Class of 2018 Important Dates - Senior Events and College Application Information

1. Class of 2018

2. IMPORTANT DATES September 14 – Senior Panoramic 29 – Senior Superlative Voting October 6 – Senior Baby Ads Deadline 9-10 – Senior Formal Make-Ups/Retakes 13 – Homecoming Football Game 14 – Homecoming Dance 27 – Senior Baby Ads LAST Deadline (more $) November 3 – Senior SET meeting 7 – Senior parent meeting – 6 pm @OHS Auditorium 14-16 – Cap and Gown Orders taken during lunch

3. IMPORTANT DATES CONTINUED March 9 – Senior SET meeting 29 – Marching Partner forms due to Mrs. Polce April 28 – Mr. Oakdale May 10 – Senior Parent meeting – 6 pm @OHS Auditorium 29 – Graduation Practice DAY 1 (8-11:30) 30 – Graduation Practice DAY 2 (8-9:30) 30 – Salute to Seniors Program (10 am) 31 – Graduation Practice DAY 3 (8-11:00) JUNE 1, 10 am – GRADUATION at Mount St. Mary’s University

4. Before Applying to College Choosing General Career Goals- Two year or four year school, liberal arts or technical school, etc. Researching potential schools- • Use Family Connection to research and compare prospective schools • Attend local college fairs • Sign up for college visits in guidance using Family Connection • Plan to visit and tour college campuses

5. Admissions Terminology Early Decision This decision is bindingand if the college offers you admission as an early decision applicant, you must agree to attend that school. Early Action Students are not required to accept the offers of admission under this system, but they are given a short deadline by which they must notify the school of their decision to accept the offer or decline. Regular Admission The standard method of applying to US universities and colleges. Most schools set a college application deadline on or around January 1, and you could receive a college acceptance letter around the middle of April. Rolling Admission Schools that use this process have a committee of admissions officers who read each candidate’s application and make a decision as soon as a group of applications has accumulated – perhaps as often as once a week.

6. Getting Started with Naviance • Go to the Family Connection website: http://connection.naviance.com/oakdalehs • Log on using your User Id and Password User ID – 8-digit Student ID number Password – 8-digit Student ID number

7. Oakdale HS Family Connection Welcome Page

8. Navigating the College Tab: “colleges I’m applying to” Click on the “colleges” tab

9. Navigating the College Tab: “colleges I’m applying to” Click on “colleges I’m applying to”

10. Common App Matching –Common App site • If you are applying to any colleges using the Common App, you must log in or create a Common App account. • Before the FERPA agreement can be completed, you need to complete the section about your high school and add at least one college. • Then, under any colleges you’ve added, click “Recommenders and FERPA,” click “Release Authorization” and follow the steps on the next few pages.

11. Common App Matching in Naviance: “colleges I’m applying to” You must put the exact email address that you used to create your Common App account in order for the system to link the two together. Input your Date of Birth and click “Match.” Once you complete this step, everything you input into Common App will be uploaded into Naviance. Common App Matching Video

12. “colleges I’m applying to” • Click on the “Add to this List” • to add any colleges to which you are applying. Located just below the Common App Match screen to the left.

13. “colleges I’m applying to” I have submitted my application= check this box only when you have in fact submitted your application. Counselors will not complete any documents until you have submitted your applications and checked this box. Transcript= Check this box to have your counselor submit your transcript to that particular college. Once you have added your colleges, click “Add Colleges.”

14. “colleges I’m applying to” Once you click “Add Colleges” you are taken to your list of colleges you are applying to. Manage Communication= you can contact the college directly through this link Office Status= where your application documents stand with OHS Click on college name for detailed information on college. www= takes you to the college website

15. “colleges I’m applying to” Submission (Delivery Type) Blank = College accepts applications electronically on their website CA= college that accepts Common App and you have linked your accounts CA with a slash= You’re not applying to this college through Common App or you have not matched your Common App with Naviance ? = Submission unknown means you have not chosen a delivery type Postage stamp = mail only application We strongly encourage you to apply to all colleges through the Common App that accept the Common App.

16. If any of your colleges provide multiple options for applying, you will automatically be directed to this page and you MUST indicate which option you are using.

17. How to Request a Letter of Recommendation Teacher Recommendations : You must ask the teacher first to write you a letter of recommendation before requesting one from them! Click “Colleges” tab and click “Letters of Recommendation.” Click “Add Requests” and choose the teacher from the drop down menu. Select which colleges this request is for by clicking by their names. Include an optional note to the teacher. Click “Save.” Come back to review the status of your requests. If you request a recommendation from someone outside of the school system, they can be assigned as an “other recommender” in your Common App account.

18. Complete the Senior Information Sheet Your Senior Information Sheet is in your “my planner” tab under “Tasks Assigned to Me.” Your teachers and counselor will use this information to write your letters of recommendation.

19. If you are having any difficulty using any of the Naviance features, please make an appointment to see your counselor!