Solon High School
The College Application
Process
Information for Seniors
Class of 2012
SHS Guidance Department
Mrs. Dingman
Mr. Nowak
Ms. Bruce
Mr. Washington
Mrs. Johns
A - De
Df - Ho
Hp - Mc
Md - See
Sef - Z
Ms. Rymaz, Guidance Secretary
349-6242
349-6243
349-7407
349-7307
349-6241
wendydingman@solonboe.org
ricknowak@solonboe.org
annbruce@solonboe.org
calvinwashington@solonboe.org
annejohns@solonboe.org
349-7304
carolrymaz@solonboe.org
www.solonschools.org
Senior Appointment for Post-High School Planning
Student Name _______________________________
Date __________
_____ Review TRANSCRIPT & SCORES:
__ GPA, credits toward graduation, OGT, Honors Diploma
__ ACT/SAT: taken
registered for fall
needs to register
__ Record scores on Senior Chart
_____ Discuss PLANS for future:
__ 4-year College
__ 2-year College
__ Work
__ Technical School
__ Military
__ Volunteer Experience/Travel
College List/Ideas: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_____ FORMS: Has student submitted? (all forms available at www.solonschools.org/guidance)
__ Transcript Release Form
__ Student/Parent Questionnaire
__ Updated Resume
_____ Discuss college selection/application PROCESS:
1. APPLY ONLINE
2. GO ONLINE & HAVE SCORES SENT
3. REQUEST REC LETTERS IF NEEDED
4. REQUEST TRANSCRIPT THROUGH GUIDANCE
_____ Provide info about NAVIANCE (SHS college counseling website)
_____ Provide resource info about FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS
_____ Sign up for COLLEGE REP PRESENTATIONS AT SHS
TIMELINE: Counselors encourage students to complete the application process before
Thanksgiving Break. Always allow TWO WEEKS for processing materials through Guidance
before a deadline.
NOTES:
SHS College Planning “TO DO LIST” for SENIORS
1. Register/take the SAT and ACT if you would like to try to raise scores:
- The Solon test site fills up quickly, so register early if you would prefer to test here.
- If you intend to apply to highly-selective colleges, check the websites of the colleges you are considering
to determine if they require/ recommend SATII Subject Tests.
- STUDENTS, SEND YOUR TEST SCORES from the testing companies to the colleges to which you are
applying. Use your ACT and/or SAT accounts online to complete this process.
TEST DATES FOR 2011-2012 School Year
ACT: www.actstudent.org
Test Date
Register by:
September 10*
August 12
October 22
September 16
December 10
November 4
February 11*
January 13
April 14*
March 9
June 9
May 4
SAT I & SAT II: www.collegeboard.com
Test Date
Register by:
October 1
September 9
November 5*
October 7
December 3
November 8
January 28
December 30
March 10*
February 10
May 5
April 6
June 2*
May 8
*tests offered at SHS
Note: No SAT IIs on March 10
2. Submit all required forms: Be sure to complete your section of the forms and follow all directions/guidelines
before giving the forms to the teacher or Guidance Office:
- Complete/submit the “TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM,” and the “STUDENT/PARENT
QUESTIONNAIRES” along with your resume BEFORE we begin to process your college applications.
- Use “REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTER” form to ask teachers for rec letters. Also give
them a copy of your transcript and resume and any evaluation forms required by colleges.
- Use the “COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESSING REQUEST FORM” to have your transcript and
counselor forms sent through Guidance.
*All forms are available online at www.solonschools.org/guidance under Downloadable Handouts.
3. Apply to colleges or other post-secondary choices:
- If you have not yet determined the list of colleges to which you will apply, use the “Website Resources”
section of www.solonschools.org/guidance to do college searches based on your interests/profile. We
recommend www.princetonreview.com. Use the “Downloadable Resources” section on the guidance
website for more information.
- Use the Guidance webpage calendar to find information on college representative visits to SHS, and sign
up to attend their presentations in the fall of your senior year.
