College Information 2014-2015

1. College Information 2014-2015

2. Where To Begin? • Take courses that prepare you for college. • Exceeding minimum graduation requirements (For. Lang., Math, Sci.) • Honors courses & Advanced Placement Courses • Dual Enrollment Courses & Post-Secondary Education Option Programs • Other opportunities as they arise… • Investigate careers and skills: Naviance, Ohio Means Jobs • Research colleges and universities that offer degrees in the career field(s) you are interested. • Take college entrance exam by end of junior year, seniors ASAP • ACT or SAT - Most schools will accept both • Send your scores up to 4 collegesfor free • SAT II Subject Tests if they are required

3. More Beginning Tips… What kind of college will be a good fit for you? • Size - Large, Medium, Small • Location – Commutable, Short Drive, Long Drive, Flight • Type - Public, Private, Technical • Reputable in Chosen Major • Cost • Tutoring or Special Needs Assistance • Campus Life – Organizations, Clubs, Athletics • Enrichment – Study Abroad, Guest Lecturers, Internships • Career Assistance

4. College Visits • Take virtual tours of the college websites. • Meet with the recruiters that visit Hayes. • Visit the colleges. Make sure to schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor, academic advisor, and a financial aid counselor. • For visits, complete the Pre-Arranged Absence form.

5. Students with Special Needs • IEP or 504 • Each college’s website will outline directions to get registered with the office of disability services. • Different colleges may have different documentation they require as proof of the disability. • Only the student can request services…parents are not permitted to send documentation on behalf of their son or daughter unless the student requests it. • Even Harvard has an office of disability services, but not all colleges offer the same accommodations.

6. Attending a Technical School • Technical schools are schools that provide mostly employment-preparation skills for trained labor, such as welding, health tech, culinary arts, or office management. • Technical school programs can last anywhere from a few months to two years. • Some offer transfer credit to four-year, some do not. • Some of the popular Tech schools are MTC, The Bradford School, Fortis College, and COTC.

7. Attending a Two-Year College • Two-year colleges provide programs that lead to associates degrees and/or transfer credits. • They are typically less expensive than 4-year colleges and universities. The average cost is $5,000 per year. • Most do not offer housing. • Many students will transfer to a 4-year university to seek their bachelors degree after completing their coursework at the 2-year college.

8. Transfer 101 • Vertical Transfer (also referred to as traditional, forward, upward, 2/4): Transfer from a two-year institution to a four-year institution. • Lateral Transfer: Transfer from a four-year institution to another four-year institution OR from a two-year institution to another two-year institution. • Reverse Transfer: Transfer from a four-year institution to a two-year institution (may include students who enroll temporarily, such as for a summer term.)

9. Transfer 101 • Check Articulation Agreements first! • Will my credits transfer? What colleges will accept my credits? • https://transfercredit.ohio.gov/ap/1 • *Moving from a branch to a main campus is not a transfer; it is changing campuses. • Request transcripts to from the college where credit was earned to college you are applying.

10. Attending a Four-Year College • Four-year colleges and universities award students with bachelors degrees. • The average cost for a public college is $21,447 per year. (Price includes tuition, room & board.) • Average Ohio Public institution is $16,908 • Many Ohio Public schools have branch campuses that are less expensive to attend. Ohio State University at Marion now has housing with more being built near campus! • The average cost for a private institution is $42,224 per year. (Price includes tuition, room & board.) Average cost after financial aid is $26,700. Source: cnnmoney.com

11. Components of the Application • Application • Profile, Activities, Leadership, Awards, etc. • Essay(s) • Letter(s) of Recommendation • Test Scores • Transcript(s) • School Report • Payment

12. What are Colleges Looking for in a College Application? (As reported by OSU) • Completion of the College Prep Curriculum • 4 English, 3+ Math, 3+ Science, 3+ Social Studies, 2+ Foreign Language, 1 Fine Art • Additional courses in math, natural science, and for. lang. • Research shows these are predictors of success in college • Rigor of courses – did you take advantage of harder courses? • Honors and AP courses • Grades and grade trends (including class rank) – did you improve? • Strength of senior schedule • ACT/SAT Scores

13. Other Areas of Importance • Extracurricular Activities, Leadership, & Work Experience • This is not a laundry list of many clubs and activities. It should show commitment and leadership. • Obstacles the student may have overcome • Diversity—Is the student a 1st generation college student? Does the student racially, ethnically, or economically diversify the campus? • Special talents • PSEO courses are preferred only when the high school curriculum has been maxed out. AP or Honors courses are preferred.

