1. Senior Guidance Orientation 2012-2013 “Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. School Counselors A-E A-E Mr. Conwell Mr. Conwell F-K F-K Mr. Kean Mr. Kean L-R L-R Mrs. Marazza S-Z S-Z Mrs. Thorsen

3. Graduation Requirements Course TitleCredits English4.5 Mathematics 3.0 Science3.0 Social Studies4.0 Arts and Humanities2.0 Health0.5 Physical Education2.0 Electives5.0 PSSA1.0 Graduation Project0.5 Total25.5 Credits

4. TESTING SAT’s Given @ Norwin SAT’s Given @ Norwin October 6, 2012 October 6, 2012 December 1, 2012 December 1, 2012 March 9, 2013 March 9, 2013 June 1, 2013 June 1, 2013 SAT’s NOT @ Norwin SAT’s NOT @ Norwin November 3, 2012 November 3, 2012 January 26, 2013 January 26, 2013 May 4, 2013 May 4, 2013 ACT’s Given @ Norwin ACT’s Given @ Norwin September 8, 2012 February 9, 2013 June 8, 2013 AP Testing: AP Testing: May 6-17, 2013 PSSA Senior Re-Test PSSA Senior Re-Test October 22 – November 2 SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests

5. School Conferences/Visitations Listen for announcements for College Representatives visiting Norwin. Listen for announcements for College Representatives visiting Norwin. Sign up at least a day in advance in Guidance Sign up at least a day in advance in Guidance VISIT SCHOOLS! VISIT SCHOOLS! Make an appointment to visit on Saturdays or days off of school Make an appointment to visit on Saturdays or days off of school College Fair- September 12 th from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm College Fair- September 12 th from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm WCCC WCCC Founders Hall Gymnasium and cafeteria Founders Hall Gymnasium and cafeteria Financial Aid Seminar will take place in the Founders Hall Amphitheater from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Financial Aid Seminar will take place in the Founders Hall Amphitheater from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm.

6. College Application Process Applying to colleges involves gathering and organizing necessary information and materials and following a set process described to seniors during their one on one meetings with their counselors in the Fall. To help alleviate some parental stress and answer questions regarding our senior meetings, we provide the following synopsis of the process: Applying to colleges involves gathering and organizing necessary information and materials and following a set process described to seniors during their one on one meetings with their counselors in the Fall. To help alleviate some parental stress and answer questions regarding our senior meetings, we provide the following synopsis of the process: Check out college admission requirements and deadlines on the specific college’s web site or in literature provided by the college. Check out college admission requirements and deadlines on the specific college’s web site or in literature provided by the college. Register for SAT and/or ACT tests in September. Register for SAT and/or ACT tests in September. Complete an official application online or in paper format. Applications can be downloaded from a college’s web site, acquired from a college’s admissions office, from the “common application” web site, or from the Norwin High School Guidance Department. Complete an official application online or in paper format. Applications can be downloaded from a college’s web site, acquired from a college’s admissions office, from the “common application” web site, or from the Norwin High School Guidance Department.

7. College Application Procedure Contd. Complete or request any additional materials required by the application process (essays, recommendation letters, teacher and counselor evaluations and application fees). Allow at least one (1) week for teachers or counselors to write recommendation letters. It is nice to ask for these letters in person! Complete or request any additional materials required by the application process (essays, recommendation letters, teacher and counselor evaluations and application fees). Allow at least one (1) week for teachers or counselors to write recommendation letters. It is nice to ask for these letters in person! Obtain a transcript release card from the Guidance Office. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parent must sign release card as well. Obtain a transcript release card from the Guidance Office. If the student is under 18 years of age, the parent must sign release card as well. Request that your counselor send an “official” transcript to the college admissions office with all necessary documents. Request that your counselor send an “official” transcript to the college admissions office with all necessary documents.

8. College Application Process Contd. If the application was sent online, the accompanying documents and official transcript should be sent as soon as possible after the online application. Be sure to provide a correctly addressed envelope and sufficient postage. If the application was sent online, the accompanying documents and official transcript should be sent as soon as possible after the online application. Be sure to provide a correctly addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Include a self-addressed return postcard to ensure that the application is received. Include a self-addressed return postcard to ensure that the application is received. If a mid-year report is required by the college, notify your counselor. If a mid-year report is required by the college, notify your counselor. After the application and all required materials are sent, follow up with a call to the college admissions office to make sure the student’s application is complete. After the application and all required materials are sent, follow up with a call to the college admissions office to make sure the student’s application is complete.

