The College Planning Process
at Solon High School
SHS College Counselors:
Mrs. Wendy Dingman
Mr. Rick Nowak
Mrs. Ann Trocchio
Mrs. Kathleen Kinney
Mrs. Anne Johns
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Df-Ho
Hp-Mc
Md-See
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349-6242
349-6243
349-7407
349-7307
349-6241
wendydingman@solonboe.org
ricknowak@solonboe.org
anntrocchio@solonboe.org
kathleenkinney@solonboe.org
annejohns@solonboe.org
SHS College Planning Support Staff:
Mrs. Laura Gordon
Mrs. Valerie Harrell
Secretary
Financial Aid Advisor
Planning for college
1. Think
College Entrance Recommendations
(Minimum)
• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math
(including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
• 3 - 4 years of Science
(including Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• 3 - 4 years of Social Studies
• 2 - 3 years of Foreign Language
• 1 year of fine, applied or performing arts
ACT Results at SHS
Composite Scores
• National Average
• SHS Class of 2014
• SHS Top 10%
21.0
25.3
33.8
SAT Results at SHS
Critical Reading & Math
• National Average
• SHS Class of 2014
• Top 10%
1010
1207
1400-1600
1. Think
2. Consider
College Search on Naviance
3. Compare
3. Compare
3. Compare
4. Apply
www.naviance.com
Student
5. Plan
5. Plan
6. Decide
6. Decide
6. Decide
College is not a prize
to be won . . .
but rather a match
to be found.
Keith Gehres
Associate
Director
Undergraduate
Admissions
The Ohio State
University
Ohio’s Public Universities
• Advantages of attending Ohio’s public
universities:
– Wide variety of academic programs
– Broad range of student life experiences and
opportunities
– Diverse type of institutions to choose from
• Metropolitan, urban, rural, selective, moderately
selective, open, large, medium, small
Ohio’s Public Universities
• Advantages of attending Ohio’s public
universities, cont.
– Broad range of opportunities to participate in
research
– Affordable tuition options
– Financial assistance (merit and need based)
– Ability to transfer credit from community college
Ohio’s Public Universities
• Advantages of attending Ohio’s Public
Universities, cont.
– Opportunities for graduate and professional
studies
– Regional campus options
– Major sports programs
Ohio’s Public Universities
• Admission Completion Requirements:
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www.opuac.org
Application Form (online or hard-copy)
Application Fee (ranges from $60 to no fee)
High School Transcript
ACT/SAT
• The ACT Writing Test is recommended by most of the universities;
required by University of Cincinnati, Miami University, The Ohio
State University and University of Toledo
– Some universities will require:
• Essay
• Recommendation
• College Prep Form
Ohio’s Public Universities
• Recommendations
– Consider college characteristics that are important
to you and your family
– Request information from the university
– Schedule a campus visit
– Apply for admission by the appropriate deadline
– Develop a plan to pay for your education
Private University Education
Andrew Cruse
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission
Case Western Reserve University
Characteristics of Private Universities
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Size; typically smaller universities
Selectivity
Graduation Rates
Geographic Diversity
Values
Liberal Arts
Alumni
Cost/Value
Finding the right fit
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Size of University
Location: city, rural and/or urban area
Academic majors interest
Student involvement
Athletics
Visiting the campus
Internships/job placement
Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities of Ohio (AICUO)
Ohio’s independent institutions include research
universities, traditional liberal arts colleges,
comprehensive universities, single-purpose institutions,
religiously affiliated colleges, and a historically black
university.
There are nearly 50 private institutions in Ohio.
Why is there a difference in price between
public and private institutions?
The cost of providing a higher education is generally the
same at independent colleges and universities as at public
universities.
For example, both types of institutions incur costs associated with
building and maintaining classrooms,
residence halls, computer facilities and libraries; paying faculty
salaries; and providing career and counseling services.
However, private institutions charge a higher price, or tuition,
because they do not receive an educational subsidy from
the state.
Apply to colleges that best fit personal
needs, regardless of price
The ability to pay for a college education is likely to be
an important factor in selecting a college or university.
However, the price of a particular institution should not
prevent a student from applying to the schools of his or
her choice.
Every student should apply to the colleges
that best suit his or her academic, social and personal
needs, regardless of the price, because financial aid
can make it affordable to attend.
Complete the FAFSA.
Ohio’s independent colleges and universities require
prospective students to complete the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To qualify for some state and federal grant and loan programs,
students should complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1
as possible of their senior year.
www.fafsa.gov
Ohio Private Colleges and Universities
• Antioch University Midwest
• Art Academy of Cincinnati
• Ashland University
• Baldwin-Wallace College
• Bluffton University
• Capital University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Cedarville University
• Columbus College of Art & Design
• University of Dayton
• Defiance College
• Denison University
• The University of Findlay
• Franciscan University of Steubenville
• Franklin University
• Good Samaritan College of Nursing
• Heidelberg University
• Hiram College
• John Carroll University
• Kenyon College
• Kettering College
• Lake Erie College
• Lourdes University
• Malone University
• Marietta College
• Mercy College of Ohio
• Mount Carmel College of Nursing
• College of Mount St. Joseph
• University of Mount Union
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University
• Muskingum University
• University of Northwestern Ohio
Ohio Private Colleges and Universities
• Notre Dame College
• Oberlin College
• Ohio Christian University
• Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
• Ohio Dominican University
• Ohio Northern University
• Ohio Wesleyan University
• Otterbein University
• University of Rio Grande
• Tiffin University
• Union Institute & University
• Urbana University
• Ursuline College
• Walsh University
• Wilberforce University
• Wilmington College
• Wittenberg University
• The College of Wooster
• Xavier University
Next Steps
• Continue Your Research
– Guidance Office
– School/Public Library
– Government & Association Websites
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IPEDS – nces.ed.gov/IPEDS
College Navigator – nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
AICUO – www.aicuo.edu
Net price calculator
• Campus Visits
– Open Houses, Campus Tours, Personalized Visits
College is not a prize
to be won . . .
but rather a match
to be found.