Westlake High School

College Information Night

Deciding on a college

Characteristics to consider

Location Size Degree programs offered Extracurricular activities Cost and financial aid Admission Policy Accreditation Support Services Campus Life

Research and Investigate Schools

Naviance has several programs that allow students to research colleges: CollegeMatch College Resources College Compare College Look-up Scattergrams Acceptance History

Plan time to visit the colleges you are considering

Meet with an Admissions counselor Tour Campus Visit a Class Talk with staff and students

COLLEGE REPS AT WHS

Sign up in Naviance.

Students need to fill out a pass one day prior to visit and have signed by the teacher of the class period they will miss for the college visit.

What do Colleges Look for

Rigor of course load in High School Grades / GPA Class Rank ACT / SAT scores Extra-Curricular Activities Letters of Recommendation Essays

Options for Bachelors Degree

Community College Public Colleges and Universities Private Colleges and Universities

Community CollegeGreat Value

• Cuyahoga Community College Transfer credit to four year institution

Lorain Community College University Partnership

Ohio’s Public Universitiesopuac.org

The University of AkronProfile   www.uakron.eduadmissions@uakron.edu

Bowling Green State UniversityProfile   www.bgsu.educhoosebgsu@bgsu.edu

Central State UniversityProfile   www.centralstate.eduadmissions@centralstate.edu

University of CincinnatiProfile   www.admissions.uc.eduadmissions@uc.edu

Cleveland State UniversityProfile   www.engagecsu.comadmissions@csuohio.edu

Kent State UniversityProfile   www.kent.eduadmissions@kent.edu

Miami UniversityProfile   www.miamioh.eduadmission@miamioh.edu

The Ohio State UniversityProfile   www.osu.eduaskabuckeye@osu.edu

Ohio UniversityProfile   www.ohio.eduadmissions@ohio.edu

Shawnee State UniversityProfile   www.shawnee.eduto_ssu@shawnee.edu

The University of ToledoProfile   www.utoledo.eduenroll@utoledo.edu

Wright State UniversityProfile   www.wright.eduadmissions@wright.edu

Youngstown State UniversityProfile   www.ysu.eduenroll@ysu.edu

Private Colleges

Generally private colleges and universities are more expensive, but they shouldn’t be dismissed because of cost.

Scholarship and financial aid can bring costs down to be competitive with public universities.

ohioprivatecolleges.com

Selective Colleges and Universities

All applicants to selective schools are expected to have excellent grades and scores.

What will set you apart?

A Good Fit

Offers a program of study to match your interests and needs

Provides a style of instruction to match the way you like to learn

Provides a level of academic rigor to match your aptitude and preparation

Offers a community that feels like home to you Values you for what you do well

Source: The College Planning Workbook, Peter Van Buskirk

Apply Early All Colleges have different deadlines for

applying Know your deadlines Keep in mind that WHS requires 10 days

for processing transcript requests.

Application Process

All application packets require: Application Transcript: Students must fill out a transcript

release form and give it directly to their counselor. Standardized Test Score sent directly from the

testing agency.

Many (including Common App.) additionally require:*Essay or Personal Statement*Letter(s) of Recommendation *School report / Counselor Form

Naviance and College Applications

Update My Colleges

Colleges I’m thinking about – Add colleges you are thinking about to this list.

Colleges I’m applying to – Only add colleges to this list when you complete and send an application to the college. Update this list with your admission status.

In order to have transcripts sent to common App. schools

electronically through Naviance, the student must:

1. Create a common App account on Common App online www.comonapp.org

2. Sign the CA FERPA waiver on the Common Application www.commonapp.org

3. Match email used for CA accounton Naviance “Colleges I’m applying to” page.

ACT / SAT

ACT and/or SAT should be taken during the second semester of 11th grade.

All scores should be directly sent to the college by the testing agency.

Retake early senior year if needed:

www.act.orgwww.collegeboard.com

SAT vs. ACT

SAT is an ability test that predicts how well you will do in college

ACT is an achievement test that is curriculum based

Most colleges will take either SAT or ACT with writing.

SAT

SAT: 3 sections Critical reading Math Writing 3 hours and 45 minutes total Possible score of 2400; 800 on each

section www.collegeboard.com SAT II Subject Tests – required at more

competitive schools.

ACT

ACT: 5 sections English Math Reading Science Optional Writing Section Possible score of 36, 12 for writing 2 hours and 55 minutes OR

3 hours and 25 minutes (+ writing) www.actstudent.org

Test Optional

In lieu of test scores, Many schools are now test optional

students are asked to:

Submit graded writing sample Possibly interview

Antioch, BW, Dennison, YSU

Go to www.fairtest.org for a list of all schools that are test optional

NCAA

Students who wish to play at either Division 1 or 2 levels must register with the Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org

Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA (after Jan. 1) www.fafsa.ed.gov

Can complete the FAFSA calculator ahead of time for an estimate and also register for a PIN

Some schools also accept/require the CSS Profile (fall of senior year) www.collegeboard.com

Scholarships are posted in Naviance

Scholarships

Check your schools’ website for University sponsored scholarships.

Many University sponsored scholarships require no special application.

OSU’s priority deadline for scholarships is November 1

Local scholarships are available spring of senior year

SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR

September-October-November

Register for the SAT/ACT if not taken or need to retake. Update Naviance with your list of colleges. Complete college applications. Attend high school information sessions with college

representatives Athletes planning to play Division 1 or 2 sports must register

with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www. eligibilitycenter.org. Research scholarships and continue college visits.

SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR

December

In order for applications to be processed by the Guidance Department before Winter Break, they must be submitted by December 5.

SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

Parents should complete the FAFSA and the Profile (if required).

Check deadlines on college and scholarship applications.

Inform the Guidance Office if your college requires a mid-year report.

Check date for local scholarship applications.

Senior Year Calendar

March-April-May

Final college notifications are sent by April 1.

May 1 is the candidates’ reply date.

Senior Year Calendar

June

High school graduation. Final transcripts are sent to the college

you plan to attend.

Westlake High School Counseling Department

Terry Kennedy A - E 250-1012 Mark Campo F – K 250-1011 Liz Osicki L – Q 250-1010 Joan Jerome R – Z 250-1009

Marsha Frazier, Administrative Assistant835-6375