Senior College Planning How to Navigate planning for your post high school plans

Senior Year  SAT/ACT entrance exams  Make sure you are on track to graduate  Are you completing a career academy?  Will you be a SRHS Scholar?  Don’t leave service learning until May!  Registered with NCAA/NAIA – make sure you meet the requirements

The best college is the “Good Fit”  Offers a program of study to match your interests and needs.  Provides a style of instruction to match the way you like to learn.  Provides a level of academic rigor to match your aptitude and preparation.  Offers a community that feels like home to you.  Values you for what you do well.

Narrow your search Apply to 4-6 schools Reach” Schools Reach” Schools –Relative term, different for each person depending on the strength of their academic record –These schools have the right academic programs and campus environment for you, but there may be some doubt as to your qualifications for admissions “Possible” Schools “Possible” Schools –Strong programs in your interest areas and to which you are more likely to be accepted “Safety” School “Safety” School –Strong programs in your interest area and to which you are guaranteed admission and your family can afford –Relative to each student which can range from U of O to PCC

Campus Visits Start by visiting with admission rep on-site at SRHS. Start by visiting with admission rep on-site at SRHS. Preview Days Preview Days Tour the campus Tour the campus Meet with admission and financial aid reps. Meet with admission and financial aid reps. Meet current students Meet current students On-site admissions On-site admissions Get on their mailing lists Get on their mailing lists

Important Dates October 217:00 pmScholarship InformationAloha HS October 276:00 pmPerforming & Visual Arts College FairPortland Art Museum November 2 & 3NACAC National College Fair OR Convention Center November 57:00 pmCollege Financial PlanningSouthridge HS December 27:00 pmFAFSA/Financial AidSunset HS

Understanding college applications Search for application deadlines now. Don ’ t wait until the last minute. Search for application deadlines now. Don ’ t wait until the last minute. Official transcript and test scores: Official transcript and test scores: -Request with Mrs. Fideler in lower counseling. -Request with Mrs. Fideler in lower counseling. Student Information: If possible apply and Student Information: If possible apply and enter information on-line. enter information on-line. You will need to enter courses for entire senior year. You will need to enter courses for entire senior year.  ( For U of O application list courses as.5 credit not.33)  Colleges expect academic commitment and course completion

Common Application: What you need to know Electronic Electronic Transcripts are downloaded by your counselor Transcripts are downloaded by your counselor Requires 2 Teacher & Counselor Recommendations: Requires 2 Teacher & Counselor Recommendations: –Communicate with teachers and counselors –Counselor recommendation can be substituted by a 3 rd Teacher recommendation Schools on the common application will receive a mid-year report and end of year report. Schools on the common application will receive a mid-year report and end of year report.

Other applications: SEND EDU online application SEND EDU online application -Requires recommendation -Transcript is downloaded  Secondary School Report – requires counselor to complete it.

Early Decision vs. Early Action: Early Decision is Binding: You are making a commitment to enroll if admitted. You may apply to other institutions but may only have one Early Decision application pending at one time. Early Decision is Binding: You are making a commitment to enroll if admitted. You may apply to other institutions but may only have one Early Decision application pending at one time. Early Action: applying to a preferred institution and receive a decision in advance of regular response dates. Students admitted on early action are not obligated to accept offer prior to May 1 st. Early Action: applying to a preferred institution and receive a decision in advance of regular response dates. Students admitted on early action are not obligated to accept offer prior to May 1 st.

Why do Colleges require essays? It is about how you see yourself It is about how you see yourself Showing what you have researched about your college choice and why it is a good a good match Showing what you have researched about your college choice and why it is a good a good match Demonstrates your writing ability Demonstrates your writing ability Show that you are willing to put yourself into what you do…commitment Show that you are willing to put yourself into what you do…commitment Helps the colleges draw distinctions among applicants Helps the colleges draw distinctions among applicants

Effective Essays About what you do in school and outside of school (think of 3 settings) About what you do in school and outside of school (think of 3 settings) List adjectives and characteristics that best describe you List adjectives and characteristics that best describe you Examine the question Examine the question Decide which characteristics/adjectives should be included in your answer Decide which characteristics/adjectives should be included in your answer Include examples that would reflect your qualities Include examples that would reflect your qualities Write a draft Write a draft Examine your answer Examine your answer Make necessary edits Make necessary edits Type your essays Type your essays

Final Tips Be careful of using humor Be careful of using humor Don’t replace an essay with something else Don’t replace an essay with something else “Honor code” “Honor code” Leave yourself time to rewrite and revise Leave yourself time to rewrite and revise Keep in the limit they ask for Keep in the limit they ask for Take it seriously Take it seriously

Financial Aid & Scholarships File for federal financial aid (FAFSA) if you are eligible anytime after January 1. File for federal financial aid (FAFSA) if you are eligible anytime after January 1. –Each school will receive the FAFSA filed –Award letters will be sent in April Search for scholarships Search for scholarships College & Career Center College & Career Center

Final words: Enjoy your senior experience responsibly Enjoy your senior experience responsibly Keep a calendar of your activities and deadlines Keep a calendar of your activities and deadlines  Admission status is only preliminary until a final senior transcript is reviewed.  Senior year is preparation for college success.  Stay involved.