WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE ADVISING SEMINAR Presented by Mr. JohnsonMr. Owen Mr. LambMrs. Hashimoto Mrs. Owen

 Welcome & Introductions  College & Career Night  ACT/SAT  Community Service  Applying to Post-Secondary Institutions  Applying for Scholarships  High School Transcripts  Letters of Recommendation  Financial Aid  College Days  Notification of Scholarship Awards  Q & A  Closing AGENDA

COLLEGE AND CAREER NIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, :30 – 9:00 P.M. EST OPELIKA HIGH SCHOOL YOU ARE INVITED

ACT vs. SAT ACT  Similar to an achievement test; measures what has been learned in school.  5 Components: English, Reading, Math, Science, and Writing  Writing is Optional (Required at least one time)  Credit is given for correct answers; no penalty for incorrect answers  Accepted by ALL post-secondary institutions  Multiple-Choice Test Questions  English, Reading, Math, & Science scored from a 1-36  Writing scored from a 2-12  Composite Perfect Score = 36 SAT  Similar to an aptitude test; tests reasoning and verbal abilities.  3 Components: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing (Subject Tests are Optional)  Writing is Required  Credit is given for correct answers; there is a ¼ pt. penalty for incorrect answers  Accepted by most post-secondary institutions; preferred by some  Multiple-Choice and Open-Ended Test Questions  Each Section is scored from a  Perfect Score = 2,400

ACT vs. SAT (continued) ACT  Testing Locations Lanett, Auburn, Opelika, Wadley, Phenix City, LaGrange, Columbus  Test Dates  September 12, 2015  October 24, 2015  December 12, 2015  February 6, 2016  April 9, 2016  June 11, 2016  Cost $39.50 w/o Writing; $56.50 w/ Writing  SAT  Testing Locations Montgomery, Dadeville, Birmingham, Auburn (Limited Dates), Atlanta  Test Dates  October 3, 2015  November 7, 2015  December 5, 2015  January 23, 2016  March 5, 2016 **  May 7, 2016 **  June 4, 2016 ** **Newly Designed Test in Effect  Cost $54.50 (includes Writing); Addtl Charge for Subject Tests  ACT Registration Packets are available in Mr. Owen’s office. SAT Registration Materials are found on the SAT website.

COMMUNITY SERVICE  Keep a list of all community service hours you complete.  This list should include all hours from 9 th through 12 th grade.  Don’t forget to include church and school activities as well.  Be sure to get the name, address, and phone number of an adult who can verify your hours.

APPLYING TO POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS You need to begin TODAY sending applications to colleges/universities that you are interested in attending. Many colleges and universities only give priority admission and scholarship consideration to those seniors who get their application in by December 1. If you apply for a college online, let Mr. Lamb know to send your transcript. If it is a paper application, turn it in to Mr. Lamb and he will put a transcript with it and return it to you for mailing.

APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS  You need to begin TODAY researching scholarship opportunities.  How to Search for Scholarships  Internet Search  Websites of Colleges/Universities  Create a FastWeb Account (  Visit the Springwood School Website (Counseling Section)  Visit the Build My Bridge Website buildmybridge.weebly.com  Ask parents to check with their employers  It is NOT recommended that you pay a fee to submit any scholarship applications or to use a web-based scholarship search engine.  Remember…every penny helps when you are going to college so be sure to even apply for those small scholarships.

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS  Your transcript includes all classes you have taken and grades you have earned from 9 th thru 12 th grade.  Transcripts must be sent to post-secondary institutions upon completion of an admissions application. These transcripts may be considered OFFICIAL, but they are not FINAL OFFICIAL because you are still enrolled at Springwood.  Most scholarship applications will require an official transcript.  Once you graduate, a FINAL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT must be sent to the post-secondary institutions of your choice.  Remember to see Mr. Lamb when you need a transcript sent to a post-secondary institution and/or for a scholarship application.  Transcripts are not considered official if the student has had any contact with them. Henceforth, the reason for Mr. Lamb securing the envelope in which he returns your application materials that include the transcript.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION  Most scholarship applications require one or more letters of recommendation.  Some college admission applications require letters of recommendation.  You might consider getting “generic” letters of recommendation written that you can use with various applications (unless the application requests that you address them to a specific person or department).  Keep a copy of all letters of recommendation that are written for you in a safe place so that you can readily use them.  Who to ask for a letter of recommendation: TeachersCoaches Volunteer SupervisorsChurch Leaders Community Leaders  NEVER use a letter of recommendation written by a relative.  Provide references with a resume or a list of awards and activities.  Allow references at least one (1) week to prepare a letter of recommendation for you—don’t wait until the last minute to ask for one.

GENERAL REMINDERS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS  Make COPIES of applications before you write or type on them. Complete the “copy” first and then transfer the information to the original form.  Applications should ONLY be written in BLACK ink (if they are not typed).  ALWAYS capitalize proper nouns on applications. Abbreviations should also be avoided. Do NOT write like you text; spell everything out.  Make copies of EVERYTHING you mail. Print copies of everything you or submit on-line (if the program allows you to print).  If an application requires a transcript or has a part for the counselor to complete, you must complete EVERYTHING except the transcript/counselor part and turn in to Mr. Lamb at least one (1) week before the due date. Mr. Lamb will put a transcript with the application and/or complete the counselor part and then return the complete, sealed application packet to you for mailing.

You cannot apply for financial aid until after January 1, In order to apply, your parents must have completed their 2015 tax returns because information is requested on the FAFSA that comes directly from your parents’ tax returns. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR ANY ALABAMA TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS (INCLUDING SOUTHERN UNION AND CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY) IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FAFSA COMPLETED BEFORE THE SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE. A financial aid meeting will be held in late January or early February for all seniors and their parents with a College Financial Aid Director in attendance. Details to come later this year.

COLLEGE DAYS  You are allowed two (2) college days during your junior and senior years.  You must be on track to graduate before being approved for a college day.  Mr. Owen or Mr. Lamb must approve your proposed college day.  Approval must be secured a minimum of one (1) week BEFORE you use a college day.  Once approved, you are expected to notify your teachers, bring documentation from the college that you attended (giving it directly to either Mr. Owen or Mr. Lamb on the day that you return to school), and makeup any missed work in your classes.

NOTIFICATION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS When you receive a scholarship offer, be sure to notify Registrar Mrs. Hashimoto. She will need a copy of your award letter. A combined class total of all scholarship awards will be published and announced. You will be recognized at Honors Day for all scholarship awards accepted.

HELP US TO HELP YOU AND OTHERS Be sure to Mrs. Hashimoto if you find out about any college/career days, scholarships, or helpful websites that could be added to the school website. All of us working together will enable all of you to reap the benefits!

Total to Beat $1,068,000 SENIOR RETREAT GOAL To beat last year’s senior class scholarship total

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS