Corporate Profile

1
2009-2010
Planning for College
Wadsworth High School Guidance Department
Ms. Jessica Henry Mr. Chad Molina
Mrs. Cheryl Gilbert Mrs. Crystal Ake
2
What Do Colleges Look At?

• Difficulty of high school courses taken
• Academic reputation of high school
• Grades and grade point average
• Class Rank
• Test scores (ACT/SAT)
• Extracurricular activities
• Recommendations
• Essays
• Interviews
• College courses taken while in high school

3
Where Do I Look for Information?

• Prep HQ
• College catalogs/bulletins
• Talk with college representatives
• Attend college fairs
• Check the Internet and/or KUDER
• Talk with counselors, teachers, parents, alumni
• Take a campus visit

4
What Questions Should I Ask a College
Representative?

• What are the strongest majors at your college?
• What types of internships/co-op experiences are
  available?
• How can I arrange a campus visit?
• What are the application deadlines for admission
  and financial aid?
• What percentage of your students actually
  graduate from your college?
• How are roommates selected?
• How safe is your campus?
• What additional services do you offer your
  students (tutoring, counseling, etc.)

5
How Do I Select a Major?
Examine your areas of interest, values, goals,
and ambitions. Job shadow and speak with people
who work in careers that seem interesting to
you. If you cannot decide on a major before
applying to college, you are not alone.
Approximately 50 of all college freshmen are
undecided on a major. Be aware, however, that if
you delay choosing a major, you may need to take
additional coursework. This will mean extra time
and extra money!!
6
Should I Apply To the NCAA Clearinghouse?
If you plan to participate in college athletics
during your freshman year, you should register
with the NCAA Clearinghouse. You must be
certified by the Clearinghouse in order to
receive an athletic scholarship. The best time
to register is at the beginning of your junior
year. Registration can be completed online only
at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. See Mrs. Ake with
any questions.
7
How Much Does College Cost?
Yearly tuition at Ohios state supported colleges
runs approximately 4,000-7,700. At a Private
college, tuition can be 13,000-28,000. Room and
board can add another 4,000-7,000. Other
expenses include books, supplies,travel,
clothes, toiletries, entertainment, etc.
8
What Types of Financial Aid Are Available?

• FAMILY-- Think of organizations, clubs,
  churches, etc. to which you belong
• GRANTS-- Funds given by the government or a
  college to assist families. Most grants are
  need based and do not have to be repaid.
• SCHOLARSHIPS-- Gift money based on a students
  merits (academic, athletic, music, etc.).
• WORK STUDY-- On campus jobs.
• LOANS-- This should be your last consideration.
  Take a loan only when you cannot find funds from
  other sources.

9
Can I Expect to Receive Any Financial Aid?
The purpose of financial aid is to provide
resources to those students who, without that
help, would be unable to attend the college of
their choice. Always remember that the FAMILY is
primarily responsible for financing a college
education. Financial aid is designed to
supplement (not replace) the family
contribution. Be aggressive! You must search for
sources of aid. Plan to file the FAFSA after
January 1 of your Senior year. Avoid scholarship
search scams! The Federal Trade Commission has
launched a campaign against these scams. They
have initiated lawsuits against several
scholarship search services. A good rule of
thumb is If you have to pay to get money, it
might be a scam. There are numerous free
scholarship searches on the Internet.
10
ACT and SAT Dates (2009-10)
TEST DATE POSTMARK DEADLINE ACT Sept 12 Aug.
7 Oct. 24 Sept. 18 Dec. 12 Nov. 6 Feb.
6 Jan. 5 Apr. 10 March 5 June 12 May
7 SAT Oct. 10 Sept. 9 Nov. 7 Oct.
1 Dec. 5 Oct. 30 Jan. 23 Dec. 15 Mar.
13 Feb. 4 May 1 Mar. 25 June 5 Apr. 29
11
How To Register

• ACT
• Pick up a registration packet in the guidance
  office
• or
• Register online at
• www.actstudent.org

