SHS Senior College Night August 30, 2018, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. SHS College Counselors and Room Assignments: Mrs. Russell A-C SENIOR COMMONS Mr. Nowak D-Ho AUDITORIUM Mrs. Trocchio Hp-Mc ROOM 150 Mrs. Kinney Md-See ROOM 160 Mr. Sims Sef-Z ROOM 161 SHS College Planning Support Staff: Mrs. Rooney Secretary Mrs. Harrell Financial Aid Ms. Blashka & Ms. Schmidt Essay Advisors

So far, so good in 9th-11th Practice tests: ASPIRE and PSAT College/career search and discovery Annual meetings with counselors Résumé created in 11th grade ACT and SAT testing College exploration and visitation

Beginning of 12th Grade I have a list of colleges that match my profile and interests I have taken SAT and/or ACT (SAT IIs ?) I have registered for a fall SAT/ACT if needed to raise scores I have completed the Student/Parent Questionnaires & Transcript Release Form and submitted to counselor I have updated my résumé and given copy to counselor

Where do we go from here??? College App Start with all seniors Individual appointments with Counselor Request letters of recommendation if needed Register/Complete ACT/SAT/SATII testing Meet with an essay advisor if essays are required APPLY!!!

Three Basic Steps in Applying to College Apply online to the college/university Students send test scores to college/university via ACT/College Board websites Request transcripts and recommendation letters

But there’s more to consider… Does this application need an essay? How many recommendation letters are required for this application? Does this college/university use the Common Application and/or the Coalition Application? Is there a supplement? Does this college/university require SAT IIs? Do I send all scores or only my best scores?

College Admission Timeline SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER Meet with counselor for individual appointment Write essays and consult with an essay advisor Request recommendation letters IN PERSON then on Naviance Complete ACT/SAT testing Attend College Representative visits to SHS APPLY Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 Seniors/parents may meet with the representative from College Now Greater Cleveland for financial aid guidance JANUARY – APRIL February/March: Seniors complete local scholarship applications Review offers, visit again if needed, make final decision about your college choice by May 1, and commit to college/make housing deposit MAY 1st – National deadline for college commitment/deposit

What is most important in college admissions? Top three factors that “open the door”: Grades Test Scores Strength of Curriculum Next three factors that can help make the final decision: Essay Letters of recommendation Extracurricular activities/leadership/community outreach

Pointers for Students Take charge of your college application process Stay organized: forms, deadlines, requirements Communicate with your parents, counselor, and recommending-teachers throughout the process Focus on the right fit for you, not the most “name-brand school” or where your friend is applying Don’t panic! Counselors are here to help you through the process

Pointers for Parents Let your student control the application process. Offer support, but do not complete the applications for your student Reassure your student that you will be proud, regardless of the admission decisions Use the resources: the School Counseling website, Naviance, Senior Packet and SHS information sessions, to help understand and navigate the process Remember, there is a school out there for everyone. Help your student find the right fit

www.solonschools.org/Page/2912

www.naviance.com

Student Athletes: NCAA Eligibility

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If I apply online, am I done? QUESTION: If I apply online, am I done?

No! In addition to online completion: ANSWER: No! In addition to online completion: Students must click on “Have You Applied?” then click above on “Request Transcripts” in Naviance Request teacher letters if needed Students go online to ACT or College Board to have test scores sent

QUESTION: What happens if I apply online and then receive an email stating that the Admissions Office did not yet receive my transcript and other materials from the School Counseling Office?

ANSWER: Don’t worry! Online submission needs to catch up with what is sent from the School Counseling Office Check Naviance to confirm status from SHS Check your college websites to monitor your admission status

QUESTION: Should I wait until I retake the ACT/SAT to submit my applications to colleges?

ANSWER: Complete and send applications ASAP Have scores sent later directly from the testing agency Remember, admission and scholarship deadlines will not allow for late scores

QUESTION: What is the advantage of completing college applications early?

ANSWER: Goal: applications submitted two weeks before Thanksgiving! Advantage for rolling admissions: student will be notified sooner regarding admissions More scholarship and financial award opportunities earlier in the application season

QUESTION: Do grades really count senior year? Don’t high school transcripts just show grades 9 through 11?

ANSWER: Yes! Transcripts in the fall only reflect final grades from 9th -11th grade Senior year does matter! Colleges expect to see 7th semester transcript and a final transcript Admission status can be revoked if your transcript shows a decline in performance Be aware of Social Media pitfalls and their admission implications

QUESTION: Do you recommend just sending the best ACT or SAT scores to colleges?

ANSWER: Some colleges require scores from all tests taken Some use best sub-scores from different test dates

QUESTION: Must my letters of recommendation be from teachers?

ANSWER: The recommender should know you well The recommender could be a teacher, administrator, coach, club advisor, employer, or youth leader Be sure to follow the instructions of the application If the recommender IS NOT an SHS teacher (using Naviance), give him/her an addressed/stamped envelope to mail directly to the college or request through Common App

QUESTION: Could you recommend any resources which would be helpful at this stage of the application process?

ANSWER: SHS Counselors College Rep Visits to SHS for seniors Naviance - our college counseling website School Counseling Website - which also provides many college resource documents and website links Essay Advisors College Now Representative (financial aid) School Counseling section in the monthly PTA Newsletter (important dates) Quarterly postcards (deadlines)

College is not a prize to be won . . . but rather a match to be found.