- During your senior appointment in September, your counselor will discuss with you your specific college
planning process and give you information about how to submit your applications.
- Visit college campuses: Before you make a final decision on the college you will attend, you should visit
the campus. Go on the college websites and find the “tour/visit campus” icon. May 1st is the nationally
recognized deadline to make your college decision.
- Update/use your account on Naviance to keep track of your college application process.
- Register for a session (7:15-7:30am & 3:00-3:30pm) of the College Seminar Series with SHS Guidance if
you need additional help with any of these topics:
September 28
October 26
“Using the Common Application”
“Reviewing the College Application Process”
December 7
April 11
“Seniors Seeking Scholarships”
“College Decision Time”
4. Explore Financial Aid Resources:
- Parents/seniors may make an appointment through Guidance (349-7304) or contact College Now Greater
Cleveland directly for free assistance with financial planning for college. (216)241-5587 or
www.collegenowgc.org.
- Local scholarship opportunities will be posted on our website and mailed to all seniors in February.
- Use the Guidance webpage for more financial aid resources.
- Call or make an appointment with the financial aid offices at the colleges you are considering.
5. Continue to strive for your academic best :
- College admissions initially look for three main factors: GPA, curriculum and ACT/SAT scores.
- Be sure to earn solid grades in the senior year and take a rigorous course load. Colleges will request
mid-year and final grades in the senior year which could change admission decisions.
Solon High School
College Planning Timeline
for Seniors and their Parents
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
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Go online to the college websites to complete college applications. Guidance begins accepting “College
Application Processing Request Forms” September 1st to send official transcripts, counselor forms and
recommendation letters. Students send ACT/SAT scores to colleges via the testing companies. We
encourage students to submit all application materials by mid-November.
Follow each application’s directions carefully and completely. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of
deadlines and to submit applications materials to the Guidance Office two weeks before due dates.
Be sure to update your contact information on NAVIANCE. Counselors send out all communications to
seniors through NAVIANCE.
Use the “Request for Recommendation Letter” Form when asking teachers for letters of recommendation.
(All forms available at www.solonschools.org/guidance)
Retake the SAT or ACT in the fall if you are trying to raise your scores. Check requirements of the colleges
on your list. Selective colleges may require or recommend SAT II Subject Tests.
Have your essays proofread and revised. Essays should demonstrate your very best efforts and should be
error and typo free.
Attend college representative presentations at SHS. Over 120 colleges visit our high school each year.
Check the guidance web calendar or Naviance often for dates and sign up in Guidance at least a day in
advance to attend. Be sure to pick up a permission form when signing up as students must obtain teacher
permission to miss class to attend a presentation.
Make a list of questions to ask your counselor during your Senior Appointment in September. Counselors will
meet with each senior individually to review post high school plans and the college application process.
Visit serious college choices that you may not have already seen. Interview and stay overnight in a dorm if
possible.
A strong first semester is vital. Some schools will withhold acceptance until completion of the first semester.
This is the year to show real leadership in extracurricular activities.
Contact College Now Greater Cleveland for assistance with financial planning for college.
Go online to view the FAFSA (federal financial aid form) in December and begin to gather preliminary data.
Remember to thank teachers who have written recommendation letters for you.
JANUARY – MARCH
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Complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 st.
Expect to be contacted for an alumni interview by some colleges.
Apply for local scholarships in February/March. A list will be posted online and mailed to all seniors.
APRIL – MAY
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
Review all your acceptances and financial aid awards.
By May 1st, notify all colleges who have accepted you that you will or will not be enrolling. Your enrollment
deposit must be paid by May 1st to the college you plan to attend.
GOOD LUCK!
Remember that the counselors understand that this is a big decision for everyone involved.
We are here to assist both students and parents.
The College Application Process at Solon High School
When submitting college applications to the Guidance Office, use the following guidelines:
 BEFORE submitting any applications, be sure you have already registered on the Naviance
website and you have turned in your Transcript Release Form, Student/Parent Questionnaire, and
Activities Resume to the Guidance Office. Forms available at www.solonschools.org/guidance
under Downloadable Handouts.
