CLASS OF 2016
Getting Prepared for a Successful Senior Year
TO DISCUSS:
 Junior/Senior Year
 Post High School Options
 College Planning
 College Application Process
 Question & Answer
Junior Year So Far
Your Student should:
• Have received a Transcript,
Graduation Review & Road to
Graduation Sheet.
• If you would like a copy of
your student’s graduation
review sheet, simply fill out a
request form on the table.
• Have taken the SAT/ACT.
• Have visited a couple of
Colleges & Universities.
In May
• Junior Presentations: Preparing
for Senior Year
• Courses, Senior Service
Hours, Scholarships,
Resumes, & NCAA
eligibility.
Importance of a Strong Senior Year Schedule
 Scheduling presentations started in
February.
 Online course scheduling at the end of
April/beginning of May.
 Students should choose appropriately
challenging courses.
 Review the Career Clusters on pages 1635 in the PHS Program of Studies
booklet to help in selecting your senior
year courses.
 Flex scheduling is available for students.
 Colleges will examine grades throughout
the senior year.
Making Post High School Decisions is A Process
 Keep the student’s information private
 Every student and family will be in a different place
at a different time.
 DO NOT get caught up in the frenzy of what others
are doing.
 Trust that it will all work out.
Post High School Options
 Community Colleges (2 Year
Colleges)
 Four Year Colleges and Universities
 Apprenticeship Training Programs
 Employment
 Military
 Technical/Vocational Schools
 Post Graduate Year
Tonight we will focus on the college
planning process.
What are Colleges Looking At?
 Grades in academic classes all four
years.
 Strength of curriculum
 Standardized test scores
 Grades in all other courses
 Essay or writing sample
 Work/Extracurricular activities
 Class Rank
 Counselor recommendation
 Teacher recommendation
 Student’s demonstrated interest
 Interview/Audition (if required)
 Diversity (geographic/ethnicity)
 Legacy/Alumni
 Special Talent (art/music/athletics)
College Selection Criteria
Name of the College
Organizational Chart for College Search
College/University
Location
Size
Price
Type of
Admission
Standardized
Test
Requirements
Average
GPA
Average
ACT/SAT
Scores
Notes
Rank Your
Choices
Take Campus Visits
 Contact the college admissions office or check the college website to arrange a meeting.
 Students are allowed excused college visits. (2 visits for juniors. 3 visits for seniors)
 When you visit, make sure:
-Go with the student
-Talk with someone in admissions & financial aid.
-Talk with students and faculty
-Sit in on a class
-Take a campus tour
-Stay overnight, if possible
-Check out dorms, library, student activity center, etc.
-Have a meal on campus
-Find out about campus activities, sports and organizations
What Will the Colleges Want?
 Completed application
 Application Fee (if applicable)
 High School Transcript
 Depth of the Transcript, Class Rank & GPA
 ACT/SAT Scores (You must send scores directly from the test centers)
 Extracurricular Activities/Leadership Positions/Work Experience
 Create a resume of your accomplishments.
 Teacher Recommendations
 Make sure you understand how many they want and if they require a specific form.
 Essay(s) if required
 A Personal Interview (if applicable)
 Mid-Year report (if required)
 Final Senior Year Transcript
Admission Deadlines
 Rolling Admission: no specific deadline. Recommended to submit
applications in the fall.
 Regular Decision: Most students are notified of their acceptance/rejection in
the spring.
 Early Action: non-binding. Can apply to more than one school. Early action
allows a student to be eligible for a number of scholarships, grants and etc.
Most applications are due November 1st. (ideal for students that are not
planning to retake the ACT due to having an ACT score of 26 and above
 Restrictive Early Action: non-binding application to one school only.
 Early Decision: binding contract and commitment to one school only. Most
applications are due in November with decisions rendered in December. If
the student is accepted, they are committed to paying for the 1st semester
of school especially if they choose not to attend that college/university.
Applying for College
 We recommend most students apply to
4-6 colleges.
 Ensure student’s list is balanced
including target choices and at least 2
likely choices.
 Check with the admission offices and
school websites for information on what
you need to apply.
 Check all application deadlines.
 Begin applications with the earliest
deadline first.
 Apply through the school’s website or
the Common Application website.
What is the Common Application (Common App)?
 Good News:
 The Common Application simplifies the college admission process by saving time and
eliminating duplication of effort on multiple college applications. This allows students to
spend less time on the busywork of applying for college admissions, and more time on
what’s really important: college research, campus visits, essay writing, and senior year
coursework.
 Over 500 colleges use this application nationally.
 Bad News:
 Currently, only 18 colleges in Oho use the Common Application (this list could grow).
 These Colleges include: Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University,
College of Wooster, Denison University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon
College, Marietta College, Miami University, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University,
Otterbein University, The Ohio State University, The University of Findlay, University of
Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Wittenberg University, and Xavier University.
https://www.commonapp.org/Login
The 2015-2016 Common App Writing Prompts are Listed Below
1.
