Senior Planning
Guide
2012-2013
Where to Begin
Take a realistic look at yourself. What type of person are you?
What are your goals, strengths and weaknesses, and your
interests? You may plan on going to college, going into the
military, going to a career tech school, or entering the work force.
All takes planning. To begin your search for information, be sure
to check the internet. Most colleges, career technology centers,
vocational schools, business colleges, military branches, etc,
have web sites that contain a great deal of information about their
programs, costs, financial aid, and requirements.
In the counseling office you can find additional college information
and applications, and information on the military branches.
Visit with your counselor. The counselors at Piedmont have many
years of experience and will work with you on your post
secondary plans. They are a valuable resource.
At the end of this guide are links to pertinent information that has
been beneficial in the past. Please check them out. Also you will
find a self assessment form to be filled out and given to your
teacher or counselor. This allows us to write a letter of
recommendation upon request. Please allow at least a week for
the letter.
Hopefully this guide will help you with your search.
COLLEGE SEARCH
Research
Evaluate your personal college criteria. Do you want to be close to home? Are you looking
for a large or small university? Do you want to be near a city, an ocean, or the mountains?
Do you plan to live at home or at the college? How important are extracurricular activities?
Do you want to play sports, act in plays, or be part of student government? You may have
preconceived notions about the ideal college for you. You also have a financial budget
within which your ideal college must fit. Write down elements you expect to find in your
college, so that you will have intelligent questions to ask of college representatives.
Remember that not every college will be right for you. Colleges that are right for your friends
may not be right for you. Choosing a college is a personal decision. The most important
thing is to choose a college where you can succeed.
The following may help identify characteristics important to you when deciding on the
college that is best for you:
Majors and educational programs
Type of school and degrees offered
Location and size
Accreditation
Academic reputation
Type of institution (private, public, or affiliation)
Affordability (costs, financial aid, scholarships)
Housing and facilities
Athletics and recreation
Some sources of information could include
Counseling center
College catalogs and information bulletins
College Fairs/College visits
College web sites
Parents, students, and alumni
Professionals in the field
College reps and admission counselors
After establishing your personal college criteria, research to find colleges that meet your
criteria. Read as much as you can and call or email the school for answers to any
questions. If you would like to meet a college representative, call the college or university
and make an appointment. Also, you can check the counseling center bulletin board for
dates and time when college representative will be at Piedmont. In addition, a helpful
website is www.collegedata.com.
Send Information to the Colleges That Interest You
Be sure you are familiar with the school’s requirements for admission. Most schools require
a completed application, official ACT and/or SAT score, and official transcripts from the high
school. Some colleges require letters of recommendation, an essay, and/or an admission
interview.
Visit the College
Remember that looking for a college is like looking for four very important years of your life.
Reading or hearing about a college may be informative and exciting; however, you will
receive a more accurate perception of the school and its atmosphere by visiting. It is
courteous to call at least two weeks in advance for an appointment and arrange for a tour. It
is helpful to do some research and learn as much as you can about the college before you
arrive.
Preparing for Your Visit
Allow for at least a half day to visit the college. Sometimes an overnight visit is necessary.
Many colleges can arrange for you to stay in a dorm. Check with the college admissions
office to set up the visit and help make arrangements. Ask for a guided tour of the campus,
a classroom visit and (if possible) a visit with a professor. Be sure to get necessary travel
directions, a campus map, and a college catalogue. Also, they may be able to give you the
names of students at their institution that are from your hometown.
Be prepared for your visit by reading up on the college. That way you can ask more
intelligent and relevant questions. Be on time.
Your tours should include some or all of the following:
1. Financial Aid Office
2. Library
3. Housing
4. Student Dining Areas
5. Information on religious organizations, clubs, extracurricular activities
Parents should actively participate in the visit to the financial aid office. Ask about typical
financial aid packages, how they are awarded, and what percentage of students receive
financial aid. Also, ask for the average amount of financial aid per student receiving aid.
Always talk to the students. They can give you the good and the bad they see in the school.
Approach students anywhere on campus and ask questions about the college’s academic
strengths, social life, and what they like and don’t like.
Try to visit with at least one faculty member, either by appointment or by stopping by an
office and asking to see someone. They are very busy but may be willing to talk to you and
your parents about the university and especially about their department.
Make a college visit check list that includes:
 Name of college
 Date and time of visit
 Address and travel instructions
 Contact person
 Admissions Office phone number
 Facilities
 Classes attended
 Faculty member name and information received
 Classes and social events
 Living quarters
 Student host
Number of students enrolled and average class size for freshmen
Investigate and Compare Colleges
Prepare a college comparison checklist. Design a chart with your college criteria and your
narrowed list of college choices. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages then begin the
application process. Apply to more than one school. You should have at least three schools--a reach school, a realistic school, and a safety school. Many students apply to many
schools especially if financial aid or athletics is a concern.
Questions you may ask yourself are:
1. Do I want to go out of state or in-state?
2. Do I want to live on campus, in an apartment or at home?
3. What part of the country appeals to me?
4. What size college do I want to attend?
5. Am I interested in sororities or fraternities?
6. Does the college allow for internships or studying abroad?
7. What extracurricular activities are available?
Be sure to weigh the answers to the questions with the amount of financial support that is
available. Do you want to work or pay back college loans?
I have made my decision. What Next???
1. Pay your admission deposit and any other fees required at this time.
2. Send in admission acceptance forms, scholarship acceptance forms, health forms
and any other paperwork to confirm your intent to enroll.
3. Plan for payment of tuition and fees.
NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!
Is Community College For You?
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You know where you want to be but need some training to get there
You want to explore different choices before settling on a path
You need to cut the cost of a four-year college degree
You want to sharpen your study skills before enrolling at a university
You want small classes and personal attention during your first college years
You want to continue to work at your job while going to college
You want to live at home
If you checked even one box on the quiz, you may want to check out a community college.
You won’t be alone—45 percent of all first-year college students start at a community
college.
These institutions offer two kinds of education:
1. If your goal is a four-year degree, you can earn a two-year (associate) degree at a
community college, then transfer to a four-year college as a junior.
2. You can earn an occupational degree or certificate in two years or less, then start
working immediately in a high-demand field.
Many community college students have jobs and family responsibilities. Scheduling classes
may be a big challenge. So community colleges tend to offer courses during the day, in the
evening, and on weekends. They have pioneered new teaching methods, too. Some offer
courses online (distance learning), combine Internet and classroom learning, give
interactive TV courses, condense semester courses into shorter time frames, and more.
Interested? You don’t have to wait. Consider taking a community college course during high
school. You will learn what college work is like, and rack up some college credits, too.
College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. c 2007 The College Board. All rights reserved.
Permission granted to copy this for educational purposes.
Technical Schools
There are many outstanding vocational and career technology schools in the state of
Oklahoma. These schools offer programs, work study, and placement services. It is
important to visit them and talk with a counselor to be sure they have what you need to
achieve your goal. You may want to consider the location, size, programs, internships, work
study, cost, and financial aid.
Military Services
Several students will opt to join the military service or attend one of the military service
academies. Service Branches in the US military include the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air
Force, and Coast Guard, including their respective Reserve and National Guard formations.
Together, they offer full-time and part-time training and opportunities for thousands of
different military jobs, and a great environment for developing the essential qualities for a
successful life.
The Military Academies are highly competitive and most require a nomination from
a congressman. These academies include the US Merchant Marine Academy, the
US Coast Guard Academy, the US Military Academy, and the US Naval Academy.
You are urged to apply to every nominating authority available to you (both US
Senators, your local Congressman, and the Vice President). Contact with the
admissions officer of the academy is imperative. The academy will make a file on
you and forward general information and admission requirements to you.
If you would like to learn more about a career in the military or find answers
to your questions visit the website www.todaysmilitary.com. You can find
information about career options, college help, compensation, opportunities,
ongoing training, military life, and benefits.
College Planning Information for Seniors
September
 Narrow your list of colleges to 5 to 10. Meet with a counselor about them and, if
you’ve not yet done so, download college applications and financial aid forms if
everything is not done online. Plan to visit as many of these colleges as possible.
 Obtain ACT/SAT information and register on-line. The October ACT deadline is
September 21st.
 Create a master list or calendar that includes:
o tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines.
o college application due dates.
o financial aid application forms required and their deadlines. (Note: Aid
applications may be due before college applications.)
o other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)
** Please allow teachers, administrators, or your counselor at least one week to
complete the letters. Feel free to ask teachers for letters of recommendation. It is
always wise to have some ready in case of emergencies. Your counselor has a senior
questionnaire that is helpful to those writing letters for you.
 Try to finalize your college choices.
 Set up college visits. You may take two college visits your senior year that will
not count against your attendance. These must be scheduled with your
counselor.
 Prepare Early Decision, Early Action, or rolling admissions applications as soon
as possible.
 If you’re submitting essays, write first drafts and ask teachers and others to read
them. If you’re applying for Early Decision, finish the essays for that application
now.
 If you are planning to play sports in college, be sure you have registered with the
NCAA Clearinghouse. This should be submitted after the sophomore year.
Register and get information online at http://www.eligibilitycenter.org.
 If you have not had your test scores sent to the college to which you are
applying, be sure to contact the College Board or ACT to have them sent.
 Meet with college/tech school/military representatives as they visit school.
October
 Attend college planning and / or financial aid information nights and college fairs.
 Visit your top college choices. If possible, make appointments with faculty, staff
and students.
 Apply to colleges you choose. Be sure you apply for their scholarships and
housing.
 Work on admissions essays.
 WATCH ALL DEADLINES!
November
 November 1-15: For Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores
and applications between these dates.
 Counselors send transcripts to colleges. Give counselors the proper forms at
least two weeks before colleges require them.
 Seek sources for financial aid:
o College catalogues
o Internet
o Parents’ employers
o Professional organizations
o Churches and religious organizations
o Counselor pages on PHS website
o Contests
 Go on-line and get a PIN number. Apply at www.pin.ed.gov. To sign and
complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid online, you and your
parent must request a Personal Identification Number. If you have a pin, you can
electronically sign your FAFSA (your parent will need to sign the FAFSA as well).
 Listen to the announcements for visiting college reps.
 Apply for the December ACT if you need to. The December deadline is
November 2nd.
December
 As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies.
 If your college wants to see seventh-semester grades, be sure you request this
from your counselor by email
 Mail all applications for both admission and scholarships to the colleges you have
selected. REMEMBER: You must have applied for admission to a college to be
able to apply for a scholarship from that college.
 Compile all financial data.
o Everyone should apply for financial aid. Parents sometimes feel that they
will not qualify and miss out on financial assistance. Many colleges offer
merit based scholarships and often these students will be required to fill
out a financial needs analysis as well. This allows colleges to make the
best use of available funds.
o Ask your parents to gather all income tax information by the end of the
month. It is vital to apply for federal funds as early as possible. Grant
money sometimes runs out.
o Go to www.fafsa.org and check out the financial aid form. You can file it
anytime after January 1st. DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
 WATCH ALL DEADLINES!
January
 Check your schedule to be sure you do not need adjustments to meet graduation
requirements.
 Submit your completed FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible.
Estimates can be used and tax filings are still not due until April 15.
 If you apply to colleges online, be sure to have your high school send a
transcript.
 Mail all applications for both admission and scholarships to the colleges you have
selected. Most college scholarships have a February 1st or a March 1st deadline.
 Keep copies of all documents you have submitted for application, financial aid,
etc.
 If you have not made a decision on a college, make campus visits.
 If you have not taken an ACT/SAT do so immediately. The February deadline is
January 11.
 Keep studying. Your college admission is contingent upon your final transcript.
This is not the time to take it easy.
 Continue to listen to announcements and check the Counselor section on the
PHS website for scholarships. Many business and service clubs and professional
organizations’ scholarships come during the spring.
February
 No senioritis, please! Accepting colleges do look at second-semester senior
grades.
