all students graduate AHS academically prepared for success at the college or university of their choice. Studies indicate that early college awareness and preparation is critically important for today’s high school students. While college offers a path for personal growth, enrichment, and acquiring knowledge, there are many practical benefits to attend college including:

• Have more job opportunities

The world is changing rapidly. More and more jobs require education beyond high school. College graduates have more jobs to choose from. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.

• Earn more money

A person who goes to college usually earns more than a person who doesn't. On average, over a lifetime, someone who spends two years in college earns $250,000 more than someone who doesn't. That's a quarter of a million dollars more over a lifetime.

• Expand your knowledge base

A college education helps you acquire a range of knowledge in many subjects, as well as advanced knowledge in the specific subjects you're most interested in. It also increases your ability to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both on and off the job.

• Increase your potential

A college education can help increase your understanding of the community and the world as you explore interests, discover new areas of knowledge, and consider lifelong goals. Getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime. People with a college education have better job opportunities and earn more money.

• Better Health

Individuals ages 25 to 34 with a 4-year college degree are 70% more likely to engage in vigorous exercise than those with only a high school diploma.

• Greater Wealth

Individuals with a 4-year college degree earn an average of $22,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma.

• More Security

Individuals with only a high school diploma are about twice as likely to be unemployed as those with a 4-year college degree.

• Stronger Community

Individuals ages 18 to 24 with a 4-year college degree were 75% more likely to vote in the 2008 election than those with only a high school diploma.

(College Board www.collegeboard.org)

This Spring, I have been busy introducing 9th and 10th graders to college advising at AHS and have covered the following topics with your student: the importance of the academic record, understanding the transcript, AHS graduation requirements, college entrance requirements, college admissions testing, and LINK internship requirements. Additionally, students have completed a college survey and have conducted interest, personality profiles, and career surveys on the College in Colorado website. Two important websites to assist you and your student with the college exploration process are the AHS College Advising website, www.ahscollegecareerdepartment.webs.com, and the College in Colorado website, www.collegeincolorado.org. To begin the process of college and career exploration, your student has created a free account on College in Colorado to create an online Individual Career and Academic Plan. This website is also a wonderful resource for high school, career, and college planning, and parents can create an account too! Simply log on to www.collegeincolorado.org and follow the directions to create an account. As a junior, the AHS college advising department will create an account for your student on Naviance, a web-based college planning software. Naviance will allow your student to:

• Get involved in the planning and advising process – Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers
• Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other statistics from actual historical data from students who have applied and been admitted in the past
• Research careers – Research hundreds of careers and career clusters, and take career assessments
• Create plans for the future – Create goals and to-dos, and complete tasks assigned by the school to better prepare your student for future college and career goals.

Many families wonder what they should be doing now to plan for college. The following timelines are meant to serve as a suggested outline for college readiness.

9th Grade College Planning Timeline

• Take rigorous courses
• Study hard
• Explore extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school
• Plan enriching summer activities
• Create a resume
• Attend an individual meeting with the AHS college advisor to understand the college admissions process and explore post-secondary goals
• Begin a dialogue with your family about college
• Attend college fairs
• Attend mandatory AHS Underclassman College Night
• Create your AHS Digital Portfolio
• Read, read, read

10th Grade College Planning Timeline

• Take rigorous classes
• If you are struggling in a class, attend extra help sessions or find a tutor.
• Attend college fairs
• Register to take the PLAN in October (optional)
• Attend mandatory grade-level AHS Underclassman College Night
• Register to take the PSAT (optional)
• Research colleges
• Stay involved with extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school

SPRING

• Refine AHS Digital Portfolio
• Update resume
• Visit colleges
• Continue the college dialogue with your family 
• Stay involved! Look into summer jobs, enrichment and volunteer activities
• Meet with AHS college advisor
• Attend college fairs
• Meet with LINK Director to internship opportunities
• Read, read, read!