 Allow two weeks for processing after turning in applications to the Guidance Office, especially
for applications that require a personalized recommendation letter from your counselor. WATCH
THE DEADLINES!
 DO NOT wait for new SAT or ACT scores from this fall or winter. Send your application to your
college ASAP and request to have your scores sent there when registering for testing. They will
be merged at the college.
 Hand your application materials directly to the guidance secretary. DO NOT just put it down on
the desk and leave. She will review your application materials, give you a postcard to complete,
and attach your official transcript. The packet will then go on to your counselor for final processing
and mailing.
 Once the transcript and materials have been mailed, the counselor will update your Naviance
account with the date of mailing.
Three Basic Steps to Complete College Applications:
1. Apply online
2. Send test scores to colleges via testing websites
3. Submit form to Guidance to request mailing of
transcript, counselor form, recommendation letters
Remember to submit to Guidance:
____ College Application Processing Request Form
____ Counselor Form (if applicable)
____ Postcard (will be provided when submitting materials to secretary)
____ Addressed envelope
____ Resume
____ Any other materials to be included such as essays, recommendation
letters, etc. that you did not submit online
____ (If submitting paper application, also include check for application fee)
IN OFFICE DATE STAMP:
Solon High School Guidance Office
College Application Processing Request Form
Submit this form to the Guidance Secretary every time you need a transcript sent.
Copy this form or print from website as many as needed.
STUDENT __________________ _________
ID# ____________
College/University: _______________________________
(OR: Send transcript to ___NCAA ___Scholarship ___ROTC ___ Other)
Date Submitted to Guidance Office _________________
Using on-line application?
___ YES ___ NO
Using Common Application?
___ YES ___ NO
Scores sent to college by ACT/SAT? ___ YES ___ NO (Student must have scores sent!)
Must be postmarked by: ________________ (allow two weeks for processing)
Include rec letters from: _____________________________________________________
Include teacher forms from: __________________________________________________
Notes to Counselor:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO TURN IN TO GUIDANCE:
_____ College Application Processing Request Form with completed info (in box above)
_____ Large envelope addressed by student to college
_____ Counselor/School Report form with student section complete and signed
(printed by student from college website)
_____
_____
_____
_____
Resume
Postcard for proof of receipt (from Ms. Rymaz when you are ready to turn in materials)
(Application/essay/check - if completed on paper)
(Copy of essay for counselor to read - if applicable)
GUIDELINES:
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Before submitting any applications you must be registered on NAVIANCE and have turned in your signed Transcript
Release Form. (Both can be accessed on Guidance Webpage.)
Hand the application materials directly to the secretary for review. Do not just leave it on the desk.
Allow two weeks for processing. Watch your deadlines!
When applying online, print out the counselor page if required and complete/sign the student section. The counselor will
complete the form after you have submitted your College Application Processing Request Form and addressed envelope.
Be sure to sign your application if using a paper application, and write your social security number on the check for the
application fee.
The Guidance staff will add your transcript, complete the counselor form, and include rec letters (as indicated above). Be
sure to send ACT/SAT scores through the testing companies. Do this ASAP to allow processing time.
Date ready but ON HOLD for letters/forms: ____________ Date MAILED: ____________
SHS Guidance Office
Request for Recommendation Letter
Student _______________________________
Date of Request ____________
Letter requested from: ________________________________________
Letter needed by this date: ____________
Other letter if needed will be requested from: __________________________________________
DO NOT request more than two letters from SHS faculty.
Student is applying to these colleges:
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Type of Teacher Form Required:
Paper
Online
None
Paper
Online
None
Paper
Online
None
Paper
Online
None
Paper
Online
None
Paper
Online
None
STUDENTS: IMPORTANT GUIDELINES
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Please be aware that many colleges DO NOT require recommendation letters such as OSU, OU, Kent, BGSU, Akron,
Toledo, Indiana, Cincinnati. Do not request a letter if your colleges do not ask for a letter. DO NOT request more
than two letters from SHS faculty. (A third may be written by your counselor upon college request.)
