Career/College Planning 2013

1. Career/College Planning 2013 Northwood High School Michelle Reid, School Counselor Kris James, Teacher Librarian

2. The most important factor to consider in planning for your future is understanding yourself. Recognize your strengths & weaknesses Analyze your interests Identify your values Consider all options, regardless of cost Take responsibility for your future Check out KnowHow2Go (http://www.knowhow2go.org) for self- assessment tools.

3. Website Community Resources, upcoming guidance events, scheduling information etc. You can access ACT & SAT materials, the Campus Visit Checklist, and Financial Aid support from this page too. If you don’t see something that you need, just let me know!

4. Resources OCIS: Ohio Career Information System (http://ocis.ode.state.oh.us). Career, college, financial aid & scholarship information Students have previously completed several assessments which can be accessed through My Portfolio at OCIS Log-in info for student portfolios will be provided https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

5. Resources • NHS Guidance Office: College catalogs, applications, scholarship applications, and testing resources • Campus visit forms and access to visiting college reps is also available • Students can also request Letter of Recommendation forms from Mrs. Reid

6. Resources Internet: Colleges/Universities provide information regarding admissions/campus visits on their homepages College Insight (http://college-insight.org) provides data on college affordability, diversity, and student success for over 10,000 colleges and universities.

7. What are Colleges Looking For? • School Achievement 73% • Test Scores 59% • Grades in all courses 53% • Class Rank 31% • Essay/Writing Sample 23% • Recommendation 16% • Interview 8.6% • Activities 8% Based on responses from over 2,000 institutions, the following criteria are of “considerable importance”: Source: Annual Survey of Colleges of the College Board

8. College Search • Attend college rep visits at Northwood • Attend College fairs especially March 6th College Preview Night at Owens • 6:30-8:30 open-house format • Features representatives from over 100 colleges and universities • Presentations on a range of topics from ‘Cybersearch’ to ‘Preparing for the ACT’ • Ask for a brochure

9. College Application Overview • Consider using Learning Express Library (available through http://www.infohio.org/ PreparingOhioLearners/student.html – username: northwood, password: rangers) to practice for these tests.

10. ACT/SAT Tests • ACT Test Dates • April 13, 2013 (PROM) • June 8, 2013 • September 21, 2013 • October 26, 2013 • December 14, 2013 • SAT Test Dates • May 4, 2013 • June 1, 2013 • Registration Deadline • March 8, 2013 • May 3, 2013 • TBA • TBA • TBA • Registration Deadline • April 5, 2013 • May 2, 2013

11. ACT/SAT Tests Take and Retake – Only take Writing one time Don’t wait for scores to apply Send your scores! NCAA Clearinghouse code #9999

12. ACT/SAT Tests • Prepare -- practice under timed conditions • Use free practice tests available at http://www.actstudent.org/ and http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student. • Consider using Learning Express Library (available through http://infohio.org/ PreparingOhioLearners/student.html - username: northwood, password: rangers) to practice for these tests • STARS program

13. Checklist for a Campus Visit Make arrangements in advance Campus Visit Form must be completed and signed one week before the visit. Meet with an admissions officer Discuss costs, financial aid, and scholarships Attend a class, meet with faculty Explore campus life

14. Letters of Recommendation Not necessary unless requested by university/ scholarship committee Provide recommender with resume, transcript, and information for letter Allow several weeks for letter to be completed

15. College Essay Purpose: allows college to evaluate your communication skills & enables school to learn more about you than GPA, class rank & test scores provide DO: Be yourself, capture your reader’s attention and have someone help you edit and proofread your essay DON’T: Repeat information that is already apparent in your application

16. Scholarships National Scholarships Merit Scholarships College Specific Scholarships Local Scholarships In-House Scholarships

17. National Scholarships A good beginning step is to identify possible scholarship options specific to you by using the internet. High money rewards, competing against all students nationally. http://www.fastweb.com Never pay money to get money!

18. Merit Scholarships(UT example)

19. Local Scholarships • APPLY! • Check NHS Guidance webpage regularly for scholarship opportunities. Use the URL www.northwoodschools.org to locate the district home page. • From there, click on the Guidance drop-down menu. • Click on Scholarship Opportunities.

20. In-House Scholarships All scholarships reviewed with students in the Spring of their senior year. Essays required. Only compete against other Northwood Students. Sometimes less money but higher chance of winning! All Scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Ceremony.

21. Financial Aid • Attend Northwood’s Financial Aid Night in November 2013 • Register for PIN at www.pin.ed.gov • Complete FAFSA (available at fafsa.ed.gov) -- after January 1, 2014 • Meet with college financial aid representative

23. Honors Diploma • Writing sections of either standardized test are not included in the ACT/SAT test score. • All regular high school diploma requirements still apply including: • ½ unit physical education • ½ unit health • ½ unit in American History • ½ unit in government

24. Senior Timeline: March - October Consider college characteristics such as majors, admissions, policy, location, size, cost, etc. List, compare and visit colleges Apply and observe deadlines Take/Retake ACT/SAT Utilize websites mentioned for help.

25. November Complete applications - observe deadlines - but have completed by Thanksgiving of senior year Request a transcript Advise Mrs. Reid each and every time that you apply Celebrate all acceptance letters with Mrs. with Mrs. Reid

26. November -- February Develop a plan to finance your education Attend Financial Aid Night at Northwood Schedule additional college visits if necessary Be aware of deadlines!

27. February -- April Review and finalize your plans Apply for scholarships Send acceptance letter to first choice college; notify Mrs. Reid

28. May -- June Make your decision and notify college(s) of your choice Register for orientation Enjoy your last days at Northwood

29. For More Information If you have additional questions or want to make an appointment for follow-up, contact Mrs. Reid at NHS (419-691-4651).