 Research AP (Advanced Placement) or CLEP (College Level Exam Program)
tests.
 Watch your email for notice indicating your SAR (Student Aid Report) is ready.
 Review SAR for errors and make corrections as indicated.
 Keep applying for scholarships and other forms of Financial Aid
 Use this month to review information from the previous months and catch up!
March
 Keep active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what
you have accomplished between the time you applied and learned of its decision.
 Check application deadlines.
 If you have decided where you plan to attend, notify any other schools of your
decision.
 Apply for housing, if you have not already done so.
 Check with your college’s financial aid office to ensure paperwork is complete.
 If you have not already filled out and submitted a FAFSA, do it NOW!
 Remember to mark your calendar with all important dates.
 Continue to check the website for scholarships. Many business groups and civic
organizations post scholarships in March.
April
 You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If
you’ve not done so yet, visit your final college before accepting. As soon as you
decide, notify your counselor of your choice.
 If you have questions about housing offers, talk to your counselor or call the
college.
 Turn in the names and amounts of all scholarships you have been offered,
whether you are accepting them or not, to your counselor.
May
 May 1: Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1.
By that postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or
rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid.
 Send your deposit to one college only.
 Wait-listed by a college? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director
your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask
whether funds will be available if you’re accepted.
 Turn in all scholarship offers to your counselor and continue to update them.
 Work hard these last few weeks. It can improve your grades or go the other way.
BE PREPARED FOR FINALS.
 You can pick up your diploma, transcript and cumulative folder in mid- June.
Dos and Don’ts on Writing the College Application
Essay
A great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the
admissions staff. It will round out the rest of your application and help you stand out from
other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your application over which you have
complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Check out these tips before you
begin.
Dos
Keep your focus narrow and personal
Your essay must prove a single point or thesis. The reader should be able
to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Ask someone to
read just your introduction to see what he or she thinks your essay is about.
Essays that attempt to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered
down. Remember, it’s not about telling the committee members what
you’ve done—they can pick that up from your list of activities—but about
showing them who you are.
Prove it
Develop your main idea with vivid, specific facts, events, quotations,
examples, and reasons. There’s a big difference between simply stating a
point of view and letting an idea unfold in the details:
■ Okay: I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of backgrounds
and interests.
■ Better: During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a
baseball coach who thinks he’s Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old
lady, and heard more than I ever wanted to know about some woman’s
gallbladder operation.
Be specific
To avoid cliched, generic, and predictable writing, use vivid, specific details.
■ Okay: I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the
love and guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been
as fortunate; therefore, I would like to expand the lives of others.
■ Better: My mom and dad stood on plenty of sidelines until their shoes
filled with water or their fingers started to freeze or somebody’s golden
retriever signed its name on their coats in mud. I think that kind of
commitment is what I’d like to bring to working with fourth graders.
DON’Ts
Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear
Most admissions officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their
university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in
being a doctor. Bring something new to the table, not just what you think
they want to hear.
Don’t write a résumé
Don’t include information that is found elsewhere in the application. Your
essay will end up sounding like an autobiography, travelogue, or laundry
list. Yawn.
■ Overloaded: During my junior year, I played first singles on the tennis
team, served on the student council, maintained a B+ average, traveled to
France, and worked at a cheese factory.
Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do
Eliminate unnecessary words.
■ Okay: Over the years, it has been pointed out to me by my parents,
friends, and teachers—and I have even noticed this about myself, as well—
that I am not the neatest person in the world.
■ Better: I’m a slob.
Don’t forget to proofread
Typos and spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as
carelessness or just bad writing. Don’t rely on your computer’s spellchecker. It can miss spelling errors like the ones below.
■ After I graduate form high school, I plan to work for a nonprofit
organization during the summer.
■ From that day on, Daniel was my best fried.
Name_________________________________
Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire
(You may use the back if needed)
It is important to have insight into students when someone writes a letter of recommendation.
Please write a brief paragraph on each of the following statements, Address your response to
comments other than academic areas. Turn this form into the person you are asking to write a
letter for you.
