Planning college for

Options after high school Work Military Technical programs College

Senior Interviews Between September 22nd and 26th You will be given an appointment and you are expected to keep it. Early dismissal and senior privileges are NOT a reason to miss. No passes will be sent for you. Senior interviews are in the library mini lab. Appointment times will be posted in your English classroom.

Let’s focus on college Remember— decision making is a process, not an event.

Take responsibility for your future

1 STEP Know yourself and your reasons for attending college Recognize your strengths and weaknesses Analyze your interests and values Achieve a personal goal Increase your earning power Prepare for a career Participate in extracurricular activities and social life Consider the influence of family and friends

ACT test preparation The best preparation is a solid high school curriculum Become familiar with the ACT® test content and format Review your PLAN® results to identify academic weaknesses Learn appropriate test-taking strategies Review The Real ACT Prep Guide—with CD—the official test prep book Take ACT’s free practice test See your counselor for other test preparation materials Hand out Ohio Means Job website Visit the ACT website at www.actstudent.org

Remember Test scores are only one factor used for college admission and scholarship decisions.

If you are going to LCCC or TRI-C you should still take an ACT Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required) October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 September 20–October 3, 2014 December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 November 8–21, 2014 February 7, 2015* January 9, 2015 January 10–16, 2015 April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14–27, 2015 June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9–22, 2015

Every campus has a personality

2 Consider college characteristics STEP Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Admission policy Location and size Costs and financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Support services

3 List, compare, and visit colleges STEP Compile information from several resources: Internet/Websites College catalogs, viewbooks, videos, and computer-based services (DISCOVER®) College representatives and college fairs Counselors and teachers Parents, students, and alumni Directories and ACT score report

College Visit procedures You get three visits this year! Make an appointment with a college admissions Go to guidance at least 3 days before your visit and get the school excused college visit form. It will need parent, teacher and counselor signature. Turn the top sheet into Mrs. Musci at least the day before your visit. At your college visit have the admissions counselor sign it and stamp it with college seal. Complete the survey. Submit the completed, signed and sealed form to attendance on the day you return. Test Wednesday Oct 15: College Visit /Job Shadow

Plan your visit Prepare a college comparison checklist Weigh advantages and disadvantages Contact the office of admission Schedule appointments for your campus visits

Checklist for a campus visit  Checklist for a campus visit Meet with an admission counselor Verify admission requirements Determine actual college costs Ask about financial aid opportunities Take a campus tour Investigate your academic program(s) Attend a class Talk with students and faculty

Discuss your chances for success  Admission  Graduation  Placement

4 Apply for admission and meet all deadlines STEP Narrow your choices Review college admission test requirements (including the optional Writing Test) Electronically send results Know application fees and deadlines Submit application materials (paper/electronic) Application for admission High school transcript Recommendations Admission test results Know scholarship requirements

The application process is a PROCESS! Your goal should be to have all applications done before Thanksgiving – get those letters of recommendation There is a $2.00 late fee for any applications processed after December 1 Allow 2 weeks for anything to be processed in the guidance office Each time you submit an application to any college you need to come to guidance to request a transcript Colleges want transcripts sent directly from the school If the college you are applying to is requesting a secondary school report or a school counseling form – those items come to guidance the same time you come to request transcripts

Step 1 – Research college options Step 2- Apply to at least 2-3 colleges (follow application checklist – essays, letter or recommendations, ACT/SAT electronically) Step 3 – Request transcripts to be sent in guidance Step 4 – Research Scholarship opportunities at specific college websites, fastweb, parents’ work. Step 5 – Attend financial aid night on December 1 at 6pm Step 6 –Apply for financial aid Step 7 – Receive Award Letter from each college Step 8 – Make final decision on college

5 STEP Develop a plan to pay for your education Determine college costs Investigate ALL possible resources Parents Savings Summer earnings Financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study Other sources Secure necessary forms and note deadlines Apply for financial aid as early as possible

Senior Scoop Found on the Guidance webpage and posted in English Classes. http://www.nrcs.k12.oh.us/ This is where you find all the scholarship and college information we have in guidance. Please read them carefully and completely. Allow 2 weeks for anything to be processed in the guidance office.

$ Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information! Remember … check with college officials for the most current costs.

Financial Aid Night is December 1 at 6pm at the Board of Education Financial Aid Night is December 1 at 6pm at the Board of Education. Plan on attending!

Estimated Expenses for a Year of College Budget Item Average Annual Range Tuition and fees $5,000 – 21,000* Room and board $5,000 – 8,000* Books and supplies $ 800 – 1,700* Transportation $ 400 – 1,500* Miscellaneous $1,200 – 2,700* (laundry, entertainment, and recreation) Total $12,400 – 34,900* *These figures represent average tuition and fee costs for Midwestern states. Some schools will be lower in costs, while other schools will have higher costs. These figures should be used as a guide only. Students should check with the institution(s) in which they are interested to determine more specific costs. Costs at Your College Choices Budget Item 1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice Name of College —————— —————— —————— Direct Costs Tuition and fees —————— —————— —————— Room and board —————— —————— —————— Indirect Costs Books and supplies —————— —————— —————— Transportation —————— —————— —————— (including car expenses) Miscellaneous —————— —————— —————— Totals —————— —————— ——————

6 Review and finalize your plans STEP Show initiative and be assertive Talk with your parents and counselor Select a college that meets your needs and preferences Follow up with colleges to which you have applied

College success factors Test scores and high school grades are important. However, they measure ONLY PART of your POTENTIAL.

Additional success factors Study habits Motivation Course selection Placement Interests Commitment Keep in mind . . . Making sound decisions will lead to satisfying and successful experiences.

Check your schedules and your transcripts. Do you have enough credits to graduate? Do you have the correct credits to graduate? Do you have enough credits to be eligible for your sports? Do you have a demanding schedule? Senior year is not a vacation!

Graduation requirements 4 credits English 1 credit World History 1 credit U.S. History ½ credit American Government ½ credit Economics 4 credits Mathematics (including Algebra 2) 3 credits Science ½ credit Health ½ credit Physical Education ½ credit Personal Finance** 1 credit Defined Elective* 5.5 credits Electives 22 credits *Defined elective must include 1 credit of Business, Fine Arts, Foreign Language or a technology elective. **Introduction to Business, Personal Finance, or Surviving On Your Own will fulfill this requirement.

College search engines www.ocis.org Username: Nrhs Password: Ohiocis03 School Sort www.collegeboard.com