CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020 General Senior Announcements The College Application Process Scholarship brief 1

What do School Counselors do for the seniors? Help with college applications, send transcripts, write letters of rec, NCAA clearinghouse, make sure all graduation requirements are met, coordinate mid year graduation and Top Scholars, AB Tech Dual Enrollment classes, assist with interest inventories, help research and apply for scholarships and complete the FAFSA, the list goes on…!

SENIOR SUPPLIES Senior Portraits - Each rising Senior has a specific appointment in June at Owen the week after school ends. Josten’s handles all graduation regalia (cap, gown, tassel) and extra senior stuff (invitations, senior clothes, rings, medals, etc.) SMART Lunch meeting in the Fall to order all senior supplies

SENIOR SUPPLIES cont’d Spring - Prices for Cap and Gown go up after January Cap and Gowns Arrive in April Cap and Gown Pictures Taken through LifeTouch Group Picture Taken – Late May Look for “Countdown to Graduation” bulletin after Spring Break DON’T PLAN VACATIONS UNTIL MID-LATE JUNE 4

FALL ACTIVITIES (for 2 &4 year colleges) Visit, Visit, Visit Private, Public Universities/Colleges Official Tours Visit classes, talk with students, check out dorm rooms, EAT in café Get name of admission rep for WNC and write them a note, Rumbaugh has these names 5

POLICY on College Visit Days Each senior is allowed two days to be off campus visiting a college. The student MUST complete a request form 2 days PRIOR to the visit and return it to Ms. Huntsinger. The student must bring back a note from the college stating that they were there. Additional days for scholarship interviews, auditions or athletic recruitment are available IF requested in advance. 6

College Night at UNCA! Thursday September 12th Over 75 Colleges and Universities from across the south UNCA Kimmel Arena (Basketball venue) Dress to impress, meet college admissions reps 7

Explore College Websites Take in person or Virtual Tours of Colleges Look for Open Houses/Future Freshman Days Review Scholarship Information

Create a Resume Use a standard resume format on a Google Doc Keep it to one page List those things in which you were most involved. Colleges want QUALITY not QUANTITY Create an email address just for college/ scholarship/ financial aid. 9

RECOMMENDATIONS Ask at least two teachers to write an ACADEMIC recommendation letter. These need to be teachers who value your abilities, talents and work ethic. Ask in advance Give them a resume. Write them a thank you note. 10

Counselor Recommendation We complete a recommendation letter for colleges that require it. Some early deadlines are October 15 Give us a resume Ask us to complete this well before your deadline! 11

Early Action Vs Early Decision Early Action is non-binding means an earlier admission decision and entry into merit scholarships Early Decision is binding, meaning if accepted you must attend, no matter the cost. Mid-October is usually a early deadline day for many NC schools 12

SAT and/or ACT TESTS Check for anticipated dates on Website Dates ACT, Sept 14th SAT, August 24th or October 5th You will have at least an ACT score from Spring 2019. 13

SAT or ACT Score Reports Student responsibility You must request that your test scores be sent to each college online. We can help you through the process. It costs money to send scores to each school. Owen High DOES NOT send your scores for you and they are not on their transcript. 14

2-Year Colleges in NC AB Tech Community College Comprehensive Articulation Agreement guarantees College Transfer credit to any public college/university in NC. Plan to participate in AB Tech High School Visitation Day in the spring. Apply online to AB Tech- rolling admissions- and check email for next steps... ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS are VERY competitive. They have earlier deadlines!! Look at Scholarships on ABT’s website. 15

The 4-Year College Application Process Check college websites for minimum admission requirements Attend FINANCIAL AID at Owen High School on September 23rd 6pm in the Media Center Call for an appointment with your counselor for individual assistance. 16

Colleges/Universities Selections Select 3 – 4 Colleges A variety of public or Private colleges One PUBLIC NC University : some are only for these schools AB Tech Transfer Program is a great option

Apply Online Can apply on individual college website CFNC.org Go right to selected college website and click Apply CFNC.org CommonApp.org 18

CFNC.org Send transcripts; apply to colleges Establish your account if you haven’t yet. Take the Career Interest Inventory RDS- Residency Determination Service- more to come in the Fall. Countdown to College sponsored by CFNC. October 21-25, many NC schools waive the application fee. Check CFNC.org for the list of schools 19

COMMON APPLICATION Can apply to multiple colleges Transcripts and counselor recommendations are sent online once we receive your request to complete the form. Check for supplemental essays/ recommendations/requirements for each school

Transcript Requests TELL your counselor if you are sending one through an electronic service. Use CFNC’s Application Hub for free Complete a Transcript Request Form at Ms. Huntsinger’s Desk. Pay $3. THERE IS A TWO DAY TURNAROUND TIME PERIOD FOR TRANSCRIPTS. Remember – no SAT/ACT scores are on it. 21

Parents/Guardians... They Still Need You! Big transition for everyone! This is a rollercoaster year for the parent(s) and the student! Call us – We can help you... breathe! 22

“Additional Information” College Representatives at OHS during lunch and available to meet by signing up. “College Talk” –assistance with applications and scholarships weekly with the Counselors during SMART Lunch.

FINANCIAL AID/Scholarships September 23, 6pm, Media Center- hosted by CFNC- we will share information about applying for scholarships and Financial Aid. You can jump ahead and obtain a FSA ID # on fafsa.ed.gov website prior to the meeting. FAFSA Day on Oct 26 at various locations. Check CFNC.org for dates and details. DO NOT USE FAFSA.COM