2.  Characteristics to consider  Location  Size  Degree programs offered  Extracurricular activities  Cost and financial aid  Admission Policy  Accreditation  Support Services  Campus Life

3. Naviance has several programs that allow students to research colleges:  CollegeMatch  College Resources  College Compare  College Look-up  Scattergrams  Acceptance History

4.  Meet with an Admissions counselor  Tour Campus  Visit a Class  Talk with staff and students

5. Sign up in Naviance. Students need to fill out a pass one day prior to visit and have signed by the teacher of the class period they will miss for the college visit.

6.  Rigor of course load in High School  Grades / GPA  Class Rank  ACT / SAT scores  Extra-Curricular Activities  Letters of Recommendation  Essays

7.  Community College  Public Colleges and Universities  Private Colleges and Universities

8. Cuyahoga Community College  Transfer credit to four year institution  Lorain Community College  University Partnership

9. The University of Akron ProfileProfile www.uakron.edu admissions@uakron.eduwww.uakron.edu admissions@uakron.edu Bowling Green State University ProfileProfile www.bgsu.edu choosebgsu@bgsu.eduwww.bgsu.edu choosebgsu@bgsu.edu Central State University ProfileProfile www.centralstate.edu admissions@centralstate.eduwww.centralstate.edu admissions@centralstate.edu University of Cincinnati ProfileProfile www.admissions.uc.edu admissions@uc.eduwww.admissions.uc.edu admissions@uc.edu Cleveland State University ProfileProfile www.engagecsu.com admissions@csuohio.eduwww.engagecsu.com admissions@csuohio.edu Kent State University ProfileProfile www.kent.edu admissions@kent.eduwww.kent.edu admissions@kent.edu Miami University ProfileProfile www.miamioh.edu admission@miamioh.eduwww.miamioh.edu admission@miamioh.edu The Ohio State University ProfileProfile www.osu.edu askabuckeye@osu.eduwww.osu.edu askabuckeye@osu.edu Ohio University ProfileProfile www.ohio.edu admissions@ohio.eduwww.ohio.edu admissions@ohio.edu Shawnee State University ProfileProfile www.shawnee.edu to_ssu@shawnee.eduwww.shawnee.edu to_ssu@shawnee.edu The University of Toledo ProfileProfile www.utoledo.edu enroll@utoledo.eduwww.utoledo.edu enroll@utoledo.edu Wright State University ProfileProfile www.wright.edu admissions@wright.eduwww.wright.edu admissions@wright.edu Youngstown State University ProfileProfile www.ysu.edu enroll@ysu.eduwww.ysu.edu enroll@ysu.edu

10. Generally private colleges and universities are more expensive, but they shouldn’t be dismissed because of cost. Scholarship and financial aid can bring costs down to be competitive with public universities. ohioprivatecolleges.com

11.  All applicants to selective schools are expected to have excellent grades and scores.  What will set you apart?

12.  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 Source: The College Planning Workbook, Peter Van Buskirk

13.  All Colleges have different deadlines for applying  Know your deadlines  Keep in mind that WHS requires 10 days for processing transcript requests.

14.  All application packets require:  Application  Transcript: Students must fill out a transcript release form and give it directly to their counselor.  Standardized Test Score sent directly from the testing agency. Many (including Common App.) additionally require: *Essay or Personal Statement *Letter(s) of Recommendation *School report / Counselor Form

15. Update My Colleges  Colleges I’m thinking about – Add colleges you are thinking about to this list.  Colleges I’m applying to – Only add colleges to this list when you complete and send an application to the college. Update this list with your admission status.

16. 1. Create a common App account on Common App online www.comonapp.orgwww.comonapp.org 2. Sign the CA FERPA waiver on the Common Application www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org 3. Match email used for CA accounton Naviance “Colleges I’m applying to” page.

17.  ACT and/or SAT should be taken during the second semester of 11 th grade.  All scores should be directly sent to the college by the testing agency.  Retake early senior year if needed:  www.act.org  www.collegeboard.com

18.  SAT is an ability test that predicts how well you will do in college  ACT is an achievement test that is curriculum based  Most colleges will take either SAT or ACT with writing.

19. SAT: 3 sections  Critical reading  Math  Writing  3 hours and 45 minutes total  Possible score of 2400; 800 on each section www.collegeboard.com  SAT II Subject Tests – required at more competitive schools.

20. ACT: 5 sections  English  Math  Reading  Science  Optional Writing Section  Possible score of 36, 12 for writing  2 hours and 55 minutes OR 3 hours and 25 minutes (+ writing) www.actstudent.org

21.  In lieu of test scores, Many schools are now test optional  students are asked to:  Submit graded writing sample  Possibly interview Antioch, BW, Dennison, YSU  Go to www.fairtest.org for a list of all schools that are test optionalwww.fairtest.org

22. Students who wish to play at either Division 1 or 2 levels must register with the Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.orgwww.ncaaclearinghouse.org

23. Complete the FAFSA (after Jan. 1) www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov Can complete the FAFSA calculator ahead of time for an estimate and also register for a PIN Some schools also accept/require the CSS Profile (fall of senior year) www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com Scholarships are posted in Naviance

24. Check your schools’ website for University sponsored scholarships. Many University sponsored scholarships require no special application. OSU’s priority deadline for scholarships is November 1 Local scholarships are available spring of senior year

25.  September-October- November  Register for the SAT/ACT if not taken or need to retake.  Update Naviance with your list of colleges.  Complete college applications.  Attend high school information sessions with college representatives  Athletes planning to play Division 1 or 2 sports must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www. eligibilitycenter.org.  Research scholarships and continue college visits.

26. December In order for applications to be processed by the Guidance Department before Winter Break, they must be submitted by December 5.

27. Parents should complete the FAFSA and the Profile (if required). Check deadlines on college and scholarship applications. Inform the Guidance Office if your college requires a mid-year report. Check date for local scholarship applications.

28.  March-April-May  Final college notifications are sent by April 1.  May 1 is the candidates’ reply date.

29. June  High school graduation.  Final transcripts are sent to the college you plan to attend.

30.  Terry KennedyA - E250-1012  Mark CampoF – K250-1011  Liz OsickiL – Q250-1010  Joan JeromeR – Z250-1009  Marsha Frazier, Administrative Assistant 835-6375