1. SHS Senior College Night August 30, 2018, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
SHS College Counselors and Room Assignments:
Mrs. Russell A-C SENIOR COMMONS
Mr. Nowak D-Ho AUDITORIUM
Mrs. Trocchio Hp-Mc ROOM 150
Mrs. Kinney Md-See ROOM 160
Mr. Sims Sef-Z ROOM 161
SHS College Planning Support Staff:
Mrs. Rooney Secretary
Mrs. Harrell Financial Aid
Ms. Blashka & Ms. Schmidt Essay Advisors

2. So far, so good in 9th-11th Practice tests: ASPIRE and PSAT
College/career search and discovery
Annual meetings with counselors
Résumé created in 11th grade
ACT and SAT testing
College exploration and visitation

3. Beginning of 12th Grade
I have a list of colleges that match my profile and interests
I have taken SAT and/or ACT (SAT IIs ?)
I have registered for a fall SAT/ACT if needed to raise scores
I have completed the Student/Parent Questionnaires & Transcript Release Form and submitted to counselor
I have updated my résumé and given copy to counselor

4. Where do we go from here??? College App Start with all seniors
Individual appointments with Counselor
Request letters of recommendation if needed
Register/Complete ACT/SAT/SATII testing
Meet with an essay advisor if essays are required
APPLY!!!

5. Three Basic Steps in Applying to College
Apply online to the college/university
Students send test scores to college/university via ACT/College Board websites
Request transcripts and recommendation letters

6. But there’s more to consider…
Does this application need an essay?
How many recommendation letters are required for this application?
Does this college/university use the Common Application and/or the Coalition Application? Is there a supplement?
Does this college/university require SAT IIs?
Do I send all scores or only my best scores?

7. College Admission Timeline
SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
Meet with counselor for individual appointment
Write essays and consult with an essay advisor
Request recommendation letters IN PERSON then on Naviance
Complete ACT/SAT testing
Attend College Representative visits to SHS
APPLY
Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1
Seniors/parents may meet with the representative from College Now Greater Cleveland for financial aid guidance
JANUARY – APRIL
February/March: Seniors complete local scholarship applications
Review offers, visit again if needed, make final decision about your college choice by May 1, and commit to college/make housing deposit
MAY 1st – National deadline for college commitment/deposit

8. What is most important in college admissions?
Top three factors that “open the door”:
Grades
Test Scores
Strength of Curriculum
Next three factors that can help make the final decision:
Essay
Letters of recommendation
Extracurricular activities/leadership/community outreach

9. Pointers for Students Take charge of your college application process
Stay organized: forms, deadlines, requirements
Communicate with your parents, counselor, and recommending-teachers throughout the process
Focus on the right fit for you, not the most “name-brand school” or where your friend is applying
Don’t panic! Counselors are here to help you through the process

10. Pointers for Parents
Let your student control the application process. Offer support, but do not complete the applications for your student
Reassure your student that you will be proud, regardless of the admission decisions
Use the resources: the School Counseling website, Naviance, Senior Packet and SHS information sessions, to help understand and navigate the process
Remember, there is a school out there for everyone. Help your student find the right fit

13. Student Athletes: NCAA Eligibility

14. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

15. If I apply online, am I done?
QUESTION:
If I apply online, am I done?

16. No! In addition to online completion:
ANSWER:
No! In addition to online completion:
Students must click on “Have You Applied?” then click above on “Request Transcripts” in Naviance
Request teacher letters if needed
Students go online to ACT or College Board to have test scores sent

17. QUESTION:
What happens if I apply online and then receive an stating that the Admissions Office did not yet receive my transcript and other materials from the School Counseling Office?

18. ANSWER:
Don’t worry! Online submission needs to catch up with what is sent from the School Counseling Office
Check Naviance to confirm status from SHS
Check your college websites to monitor your admission status

19. QUESTION:
Should I wait until I retake the ACT/SAT to submit my applications to colleges?

20. ANSWER: Complete and send applications ASAP
Have scores sent later directly from the testing agency
Remember, admission and scholarship deadlines will not allow for late scores

21. QUESTION:
What is the advantage of completing college applications early?

22. ANSWER: Goal: applications submitted two weeks before Thanksgiving!
Advantage for rolling admissions: student will be notified sooner regarding admissions
More scholarship and financial award opportunities earlier in the application season

23. QUESTION:
Do grades really count senior year? Don’t high school transcripts just show grades 9 through 11?

24. ANSWER:
Yes! Transcripts in the fall only reflect final grades from 9th -11th grade
Senior year does matter!
Colleges expect to see 7th semester transcript and a final transcript
Admission status can be revoked if your transcript shows a decline in performance
Be aware of Social Media pitfalls and their admission implications

25. QUESTION:
Do you recommend just sending the best ACT or SAT scores to colleges?

26. ANSWER: Some colleges require scores from all tests taken
Some use best sub-scores from different test dates

27. QUESTION:
Must my letters of recommendation be from teachers?

28. ANSWER: The recommender should know you well
The recommender could be a teacher, administrator, coach, club advisor, employer, or youth leader
Be sure to follow the instructions of the application
If the recommender IS NOT an SHS teacher (using Naviance), give him/her an addressed/stamped envelope to mail directly to the college or request through Common App

29. QUESTION:
Could you recommend any resources which would be helpful at this stage of the application process?

30. ANSWER: SHS Counselors College Rep Visits to SHS for seniors
Naviance - our college counseling website
School Counseling Website - which also provides many college resource documents and website links
Essay Advisors
College Now Representative (financial aid)
School Counseling section in the monthly PTA Newsletter (important dates)
Quarterly postcards (deadlines)

31. College is not a prize
to be won . . .
but rather a match
to be found.