Senior College Application Night

Purpose To provide you with resources to support your college search (Naviance). To make you more comfortable with the college application process. To make you aware of possible scholarship opportunities. To help you make an informed decision.

Key Points Student, parent, counselor, teacher, etc. need to work together. College preference is individual to every person. Be prepared, thorough, and organized. Think outside the box. Be Realistic with your expectations.

Elder Guidance Web

Naviance

Test Dates SAT ACT Test Date:Register By: Saturday, November 5, 2011 Test given at Elder October 7, 2011 Saturday, December 3, 2011November 8, 2011 Test Date:Register By: Saturday, October 22, 2011Late Registration: by Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 Saturday, December 10, 2011November 4, 2011 *Most colleges require the ACT and/or SAT

Research Review the information you receive in the mail. Research colleges, careers, scholarships, and financial aid via the internet, library, phone calls, etc. Attend a College Fair. Upcoming College Fairs are listed on Naviance. Visit a campus! No School for seniors: Oct. 12, & Nov. 28 & 29. Talk to family members/friends/teachers about the college they attended.

Your Short List Rank the schools in which you are interested on criteria important to you:  Availability of Financial Aid  Graduation rate  Student/Faculty Ratio  Extracurricular opportunities  Safety  Academic Support Services  Career Services

Degrees of Selectivity Open Admissions: these schools require a HS diploma and admit students on a first come, first serve basis. Community colleges and some state colleges have open admissions. (Cincinnati State and Wright State University are examples)

Degrees of Selectivity Selective: these schools consider your coursework, grades, test scores, essays and recommendations. They are usually looking for the well-rounded student. Very Selective: they receive many applications for each spot available. They look carefully at every aspect of your high school experience. They also have a “class profile” that may change from year to year.

Divide you short list Safety schools: your academic credentials fall above the school’s mid 50% range. You have a % chance of admission. Match schools: your academic credentials fall within or exceed the school’s mid 50% range. You have a 75% chance of admission

Divide Your Short List Reach Schools: your academic credentials fall below the mid 50% range. There is no guarantee of admission, but it is reasonable to apply. 50% chance.

Al T. Iora ( a typical student) Al has a 3.0 GPA, has taken CP1 classes, an ACT score of 23. He played soccer as a freshman and sophomore and has participated in some community service. He has narrowed his list to: Ball State, BGSU, Wright State, OSU, UC, UD, Transylvania, and Kenyon

SchoolACT range SAT range AVG GPA% admitted SchoolACT Range AVG SAT AVG GPA % admitted Ball State M BGSU M OSU R Kenyon UC M UD R Transyl vania R

G.O. Elder (above avg. student) George has a 3.75 GPA, has taken Honors and AP classes, has a 30 ACT and 1350 SAT. He has served on Student Council, played baseball as a freshman and sophomore, and is in the Glee Club. He has narrowed his list to: Butler, Centre, UVA, OSU, ND, Kenyon and Transylvania

SchoolACT Range AVG SAT AVG GPA % Admitted Butler M Centre M OSU M Notre Dame R UVA M Kenyon M Transyl vania S

Applications: Schools Typically students apply to 3-5 schools (you should apply to more than one school) Be Realistic Apply to a variety of schools (possibly including a “reach” and a “safety” school) Be prepared when sitting down to complete applications (ex. list of extra-curricular activities, current class schedule, social security number, GPA, Class Rank, etc.) Sign up to attend a college representative visit.

When Do I Apply? Check the dates!!!  Each school has their own set of deadlines What are the different types of deadlines?  Early Decision – generally a BINDING agreement of attendance between student and school  Early Action – students apply early to learn of acceptance/denial early  Priority – generally an earlier date than the regular deadline and could include scholarship application  Regular – last opportunity to apply  Rolling – applications are accepted until school begins

How Do I Apply? College Application Process IN 3 EASY STEPS Complete the college application Complete a Transcript Request (use Naviance) – your transcript will not be sent if you have not completed the signature sheet and paid the $10 Transcript Fee. Turn in materials that need to be sent with the transcript to your counselor. These items could include (but are not limited to): Counselor Form/Secondary School Report/Counselor Information Form, Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Resume, etc.

Applications: Transcript  A transcript is a list of all the courses your son has taken, along with the final grade he earned, and the number of credits received for each course.  Also included on the transcript are:  GPA  Class Rank (weighted and unweighted)  Attendance  With the transcript we send:  Standardized Test Scores (HSPT, OGT, PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT)  School Profile  Any other documents you would like us to send

Course Listing for each year GPA/Rank Credits Attendance Name, Address, Phone, Parents, Birthdate, etc.