14. The Essay • An essay or two is often required by colleges in the application. • This is an opportunity for students to show a college who they are and who they can become…it is sometimes called a Personal Statement. • Readers seek evidence of authenticity, originality, self-knowledge and awareness of the world. • Common essay mistakes: Rewording the question as the first sentence, grammar, focusing on unimportant details, over generalizing, using clichés, five dollar words scattered around, too perfect, wrong college mentioned!

15. Letters of Recommendation • Choose a teacher or community leader that knows you best or has direct personal experiences and interactions with you. • Give that teacher two weeks to complete the recommendation. This gives the writer time to write a quality letter. • Enter their contact info in Naviance so that they may directly upload the document.

16. Testing • ACT • Offered 6 times per year starting in September. • Ranges in score from 1 – 36. • Includes Reading, Math, English, Science, and optional Writing. • Accepted at all schools.

17. Testing • SAT • Offered 7 times per year starting in October. • Ranges is score from 200 – 800 on each test. • Includes: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. • Accepted at all colleges.

18. ACT vs. SAT • ACT questions tend to be more straightforward. • The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary. • The ACT has a Science section, the SAT does not. • The ACT tests more advanced math concepts. • The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools. • The SAT is broken up into more sections. • The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam.

19. The Application Process • Compare 3 to 5 colleges • Naviance is an AWESOME tool for searching and is our transcript request and uploading tool. • Deadlines vary but most priority deadlines are in November, December or January. Some are earlier! • Visit the schools before you apply. • Create a folder/binder to keep track of application deadlines & materials.

20. Application Process Continued • See your school college counselor, Mrs. Conant! • Access and explore Naviance. • Notify Mrs. Conant when you have completed the application or need help. • Let Mrs. Conant know if there is a deadline for submission. • Be sure you bring any necessary forms that need to be completed by Mrs. Conant. • Let Mrs. Conant know who you have asked for recommendations. • Naviance will track all submissions and progress along the way • Pay for your application fee online or request a fee waiver. • Give Mrs. Conant a two-week window for all requests. I may not be able to accommodate short notice requests!

21. Application Process Continued • Mrs. Conant will: • Complete any necessary forms • Send a transcript • Include any recommendations you have requested • Mail all documents to the college if not an online app • Stamped envelopes are not necessary

22. Next Steps • Check the status of your application • This can often be done online in most cases. • Wait for notification from the college • The time you have to wait will depend on if they have rolling admissions or not. • Notification from college • Need for additional information • Follow-up on request • Application is being processed – Be patient • Acceptance or Denial

23. If Accepted… • Acceptance notification • Review materials and note deadlines • Additional scholarship deadlines • FAFSA deadline – this can be as early at Feb. 1 • Housing contract • Once accepted the college must hold a spot for you until May 1 with no other requirement, payments, etc. • Student and parent will follow directions by the college to accept the offered spot…most require a deposit.

24. Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Complete a FAFSA • Seniors visit www.fafsa.ed.gov today and request a PIN number • PIN numbers are needed for both the student and one parent – this serves as a verified signature. Go to pin.ed.gov now! • FAFSA must be completed every year after January 1 of the year the student plans to attend college. • Tax returns need to be completed but not necessarily mailed, or you must estimate and then update the FAFSA once taxes are completed. • All students should complete a FAFSA even if you don’t feel you will qualify. Many scholarships are based on the filing of the FAFSA. • Financial Aid meeting will be held December 11th at 6:30 p.m. • Be sure to file your FAFSA with all colleges by their deadline to be eligible for grants and scholarships.

25. https://fafsa.ed.gov/ https://fafsa.ed.gov/

26. After the FAFSA is Completed…. • March or April • Notification of Financial aid package • Compare colleges & costs • Contact the college financial aid office if you have questions • Decide what college to attend • Send acceptance materials by May 1 • Let other colleges know that you do not plan to attend

27. Financial Aid Meeting November 18 @ 6:30 p.m. Hayes LRC With presenters from the OWU Financial Aid Staff

28. Communicate • Stay in touch with Mrs. Conant through: • Naviance • Email: conantle@delawarecityschools.net • Phone: 833-1027 • Remind 101: Text @hayeshs to (216) 672-5870 • Twitter: @counselorconant • Appointments: Make an appointment in the counseling office or through the school website