SENIOR INFORMATION MEETING CLASS OF 2015

I still don’t know what I want to major in!!!

Things to consider:  Majors  Location  Setting (Urban, Suburban, Rural)  Size  Other Opportunities (Internships, Study Abroad, Etc)  Don’t rule out Private Schools based on Cost What School is Right for me? College Acceptance is not a prize to be won, but rather a match to be found.

How do I narrow down my choices? College Reps visit SHS Guidance Guidance Web Site, Announcements, Boards in Guidance Facebook: Strongsville High School Guidance (Pull out phones and follow on Twitter now) College Campus Visits Schedule visit on College’s website Attend College Open House Obtain Planned Absence form from Attendance Office - 4 planned absences are allowed & will be excused absences - Student, Parent, Teachers, & Administrator sign the form - Return to Mrs. Nubbie in the Attendance Office **October 15 th - VISITATION DAY

What is the Application Process? 1. Complete Application by due date visit or school websitewww.commonapp.org Early Action vs. Early Decision 2. Obtain Transcript Request Form from the Guidance Office or on the Guidance Website. 3. Complete Request and Submit to Mrs. Scerba with $4 for each transcript requested... By Dec 4 th for them to be sent byWinter Break (one $4 fee for Common Application). 4. Sit back and wait 10 days for your transcript to be sent. 5. Relax while your friends scramble to complete their applications.

What if I need letters of Recommendation ?  Give person a list of your activities  Check to see if you need a teacher from a specific subject  Ask someone that likes you  If an institution will be contacting a teacher via , inform the teacher (ahead of time, if possible). This applies to the Common Application primarily.

How do I find out about Scholarships?  on Twitter  Check  Set up Profile on  Check Scholarship Center in the Guidance Office  Complete Local Scholarship Application in Feb/March  Be sure to complete FAFSA after Jan 1, 2015 **Never pay money for a scholarship service or to file the FAFSA**

What is the FAFSA?  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Student and Parent must obtain their own PIN number (this can be done now at  Actual application cannot be started until Jan 1, 2015  Colleges use information from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants and specific student loans  Some colleges will not award scholarship or merit aid if a family hasn’t complete the FAFSA  Senior Financial Aid Night: Dec 9 at 7p.m.  College Goal Sunday: February 8, 2015

Important Information  SENIOR PARENT COLLEGE PLANNING MEETING September 25, 7 P.M. High School Auditorium  FINANCIAL AID MEETING DECEMBER 9, 7 P.M. High School Auditorium on Twitter…. Students add to accounts now please)  Request transcripts by December 4 th to ensure they will be sent before Winter Break  If you are planning to play Division I or Division II Sports, see your counselor to discuss the NCAA ELIGIBILITY. Also, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. eligibilitycenter.org  OCT. 15th VISITATION DAY or ASVAB

Helpful Webistes College/Career Search bigfuture.org collegeboard.org ohiomeansjobs.org Scholarship/Financial Aid Fastweb.com Twitter.com/MustangMonies Fafsa.ed.gov Scholarships.com Collegesavings.org Full College Planning Guide This Power Point

Senior Conference During the Senior Conference your Counselor will review:  Credits  GPA  Rank in Class  Post High School Plans  Any Questions you have For Brzuski, Davidson, Hussong & Sislowski : Sign up & Write it Down For Williams & Young: you will be called down.

Who is My Counselor?  A-Co : Mrs. Sislowski  Cr-Ha: Ms. Hussong  He-Lo: Mr. Young  Lu-Pe: Mrs. Davidson  Pf-Sr: Mrs. Brzuski  St-Z: Mrs. Williams

Complete the Information Form! This will help us (or a teacher) to write a more informed letter in order to paint a full picture of the kind of person and student you are.