11th Grade College Planning Timeline:

FALL/WINTER

• Attend mandatory AHS Upperclassman College Night
• Attend Financial Aid 101 at AHS
• Study hard in a rigorous curriculum
• Meet with your college counselor
• Attend college fairs
• Take PSAT in October
• Enroll in test preparation for the ACT and SAT
• Meet with the LINK Director about internship planning and opportunities

SPRING

• Create Naviance account and complete college search and personality, interest, and career surveys
  
• Create College Board account and conduct college search
  
• Take the SAT in March
  
• Take ACT in April
  
• Visit college campuses
  
• Attend college representative visits
  
• Attend college fairs
  
• Continue to develop a college list
  
• Continue to research and request information from colleges
  
• Meet with AHS college advisor to narrow your list of potential colleges and plan your senior course work
  
• Attend AHS Upperclassman College Night
  
• Refine AHS Digital Portfolio
  
• Update resume
  
• Take SAT Subject Tests and AP exams, if you registered for them
  
• Continue the college dialogue with your family 
  
• Look into summer jobs, enrichment, leadership, and volunteer activities
  
• LINK internship
  
• Update your resume
  
• Ask two teachers and one school administrator, counselor, or advisor to write recommendation letters
  
• Research scholarship and financial aid opportunities
  
• If you are considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, you need to begin the application process the summer before your senior year.
  
• If you are considering performing arts or art schools, create a portfolio.
  

SUMMER

• Visit college campuses
  
• Get involved with an enriching summer experience including a job, internship, travel, study, or community service
  
• Read, read, read!
  
• Continue to research colleges
  
• Brainstorm college and scholarship essays
  
• If you are an athlete planning to play Division I or II sports in college, register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center
  
• Refine college list to 8-12 schools
  

As summer quickly approaches, now is a good time for your student to plan enriching summer activities such as employment, volunteer work, travel, or internships. The AHS College Advising website has a robust listing of summer and travel programs for high school students. A great reading recommendation is The Ultimate Guide to Summer Opportunities for Teens by Sandra Berger.

I look forward to continuing the college dialogue with you and your student next fall when I schedule individual college advising meetings wiht underclassman. Elaine will continue her amazing work with the Seniors.  In the Fall of 2013, stay tuned for monthly newsletters from the College Advising Department and AHS College Nights. Parents are an important part of the college journey, and I look forward to navigating the exciting world of college admissions with you and your student. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions regarding college advising at AHS, and we are looking forward to working with your student.

Warm Regards,

Rachael Sands & Elaine Ehlers

AHS College Advising

FLC Concurrent Enrollment Update

Ashworth College, Finlandia University, Marian College, CU Boulder, Colorado College, Western Washington University, St. Michael’s College, Cottery College, Beloit College, Cornell College, Franklin College, Arizona State University, Baylor University, Montana State University, Embry-Riddle University, Denver University, Northern Arizona University, University of Oregon, University of Portland, Lewis and Clark College, Gonzaga University, Ithaca College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Claremont-McKenna College, University of Montana, Humboldt State University, Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, San Juan College, Colorado School of Mines,Whitman College, Augustana College, Mt. Holyoke College, Occidental College, University of Puget Sound, UC-Santa Barbara, UC-Berkley, UC-San Diego, Lehigh University, University of Richmond, Tulane University, Middlebury College, Brown University, Gustavus College, Kenyon College, San Bernardino Valley College, Amherst College, Skidmore College, UC-Colorado Springs, Sierra Nevada College, Chapman University, Stanford University, American Musical and Dramatic Academy College of the Performing Arts, Carnegie-Mellon University, Harvey Mudd College, Emerson College

Another critical piece of the admissions process is our students’ efforts to secure scholarships and financial awards. To date, Animas High School’s Class of 2013 has been offered $495,700.00 in funding. Congrats to this inspirational class ofpioneers!

Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid opportunities abound. 

Additionally, FLC will be hosting the annual College Goal Sunday on Saturday, February 16th in the Reed Library, Room 2E. This is a fantastic opportunity for AHS families to get assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (better known as the FAFSA form) More info on College Goal Sunday can be found here.