Give the recommender a copy of your resume and transcript along with this form.
Give the recommender the teacher forms if they are required by your colleges OR instructions about how to complete
the recommendation online. Indicate paper/online/none above in box.
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TEACHERS: IMPORTANT GUIDELINES
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Be sure the student has submitted to you his/her resume and transcript with this form.
Address all letters to “To Whom It May Concern.”
Print all letters on SHS letterhead which is available in the mailroom OR use the letterhead emailed to you earlier.
(Email Wendy, and she can email it to you if needed.)
Provide the counselor with a SIGNED COPY of your letter to include in packet mailed to colleges. (Counselors can
make copies.)
Turn in this form with your recommendation letter/forms to the Guidance Office
DO NOT release any recommendation letters to students in the fall. If needed for
scholarships, you may choose (or not) to provide the student the letter in second semester.
The counselors WILL NOT release any teacher letters to students at any time.
TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM
Student’s Name ___________________________________
Last Name
Student ID______________
First Name
PARENT AUTHORIZATION
This authorizes the Solon High School Guidance Office to prepare and process all transcripts
that are requested for submission with college applications and/or scholarship applications,
and verifies that I have read the student responsibilities below.
____________________________________________________________________
(Parent Signature)
(Date)
ATHLETES: This authorizes the Solon High School Guidance Office to process transcripts and test scores that are requested by
college/university coaches and by the student for NCAA Clearinghouse.
____________________________________________________________________
(Parent Signature)
(Date)
ALL STUDENTS: Please read and sign below.
Discipline Records
I understand the Solon High School policy as stated in the SHS Student Handbook: “The Common Application and certain
universities are now asking for information regarding student suspensions and expulsions. When asked this question, Solon City
Schools will be releasing this information.”
Test Scores
I understand that it is my responsibility as a student to arrange for my ACT and/or SAT scores to be sent from the testing
companies directly to all colleges to which I am applying.
Student Athletes
I understand that to be considered to participate in Division I or II college athletics, I must go onto www.eligibilitycenter.org
after the junior year, complete the on-line registration/payment, and submit a request for SHS Guidance to send the transcript to
NCAA Clearinghouse.
_____________________________________________________________________
(Student Signature)
(Date)
*Please note that NO college applications will be processed unless this form is filed in our records in the Guidance Office.
Please contact the Guidance Secretary, Carol Rymaz, if you have any questions (349-7304).
Contact the Guidance Office at 349-7304 to set up a free appointment
with College Now in the SHS Guidance Office to discuss grants,
scholarships, loans, work-study, and general financial aid planning
for your student for college.
College Now Greater Cleveland
200 Public Square, Suite 3820
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-241-5587 (phone)
216-241-6184 (fax)
www.collegenowgc.org
info@collegenowgc.org
Financial Aid Tips:
 Check the updated listing of local scholarship opportunities for seniors which is
posted each February on www.solonschools.org/guidance. A mailing will also be
sent to all seniors at that time with a listing of scholarships and guidelines/deadlines
for applying.
 Review the financial aid section of the guidance website under “website resources”
for national scholarships and other financial aid websites.
 Contact the colleges’ financial aid offices for more information regarding financial
aid options at the specific colleges on your list.
Solon High School
HONORS DIPLOMA
Under state standards students in a college preparatory education curriculum will qualify for a
diploma with honors if they meet the following criteria:
1. Meet all of the graduation and credit requirements established by the Solon Schools.
2. Pass all five parts of the Ohio Graduation Test.
3. Students who complete the college preparatory curriculum must fulfill all but one of the
following criteria:
_____ FOUR units of English
_____ FOUR units of mathematics including Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra II or
equivalent and another higher level course or a four-year sequence of
courses that contain equivalent content
_____ FOUR units of science including physics and chemistry
_____ FOUR units of social studies
_____ either THREE units of one foreign language or TWO units each of
TWO foreign languages
_____ ONE unit of fine arts
_____ maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 up to the last
grading period of the senior year
_____ Composite score of 27 on ACT or a combined score of 1210 on SAT V/M.
Where Will Your Scores Take You?