1. What three adjectives best describe you .
2. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
3. List your school activities and tell how you have benefited or what you have gained from these
activities.
4. Describe your leadership experiences or community service and how you have influenced
others, or made this a better place.
5. List any special awards or recognition you have received.
6. List any special interests, hobbies or talents and describe how you develop them.
7. Describe your future goals. ( include career and post secondary education).
Financial Aid
With the rising cost of colleges for both 2 year schools and 4 year schools,
financial aid has become a big issue. Searching for financial aid can be a
long and tedious process. Student financial aid is any financial support
provided specifically to help meet the cost of post secondary education.
Financial aid can come from a variety of sources; the federal government,
the state government, private organizations, colleges, and lending agencies
all have funds for college. Financial aid us usually in the form of grants,
scholarships, work study, or loans.
Most colleges will require that you file a Free Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
application. You need to go online and get a pin number at
www.pin.ed.gov. To fill out the application, go to the web site
www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can file it anytime after January 1st. Federal
financial aid is based on the cost of your education, your family size and
income, and the number of family members presently in college.
Additional information is located at the end of this guide. Also the following
web sites may be helpful:
http://profileonline.chbreston.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/students
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.finaid.org
www.nasfaa.org
Twelve Myths About Paying For College
Billions of dollars in financial aid are available to those who need help paying for college.
Yet a lot of misinformation clouds the facts about what type of aid is available and who is
eligible. Here are some myths dispelled for those confronting the process of securing
financial aid.
College is just too expensive for our family
■ Despite the media hype, a college education is more affordable than most people think,
especially when you consider that college graduates earn an average of $1 million more
over the span of their careers than high school graduates. The average yearly tuition at a
four-year public college in 2006–2007 was just $5,836. There are some expensive schools,
but high tuition is not a requirement for a good education.
There’s less aid available than there used to be
■ In fact, student financial aid in 2006–2007 rose to a record level of $135 billion. Most
students receive some form of aid. Less of this aid now comes in the form of grants,
however; most aid is awarded through low-interest loans or institutional and other grants.
You should carefully consider the financing packages you’ve been offered by each college
to determine which makes the most financial sense.
My family’s income is too high to qualify for aid
■ Aid is intended to make a college education available for students of families in many
financial situations. College financial aid administrators often take into account not only
income but also other family members in college, home mortgage costs, and other factors.
Aid is awarded to many families with incomes they thought would disqualify them.
My parents saved for college, so we won’t qualify for aid
■ Saving for college is always a good idea. Since most financial aid comes in the form of
loans, the aid you are likely to receive will need to be repaid. Tucking away money could
mean that you have fewer loans to repay, and it won’t make you ineligible for aid if you need
it. A family’s share of college costs is based mostly on income, not assets such as savings.
I’m not a straight-A student, so I won’t get aid
■ It’s true that many scholarships reward merit, but most federal aid is based on financial
need and does not even consider grades.
If I apply for a loan, I have to take it
■ Families are not obligated to accept a low-interest loan if it is awarded to them. One
financial aid administrator recommends applying for aid and comparing the loan awards
with other debt instruments and assets to determine the best financial deal. 17
Working will hurt my academic success
■ Students who attempt to juggle full-time work and full-time studies do struggle. But
research shows that students who work a moderate amount often do better academically.
Securing an on-campus job related to career goals is a good way for you to help pay
college costs, get experience, and create ties with the university.
Millions of dollars in scholarships go unused every year
■ Professional scholarship search services often tout this statistic. In fact, most unclaimed
money is slated for a few eligible candidates, such as employees of a specific corporation or
members of a certain organization. Most financial aid comes from the federal government,
although it is a good idea to research nonfederal sources of aid.
My folks will have to sell their house to pay for college
■ Home value is not considered in calculations for federal aid. Colleges may take home
equity into account when determining how much you are expected to contribute to college
costs, but income is a far greater factor in this determination. No college will expect your
parents to sell their house to pay for your education.
