SENIOR INFORMATION MEETING CLASS OF 2018

WELCOME!!! #1 Get a Chrome Book #2 Go to: www.connection.naviance.com/strongsvillehs #3 Sign into your account: Email: SCSMustangsLogin (18jones.tara@scsmustangs.org) Password: SixDigitIDInitials (200250tj)

How will we use Family Connection? As a senior, we will be using Naviance to: ~ Request and Send Transcripts ~ Submit Counselor Recommendation Forms/Letters ~ Teacher Recommendation Forms It can also be used for College and Career Planning…..

What’s next? 4- year University/College 2-year college Technical School Job Military While today, we focus on getting to a University or college, SHS Guidance can help no matter what your plans are.

What School is Right for me? Go to “Colleges” Tab – “SuperMatch” Things to consider: Majors Location Setting (Urban, Suburban, Rural) Size Other Opportunities (Internships, Study Abroad, Sorority/Fraternity, Etc) Don’t rule out Private Schools based on Cost College Acceptance is not a prize to be won, but rather a match to be found.

Still don’t have a major (or Career) in mind? Go to “About Me” Under My Assessments ~ Take “StrengthsExplorer” Go to “Careers” Under What are my interest ~ Take “Career Interest Profiler” ~ Roadtrip Nation Interview Archive ~ Watch a “Road Trip”

How do I narrow down my choices? College Reps visit SHS Guidance Check Family Connections/Naviance College Campus Visits Attend College Open House: Schedule visit on College’s website ~Obtain Planned Absence form from Attendance Office - 3 planned absences are allowed & will be excused absences - Return to Mrs. Cook in the Attendance Office **October 11th - SENIOR VISITATION DAY/COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY

What will I need to apply to college? Completed Application Transcripts sent ACT or SAT test scores Some schools will take these scores from HS Transcript. Others will require the scores come directly from Testing Institution. (It is your job to know this. It is usually indicated on the first or last page on the online application Possibly Letters of Recommendation

What is the Application Process? Common App (www.commonapp.org) #1 Create login & Complete Online App #2 Complete FERPA Waiver #3 Log onto Naviance/Family Connections and Match the Accounts #4 Request Transcripts through Family Connections on “Colleges I’m Applying to” #5 Complete and Submit Transcript Request Form. $10 is due only once. Transcript form needs to be submitted each time. #6 If needed, request Teacher Recs in person and on Family Connection #7 Check on Test Scores School Application (on the school’s website) #1 Create login & Complete Online App #2 Request Transcripts through Family Connections on “Colleges I’m Applying to” #3 Complete and Submit Transcript Request Form. $10 is due only once. Transcript form needs to be submitted each time. #4 If needed, request Teacher Recs in person and on Family Connection #5 Check on Test Scores

What if I need letters of Recommendation? Give the person a list of your activities Check to see if you need a teacher from a specific subject Ask someone that likes you If an institution will be contacting a teacher via email, inform the teacher (ahead of time, if possible). If you do this with Naviance the email will say it is from you.

Early Decision/Early Action Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college. Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date (usually by December). Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family. Apply to only one college early decision. Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans. Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED. Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1. Early Action Apply early. Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February). Consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt. Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans. Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date.

Who Should Apply Early? Applying to an ED or EA plan is most appropriate for a student who: Has researched colleges extensively. Is absolutely sure that the college is the first choice. Has found a college that is a strong match academically, socially and geographically. Meets or exceeds the admission profile for the college for SAT® scores, GPA and class rank. Has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time. This information was taken directly from the College Board Website For more information on the pros and cons, visit the College Board site.

How do I find out about Scholarships? Check Scholarship on NAVIANCE Follow @MustangMonies on Twitter Check www.Twitter.Com/MustangMonies Set up Profile on www.fastweb.com Complete Local Scholarship Application in March **Never pay money for a scholarship service or to file the FAFSA**

What is the FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid Student and Parent must obtain their own FSA ID (this can be done now at www.fafsa.ed.gov) Student and Parent must have different email addresses Actual application cannot be started until October 1, 2017 Colleges use information from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants and specific student loans Some colleges will not award scholarship or merit aid if a family hasn’t complete the FAFSA Senior Financial Aid Night: October 11 at 6:15 p.m. FAFSAhelpOH Dates and resources will be given closer to October 1st

Important Information FINANCIAL AID MEETING S October 11, 6:15 P.M. High School Auditorium (Follow @MustangMonies on Twitter…. Students add to accounts now please) SENIOR PARENT COLLEGE PLANNING MEETING September 19 , 6:30 P.M. High School Auditorium Request transcripts by December 7th to ensure they will be sent before Winter Break If you are planning to play Division I or Division II Sports, see your counselor to discuss the NCAA ELIGIBILITY. Also, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. eligibilitycenter.org OCT. 11th College Visit, Career Shadow or College Application Day

Full College Planning Guide Helpful Websites College/Career Search Scholarship/Financial Aid bigfuture.org Fastweb.com collegeboard.org Twitter.com/MustangMonies ohiomeansjobs.org Fafsa.ed.gov Scholarships.com Collegesavings.org Don’t forget: Most of these websites can be found on your family connection homepage under links. www.strongnet.org/hs Full College Planning Guide This Power Point

Senior Conference Credits GPA Rank in Class Post High School Plans During the Senior Conference your Counselor will review: Credits GPA Rank in Class Post High School Plans Any Questions you have Your counselor will call you down for your appointment

TIME LINE September Register for the ACT/SAT if not already taken, or wish to retake Narrow college choices to 3-5 colleges Begin completing college applications Plan campus visits/overnights and meet with college reps when they visit SHS October Complete the FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) Senior Interviews – Meet with counselor to discuss college and career plans Submit completed applications, be sure to double check specific requirements and deadlines Request teacher recommendations, if necessary through Naviance Request and send all transcripts through Naviance November Make sure colleges have your test scores-some want them directly from testing agencies.

Check date college applications are due January TIME LINE CONTINUED December Turn in all applications by December 7 to guarantee delivery prior to winter break Check date college applications are due January Ask counselors to send semester transcripts to colleges if needed February-April Complete scholarship applications. Local scholarships will be on our web page and Naviance Acceptances/rejections received May Finalize contract with the college you will attend. Most colleges have May 1st as their deadlines Take Senior Survey on the guidance website, tell us what college you want your final transcript sent to

Who is My Counselor? A-Co : Mrs. Sislowski Cr-Ha: Ms. Hussong He-Lo: Mr. Young Lu-Pe: Ms. Davidson Pf-Sr: Mrs. Brzuski St-Z: Mrs. Williams

Helpful Videos Common App Matching on NAVIANCE https://vimeo.com/102639828 Requesting Transcripts on NAVIANCE (be sure to complete the paper form, as well) https://vimeo.com/101520088

The End