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful
they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you,
then please share your story.
2.
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an
incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did
you learn from the experience?
3.
Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4.
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an
intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of
personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what
steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5.
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Requesting a Transcript: Parchment & Paper Request
Parchment: Subject to Change
 Paper Request
 Schools, universities, and other issuers
provide verified credentials
electronically, instead of paper.
 The transcript paper request form must
be completed and returned with $2 to
your counselor before a transcript of
your grades and test scores will be sent.
 Create an account on
www.parchment.com.
 Complete a form each time you wish a
transcript to be sent.
 You collect and manage your credentials
in a central online profile where you can  Seniors will need to submit a form so
send and share them anytime.
that your student’s final grades can be
mailed at graduation time.
 Admission offices, employers and
licensing boards can more efficiently
and securely process credentials.
 Transcript Cost: $2.00
Two Week Protocol
 Check student portals (if available)
 If there is no portal or if something is shown as missing,
call the admissions office.
 If an email is received from the school with missing
materials, call the admission office to verify materials
that are missing.
 See your counselor with any questions.
Remember: This is the student’s responsibility,
NOT THE PARENTS.
College
Application
Deadline
Receipt of
Materials
2 Weeks after
Deadline
College Entrance Exams: Retake/Take the ACT/SAT
Apply Online:
ACT
http://www.actstudent.org/
SAT
http://www.collegeboard.com/
**If you are on Free/Reduced Lunch, you
can have your fees waived. Students are
allowed a total of 2 waivers total. See
your counselor. Make sure you send
your test scores to four colleges.
Otherwise, you have to pay a fee to have
them sent.**
SAT vs. ACT
SAT
 ACT
 Assesses skills and application of
knowledge
 Curriculum based tests with an optional
writing section
 3 hours and 45 minutes
 3 hours and 25 minutes (includes writing)
 Critical Reading, Math and Writing
 English, Reading, Math and Science
Reasoning
 Focuses on vocabulary and includes
math up through Algebra 2
 (Optional writing recommended)
 Penalty for wrong answers.
 Concentrates on grammar, syntax and
punctuation and includes some pre-calculus
 200-800 per section and 2400 is the
highest possible combined score
 No penalty for wrong answers.
 The questions are easiest to hardest.
 1-36 per section and 36 is the highest
possible composite score
 Random difficulty in questions.
SAT TEST DATES
ACT TEST DATES
 May 2, 2015
 April 18, 2015
 June 6, 2015
 June 13, 2015
 October 3, 2015
 September 12, 2015
 November 7, 2015
 October 24, 2015
 December 5, 2015
 December 12, 2015
What Scores Are Colleges Looking For?
Highly Selective
Top 10% of Class
ACT=27-36
SAT=1220-1600
Selective
Top 25% of Class
ACT=22-27
SAT=1150-1230
Traditional
Top 50% of Class
ACT=20-23
SAT=950-1070
Liberal
Many accepted from
lower half
ACT=18-21
SAT=870-990
Open
All accepted to limit of
capacity
ACT=17-20
SAT=830-950
(The Ohio State University, Case
Western, Denison University)
(Univ. of Dayton, Ohio Northern
University, Univ of Cincinnati)
(Bowling Green, Kent State
(Wright State, Univ. of Toledo)
(Edison, Sinclair)
Apply to the NCAA Clearinghouse or the NAIA Clearinghouse
 Students should register with the
Clearinghouse, if they plan to play NCAA
Division I, II or NAIA sports in college
 Provide your counselor with a preliminary
transcript request and $2.00.
 When you take the ACT, have your scores
sent directly to the Clearinghouse by
filling in their code under the
colleges/scholarship box.
 The code for NCAA is 9999.
9876.
The NAIA is
 http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EM
S/NCAA.jsp
 http://www.playnaia.org/
College & Career Day: College Panel for the Class of 2016
 Fall 2015
 College Panel:
 Several college admission counselors will
discuss the admissions process in general
not specifically about their own
institutions.
 Alumni Panel:
 Will give seniors the opportunity to hear
college experiences and advice from recent
PHS graduates who are currently in
college.
What Should Students Do Now?
 Begin/Continue taking a more serious look at colleges and universities. Make a file
for each college in which your student is interested and gather information about academics,
financial aid, and campus life. Go to college fairs and open houses and learn as much as you
can about the college online.
 Begin/Continue planning college visits. Try to visit colleges near you and include a
large, medium and small size campus. Use the Organizational Chart to keep track of the
colleges/universities you visit.
 Develop a preliminary list of colleges that interest your student.
 Consider having your student think about lining up a summer job or internship.
 Create/edit email address. (Make it appropriate).
 Monitor social media accounts. (Keep it appropriate).
