Senior College Application Night

Purpose To provide you with resources to support your college search. To make you more comfortable with the college application process. To make you aware of possible scholarship opportunities. To help you make an informed decision.

Key Points Student, parent, counselor, teacher, etc. need to work together. College preference is individual to every person. Be prepared, thorough, and organized. Think outside the box.

Elder Guidance Web

GuidanceWebGuidanceWeb – “College Planning”

PrepHQ – GPA/Rank/Transcripts Go to GuidanceWeb then Click on “PrepHQ”PrepHQ * Must enter son’s username & password

Test Dates SAT ACT Test Date:Register By: Saturday, November Test given at Elder October Saturday, December November Test Date:Register By: Saturday, October Late Registration: by Friday, October Saturday, December November

Where Do I Apply? Top choices  Be selective because every application costs money Choose a “Safety Net” School

Research, Research, Research Review the information you receive in the mail. Research colleges, careers, scholarships, and financial aid via the internet, library, phone calls, etc.

Research, Research, Research Attend a college fair  Northern Kentucky Regional College Fair, Tuesday, September 29 th from 6:00 – 8:00 at Thomas More College – Go to _fair.cfm for more information. _fair.cfm  National Fair, Sunday, October 11 th from 1:00 – 4:00pm at the Duke Energy Center – Go to for more information.

Research (con’t.) Miami University College Fair – Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6:30-8:00. Call (513) or go to Visit the campus! No school on: 10/8,10/9,10/14,11/30,12/1

 Sign up to attend one of the college Representative Visits in the Guidance Resource Center during the school day.

What Did It Take? What did it take for the Class of 2009 to enter local area colleges?

Top 15 Elder Colleges: Deadlines & Information Listing on Top 15 Colleges that Elder High School students are applying to What are the important deadlines to remember

College Entrance Tests Requirements (Middle 50% of Incoming Freshmen average scores) University of Cincinnati: SAT Reading: Math: Writing: ACT Composite Score

Cincinnati State No ACT or SAT required, but each student needs to take a COMPASS test

Miami University SAT Reading: Math: Writing: N/A ACT Composite Score

The Ohio State University SAT Reading: Math: Writing: ACT25-30 Composite Score

University of Dayton SAT Reading: Math: Writing: N/A ACT23-28 Composite Score

Research, Research, Research

When Do I Apply? Check the dates!!!  Each school has their own set of dates What are the different types of admissions? Rolling Applications vs. Deadline Applications

How Do I Apply? College Application Process IN 3 EASY STEPS Complete the college application online or via paper Complete a Transcript Request on PrepHQ – your transcript will not be sent if you have not completed your Senior Transcript Release Form and paid the $10 Transcript Fee. Make sure you list any materials that you want sent with your transcript, in the “Notes to Staff” area of the Transcript Request. We will not send your transcript until you have turned in all materials that you have indicated. Turn in materials that need to be sent with the transcript in the College Application INBOX in Room 5. These materials include (but not limited to): Counselor Form/Secondary School Report/Counselor Information Form Letters of Recommendation Essays Resume Personal statement

The Mechanics of the Process 1. Complete & Submit the Application – TAKE YOUR TIME  Paper - Type it OR Print NEATLY  Online – Type carefully and follow all directions

The Mechanics of the Process 2. Transcripts  Complete the “Transcript Request” on PrepHQ. PrepHQ  ADVANCE NOTICE !!!  What is on a transcript?  Are the test scores listed?  What about Final Transcripts?

Course Listing for each year GPA/Rank Credits Attendance Name, Address, Phone, Parents, Birthdate, etc.

The Mechanics of the Process 3. Test Scores  Make sure your test scores (SAT/ACT) are sent to the college  Elder High School’s Code: Some colleges will accept the scores that are on your transcript and some want them sent from the testing agency. CHECK WITH EACH COLLEGE FOR THAT INFORMATION!

Items you might need…. Resume  Take your time and proof-read!  Can complete on PrepHQ Letters of Recommendation  How many do you need?  Get a GOOD recommendation. The teacher may say “No.”  ADVANCE NOTICE!!!  Recommendation Request Form – in Guidance Resource Center Essay  Take your time and proofread!  If you do online application, write it in a word processing program first and then “copy and paste” into the space on the online application. YOU DO NOT ALWAYS NEED THESE ITEMS! CHECK THE APPLICATION CAREFULLY!

Now What? The Waiting Game! How long of a turnaround? What does it mean to be:  Accepted  Denied  Put on Hold  Asked for a 7 th Semester Transcript  Waiting List Go and Visit the Schools Again? How Do I Make a Final Decision? What Does MAY 1 st mean?

NCAA If you are going to play a sport in a Division I or Division II school you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse! What is the Clearinghouse? Complete the Registration Process Complete the “Amateur Status” Form What are the requirements for the Clearinghouse?  Sliding GPA/Test Score Scale IF YOU ARE EVEN THINKING ABOUT PLAYING A SPORT AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL… SEE YOUR COUNSELOR ASAP!

Two Types of Scholarships 1. Institutional Merit-Based Scholarships 2. Private Scholarships

Scholarships – Institutional Merit-Based These Merit-Based Scholarships may have special applications, deadlines and criteria. Check school website for information.

Scholarships – Private Private Scholarships are those awards not directly affiliated with a college. These scholarships are announced at school and posted on our website via PrepHQ, when we are made aware of them.

Complete a Financial Aid Sort OCIS Username: ElderHS Password: ohiocis03

Financial Aid College Financial Aid Information Night Wednesday, January 20, :00PM In the Schaeper Center

Financial Aid 1. SOURCES OF MONEY Parental Contribution Student’s Own Funds Scholarships (based on merit and special talents) Financial Aid (awarded on basis of determined financial need) Grants Work-Study Programs Loans

Financial Aid 2. FINANCIAL NEED Cost of Attendance (varies) Direct Costs (Tuition, Fees, Room & Board) Indirect Costs (Books & Supplies, Transportation, Miscellaneous Expenses, Required Equipment, etc.) Expected Family Contribution (Determined by FAFSA: constant) Cost of Attendance-Expected Family Contribution=Financial Need

Financial Aid 3. HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE…SUBMIT Admission Application Institutional Financial Aid Application (if applicable) CSS Profile (only a select number of schools require this form) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Paper Copy mailed (receive Student Aid Report in 4-6 wks) FAFSA on the WEB (receive Expected Family Contribution immediately and an SAR Information Acknowledgement within 2 weeks for your review)  Student Aid Report (SAR) shows the submitted information as well as the Expected Family Contribution. (Review the SAR for accuracy and follow instructions to make corrections.)

Financial Aid Before beginning the online FAFSA apply for a PIN # at (it is suggested that you apply for the PIN NOW!) The PIN will be ed to you within 1-5 days. Dependent students should also have their parents apply for a PIN now so they can electronically sign the FAFSA. FAFSA online at:

Types of Financial Aid

Remember to use Prep HQ!Prep HQ

Application Fests Wednesday, Sept. 30 7:00-9:00 in the Guidance Resource Center Tuesday, Oct. 20 2:30-4:00 in the Guidance Resource Center

Elder Guidance Web Site