College Information 2013-2014

1. College Information 2013-2014

2. So Where Do I Begin the College Process? • It begins now! • Take courses that prepare you for college. • Exceeding minimum graduation requirements (Foreign Language, Math, Science) • Honors courses & Advanced Placement Courses • Dual Enrollment Courses & Post-Secondary Education Option Programs • Other opportunities as they arise… • Challenge yourself – Put forward 110% • Investigate careers and skills. • 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 either • Send your scores up to 4 colleges. Many are requiring the official scores sent from ACT/SAT & are also requiring the writing section. • SAT II Subject Tests – Many of the elite colleges will require these.

3. More beginning tips… • Visit colleges and universities • Consider the possibilities: 2-year or 4-year, public or private, traditional or liberal arts • Consider costs of higher education by investigating your financial aid options and scholarships. • Guidance Website – Financial Aid • Guidance Website – Scholarships • Discuss plans and goals • Parents, relatives, neighbors, teachers

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. You may take 2 visits/year.

5. Attending a Technical School • Technical schools are schools that provide mostly employment-preparation skills for trained labor, such as welding, culinary arts, or office management. • Technical school programs can last anywhere from a few months to two years.

6. Attending a Two-Year College • Two-year colleges provide programs that lead to associates degrees. • They are typically less expensive than 4-year colleges and universities. The average cost is $3,000 per year. • Many students will transfer to a 4-year university to seek their bachelors degree after completing their coursework at the 2-year college. • Ohio Two-Year Colleges Resources: http://www.oatyc.org/http://regents.ohio.gov/campuses/2yr.phphttp://www.ohiocommunitycolleges.org/

7. 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 tuiton, room & board.) • Average Ohio Public institution is $16,908 • The average cost for a private institution is $42,224 per year. (Price includes tuiton, room & board.) Average cost after financial aid is $26,700. Source: cnnmoney.com • Ohio Four-Year Private Colleges: http://www.aicuo.edu/ResourcesAndResearch.htmlOhio Four-Year Public Colleges/Universities: http://www.opuac.org/

8. 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 foreign language • Research shows these are predictors of success in college • Rigor of courses • Honors and AP courses • Grades and grade trends (including class rank) • Strength of senior schedule • ACT/SAT Scores

9. Other Areas of Importance • Extracurricular Activities, Leadership, & Work Experience • 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 • Essay Response (No grammatical errors, original, and well-thought out) • PSEO courses are preferred only when the high school curriculum has been maxed out. AP or Honors courses are preferred.

10. The Application Process • Compare 3 to 5 colleges • Naviance is an AWESOME tool for searching • On-line applications are primarily and often times only accepted • Many schools use The Common App commonapp.org • The CommonApp is synced with Naviance and streamlines the application process with regards to the college search, transcript submission and teacher recommendations • Deadlines vary but most priority deadlines are in December or January. Some are earlier! • Visit the schools before you apply. (See handout on “61 Questions to ask at a College Visit”)

11. Application Process Cont…. • See your school counselor • Access and explore Naviance • Notify your counselor when you have completed the application • Let them know if there is a deadline for submission. • Be sure you bring any necessary forms that need to be completed by the counselor. • Let them know who you have asked for recommendations from • Naviance will track all submissions and progress along the way • Bring your application fee if required. • Give your counselor a two-week window. Counselors can’t accommodate day of requests

12. 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 your rec. writer plenty of time to spend to write their best • Enter their contact info in Naviance so that they may directly upload the document

13. Application Process Cont… • Your school counselor will: • Complete any necessary forms • Send a transcript • Include any recommendations you have requested • Mail all documents to the college • Stamped envelopes are not necessary

14. 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 of additional information • Follow-up on request • Application is being processed – Be patient • Acceptance or Denial

15. 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. • Colleges can, however, rescind an offer if grades on the student’s final transcript is not in line with the one submitted for acceptance.

16. 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 13th at 6:30 p.m. • Be sure to file your FAFSA with all colleges by their deadline to be eligible for grants and scholarships.

17. After the FAFSA is Completed…. • 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

18. Financial Aid Meeting December 12 @ 6:30 p.m. Hayes Auditorium