CLASS OF 2016 Senior Meeting August 18, 2015

Agenda Miss Whalen, Senior Project Information Miss Biggs, Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Lantz and Mrs. Laubenstine, college application process and planning

Senior Year Countdown Fall -Retake the ACT and/or SAT -Narrow your college selection -Attend open houses -Complete 3 to 5 college applications -Meet with your counselor to update your transcript activities Winter Attend Financial Aid Night 12/3 at 6:00pm -Prepare for FAFSA: Apply for Financial Aid Pin # -Complete FAFSA online beginning January 1 after tax info is complete -Acceptance letters Spring - Expect Student Aid report (SAR) -Notify college of choice -Send deposit Summer -Apply for student & or parent loans if needed -Attend summer orientation at college of choice

TEST INFORMATION ACT’s will be held here on Sat. 10/24 at 8:00 – Registration deadline is 9/18 – Register online at ACT’s will be held here on Sat. 10/24 at 8:00 – Registration deadline is 9/18 – Register online at SAT Dates:Sat. 10/3 register by 9/3 Sat. 11/7 register by 10/9 *both October and November tests will be held at Blue Mountain High School *register online at SAT Dates:Sat. 10/3 register by 9/3 Sat. 11/7 register by 10/9 *both October and November tests will be held at Blue Mountain High School *register online at

FEE WAIVERS If you receive free or reduced lunch, please see your guidance counselor for a fee waiver form. If you qualify, you may use the waiver for ACT fees, SAT fees, and 4 college application fees.

APPLICATION PROCESS A Transcript Release form for each college you are applying to must be filled out and turned into the Guidance Office with a stamp. You are encouraged to have all of your application materials completed by Thanksgiving at the latest. Colleges are strongly recommending students to apply online. Avoid senioritis, keep your grades up, colleges have been requesting 1 st marking period grades and mid year reports.

APPLICATION PROCESS Make sure to find out if you need teacher and/or counselor letters of recommendation. Out of courtesy, it is recommended that you provide at least 2 weeks notice to your teachers when asking for a letter. You may provide the teacher with a stamped addressed envelope to send directly to the school or ask the teacher to give the letter to guidance to send.

Social Media Please check over your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other public social media you belong to and make sure everything is appropriate. Colleges and scholarship committees absolutely check these pages. If it comes down to you and another student for admission and they check out your page, what will they find? Please keep it clean and classy. Look at your pictures, check your “likes,” comments, posts, etc. Think before you tweet.

Local Scholarships Local scholarships will start to become available in March. You can find out about scholarship opportunities in 3 ways: – Morning Announcements – Postings on the Guidance Office Door – Guidance Wiki on the High School website

Guidance Wiki Check the guidance wiki frequently throughout the year for scholarship opportunities, upcoming events, test dates, summer programs, and community service. You can access the guidance wiki through the Schuylkill Haven district website. Choose the high school and click on Guidance. wiki/wiki/071cf/Guidance_News.html

Senior Meetings Counselors will begin individual senior meetings in September. Scheduled appointments will be announced during homeroom. We will check progress toward graduation requirements, assist with clarifying goals, and provide information about the college and/or career application process.

College Rep Visits The guidance office hosts representatives from various postsecondary schools and the military throughout the year. Students may sign up to meet with the reps in the guidance office. Upcoming visits: Penn College of Technology 9/14 at 9:00 am

USEFUL WEBSITES and – scholarship searches, financial aid info – college planning, financial aid info – Free Application for Federal Student Aid online app – virtual tours of college campuses – PA State System of Higher Ed college website – Online application for schools participating in the Common App