I should live at home to cut costs
■ It’s wise to study every avenue for reducing college costs, but living at home may not be
the best way. Be sure to consider commuting and parking costs when you do this
calculation. Living on campus may create more opportunities for work and other benefits.
Private schools are out of reach for my family
■ Experts recommend deferring cost considerations until late in the college selection
process. Your most important consideration is to find a school that meets your academic,
career, and personal needs. In fact, you might have a better chance of receiving aid from a
private school. Private colleges often offer more financial aid to attract students from every
income level. Higher college expenses also mean a better chance of demonstrating
financial need.
We can negotiate a better deal
■ Many colleges will be sensitive to a family’s specific financial situation, especially if certain
nondiscretionary costs, such as unusually high medical bills, have been overlooked. But
most colleges adhere to specific financial aid award guidelines and will not adjust an award
for a family that feels it got a better deal at another school. 18
Applying for Scholarships
Even though most applications will not be filled out until senior year, it is
important to begin thinking about scholarships long before then. There are some
scholarships for which you apply during your Junior year, including National Merit
Scholarships and U.S. Service Academies (West Point, etc). There are also
scholarships you can win through academic contests, FFA, and other organizations,
science fairs, essay and poster contests, summer academies, and other programs
which are open to students in grade 9-12.
The choices you make and the activities you choose will have great impact on
your scholarship opportunities. Colleges are interested in more than just grades and test
scores. They look for students who are involved in school clubs and activities, and who
make a contribution to their school and community in some way. If you plan to go to
college, seek out organizations to join and consider running for office. While building a
better resume or application, you may find others with interests similar to yours, and
probably have more fun while you are finishing high school.
In addition to scholarships, there are some very important sources of funding that
every student should check into:
Pell Grants
Pell Grants are the most common form of federal aid. The grants are need based. The money is
provided by the federal government, and the grants are awarded by schools. The Federal Pell
Grant program awards money to eligible students based on the results of the student's FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Unlike a loan, a Pell Grant doesn't have to be repaid.
For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be
added. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a
bachelor's degree or a professional degree. (A professional degree is more advanced than a
bachelor's degree. A student might earn a professional degree in fields such as dentistry,
pharmacy, medicine, or law.) In some cases, you might receive a Pell Grant for attending a post
baccalaureate teacher certification program. To determine if you're eligible financially, the U.S.
Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the
information you report when you submit your FAFSA. The formula produces an Expected
Family Contribution (EFC) number. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) tells you your EFC, and it
will also tell you if you're financially eligible to receive a Pell Grant award. For the 2006-2007
school year, students had to have an EFC of 3850 or less to be eligible for a Pell Grant award.
You'll receive your SAR by e-mail if you list an e-mail address on your FAFSA. If you do not list
an e-mail address, a paper copy will be sent to you by mail. If you submit your FAFSA online
and provide an e-mail address, you should receive your SAR within 2-3 weeks. If you submit a
paper FAFSA and do not provide an e-mail address, it may take 6 weeks to receive your SAR
by mail. 19
OTAG (Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant)
Application is made through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
available through high school counselors, the financial aid office at the college you are planning
to attend, or at http://www.fafsa.gov/. For best consideration, you should complete and submit
the FAFSA to the federal student aid application system as soon as possible after Jan. 1. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. Typically, OTAG receives more eligible applications than can
be awarded with available funds, and how early a student applies can be the deciding factor in
whether that student is offered an OTAG award.
Oklahoma’s Promise-OHLAP (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program
Is a scholarship program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education. You must sign up by the end of 10th Grade and meet certain GPA, course, and
family income requirements to qualify. You must also avoid alcohol and drugs, attendance
problems, and behavior problems during high school. See your counselor or go to
www.OKPromise.org
For more scholarships please visit the Piedmont Counselor’s Corner website at:
www.piedmontschools.org/schools/piedmont-high-school/high-school-staff/counselor-s-corner/
Myths About Financial Aid
“I’m not going to bother filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
because …”
“… my parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.”
Reality: There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors
besides income— from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are
taken into account. Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your
parents’ income alone. And remember: when you fill out the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSASM), you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state,
and possibly from your school as well. In fact, some schools won’t even consider you for
any of their scholarships (including academic scholarships) until you’ve submitted a
FAFSA. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get—fill out the application and find
out.