What Should Students Do Now?
May/Summer:
 Take a look at some college applications and consider all of the different pieces of
information you will need to compile. Most 2016-2017 applications may not be
available until August/September 2015.
 Make a list of teachers, counselors, employers and other adults whom your
student might ask to write letters of recommendations for your college applications.
 Create/edit resume and/or activity list.
 Understand the academic requirements that need to be met to get into that
particular university/college.
 Have your students set up their Common Application account. This will allow them
to practice the essay questions.
Teacher Recommendations
Counselor Recommendations
Not Every College Requires Letters of Recommendation!
 Schools are most interested in seeing
letters from teachers of core subjects”
 Math; Science; Social Studies;
Communications and World Language.
 Whatever major your student is considering it
would be ideal to obtain a teacher
recommendation from that subject area.
(Example: If your student is majoring in music,
then a Music teacher would be an ideal
choice to write a recommendation.
 Students should not ask more than 2-3
teachers to write a recommendation.
 Leave at least 2 weeks for the letters of
recommendations and transcripts
requested to be processed.
 Some colleges require a counselor
recommendation.
 Complete the “Counselor
Recommendation” sheet located in the
guidance office if you have not done so
already.
 Allow plenty of time…
 Good letters require considerable time
and effort and you don’t want to rush a
person that is trying to help you.
Senior Service Hours
 The purpose of Senior Service Hours is to provide the student and community a
shared experience, greater awareness of community harmony and humanitarian
service.
 Each graduating Senior is expected to complete a total of 6 Senior Service
Hours.
 The hours can be earned by students participating in Volunteer Work, Public Service
and Personal Growth (beyond the school day- non-school related service to the
community emphasized).
 Possible Volunteer Facilities include: YMCA, YWCA, Local Church
Groups/Organizations, Flesh Public Library, Edison Community College, City of
Piqua, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Piqua City Schools, Career Mentoring, C.P.R.
Training, Life Saving, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Helping the Elderly, Heritage Festival,
Kiwanis Pancake Days and other approved options.
 Community Service Validation sheets are available in the Guidance Office. As
students complete their hours, they must complete the form and have it signed by
the organization they are doing their service work for.
The Road to 2016: Senior Year Happenings
 Fall




Senior Parent Coffee (parents & counselor)
English Classroom Presentation (students & counselor)
College Application Workshop for Students (students & counselor)
College and Career Day
 College Panel (college bound juniors during College & Career Day)
 Financial Aid Night in November (parents & students)
 Winter
 Financial Aid Classroom Presentations (students & counselor)
 College Goal Sunday at Edison (parents & students)
 Spring
 Graduation
Parent Do’s and Don’ts
DO’s:
Don’ts:
 Support your student by diminishing
stress.
 Do not let the college process overtake
your life.
 Help your student stay organized.
 Do not discuss college everyday.
 Keep test scores and GPAs private.
 Do not believe everything you hear from
others regarding college admission.
 Visit Colleges/Universities with your
student.
 Remember to “help,” not “do” everything
for your student.
 Attend the Parent Coffee in the fall to if
you need a refresher of tonight’s
presentation.
 Do not forget that your students are
teenagers.
Watch Out for Deadlines!
 November 1: Early Decision/Action Deadlines
 December/January/February: Most Application Deadlines
Be aware of deadlines. Colleges will not make exceptions for late applications.
 March 1: FAFSA must be completed.
 April: Financial aid packages are sent out.
 May 1: National Notification Deadline
 (Public Ohio Colleges/Universities)
 http://www.opuac.org/pdf/thinkpublic.pdf
 (Private Ohio Colleges/Universities)
 http://www.aicuo.edu/docs2/Counselors%20Guide%20with%20Cover%202013%2014.pdf
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT
November 2015
6:00/7:00 PM
PHS Library
Search and Apply for Scholarships
 Scholarships are free money, so
apply for as many as you can!
Check the high school website for
the latest scholarship listings.
 http://www.piqua.org/Scholarships.
aspx
 Contact financial aid offices for
school-specific scholarships.
 Watch deadlines!
 Be aware of scams. You don’t have
to pay to find money.
How Can I Help My Student?
 Be the voice of reason and offer support during this process.
 Keep all of your student’s information private.
 Help your child to be organized:




Schedule college visits
Keep track of deadlines
Send test scores to colleges
Confirm all materials have been received.
 Assist your student in filling out paperwork.
 Encourage your student to continue to meet with his/her school counselor.
Pick Your College
 You should receive acceptance letters
by mid-April.
 Accept your college’s admission and
financial aid offers by the deadlines
noted.
 Send deposits and sign all paperwork.
 Contact and decline the award offers
from the colleges you do not plan to
attend.
REMIND 101
Or to receive messages via email, send
an email to piqua2016@mail.remind.com.