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

2. 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…!

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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 address just for college/ scholarship/ financial aid. 9

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 for next steps...
ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS are VERY competitive. They have earlier deadlines!!
Look at Scholarships on ABT’s website. 15

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. “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.

24. 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