OLATHE SOUTH SENIOR INFORMATION How to make the most of your senior year

1. OLATHE SOUTH SENIOR INFORMATION How to make the most of your senior year

2. Traci Johnston A-F Amy Brown G-L Jean Busey AVID & M-Q Amy Iwert R-Z Chad Hoffman Freshman WHO ARE YOUR COUNSELORS?

3. Finalize college/post-secondary plans • Visit campus/attend senior day • Talk to admission reps who come to OS • See Donna Peters in the guidance office • Attend Kansas City Metro College Expo September 18th at Ritz Charles (Overland Park) 6pm-8pm. • 120 Schools in attendance • Includes military and tech schools • REGISTER ONLINE at OS Counseling Website

4. Check college web sites for valuable information • Information about campus visits & senior days • Admission requirements • Online applications and application deadlines • Scholarship information

5. ACT • Take your ACT ASAP (www.actstudent.org) • October 28th • Registration deadline is September 22nd • Use your legal name to register • Be sure to bring your ticket and Photo ID • PrepWorks • Application available on the counseling website • $45 • Olathe South ACT Test Prep Workshop • Registration ends September 28th • Online application available on the counseling website • $75 – My Payments Plus

6. Recommendations • If your Scholarship and/or College application asks for teacher or counselor recommendations, allow 3 weeks for those to be completed • Students will be asked to complete a Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire to request a recommendation. • Questionnaire available on counseling website & Career Cruising • Provide the person writing the recommendation a copy of your resume

7. Requesting official transcripts • Transcripts are now sent through career cruising. www.careercruising.com • Test scores are located on your transcript but colleges may want scores sent directly from College Board (SAT & AP) and ACT • College Now credits will be listed on your JCCC Transcript NOT High School Transcript • Transcripts are not sent on days when school is not in session. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY

8. Check your image • What does your email address, Facebook, or twitter account say about you? • What is your public image? • Universities, fraternities, sororities, employers may be checking you out.

9. FAFSA(www.fafsa.gov) • Free Application For Student Aide • Complete FAFSA online as early as October 1st. • Recommend EVERYONE complete FAFSA regardless of predicted need • FAFSA Completion Night on October 4th from 5:00-8:00 – Olathe South High School • Registration Required – visit Olathe South Website. • http://teachers.olatheschools.com/oscounseling/district-information-nights/

10. SCHOLARSHIPS • Scholarships can be based on merit or need • Grades and test scores • Athletics • Talent (music, debate, etc.) • Community service • Civic affiliation, family history • Parent/student employer • Person or organization offering the scholarship determines the criteria • Scholarships – Olathe South Website/District Website and Career Cruising. • Have you been offered a scholarship? Let us know of those accomplishments here: http://bit.ly/OSseniors (on counseling website and Career Cruising)

11. HOW DO I GET A SHORTENED DAY? • Must qualify and apply before winter break • On track to graduate with no need for credit recovery • Pass all 1st semester classes • Have a valid reason for shortening day—work to earn money for college or in a potential career, military, college class • Applications will be available in student services after Thanksgiving

12. PLAN AHEAD • Make sure you are aware of deadlines • Scholarships, Admissions, Transcripts, Recommendation Letters, FAFSA • Ask questions & get help – WE ARE HERE TO HELP • Please visit our counseling website - lots of updated information provided • Follow us on Twitter - @OSCounseling

13. Questions?