SENIOR YEARCreating Your Future

How to Stay Informed

1. Explore the Guidance Webpage – https://www.copley-fairlawn.org/domain/578

2. Read “Smoke Signals” and “Guidance Notes” on website3. Check progress on Progress Book account 4. Attend Parent Informational Nights5. Attend Parent Teacher Conferences/Open House Night6. Follow us on twitter at: https://twitter.com/CopleyGuidance7. Like our Facebook Page: Copley High School Guidance8. Sign up for “Remind Alerts”

• Class of 2019: Text @Copley2019 to 81010• CCP Students: Text @CopleyCCP to 81010

• Graduation requirement• Fill out the ½ sheet in your folder to make an

appointment during your study hall, before school, after school with your counselor.

• Make sure your name is spelled correctly for your diploma.

• Count your credits and determine what classes are required for graduation.

• Ask questions.

SENIOR CONFERENCE

HONORS DIPLOMA

•Handouts available up front.•Determine your status at your senior conference.

• Keep track of what you need to do every month.

• If you follow through on the monthly tasks, you will keep track of all important information.

SENIOR CALENDAR

GUIDANCE NOTES

• Seniors receive the Guidance Notes during the first week of every month in your 3-4 class. They are also available on-line on the high school page under Our School/Guidance section.

• Provides college, career, scholarship, financial aid, and testing information.

• In order to “cover all your bases”, follow through on all the information in each handout and share with your parents.

COLLEGE FAIRS

Northeast Ohio Suburban College FairOctober 11, 2018, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

John Carroll University - Dolan Center. for Science and Technology

Cleveland Suburban West College Fair

October 1, 2018, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Baldwin Wallace University - Lou Higgins Center

Northeast Ohio Spring College Fair Date: TBA, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The University of Akron

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Juniors and seniors are invited to attend College Representative Visits during Learning Lab and/or lunch/study hall to learn more about a college.

• The schedule is included in your folder, on the Guidance Website under “College Planning” and will be posted in your Learning Lab. We are still scheduling more visits so check the website & listen to announcements for updates!

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Students are required to get a pass from Mrs. Kramer or a counselor prior to mods 10-11 on the day of the visit. No passes will be given if a student comes down during Learning Lab the day of the visit. Passes must be shown to your Learning Lab teacher before attending.

• If you have makeup work or a teacher is requesting you attend their learning lab, those are priorities over college visits!

Tour Prospective Campuses

• You could use your four-day weekend (October 12-15) to visit schools.

• You may use two school days during your senior year to visit campuses. Complete a pre-approved absence form and return it in the main office.

Work is due the day you return.

Visitation Days

• Colleges and universities host Open Houses and Visitation Days geared toward specific interests. Check the college’s website to register for these events.

• Check http://www.opuac.org/ for information on Ohio public universities and http://www.ohioprivatecolleges.org/index.html for Ohio private universities.

Benefits of Community Colleges/Branches

Community Colleges/Branches

• Cuyahoga Community College• Stark State College of Technology• Kent State Stark Campus• The University of Akron Wayne Campus• The Ohio State University - regional campuses

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

• As you search for institutions that offer the program of your choice, do not exclude private institutions.

• Although the private colleges are more expensive, they offer substantial financial aid.

• You may find that you can attend a private institution for a cost that is comparable to a public institution.

• www.ohioprivatecolleges.com

www.ohiomeansjobs.com

• If a two- or four-year education is not a good fit for you, you should strongly consider advancing a skill that would help you secure a career you would enjoy.

• Research job opportunities in Ohio• Discover what training at specific technical schools/

apprenticeships would benefit you.• Consider attending one or more of our Future Connection

Speaker Series presentations to learn more about potential careers that can provide a secure living salary that may not require a college degree.

Military

Visit todaysmilitary.com for tips, downloads, definitions, and more to help you navigate your path to the U.S. Military. Know what to expect before you begin the enlisting process. • Meet with a recruiter• Take ASVAB (the better you do, the more options you

have!)• Get in shape to meet physical requirements

Armed Forces Recruiting Station - (330) 253-4507; 173 Wooster Road North, Barberton, OH

NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER

• If you intend to play sports at a Division I or Division II institution, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center now.

• Apply on-line at www.eligibilitycenter.org and meet with your counselor to review requirements.

• Request transcript to be sent.

ACT/SAT TEST PREPARATION

• Borrow a practice test book (including CD) from our media center or a public library.