9. FAFSA The first step in the financial aid process for all students applying for aid is the Federal Student Aid program and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). To begin, visit FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the 3 step process for filling out the form. You may contact the Federal Student Aid office by phone at (800) 433- 3243. The first step in the financial aid process for all students applying for aid is the Federal Student Aid program and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). To begin, visit FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and follow the 3 step process for filling out the form. You may contact the Federal Student Aid office by phone at (800) 433- 3243.www.fafsa.ed.gov

10. Financial Aid Night Norwin will be hosting a Financial Aid Night for all seniors and their parents. Norwin will be hosting a Financial Aid Night for all seniors and their parents. It will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. It will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Will present information about the FAFSA and financial aid. Will present information about the FAFSA and financial aid.

11. Office of Collegiate Affairs As part of the guidance website, we now offer the Office of Collegiate Affairs. You can find information on testing, the application process, college visits and much more. As part of the guidance website, we now offer the Office of Collegiate Affairs. You can find information on testing, the application process, college visits and much more.www.norwinsd.org/Page/4936

12. Timeline for Seniors Please visit the High School Guidance webpage for a month by month timeline of what to do your Senior year! Please visit the High School Guidance webpage for a month by month timeline of what to do your Senior year!www.norwinsd.org/Page/5177

13. Scholarships Scholarship information will be available throughout the school year. Students can access this information in a few ways. Scholarship information will be available throughout the school year. Students can access this information in a few ways. There will be a scholarship bulletin that will be on display in each senior homeroom. This bulletin will provide a list of scholarship opportunities currently available. This information can be found in the scholarship filing cabinet in the guidance office. There will be a scholarship bulletin that will be on display in each senior homeroom. This bulletin will provide a list of scholarship opportunities currently available. This information can be found in the scholarship filing cabinet in the guidance office. This information will also be posted on the high school guidance website under the scholarship link. This information will also be posted on the high school guidance website under the scholarship link. The scholarship bulletin will be updated as new information comes into the guidance office. The scholarship bulletin will be updated as new information comes into the guidance office. The Rodgers Scholarship is usually available in November. Announcements will be made when this scholarship is available. The Rodgers Scholarship is usually available in November. Announcements will be made when this scholarship is available. Local scholarships will be available around the end of February. When these scholarships are available, there will be announcements made and this information will be posted on the guidance website as well. Local scholarships will be available around the end of February. When these scholarships are available, there will be announcements made and this information will be posted on the guidance website as well.

14. Failures Any senior who fails a required course will have to make it up in summer school. There will be no end of the year tutoring to graduate. Any senior who fails a required course will have to make it up in summer school. There will be no end of the year tutoring to graduate.

15. Attention Athletes! Be sure to file eligibility information with the NCAA. You must file electronically at www.eligibilitycenter.org. Both copies of the release you download must be turned in to the Guidance Office with a stamped, addressed envelope so the transcript can be sent. This must be done for Division I and Division II schools prior to Thanksgiving break. This applies to all potential college athletes for the class of 2013. Be sure to file eligibility information with the NCAA. You must file electronically at www.eligibilitycenter.org. Both copies of the release you download must be turned in to the Guidance Office with a stamped, addressed envelope so the transcript can be sent. This must be done for Division I and Division II schools prior to Thanksgiving break. This applies to all potential college athletes for the class of 2013. www.eligibilitycenter.org

16. Military Military recruiters will come to the high school to talk to you during a study hall. Conferences should be scheduled during a study hall and arrangements for a pass should be made the day before. Males are required by law to register with the Selective Service within one month of 18th birthday. You can register in the Guidance Office - Bring Identification or on-line @ www.sss.gov. Military recruiters will come to the high school to talk to you during a study hall. Conferences should be scheduled during a study hall and arrangements for a pass should be made the day before. Males are required by law to register with the Selective Service within one month of 18th birthday. You can register in the Guidance Office - Bring Identification or on-line @ www.sss.gov.

17. Guidance News Please visit our website for updates and news! Please visit our website for updates and news! Visit the Guidance Office often, listen to announcements, and have a GREAT SENIOR YEAR! Visit the Guidance Office often, listen to announcements, and have a GREAT SENIOR YEAR!

18. Good Luck NHS Class of 2013! “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau