Senior College
Application Night
Purpose
To provide you with resources to support
your college search (Naviance).
To make you more comfortable with the
college application process.
To make you aware of possible scholarship
opportunities.
To help you make an informed decision.
Key Points
Student, parent, counselor, teacher, etc.
need to work together.
 College preference is individual to every
person.
 Be prepared, thorough, and organized.
 Think outside the box.
 Be Realistic with your expectations.

Elder Guidance Web
www.elderhs.org/guidanceweb
Naviance
Test Dates
*Most colleges require the ACT and/or SAT
SAT
Test Date:
Register By:
Saturday, November 5, 2011
October 7, 2011
Test given at Elder
Saturday, December 3, 2011
November 8, 2011
ACT
Test Date:
Register By:
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Late Registration:
by Friday, Sept. 30, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
November 4, 2011
Research
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Review the information you receive in the mail.
Research colleges, careers, scholarships, and
financial aid via the internet, library, phone calls,
etc.
Attend a College Fair. Upcoming College Fairs
are listed on Naviance.
Visit a campus! No School for seniors: Oct. 12, &
Nov. 28 & 29.
Talk to family members/friends/teachers about
the college they attended.
Your Short List

Rank the schools in which you are
interested on criteria important to you:
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Availability of Financial Aid
Graduation rate
Student/Faculty Ratio
Extracurricular opportunities
Safety
Academic Support Services
Career Services
Degrees of Selectivity

Open Admissions: these schools require a
HS diploma and admit students on a first
come, first serve basis. Community
colleges and some state colleges have
open admissions. (Cincinnati State and
Wright State University are examples)
Degrees of Selectivity


Selective: these schools consider your
coursework, grades, test scores, essays and
recommendations. They are usually looking for
the well-rounded student.
Very Selective: they receive many applications
for each spot available. They look carefully at
every aspect of your high school experience.
They also have a “class profile” that may change
from year to year.
Divide you short list
Safety schools: your academic credentials
fall above the school’s mid 50% range.
You have a 90-100% chance of
admission.
 Match schools: your academic credentials
fall within or exceed the school’s mid 50%
range. You have a 75% chance of
admission

Divide Your Short List

Reach Schools: your academic credentials
fall below the mid 50% range. There is no
guarantee of admission, but it is
reasonable to apply. 50% chance.
Al T. Iora ( a typical student)
Al has a 3.0 GPA, has taken CP1 classes,
an ACT score of 23. He played soccer as
a freshman and sophomore and has
participated in some community service.
 He has narrowed his list to: Ball State,
BGSU, Wright State, OSU, UC, UD,
Transylvania, and Kenyon

School
ACT
range
Range
AVG
SAT
range
SAT
AVG GPA%%
GPA
admitted
admitted
Ball
State
20-24
1065
65
M
BGSU
19-25
80
M
OSU
26-30
62
R
Kenyon
28-32
UC
22-27
1135
UD
24-27
1120
Transyl
vania
24-29
3.17
1235
3.8
3.6
40
67
M
78
R
84
R
G.O. Elder (above avg. student)
George has a 3.75 GPA, has taken
Honors and AP classes, has a 30 ACT
and 1350 SAT. He has served on Student
Council, played baseball as a freshman
and sophomore, and is in the Glee Club.
 He has narrowed his list to: Butler, Centre,
UVA, OSU, ND, Kenyon and Transylvania

School
ACT
Range
AVG
SAT
AVG
GPA
%
Admitted
Butler
25-30
1150
3.7
73
M
Centre
26-31
1265
3.7
74
M
OSU
26-30
1235
62
M
Notre
Dame
31-34
1415
29
R
UVA
28-32
1335
32
M
Kenyon
28-32
40
M
Transyl
vania
24-29
84
S
3.8
Applications: Schools
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Typically students apply to 3-5 schools (you
should apply to more than one school)
Be Realistic
Apply to a variety of schools (possibly including
a “reach” and a “safety” school)
Be prepared when sitting down to complete
applications (ex. list of extra-curricular activities,
current class schedule, social security number,
GPA, Class Rank, etc.)
Sign up to attend a college representative visit.
When Do I Apply?

Check the dates!!!
 Each

school has their own set of deadlines
What are the different types of deadlines?
 Early
Decision – generally a BINDING agreement of
attendance between student and school
 Early
Action – students apply early to learn of
acceptance/denial early
 Priority
– generally an earlier date than the regular deadline
and could include scholarship application
– last opportunity to apply
 Rolling – applications are accepted until school begins
 Regular
How Do I Apply?
College Application Process
IN 3 EASY STEPS

Complete the college application

Complete a Transcript Request (use Naviance) – your transcript will not be sent if
you have not completed the signature sheet and paid the $10 Transcript Fee.

Turn in materials that need to be sent with the transcript to your
counselor. These items could include (but are not limited to): Counselor Form/Secondary
School Report/Counselor Information Form, Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Resume, etc.
Applications: Transcript
A transcript is a list of all the courses your son has taken, along
with the final grade he earned, and the number of credits received
for each course.
Also included on the transcript are:
GPA
Class Rank (weighted and unweighted)
Attendance
With the transcript we send:
Standardized Test Scores (HSPT, OGT, PSAT, PLAN, SAT,
ACT)
School Profile
Any other documents you would like us to send
Name, Address,
Phone, Parents,
Birthdate, etc.
GPA/Rank
Credits
Course
Listing for
each year
Attendance
Applications: Test Scores
Test Scores


Make sure your test scores (SAT/ACT) are
sent to the college(s) to which you are
applying (especially Ohio State, Miami
University, and University of Cincinnati)
Elder High School Code: 360-990
Items you might need….
Resume


Take your time and proof-read!
Templates are available in Word or create your own outline
Letters of Recommendation
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How many do you need? No more than 2 (unless number is
specified)!
Get a GOOD recommendation.
ADVANCE NOTICE!!! Plan on providing 2 weeks.
Helpful templates are available in the GRC
Essay


Take your time and proofread!
It would be helpful to write it in a word processing program first
and then “copy and paste” into the space on the online
application.
YOU DO NOT ALWAYS NEED THESE ITEMS!
CHECK THE APPLICATION CAREFULLY!
Applications: After submission


Expect to wait at least 4-8 weeks to receive a decision.
Some schools have a specified decision date.
What does it mean to be:
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
Accepted – You’re In!
Denied – You are not accepted into the school
Put on Hold – Generally means school is missing information
Asked for a 7th Semester Transcript – School needs more
information to make a decision
Waiting List – You are still being considered but cannot be
offered admission at the present time
What is special about May 1st?

This is the date when a student must notify the college(s) of their
acceptance or denial.
NCAA
If you are going to play a sport at a Div. I or Div. II college
you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse!
 Complete the Registration Process
(visit www.eligibilitycenter.org)
 Check your account frequently to make sure you have
completed all required forms
 What are the requirements for the Clearinghouse?

Specific classes in specific areas
 Sliding GPA/Test Score Scale
IF YOU ARE EVEN THINKING ABOUT PLAYING A SPORT AT
THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL…
SEE YOUR COUNSELOR ASAP!
Two Types of Scholarships
1. Institutional Merit-Based Scholarships

These Merit-Based Scholarships may have special applications, deadlines
and criteria.

Check school website for information.
2. Private Scholarships

Private Scholarships are those awards not directly affiliated with a college.
Examples of Merit Based Scholarships

University of Cincinnati
Cincinnatus Scholarships – December 1
 Carl Linder Honors Plus Program – December 1
 Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program – December 1


Miami University
Harrison Scholarship – November 3
 University Merit Awards – February 1
 Miami Access Initiative –February 1

Example of Merit Based Scholarships
Xavier University
St. Francis and Chancellor Scholarships – December 1
 Trustee, Schawe, and Presidential Scholarship – All applications are
considered
 Miguel Pro Scholarship - December 1
 Francis Weninger Scholarship – December 1

University of Dayton

Trustees, Presidents, Deans, and Father Chaminade Award –
December 15
Examples of Merit Based Scholarships

Ohio State
Scholarship –December 1
 Provost Scholarship – December 1
 Maximus

These scholarships are not necessarily an inclusive list of all available merit based
scholarships. Please check the schools web sites or call their financial aid office to
determine other scholarships that might be available and to verify deadline dates.
Searching for Scholarships
Guidance Web Page – Scholarships
 Naviance
 Ohio Career Information System –OCIS

Guidance Web Page
Scholarship Search Engines
 ROTC
 Merit Scholarships
 http://media.elderhs.net/guidanceweb/sch
olarships.htm

Naviance
List of local scholarships received by the
Guidance Department
 Additional Merit Scholarship
 https://succeed.naviance.com/accessdeni
ed.php

OCIS
Username:
ElderHS
Complete a
Financial Aid Sort
Password:
ohiocis03
Develop a Plan to Pay For Your
Education
Direct Cost

Tuition
 Room and Board
Indirect Cost
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Books
Supplies
Transportation
Clothing
Laundry
Entertainment
Recreation
Parking
Financial Aid
1. SOURCES OF MONEY

Parental Contribution

Student’s Own Funds

Scholarships (based on merit and special
talents)

Financial Aid (awarded on basis of
determined financial need)



Grants
Work-Study Programs
Loans
Financial Aid
2.
FINANCIAL NEED

Expected Family Contribution (Determined by
FAFSA: constant)

Cost of Attendance-Expected Family
Contribution=Financial Need
Financial Aid
3. HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE…SUBMIT
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Admission Application
Institutional Financial Aid Application (if applicable)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

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Paper Copy mailed (receive Student Aid Report in 4-6 wks)
FAFSA on the WEB (receive Expected Family Contribution
immediately and an SAR Information Acknowledgement within 2
weeks for your review)

Student Aid Report (SAR) shows the submitted information as well as
the Expected Family Contribution. (Review the SAR for accuracy and
follow instructions to make corrections.)
Financial Aid

Before beginning the online FAFSA apply for
a PIN # at www.pin.ed.gov (it is suggested
that you apply for the PIN NOW!) The PIN will
be e-mailed to you within 1-5 days. Dependent
students should also have their parents apply for
a PIN now so they can electronically sign the
FAFSA. FAFSA online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov
Financial Aid
College Financial Aid
Information Night
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
7:00PM
In the Schaeper Center
Types of Financial Aid
Application Fests
Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 27- Oct. 7
 2:30-3 in the GRC

*Online applications allow you to create an account where
you can save application information as you go. We
don’t expect students to finish an application in one
session.

If this doesn’t work for you just make an
appointment with your Guidance
Counselor.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• September 27-October 7 – Application Fests 2:30-3 in the
GRC
• Sunday, October 2 – National College Fair @ Duke Energy
Center 1-4pm visit www.nationalcollegefairs.org for information
• Tuesday, October 4 – College Fair 2010 @ Miami Hamilton
Gym 6:30-8pm visit www.ham.muohio.edu/collegefair for
information
Elder Guidance
Web Site
www.elderhs.org/guidanceweb