• Get an ACT test prep book from the Guidance Office• ACT tests, questions, and strategies are available at

www.act.org or https://www.copley-fairlawn.org/Page/5420

• SAT Practice tests, questions, and strategies are available at www.collegeboard.com or https://www.copley-fairlawn.org/Page/5419

ACT TEST DATES

Test Date Registration DeadlineOctober 27 September 28December 8 November 2February 9 January 11April 13 March 8**June 8 May 3July 13 June 14

**(CHS is a test center)

SAT TEST DATES

Test Dates Registration DeadlinesOctober 6 September 7December 1 November 2March 9 February 8May 4 April 5 June 1 May 3

SAT SUBJECT TESTS

• 20 Subject Tests available - cover subjects such as Chemistry, Calculus, a foreign language, etc.

• Tests are one hour in length.

• A student may take 3 subject tests on a SAT test date. You cannot take the SAT and an SAT Subject Test on the same day.

• Required by some institutions.

DEFINITIONS

• Early Decision – commits a student to enroll at the college. Applications are due in November/December. You can apply for Early Decision to only one institution. You commit to attending that institution and you have to withdraw all applications submitted to other institutions.

• Early Action – is not binding, yet the college provides an earlier than usual response.

• Rolling Admission – students receive feedback after the application is received

HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGE/TECHNICAL SCHOOL

1. Complete your college application online one of 2 ways:a. Common Applicationb. University Application on University Website

2. Determine each university’s required documents. Every university is different!

3. All Universities will require the following:a. Your official high school transcript

i. If using the Common App, you will enter your counselor’s info to give access to upload (see next slide)

ii. University Application - submit a transcript request form to Mrs. Kramer, Guidance Secretary

iii. We do not know you apply to a school unless you request your transcript OR give us access via Common App

How to Apply to College/Technical School

b. ACT/SAT Scores: Scores are included on your transcript, but if your university requires scores to be sent directly from ACT or SAT, you will need to submit that request to ACT or SAT. Check the school’s admissions website to see if they require it from the testing agency.c. Application Fee: You can pay online with a credit/debit card. If you qualify for a free/reduced lunch and require a fee waiver, stop by Guidance and talk to Mrs. Kramer. d. Check University website to see if they require letter(s) of recommendation, essay, or any other supplemental info.

COMMON APPLICATION

• Some schools require that you apply using the Common Application.• In order to have your transcript, Secondary School Report, and letter

of recommendation uploaded into your Common Application, you will need to provide your counselor’s CORRECT email:

• Jenny.Morganti@copley-fairlawn.org• Sarah.Izzi@copley-fairlawn.org• Tracy.Kuntz@copley-fairlawn.org• Follow up with your counselor to make sure she has access to your

account.• The same will apply for letter s of recommendation from teachers.

You will need to enter their email information under the Recommenders portion.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

• Use the “Recommendation Letter Request Form” (available in the Guidance Office) to request a letter of recommendation from your Guidance Counselor

• When asking a teacher, coach, etc to write a letter of recommendation, personally talk to them to ask them to write the recommendation.

• Provide them with a resume/list of awards, extracurriculars, etc.

• Give recommenders two weeks to meet your deadline• Provide the deadline for the recommendation• Write them thank you notes

Financial Aid

• Loans - $ you DO have to pay back• Grants - need based $ that you do NOT have to pay

back• Scholarships - merit based awards that you do NOT

have to pay back• Work Study - provides jobs for undergraduates and

graduates with financial need• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FINANCIAL AID

Step One: You will need a FSA Id to file an electronic FAFSA. Get an id for you and one parent at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm

Step Two: Attend our Financial Aid Workshop on September 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

Step Three : Submit the electronic FAFSA by December 1st www.fafsa.ed.gov.

*Check the requirements of the colleges to which you will apply.

LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

• Read your Guidance Notes. Go to the Guidance website.

• Websites: www.fastweb.com; www.cappex.com; https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

• Local Scholarship Application available on January 14th. It’s due to Mrs. Kramer on February 1st.

MAKING A DECISION

Next Steps...

You will receive a notification for when your senior conference is scheduled! You are expected to attend...you will not be called down! Please do not miss your appointment or you may not be able to schedule another one for a few weeks!

College Application Open Labs in Room 163:Learning Lab: Monday, 9/17Learning Lab: Monday 10/22Must get pass from Guidance!

Attend college rep visits, talk with a recruiter, and or/job shadow!Stay tuned for additional senior seminars during Learning Lab!