Applications: Test Scores Test Scores  Make sure your test scores (SAT/ACT) are sent to the college(s) to which you are applying (especially Ohio State, Miami University, and University of Cincinnati)  Elder High School Code:

Items you might need…. Resume  Take your time and proof-read!  Templates are available in Word or create your own outline Letters of Recommendation  How many do you need? No more than 2 (unless number is specified)!  Get a GOOD recommendation.  ADVANCE NOTICE!!! Plan on providing 2 weeks.  Helpful templates are available in the GRC Essay  Take your time and proofread!  It would be helpful to write it in a word processing program first and then “copy and paste” into the space on the online application. YOU DO NOT ALWAYS NEED THESE ITEMS! CHECK THE APPLICATION CAREFULLY!

Applications: After submission Expect to wait at least 4-8 weeks to receive a decision. Some schools have a specified decision date. What does it mean to be:  Accepted – You’re In!  Denied – You are not accepted into the school  Put on Hold – Generally means school is missing information  Asked for a 7 th Semester Transcript – School needs more information to make a decision  Waiting List – You are still being considered but cannot be offered admission at the present time What is special about May 1st?  This is the date when a student must notify the college(s) of their acceptance or denial.

NCAA If you are going to play a sport at a Div. I or Div. II college you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse! Complete the Registration Process (visit Check your account frequently to make sure you have completed all required forms What are the requirements for the Clearinghouse?  Specific classes in specific areas  Sliding GPA/Test Score Scale IF YOU ARE EVEN THINKING ABOUT PLAYING A SPORT AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL… SEE YOUR COUNSELOR ASAP!

Two Types of Scholarships 1. Institutional Merit-Based Scholarships These Merit-Based Scholarships may have special applications, deadlines and criteria. Check school website for information. 2. Private Scholarships Private Scholarships are those awards not directly affiliated with a college.

Examples of Merit Based Scholarships University of Cincinnati  Cincinnatus Scholarships – December 1  Carl Linder Honors Plus Program – December 1  Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program – December 1 Miami University  Harrison Scholarship – November 3  University Merit Awards – February 1  Miami Access Initiative –February 1

Example of Merit Based Scholarships Xavier University  St. Francis and Chancellor Scholarships – December 1  Trustee, Schawe, and Presidential Scholarship – All applications are considered  Miguel Pro Scholarship - December 1  Francis Weninger Scholarship – December 1 University of Dayton  Trustees, Presidents, Deans, and Father Chaminade Award – December 15

Examples of Merit Based Scholarships Ohio State  Maximus Scholarship –December 1  Provost Scholarship – December 1 These scholarships are not necessarily an inclusive list of all available merit based scholarships. Please check the schools web sites or call their financial aid office to determine other scholarships that might be available and to verify deadline dates.

Searching for Scholarships Guidance Web Page – Scholarships Naviance Ohio Career Information System –OCIS

Guidance Web Page Scholarship Search Engines ROTC Merit Scholarships olarships.htm

Naviance List of local scholarships received by the Guidance Department Additional Merit Scholarship ed.php

Complete a Financial Aid Sort OCIS Username: ElderHS Password: ohiocis03

Develop a Plan to Pay For Your Education Direct Cost  Tuition  Room and Board Indirect Cost  Books  Supplies  Transportation  Clothing  Laundry  Entertainment  Recreation  Parking

Financial Aid 1. SOURCES OF MONEY Parental Contribution Student’s Own Funds Scholarships (based on merit and special talents) Financial Aid (awarded on basis of determined financial need) Grants Work-Study Programs Loans

Financial Aid 2. FINANCIAL NEED Expected Family Contribution (Determined by FAFSA: constant) Cost of Attendance-Expected Family Contribution=Financial Need

Financial Aid 3. HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE…SUBMIT Admission Application Institutional Financial Aid Application (if applicable) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Paper Copy mailed (receive Student Aid Report in 4-6 wks) FAFSA on the WEB (receive Expected Family Contribution immediately and an SAR Information Acknowledgement within 2 weeks for your review)  Student Aid Report (SAR) shows the submitted information as well as the Expected Family Contribution. (Review the SAR for accuracy and follow instructions to make corrections.)

Financial Aid Before beginning the online FAFSA apply for a PIN # at (it is suggested that you apply for the PIN NOW!) The PIN will be ed to you within 1-5 days. Dependent students should also have their parents apply for a PIN now so they can electronically sign the FAFSA. FAFSA online at:

Financial Aid College Financial Aid Information Night Tuesday, January 17, :00PM In the Schaeper Center

Types of Financial Aid

Application Fests Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 27- Oct. 7 2:30-3 in the GRC *Online applications allow you to create an account where you can save application information as you go. We don’t expect students to finish an application in one session. If this doesn’t work for you just make an appointment with your Guidance Counselor.

UPCOMING EVENTS: September 27-October 7 – Application Fests 2:30-3 in the GRC Sunday, October 2 – National College Duke Energy Center 1-4pm visit for informationwww.nationalcollegefairs.org Tuesday, October 4 – College Fair Miami Hamilton Gym 6:30-8pm visit for informationwww.ham.muohio.edu/collegefair

Elder Guidance Web Site