Average SAT and ACT scores (25%–75%); only a guide; not cut-off scores for any of the colleges listed. (2010)
School Name
American University, DC
Amherst College, MA
Arizona State University, AZ
Bard College, NY
Barnard College, NY
Bates College, ME
Baylor University, TX
Boston College, MA
Boston University, MA
Bowdoin College, ME
Brandeis University, MA
Brigham Young University, UT
Brown University, RI
Bryn Mawr College, PA
Bucknell University, PA
California Institute of Tech, CA
Carleton College, MN
Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Case Western Reserve Univ, OH
Colby College, ME
Colgate University, NY
College of the Holy Cross, MA
College of William and Mary, VA
Colorado College, CO
Colorado State University, CO
Columbia University, NY
Connecticut College, CT
Cornell University, NY
Dartmouth College, NH
Davidson College, NC
Denison University, OH
DePaul University, IL
Dickinson College, PA
Drexel University, PA
Duke University, NC
Emory University, GA
Fairfield University, CT
Florida State University, FL
Fordham University, NY
George Mason University, VA
Georgetown University, DC
Georgia Institute of Technology, GA
Gettysburg College, PA
Gonzaga University, WA
Grinnell College, IA
Hamilton College, NY
Harvard College, MA
Haverford College, PA
Hofstra University, NY
Howard University, DC
Indiana University—Bloomington, IN
Indiana U of Pennsylvania, PA
Ithaca College, NY
James Madison University, VA
Johns Hopkins University, MD
Kenyon College, OH
Lafayette College, PA
SAT MATH
570-670
660-760
480-610
650-690
620-700
630-700
560-660
640-730
590-690
650-750
650-730
570-680
670-780
580-680
630-710
770-800
650-740
670-780
620-720
640-710
640-730
600-680
620-710
610-700
510-620
680-780
600-690
670-770
670-780
640-730
570-680
510-620
590-690
560-670
690-800
670-760
540-630
560-650
560-660
520-610
660-750
650-730
610-670
550-650
620-710
650-720
700-780
640-740
550-630
440-650
530-640
440-540
550-640
540-630
660-770
630-690
610-700
SAT Critical Reading
580-700
660-760
470-600
680-740
640-740
635-710
540-650
610-700
580-680
650-760
640-720
550-660
650-760
620-730
600-680
700-760
660-750
620-720
590-690
640-720
630-730
580-670
630-730
620-700
500-610
680-760
600-700
630-730
660-770
630-730
580-690
520-630
600-700
530-630
690-770
640-740
520-610
550-640
570-670
500-600
650-740
600-690
610-690
540-630
615-740
650-730
690-800
650-740
540-630
460-660
510-620
440-540
540-640
520-620
630-740
630-730
580-670
SAT Writing
580-680
660-760
NR
NR
650-730
NR
530-630
620-710
590-670
660-750
640-730
NR
660-770
620-720
610-700
690-770
650-750
620-710
580-680
630-710
NR
NR
610-720
620-700
480-590
670-760
620-710
NR
660-770
630-730
NR
527.5-622.5
NR
NR
NR
650-740
540-630
NR
560-660
NR
NR
590-680
NR
NR
NR
NR
690-790
660-750
NR
410-650
NR
430-520
540-640
520-620
640-740
630-710
590-680
ACT
25-30
29-33
20-26
NR
29-31
NR
23-28
28-32
25-30
29-33
29-32
25-30
28-33
27-31
27-31
33-35
29-33
29-33
26-32
28-31
29-32
NR
27-32
28-32
22-26
28-33
25-30
29-33
29-34
28-32
25-30
22-27
26-31
23-28
29-34
30-33
23-27
24-28
25-29
22-26
26-33
27-31
NR
24-29
28-32
NR
31-35
NR
23-27
20-28
23-29
NR
NR
22-26
29-33
28-32
26-30
School Name
Lawrence University, WI
Lehigh University, PA
Lewis-Clark State College, OR
Louisiana State University, LA
Loyola College in Maryland, MD
Loyola Marymount University, CA
