WELCOME TO SENIOR PARENT NIGHT The College Application Process

SHS GUIDANCE STAFF Mr. Jim Collins:A-E Mrs. Jen Bohinc:F-K Mr. Ryan Wilhite:L-R Mrs. Margie Wilson:S-Z Mrs. Rochelle Fenlon:Secretary Phone:

SENIOR YEAR FOCUS Grades Rigor of Senior Schedule ACT / SAT Extracurricular Activities Update Resume NCAA Clearinghouse and Athletic Eligibility Apply!

HOW DO COLLEGES EVALUATE STUDENTS? Academic record: –GPA and class rank –Strength of curriculum –Test scores Non-academic factors: –Extracurricular activities –Leadership and service –Essays –Recommendations –Awards and honors

WHAT COLLEGE IS THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR STUDENT? NAVIANCE –From Guidance page of HS webpage –Password / Username provided to students –College Search –Career Search –Scholarship Searches

1)Go to school web page: and go to HS web pagewww.springboro.org 2)Click “News & Links” on left 3)Click “Guidance” on left, then scroll down to…”Transcripts” 4)Click on web address: Logging into NAVIANCE 5) Enter the user name and password provided on pink sheet by guidance office to your student.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Use Careers tab to explore career areas, take surveys and find out about what you like.

Colleges tab helps you to search for potential schools that match your career areas or just search where you like. This is the main page when applying to college and requesting transcripts.

How do I apply for college? Go to college website Click Admissions or, Freshman, or First year student Complete on-line application. The Common App A comprehensive application system used by over 500 member schools. Create an account, complete process. Complete FERPA consent form.

What is the Common App?

What do I do after submitting an application? 1) Log in to Naviance 2) Complete transcript request…student directions 3) Request Teacher Evaluation or Counselor Evaluation if using Common Application 4) Follow up with Thank You Notes!

THE APPLICATION PROCESS WATCH DEADLINES!!! –Admission (early decision, early action, regular decision), scholarships, financial aid, special programs (honors programs, etc.) –Early deadlines for specific scholarship consideration or honors programs. For example, UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP): Typically, these applications must be submitted in the fall.

EARLY DECISION Some selective schools offer an “early decision” deadline. Applications are typically due around November 1 st to meet the early decision deadline. Usually, student finds out admission decision earlier than students applying “regular decision.” Agreement to attend that university if offered admission. (This agreement is BINDING.) We recommend applying “early decision” only if student is ABSOLUTELY SURE the school is his/her top choice.

TRADITIONAL DEADLINES Early Decision/Early Action- usually around November 1 st for most schools University Financial Aid/Scholarship Consideration- usually around December 1 st. Regular Decision- usually around February 1 st for most schools.

SHS GUIDANCE OFFICE DEADLINES The Guidance Office requires two weeks to process application materials AND transcript requests. If a student is applying early decision (November 1 deadline), we must have the application materials no later than October 11 to guarantee it will be mailed by the postmark deadline.

PLEASE NOTE! DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS PROCESSED AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 TO GUARANTEE THEY WILL BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE HOLIDAY BREAK IN DECEMBER! This particularly applies to January 1 deadlines.

THE APPLICATION: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY Complete the application- most schools prefer that students submit the online application. If necessary, include resume and required essays. ACT/SAT scores: Test scores will NOT be sent with the transcript. Students must contact the testing agency to request a score report. Request transcripts.. Include application fee (check) or pay online. Submit your portion of the application to the university. SHS School Code is Also known as the CEEB Code.

THE APPLICATION: COUNSELOR RESPONSIBILITY Transcripts –Student requests will appear via Naviance and Counselors will submit electronically when applicable. Some will require traditional mail. College Prep Forms –Some applications include a “school report” or “college prep form.” Your student’s counselor will complete these forms. Counselor will submit a copy of your child’s transcript with the counselor portion of their application. REMEMBER: AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO PROCESS ALL REQUESTS.

THE TRANSCRIPT The transcript includes: –Official grades up through the last reporting period (we include a copy of the latest grade card) –Official GPA and class rank through the last semester (current numbers are through the Junior year) –Senior year schedule –SHS school profile

RECOMMENDATIONS Necessary? Who should write the recommendation? –Teachers, administrators, employers, church youth leaders, etc. –Students should ask someone who knows them well and what makes them unique. Students should provide the individual with a copy of their resume to enhance the letter. –Ask in-person at least TWO WEEKS in advance of when student needs the recommendation. (Common Application) –Counselor will not provide student with a copy of the letter unless the person making the recommendation gives us permission to do so. –Follow up with at THANK YOU note!

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS TO SHS Who and when? –See handout. College rep list is updated weekly and Miss Daniel sends as an attachment with the Principal’s Update. We ask senior English teachers to post the updated list in their classrooms. Interested students must sign up in the Guidance Office at least one day prior to the meeting. Students may have three college representative visits excused. Students will miss class to attend the visits and are held accountable for the work missed in class that day.

COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITS Students are allowed three excused college campus visits this year. Parents make an appointment with the university admissions office and are expected to attend the visit with their student. Please give Rochelle Fenlon, guidance secretary, at least TWO WEEKS notification of your campus visit. If too many students are scheduled to be out for a particular date, the administrators may limit the number of students excused. Mrs. Fenlon will provide your student with paperwork that must be turned back into our office no later than ONE WEEK before the visit. Your student will receive a second form that a university official must sign as proof of your visit. This form must be turned into the Attendance Office upon the student’s return to school in order for the day to be excused and not count against exam exemptions. All college campus visits should take place prior to May 1, Any college visits taken after this date will count against exam exemptions.

COLLEGE FAIRS College Prep Night –Wednesday, September 25, 2013 –Fifth Third Field –6:00-8:00pm Cincinnati National College Fair –Sunday, September 29, 2013 –Duke Energy Convention Center –1:00-4:00pm Greater Dayton Area College Night –Wednesday, November 6, 2013 –University of Dayton Arena –6:30-8:30pm

FINANCIAL AID / SCHOLARSHIPS Financial Aid Night: Wednesday, October 16, 2013, 6:00-7:00pm in the SHS auditorium. “Local” scholarship applications will be available beginning in February All applications will be on Naviance. Contact the financial aid offices at the universities your student is considering for more information on scholarships available for first-year students. Common question: When do I submit the FAFSA? –You are not able to submit the FAFSA until January 1, 2014 for a student attending college in Fall Please attend the upcoming Financial Aid Meeting for more information.

QUESTIONS? Thank you for joining us this evening!