Class of 2014/2015 Parent Meeting

Post Secondary information

Your Support

Guidance Team◦ Jenny Barker - students A to G◦ Steve Barnes – students H to O◦ Lisa Suttman - students P to Z◦ Missy Glindmeyer – School Psychologist◦ Sharon Merkel- Guidance Secretary

Welcome! Take a deep breath, relax, and we will all get through this together!

Keys to College College Testing Test Preparation & Practice Students with Disabilities College Representatives The Campus Visit Types of Admission Application Process College Athletic Eligibility Apprenticeship Financial Aid

TONIGHT’S TOPICS

KEYS TO COLLEGE GPA Rigor of coursework SAT/ACT scores Extracurricular Activities Recommendations Essays Community Service Unique Talents

College entrance tests for college-bound students• ACT• SAT Reasoning Test• SAT Subject Tests (may be required by competitive

schools) Plan to take these in the spring of your Junior year or earlier

if enrolled in a higher math- may be taken more than once

Test scores should be sent directly from the testing agency to colleges- Colleges only use the highest score

Most colleges require a writing score from the ACT (Plus Writing) or SAT for admission

Go to www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.org for registration information

COLLEGE TESTS

Strength of Curriculum ACT prep/info at www.actstudent.org

ACT Question of the Day ACT Preparation Guide Practice Test Questions

SAT prep/info at www.collegeboard.org SAT Question of the day Full SAT sample test SAT Preparation Guide

Private Test Preparation Resources Contact your student’s counselor for options

ACT/SAT Prep class Semester class offered to Junior and Seniors

ACT Practice Sessions Guidance Office offers PRACTICE sessions in the computer lab one day

before and after school the week before some of the ACT tests

TEST PREPARATION & PRACTICE

ACT/SAT Accommodations THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN IEP IN

COLLEGE. Eligibility rules are different. Direct instruction vs. reasonable access. Students must contact the Disability Services

office to seek out support, it won’t just happen because of previous supports in high school.

Not all disability services programs are equal, most of the really intense ones are not free.

Students still have to meet college guidelines for acceptance that are set for all students.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

College Representatives come to Harrison and meet with students each fall.

Times/Dates are posted on Daily Announcements

Students can sign up at the Counseling Office in the red binder

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Make an appointment with the college◦ Most colleges schedule tours on their website◦ Schedule a meeting with a college admissions counselor◦ Schedule a visit with the particular program

Bring in a note from parent to the Guidance Counselor about 3 days before visit

Obtain teacher signature form and get signatures from all teachers and attendance

Return signature form to counselor and obtain college form Have college sign form, verifying attendance Return signed college verification form to attendance the day you

return to school. Juniors get TWO/Seniors get THREE college visitation days!!!!!! Check out our College Visit information on our website

CAMPUS VISITS

TYPES OF ADMISSIONRegular/TraditionalStudent’s will be notified according to each college’s notification date. This normally begins in the early Spring

RollingApplications are reviewed as they arrive. Students will received notice 6-10 weeks after submitting application and review is completed.

Early Action (Non-Binding)Students can apply early (usually November) and receive decision by January….students are not required to attend if accepted

Early Action (Binding)Identical to Non-Binding Early Action BUT students are required to attend if accepted

APPLICATION PROCESS

Decide which college(s) you are applying

Apply on-line at college’s website (OR)

Common Application www.commonapp.org

Paper applications may also be completed for some schools

STEP ONE-APPLY

STEP 2-TRANSCRIPTSo Complete a transcript form for EACH collegeoTranscript forms can be found in the Guidance

OfficeoOnly one transcript form is needed for the

Common Application

BE SURE TO ALLOW AT LEAST THREE DAYS FOR THE TRANSCRIPT TO BE PROCESSED AND SENT!!!!!!!

STEP 3-RECOMMENDATIONS

Give teacher or counselor a resume′ Please check with your teacher to

determine their preference(electronic or paper)

Allow two weeks for teacher and/orcounselor to complete letter

Don’t forget that teachers and counselors are not the only ones that can write recommendations (bosses, pastors, etc.)

STEP 4-TEST SCORES Test Scores must be sent from Testing

Agency for many schools

SAT scores – www.collegeboard.com ACT scores – www.actstudent.org

HELPFUL HINTS Be aware of early deadlines for specializedprograms or scholarships

Retake SAT or ACT if needed

Work on Essays before completing application

If playing collegiate sport register with the NCAA or NAIA

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NCAA Clearinghouse for Division I & IIRegister with the Clearinghouse in

early September of senior year ACT/SAT scores must be sent directly to the

Clearinghouse (code 9999) Information and registration at

www.ncaa.org and www.naia.org Each DIVISION I school has a compliance officer

on staff to answer questions

COLLEGE ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

APPRENTICESHIP Ohio State Apprenticeship Council

www.JFS.Ohio.gov/apprenticeship ◦ Click on “current opportunities” along the top left

This is a GREAT resource!

FINANCIAL AID

The first step to Financial Aid is FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

1. Go to www.pin.ed.gov to apply for pin number (this can be done now!!!!)

2. After January 1st, go to www.fafsa.gov and begin applying for financial aid. (the sooner you get it done, the better)

3. Don’t forget that there is a Financial Aid meeting here on December 10th at 6:30pm for any questions.

FINANCIAL AID

SCHOLARSHIPSBased on academics or special talents-Do NOT have to pay back!

LOANSMoney loan to either parent or student-Must be paid back!(Subsidized does not build interest while in school, Unsubsidized does build interest)

GRANTSBased on financial need, may have academic requirements as well

WORK STUDYPart-time job on campus arranged by the school and government

With the challenges of this economy, we understand that families may be faced with financial struggles at home

Colleges, testing agencies and SHS work to provide support for students in these situations

If your family is struggling financially, please talk with your student’s counselor….help may be available with

Test fees College Application Fees

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

TIPS FOR PARENTS Let your kids take charge

Play a supporting role, not the starring one

Guide, but don’t push

Be Positive!