College Information 2015-2016

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 K-12 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 - Schools will accept either Send your scores up to 4 colleges for free SAT II Subject Tests, if they are required

Where To Begin?

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

More Beginning Tips…

College Visits

Take virtual tours of the college websites. www.youniversitytv.com Meet with the

representatives 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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

Components of the Application

Application Profile, Activities, Leadership, Awards, etc.

Essay(s)

Letter(s) of Recommendation

Test Scores

Transcript(s)

School Report

Payment

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 and CCP

Grades and grade trends (including class rank) – did you improve?

Strength of senior schedule ACT/SAT Scores

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 may be preferred for selective schools.

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!

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.

Letters of Recommendation

Testing

ACTOffered 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.

Testing

SATOffered 7 times per year starting in

October.Ranges is score from 200 – 800 on

each test.Includes: Critical Reading, Math, and

Writing.Changing in March: Scoring change

and optional writing.Accepted at all colleges.

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.

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.

The Application Process

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!

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

appStamped envelopes are not necessary

Application Process Continued

Check the status of your application This can often be done online.

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

Next Steps

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 place 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.

If Accepted…

Complete a FAFSA

Seniors go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/ to request your FSA ID.

FAFSA must be completed every year after January 1 of the year the student plans to attend college. www.fafsa.ed.gov

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 scheduled in December to help families prepare for FAFSA completion.

Be sure to file your FAFSA with all colleges by their deadline to be eligible for grants and scholarships.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

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

March or AprilNotification of Financial aid packageCompare colleges & costsContact the college financial aid office if

you have questionsDecide what college to attendSend acceptance materials by May 1Let other colleges know that you do not

plan to attend

After the FAFSA is Completed….

Communicate

Stay in touch with Mrs. Conant through:NavianceEmail:

conantle@delawarecityschools.netPhone: 833-1027Remind Twitter: @counselorconantAppointments: Make an appointment

in the counseling office or through the school website