Finally, as our seniors weather the 2013 admissions process, we’re already ramping up with the Class of 2014 for next year’s push. Accordingly, Animas High School will be hosting a Junior College Night on Wednesday, April 3rd @ 6pm in the AHS Lodge

Join the AHS College Counseling team for an overview of the college admission process and how to prepare for the ACT and SAT.  We will also have a panel of AHS seniors to answer questions about the process as well as share their experience of navigating the world of college admissions. Questions? Please contact Rachael Sands at [email protected]

Financial Aid

Scholarships

We have just added local scholarship information to our website under the "More" menu. 

Financial Aid Webinar

Join us at upcoming FREE financial aid webinars from BigFuture™. The webinars are designed to provide tips and information to help students and families complete financial aid applications.

Completing the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®: What You Need to Know

Applying to a school that requires the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE application? This online application for financial aid is used by almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources other than the federal government. You will get a complete preview of the application, learn what's needed before beginning and discover helpful resources and tools. 

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
7–8 p.m. EST

For more information on paying for college, visit bigfuture.org.

If you have questions on the webinar, please email us at [email protected].

Free FLC Application Day

Letter from Elaine Ehlers, Senior College Counselor

Inaugural Senior Class of AHS,

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!!  I have seen many of you the last couple of days that have December 1st deadlines ( this Saturday!)  If you are one of those students, please let Maureen know by TOMORROW  if you need this year's classes put on your transcript as well as your transcript and our school profile sent to your colleges.  ( she has a Transcript Request form for you to fill out )  As you know, you are also responsible for getting your official test scores sent through act.og (ACT scores) or collegeboard.com ( SAT scores) by all of your deadlines!!

December 1 Early Action deadline Reminder:  University of Colorado Boulder ( early action deadline of December 1) doesn't invite your teachers to upload their letters of recommendation UNTIL you submit your application.  You must request that Maureen upload or send your transcript and our school profile to CU Boulder.

However, Colorado State University , (also with a December 1 early action deadline), since it  uses The Common Application on line lets you invite teachers, school official ( me) who will upload your transcript, school profile, and your school official's letter of recommendation - so you DO NOT have to request that Maureen send those to CSU.  However, you must request whoever you have asked to write your school official letter  that they email it to me to upload on the common application for CSU by Thursday please IF you are applying for Early Action.

 For December 15th Deadlines,  requests for the above must be in by Tuesday, December 11 - for January 1 or 5th deadlines, because of Holiday Break, requests must be in by December 18th.  Busy time of year for us all,  but being organized is key.

Please, please have another pair of eyes proofread your applications /essays before you push the submit button.  Also, if you want an individual conference email me when you might want to meet.  Again, my office hours are 8 - 5 on Mondays; 8 - 3:30 on Tuesdays.  Good Luck Class....keep the faith.

College Opportunity Fund

What is the College Opportunity Fund?

The College Opportunity Trust Fund (COF), created by the Colorado Legislature, provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when you attend a Colorado public institution or a participating private institution.

Eligible undergraduate students must apply, be admitted and enroll at a participating institution. Both new and continuing students are eligible for the stipend.

Qualifying students may use the stipend for eligible undergraduate classes. The stipend is paid on a per credit hour basis to the institution at which the student is enrolled. The credit-hour amount will be set annually by the General Assembly. For more information, please visit  http://cof.college-assist.org/cofapp/cofapp/Default.aspx.

Check out this great college resource: http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/guidance-office-princeton-answers-1/

Western Slope College Fair

October 7th from 11am - 2 pm at Aspen High School in Aspen, CO.

For more information and for a list of colleges attending, please visit:

www.cws.collegefair.org

Missed an AHS College Night? Click here to get the handouts!

College Night Handouts

Click here for links to helpul online resources to assist you with college/career exploration.

College and Career Resources

College Application Checklist

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5RG_oQPPjstYmZVamVrUlJQUm8

Parent Do's and Don'ts

 https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5RG_oQPPjstMHl2bkMyaVBIYm8

College Fair Checklist

 https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5RG_oQPPjstS25WTTg4NHdrNTg