“… only students with good grades get financial aid.”
Reality: While a high grade point average will help a student get into a good school and
may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not
take a student’s grades into consideration. Provided a student maintains satisfactory
academic progress in his or her program of study, federal student aid will help a student
with an average academic record complete his or her education.
“… you have to be a minority to get financial aid.”
Reality: Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial
need, not on the basis of race. The FAFSA doesn’t even collect this kind of information
about an applicant.
“… the form is too hard to fill out.”
Reality: The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at
www.fafsa.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks
you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help,
you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative. If
you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from
the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from our toll-free number: 1800-4-FED-AID. And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.
So what do I do now?
Go to www.fafsa.gov, fill out the application, and see what you get!
For more information about federal student aid, see www.studentaid.ed.gov or contact
the Federal Student Aid Information Center:
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
TTY: 1-800-730-8913
For inquirers without access to the toll-free number: 319-337-5665
E-mail: studentaid@ed.gov
Facts about the ACT
The ACT is a national college admission and placement examination.
What percentage of 2011 high school graduates
met all four of ACT's College Readiness
Benchmarks?
How does that compare to past years?
What was the national average ACT composite
score for 2011?
How does that compare to past years?
What is the source of the 2011 ACT national
average?
What is the highest possible ACT score?
What percentage of 2011 graduates who took
the ACT scored 36?
What subject areas do the ACT questions cover?
How many questions are asked?
When was the ACT first administered?
In how many states is the ACT administered?
25%
It is the same as last year, which
was up by one point for the third
straight year.
21.1
It is unchanged from 2011.
The scores of all ACT-tested 2012
high school graduates (more than
1.6 million students)
36
Less than one-tenth of 1 percent
English, mathematics, reading,
science, and writing (optional)
English: 75
Mathematics: 60
Reading: 40
Science: 40
Total: 215
Fall 1959
50
Since when has the ACT been a 50-state exam?
1960
In how many states do more than 50 percent of
high school graduates take the ACT?
27
At what U.S. colleges and universities are ACT
scores accepted?
Can students with disabilities take the ACT?
Can students take the ACT outside the 50 United
States?
All of them
Yes
Yes
Other Frequently Asked Questions about the ACT
How much does it cost to take the ACT?
The 2011–2012 basic registration fee is $35.00, which includes score reports for up to four
college choices. The basic registration fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $50.50.
How long does the test take?
Just over 4 hours for the ACT without the Writing Test, including administration instructions
and breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes, broken down as follows:
English: 45 minutes
Math: 60 minutes
Reading: 35 minutes
Science: 35 minutes
The ACT Writing Test adds 30 minutes to the testing time.
When are the test dates?
In the U.S., U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada, the ACT is administered on six
national test dates: in September, October, December, February, April, and June.
Internationally, the ACT is administered on all test dates except September.
How do students benefit from taking the ACT?
 The ACT is universally accepted for college admission.
 The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the
questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high
school courses in English, mathematics, and science. Because the ACT tests are
based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more
comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with
narrower content.
 The ACT is more than a test. The ACT also provides test takers with a unique interest
inventory that provides valuable information for career and educational planning and
a student profile section that provides a comprehensive profile of a student's work in
high school and his or her future plans.
 The ACT is a good value. As a private, not-for-profit organization governed by
educators, ACT is committed to providing services at the lowest possible cost.
Accordingly, the ACT provides a comprehensive package of educational assessment
and career planning services for college-bound students at a fee that is lower than
the fee for the competing admission test.
How often can students take the ACT?
A student may take the ACT no more than twelve (12) times total and only once per
national test date. Many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a
senior.
Does it help to take the ACT more than once?
ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once:
 57% increased their composite score on the retest
 21% had no change in their composite score on the retest
 22% decreased their composite score on the retest
2011-2012 ACT Test Dates
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Fee Required
September 8, 2012
August 17, 2012
August 18 – 24, 2012
October 27, 2012
September 21, 2012
September 22 – October 5, 2012
December 8, 2012
November 2, 2012
November 3 – 16, 2012
February 9, 2013*
January 11, 2013
January 12 – 18, 2013
April 13, 2013
March 8, 2013
March 9 – 22, 2013
June 8, 2013
May 3, 2013
May 4 – 17, 2013
SAT®
About the SAT
Get ready to take the SAT!
Nearly every college in America accepts the SAT or Subject Tests as a part of its admissions
process. That's why more than two million students take the SAT every year.
Learn more about the SAT Reasoning test and SAT Subject Tests, register online, and view and
send your SAT scores.
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic
success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you
learned in school that you'll need in college. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 with
two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered 7 times a year in the
U.S. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.
Register Online for the SAT.
Online registration requires Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.
View and Send Scores
To view or send your scores on the Web, click the View and Send Scores button and sign in to visit your
SAT Registration and Scores page. You must have a user name and password to use this feature.
SAT Question Types
The SAT includes a Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing section, with a specific number of
questions related to content.
Test Order
The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing
section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as
can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may
have test books with entirely different sections.
The Unscored Section
In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This
unscored section may be either a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This
unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future
editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on
earlier editions of the test.
Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200—800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice
and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S. For online sample questions and
preparation materials, visit the SAT Preparation Center.
The Writing Section
Overview
Time
60
min.
Content
Item Types
Grammar, usage, and word
choice
Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and studentwritten essay (25 min.)
Score
200800
The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay.
Short Essay






The short essay measures your ability to: Organize and express ideas clearly ,develop and
support the main idea, and use appropriate word choice and sentence structure
You'll be asked to develop a point of a view on an issue, using reasoning and evidence — based
on your own experiences, readings, or observations — to support your ideas.
The essay will be scored by trained high school and college teachers. Each reader will give the
essay a score from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the overall quality of the essay and
your demonstration of writing competence.
Get more information about the essay:
Sample Essay Question
Essay Scoring Guide
Multiple-Choice
The multiple-choice writing questions measure your ability to: Improve sentences and paragraphs, and
identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word
usage, and wordiness)
Try multiple-choice questions
The Mathematics Section
Overview
Time
70 min. (two 25-min. sections
and one 20-min. section)
Content
Item Types
Number and operations; algebra and functions;
geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis
Five-choice multiple-choice questions
and student-produced responses
Score
200800
The SAT includes mathematics topics from up through a third-year college preparatory course, such as
exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation. It also places emphasis on such topics as
linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines. Important skills such as
estimation and number sense are measured through the multiple-choice and student response (grid-in)
questions (formerly measured in the quantitative comparison format).
Can I use a calculator?
Yes. Students can use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. The College Board recommends
that students use a calculator at least at the scientific level for the SAT, although it's still possible to solve
every question without a calculator.
The Math Section has two types of questions:
Multiple Choice
Student-Produced Response Questions
The Critical Reading Section
Overview
Time
70 min. (two 25-min. sections
and one 20-min. section)
Content
Critical reading and
sentence-level reading
Item Types
Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and
paragraph-length critical reading
Score
200800
The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short reading passages along
with the existing long reading passages. Analogies have been eliminated, but sentence-completion
questions and passage-based reading questions remain.
The Critical Reading Section measures:
Sentence completions and passage-based reading
Test Dates
October 6, 2012
November 3, 2012
December 1, 2012
January 26, 2013
March 9, 2013
May 4, 2013
June 1, 2013
Tests
SAT & Subject Tests
SAT & Subject Tests
SAT & Subject Tests
SAT & Subject Tests
SAT only
SAT & Subject Tests
SAT & Subject Tests
Regular Deadline
September 7, 2012
October 4, 2012
November 1, 2012
December 28, 2012
February 8, 2013
April 5, 2013
May 2, 2013
Late Fee Deadline
September 21, 2012
October 19, 2012
November 16, 2012
January 11, 2013
February 22, 2013
April 19, 2013
May 17, 2013