• SAT
• Register online at
• www.collegeboard.com

12
ACT/SAT Writing Test

• The following Ohio colleges and universities
  require the writing test for the ACT or SAT
• --Case Western --Cincinnati
• --Findlay --Hiram
• --Kent State --Marietta
• --Miami --Oberlin
• --Ohio State --Wooster
• --Toledo --Wittenberg
• Some schools require that scores be sent
  directly from testing center (i.e. OSU, Miami,
  Cincinnati, NCAA CH)

13
Coming Up

• Financial Aid Workshops for Parents and Juniors
  and Seniors
• Wednesday, January 7th
• 630 PM
• High School Library
• Information on scholarships, grants, loans, and
  completing the FAFSA

14
College Fairs 2009-2010

• Medina County College/Trade/Tech Career Fair
• Medina County Community Center
• Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 630-8pm
• Northeastern Ohio College Career Fair
• Kent State University MACC
• Tuesday, October 13, 2009
• For more information go to Prep HQ or talk to
  your counselor!

15
College Applications

• Plan to have all applications completed by
  Thanksgiving
• Register with Prep HQ!
• Pick up Application Processing Form in the
  guidance office
• Complete the checklist
• Place all necessary documents inside large
  envelope with 4 stamps (mandatory)
• Remember deadlines!!!

16
Common Application

• Which of Ohios Private Colleges are Common
  Application Members?
• -Baldwin Wallace -Case
• -Dayton -Denison
• -Findlay -Hiram
• -John Carroll -Kenyon -Lake Erie
• -Marietta -Oberlin -Ohio Northern
• -Ohio Wesleyan -Wittenberg
• -Wooster -Xavier
• -Miami is the only public school that accepts the
  Common Application
• Many other campuses are not members, but will
  accept the Common Application
• Wadsworth cannot submit the transcripts online

17
Early Decision vs. Early Action

• Many Ohio private colleges participate in either
  the Early Decision or Early Action Program.
• Early Decision Early Action
• -Commits a student to go to that school
  -Student applies to preferred school
• -Is a contract between student school -Not a
  contract
• -Student promises, w/ acceptance to -Student is
  not obligated to accept withdraw all other
  applications schools offer
• -Student can apply Early Decision
  -Student will receive a decision well
• to only one school in advance of the schools
  regular
• response date

18
Record Release Form

• In your folder
• Under 18, needs parent signature
• Allows us to send out a transcript of your grades
• Turn into guidance office

19
Resume Activities

• Complete in My Organizer on Prep HQ
• Replaces old Student Profile form
• Print this to give to teachers for writing
  letters of recommendation

20
Letters of Recommendation

• Choose wisely the people to write your letters of
  recommendation
• Should be teacher/coach who knows you well
• Letters should be given from the teacher directly
  to the counselor (colleges do not want the
  students to see them)!
• Give them plenty of advance notice!!!

21
College Visits

• You are allowed two days excused absence for
  college visits
• Call the college to schedule your visit
• Then, pick up permission form from Attendance
  Office at least 2 days before your visit

22
College Representatives

• List of representatives visiting Wadsworth High
  School is posted on Prep HQ
• Come to Guidance Office for a pass (at least 1
  day prior to the visit)
• Check with teacher of class you will be missing

23
Scholarships

• Available scholarships are posted on Prep HQ
• Selected hard copy applications are available in
  filing cabinet in Guidance Office
• Check the list on a regular basis
• Colleges will have scholarships available, visit
  their website and look at Grants and Scholarships
  that pertain to you!
• Apply! Apply! Apply!

24
STEM

• Get on board with STEM!
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Math
• Many scholarship opportunities in the state of
  Ohio!
• Check the colleges/universities you are applying
  to

25
Other Financial Aid

• We will make the local scholarship application
  available to all Seniors later this year
• We will provide a copy of the FAFSA to each
  Senior
• Every Senior who plans to attend college should
  complete the FAFSA

26
Prep HQ Log In

• Log in Student ID number
• Password Birth Date (enter as mm/dd/yyyy)
• Review
• My Organizer
• -Resume/Activities
• -Create college list
• Transcript Requests
• -Mandatory requests made through Transcript
  Request tab
• College Page
• -view college rep visits and upcoming events
• Scholarships
• -view a variety of scholarships and how to apply