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Pre-game Strategy Career and College decision-making College application process College testing College visits and representatives Financial Aid/Scholarships Sports, important dates, Q&A

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The Kick-Off Grades 9-11 Focus on taking the college core curriculum 4 yrs of math and science Alg 1, Geom, Alg 2, PreCalc or higher Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology 2 yrs or more of foreign language Be involved in sports, school government, activities, volunteering, summer programs, working Focus on keeping a strong gpa 3.0 or higher

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The Kick-Off Your senior year This is stressful to most high school seniors (and their parents) Stay organized Stick to a timeline pick one up tonight Dont procrastinate The process takes time be patient!

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A good defense is the best offense! Making decisions about careers and colleges is hard work! Not unusual to be up in the air colleges report that 2/3 of incoming freshman are either undecided or change their major in the first two years Take surveys/interest inventories available at RHS, also ACT Shadow someone in a career you might be interested in Ask your parents/family/teachers what they think you would be good at they know you better than you think they do

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A good defense is the best offense! Available resources ACT test results and interest inventories http://www.owens.edu/career_connections College websites Guidance Website check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook

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Choosing a college on more than just their football team! Important things to consider Size of the school Location (urban, rural) Programs Are you a good fit (gpa, ACT)? Cost, available aid Visit websites, speak to reps Visit in person

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Seniors Get your running game going! Senior year timeline Complete college applications by Thanksgiving Take the ACT or SAT this year (Oct or Dec) Visit colleges now through early spring Complete scholarship applications - now through March /April Attend Financial Aid presentation Jan 12 Complete FAFSA forms by Valentines Day Make your final decision by May 1

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Timeline for juniors Work on grades, take challenging courses ACT/SAT for juniors Sometime this school year Most popular time is June 11 test Test Prep ACT Prep class at RHS 2 nd qtr College visits, Preview Days, College Fairs Summer opportunities Pick up a copy of the Timeline before you leave

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3 rd and long College Testing for seniors Registering for the first time - as soon as possible www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org Retaking the ACT by Dec, Feb at the latest If you have already taken the Writing Test, you dont need to take it again. Test Prep ACT Prep class at RHS 2 nd qtr Applications in guidance office SAT do I have to? No, but you might want to

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Touchdown Pass -Completing your applications Search, visit websites Develop a list Reach Safety How do I know if a college is a safe bet for me? 2 barely enough; 6 okay, but this can get expensive Keep a folder on each school Schools have different deadlines, and deadlines are important! Our Goal Thanksgiving (but dont give up if you dont finish by then)

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Touchdown Pass -Completing your applications Best choice On-line Make a copy of your first one to help make later ones go faster Let me know when you apply Counselor forms Transcript requests Dont expect same day service! College Application Tuesdays starting in October Every Tuesday after school Help filling out applications, doing searches

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Get spotted by the recruiter! AI visits On board by the Clinic, School Calendar Many already scheduled watch for additions Sign up in guidance office at least one day in advance Watch for visits to BG, UT and Owens This is a great way to learn about a school Juniors are welcome to attend

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Take the game to them! College Visits Pick up a Convenience Absence form from Anita several days before your visit Up to 3 visits in a school year Includes seniors and juniors Have the school give you a form stating that you visited College Preview Days available on college websites BGSU Admissions home page

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College Visits When you go Visit on specified Preview Days Ex. BGSU Oct. 17, Dec 5, Feb 15 Open Houses Call ahead to the Admissions Office and let them know you plan on being there Set up an appointment Prepare for an interview with an admissions counselor Schedule a tour, then walk around after the tour Take it seriously Best advice plan to spend the night! Schools will arrange for you to stay on campus with a host student

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Half-Time Any questions so far? Still to come financial aid, NCAA

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3 rd Quarter Kick-Off How to pay for college Scholarships Grants Loans Work Study FAFSA

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Scholarships 3 types University based Criteria and Deadlines Searchable databases Organizations and businesses Info on-line Guidance OfficeGuidance Office Search engines www.fastweb.com Check the Red Crate! Work, parents workplace, relatives, etc Local Scholarships End of January Give copies of scholarships to guidance office Scholarship offers will be printed in the commencement program and released to local news

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Financial Aid Scholarships Grants free aid, distributed by colleges Loans you take these out (yikes!) Federal Direct good interest rates, but be careful what you sign Private Loans avoid if possible Work Study aid you work for To qualify, your parents must complete a FAFSA form complete tax returns early

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Punt (Types of Student Loans) Based of FAFSA score Perkins Loans Best Stafford Loans oSubsidized Really Good oUnsubsidized Still Good Alternative Loans Avoid if Possible Parent Plus Loans Best deal parents can get Much more on this at RHS Financial Aid Night Jan 12

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Pass FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) This process begins in January Based on parents 2010 income Parents should get their tax return completed as soon as possible in Jan/Feb If you dont complete a FAFSA, you might still get scholarships, but you will not get grants (or some loans) Financial Aid Night RHS Jan12, 7:00 College Goal Sunday Feb 13, Owens CC

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Kick College Sports Seniors - Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse now! Juniors register this coming summer www.eligibilitycenter.org You must register to play Div I or II Many Div 3 schools are interested in Rossford students Email coaches Cannot provide athletic scholarships, but

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Letters of Recommendation For scholarships, some colleges, other programs Ask well in advance (at least 2 weeks!) Provide an activities resume Dont assume that you will get a copy; ask or give an addressed/stamped envelope

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Penalty Dont miss deadlines! Each college/program is unique Admissions deadlines may be tied to scholarship money FAFSA deadlines Room deposits get in early if you want your first choice

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What does the Guidance Office do to help you in this process? Information on ACT/SAT Information on colleges/universities Scholarship information and applications Helping you and your parents through the financial aid application (FAFSA) process Help deciding what to look for in a college or major Class presentations through the school year

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Coach, what did you just say? Follow the timeline Dont procrastinate Visit the school website Talk to your parents (PP will be online) Aim for being done by Thanksgiving We can do it together! Q & A

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Go team Rossford Good LuckLet me know how I can help Dan Saygers, 419-666-5135 dsaygers@rossfordschools.org