The College Application Process at Solon High School Class of 2013

1. The College Application Processat Solon High SchoolClass of 2013 SHS College Counselors for Seniors: Mrs. Wendy Dingman A-De Mr. Rick Nowak Df-Ho Ms. Ann Bruce Hp-Mc Mrs. Kathleen Kinney Md-See Mrs. Anne Johns Sef-Z SHS College Planning Support Staff: Ms. Carol Rymaz Secretary College NOW Consultant Financial Aid Ms. Vicki Cross Essay Consultant

2. So far, so good in 9th-11th • Practice tests: Explore, PLAN, PSAT • College/career search and discovery • Annual meetings with counselors • Résumé created in 11th grade • ACT and SAT testing • College exploration and visitation

3. Beginning of 12th Grade • I have a list of colleges that match my profile and interests. • I have taken SAT and/or ACT. (SAT IIs ?) • I have registered for a fall SAT/ACT if needed to raise scores. • I have completed the Student/Parent Questionnaires & Transcript Release Form and submitted to counselor. • I have updated my résumé and given copy to counselor.

4. Where do we go from here??? • Meet with your counselor for specific help and guidance in September. (Counselors will send you a pass. Have your questions written down to bring to your appointment.) • Request letters of recommendation if needed • Register/Complete ACT/SAT/SATII testing • Meet with Ms. Cross if essays are required • APPLY!!!

5. Three Basic Steps in Applying to College • Apply online to the college/university. • Send test scores to college/university via ACT/College Board websites. • Request transcripts and recommendation letters.

6. But there’s more to consider… • Does this application need an essay? • How many recommendation letters are required for this application? • Does this college/university use the Common Application? Is there a supplement? • Does this college/university require SAT IIs? • Do I send all scores or only my best scores?

7. College Admission Timeline • SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER • Meet with counselor for individual appointment • Write essays/consult with Ms. Cross • Request recommendation letters IN PERSON then on Naviance • Complete ACT/SAT testing • Attend College Representative Visits to SHS • APPLY • Seniors/parents may meet with the representative from College Now Greater Cleveland for financial aid guidance • JANUARY – MARCH • Seniors/parents complete FAFSA form • Seniors complete local scholarship applications • MAY 1st– National deadline for college commitment/deposit

8. What is most important in college admissions? Top three factors that “open the door”: Grades Test Scores Strength of Curriculum Next three factors that can help make the final decision: Essay Letters of recommendation Extracurricular activities/leadership

9. Pointers for Students • Take charge of your college application process • Stay organized: forms, deadlines, requirements • Communicate with your parents, counselor and recommending-teachers throughout the process • Focus on the right fit for you, not the most “name-brand school” or where your friend is applying • Don’t panic! Counselors are here to help you through the process

10. Pointers for Parents • Let your student control the application process. Offer support, but do not do the applications for him/her. • Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the admission decisions. • Use the resources: the Guidance website, Naviance, Senior Packet and SHS information sessions, to help understand and navigate the process. • Remember, there is a school out there for everyone. Help your student find the right fit.

11. www.solonschools.org/guidance

12. www.naviance.com

13. Student Athletes: NCAA Eligibility

14. FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS

15. QUESTION: • If I apply online, am I done?

16. ANSWER: • No! In addition to online completion: - Request transcript via Naviance - Request teacher letters if needed - Go online to have test scores sent

17. QUESTION: What happens if I apply online and then receive an email stating that the Admissions Office did not yet receive my transcript and other materials from Guidance?

18. ANSWER: • Don’t worry! Online submission needs to catch up with what is sent from the Guidance Office. • Check Naviance to confirm status.

19. QUESTION: • Should I wait until I retake the ACT/SAT to submit my applications to colleges?

20. ANSWER: • Complete and send applications ASAP. • Have scores sent later directly from the testing agency. • Remember, scholarship deadlines will not allow for late scores.

21. QUESTION: • What is the advantage of completing college applications early?

22. ANSWER: • Goal: applications submitted before Thanksgiving! • Advantage for rolling admissions: student will be notified sooner regarding admissions. • More scholarship and financial award opportunities earlier in the application season (before Dec 1)

23. QUESTION: • Do grades really count senior year? Don’t high school transcripts just show grades 9 through 11?

24. ANSWER: • Yes! Transcripts in the fall only reflect final grades from 9th -11th grade. • Senior year does matter! • Colleges expect to see 7th semester transcript and a final transcript. • Admission status can be revoked if your transcript shows a decline in performance.

25. QUESTION: • With the “Score Choice” program implemented by the College Board, do you recommend just sending the best scores?

26. ANSWER: • Some colleges require scores from all tests taken. Some use best sub-scores from different test dates. • Generally, we recommend sending all test scores from all tests. • Consult with your SHS counselor.

27. QUESTION: • Must my letters of recommendation be from teachers?

28. ANSWER: • The recommender should know you well. • The recommender could be a teacher, administrator, coach, club advisor, employer, youth leader, or peer. • Be sure to follow the instructions of the application. • If the recommender is not an SHS teacher (using Naviance), give him/her an addressed/stamped envelope to mail directly to the college.

29. QUESTION: • How has the economic downturn impacted student choices regarding colleges?

30. ANSWER: • Increase in applications to public universities • Greater interest in merit-based scholarships • Increase in Early Decision/Early Action apps • Some adding financial-safety schools • Some choosing two-year colleges then transferring to four-year universities • Many choosing in-state schools to ensure credit for AP work

31. QUESTION: • Could you recommend any resources or books which would be helpful at this stage of the application process?

32. ANSWER: • SHS Counselors • College Now Representative (financial aid) • Ms. Cross (essay) • Naviance - our college counseling website • Guidance Website – which also provides many college resource documents and website links • Guidance section in the monthly PTA Newsletter • Quarterly postcards • College Rep Visits to SHS for seniors

33. ANSWER: (continued) • Seniors may attend sessions of our 2012-2013 College Seminar Series: Sept 27 Using the Common Application Oct 25 Reviewing the Application Process Dec 6 Seniors Seeking Scholarships April 11 College Decision Time for Seniors

34. ANSWER: (continued) • Helpful Books: • Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope • The Gatekeepers-Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College by Jacques Steinberg • Getting In-Inside the College Admissions Process by Bill Paul • Student’s Guide to Colleges-The Definitive Guide to America’s Top 100 Schools

35. College is not a prize to be won . . . but rather a match to be found.