Loyola University of Chicago, IL
Marquette University, WI
Massachusetts Institute of Tech, MA
Miami University, OH
Michigan State University, MI
New College of Florida, FL
New York University, NY
North Carolina State University, NC
Northeastern University, MA
Northwestern University, IL
Oberlin College, OH
Occidental College, CA
Penn State--University Park, PA
Pepperdine University, CA
Pomona College, CA
Princeton University, NJ
Providence College, RI
Reed College, OR
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Rice University, TX
Rochester Institute of Tech, NY
Rutgers--New Brunswick, NJ
Skidmore College, NY
Stanford University, CA
State University NY at Albany
Swarthmore College, PA
Syracuse University, NY
Temple University, PA
The George Washington U, DC
Tufts University, MA
Tulane University, LA
UC Los Angeles, CA
UC San Diego, CA
University of Chicago, IL
University of Delaware, DE
University of Florida, FL
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
University of Miami, FL
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor, MI
UNC at Chapel Hill, NC
University of Pennsylvania, PA
University of Richmond, VA
University of Southern California, CA
University of Utah, UT
University of Vermont, VT
University of Virginia, VA
University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
Vanderbilt University, TN
Vassar College, NY
Wake Forest University, NC
Washington and Lee University, VA
Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Wesleyan College, CT
Williams College, MA
Yale University, CT
SAT MATH
610-720
640-720
440-550
550-650
560-650
540-640
530-640
540-650
720-800
560-650
540-660
590-670
630-720
560-660
610-690
690-780
620-710
600-690
570-670
570-680
690-780
700-790
540-640
630-710
650-730
680-780
560-670
560-680
590-670
680-780
520-610
680-760
550-650
510-610
600-690
670-750
620-700
600-730
600-710
650-760
570-660
590-700
600-700
610-710
640-740
620-700
680-780
590-680
650-750
500-635
550-650
620-730
620-730
680-760
650-720
630-710
650-730
700-780
460-600
660-760
700-790
SAT Critical Reading
590-720
590-680
420-520
520-630
540-630
530-630
540-648
520-630
660-760
540-640
480-620
630-730
620-720
520-620
570-660
670-750
640-740
590-700
530-630
560-670
700-780
690-790
530-630
660-760
600-690
650-760
540-630
530-630
580-680
650-760
490-580
680-780
520-620
500-600
600-690
670-750
630-720
570-680
540-660
660-770
550-640
570-680
570-680
580-680
580-690
590-690
650-740
580-680
620-720
490-610
540-640
600-710
540-670
652-740
670-750
610-690
660-730
680-760
500-610
660-760
700-800
SAT Writing
610-690
NR
NR
490-600
550-650
NR
540-630
530-630
660-750
NR
480-610
600-690
620-720
510-610
NR
670-750
640-730
590-690
NR
560-670
680-770
690-780
550-650
650-740
580-680
640-740
520-610
540-640
590-690
670-760
NR
680-760
530-630
490-590
600-690
670-760
640-720
580-700
560-670
NR
560-650
NR
NR
580-670
590-700
590-690
670-760
590-690
640-730
470-610
540-640
610-720
570-670
650-730
660-750
NR
NR
NR
480-630
NR
700-790
ACT
27-31
NR
17-23
23-28
24-28
NR
24-29
24-29
31-34
24-29
23-27
27-31
28-31
22-27
26-30
NR
27-32
26-30
NR
24-29
30-34
31-34
23-28
29-32
24-29
30-34
24-29
NR
26-29
30-34
22-26
27-33
23-28
21-26
26-29
30-33
29-32
25-31
24-30
28-33
25-28
25-30
NR
27-31
27-31
26-31
30-33
26-30
28-33
21-27
23-28
27-32
26-30
30-33
29-33
27-31
28-31
31-34
20-28
29-33
30-34