Senior Year
When senior males turn 18, they must register with Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov to register! If you fail to register, you will not be eligible for Financial Aid. Ms. Bruner has information about registering.
September
Finalize your list of reasonable choices. Include at least one “long shot”, one “target”, and one “safe” school. Your first choice might very well be a school to which you are a likely candidate for admission. However, each one of you should include at least one safe choice on your list of colleges.
- Once you have narrowed your list of colleges to a recommended maximum of six, you should begin applying. Most colleges prefer students to apply online.
- Attend meetings with college representatives who visit HHS. Keep in mind that the representatives who visit us will more than likely be the ones to present your case to the admissions team at their college: MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION!
- Register online for the September/October ACT or November SAT if you have not taken the test or want to retest.
- Begin work on application essays. Most senior English classes include work on an essay.
- Remember that the grades you make this semester will be an important ingredient in the way college admissions committees view your academic seriousness. Your first semester grades will be the last ones they see before deciding whether to admit you to their school.
- Decide how you will actually apply: paper application, or applying online at the school’s website. Also consider using the common application which will save you time. Just make sure your school accepts the common application.-For more information go to www.commonapp.org
- Keep your commitment to take challenging courses! Your senior year matters!
October
The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available. You can complete the form to apply for financial aid to help pay for attendance at college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
- Complete and file your FASFA as soon as possible. Aid is distributed on a first come, first served basis.
- The FASFA is the federal financial form, needed for both public and private schools.
- Please do not push deadlines. It is to your advantage to file your application early. Most colleges admit that early applications automatically receive more attention because they demonstrate the students interest in a school.
- Early decision deadlines and scholarship deadlines may be as early as October 15. Do not allow lack of planning to create an emergency. Submit your transcript request two weeks before the deadline.
- The college to which you are applying may require official copies of your test scores. Some schools require test scores to be submitted directly from ACT/SAT. Check the websites of college to see what they require.
- Complete a transcript request form from each application you submit. Your transcript does NOT include your ACT/SAT scores. If you would like your scores to be on your transcript you need to let me know. The transcript, however, does include the classes you’ve taken and your grades; when I send your transcript, I will also attach your current schedule.
November
Use your college visiting days well. HHS allows a maximum of 2 days which will be counted against your exemption, but will be excused if pre-approved. Request the visit day by filling out the College Visitation Form at least five days beforehand.
- Teacher Recommendations - If the colleges to which you are applying require a recommendation from a teacher, choose and ask a teacher who you feel knows you the best and will represent you well. Give your teacher a filled out Letter of Recommendation Form, which are available in the guidance office. ALLOW AT LEAST 2 WEEKS TO COMPLETE A RECOMMENDATION. If the teacher needs to send the letter directly to an institution, provide an addressed and stamped envelope with the appropriate corresponding forms.
- This will be your last chance to sign up for and take the SAT or ACT in this year’s admission pool.
December
All college applications and transcript requests which need to be sent out before winter break are due in the guidance office two weeks before we leave for break. Applications that have a February 1 deadline should also be processed in December.
- Since we do not return until January 5th, all Transcript Requests submitted after the deadline will be sent out in late January. Please remember that Counselor Reports will be processed in the order they are received…not in the order of urgency for you.
- If you expect your counselor to write an effective recommendation for you, then allow sufficient time to process your recommendation.
- Ace your mid-year exams—they matter!
- Request Mid-Year transcripts to be mailed to the colleges to which you are applying.
- Don’t ask to drop challenging courses. Colleges could withdraw their offer!
January
- Continue applying and looking for scholarships!
February
- If you haven’t already done so, visit schools to which you applied.
- Wait.
- Local scholarships become available, please see me for an application.
March
-- SPRING BREAK --- ENJOY!
April
By April 15, you should hear from all colleges. Use the two weeks before May 1 to make your final decision.
- Register for Advanced Placement exams if necessary.
- Notify all colleges which have accepted you of your final decision.
- Notify colleges who have put you on their waiting list if you wish to remain on it.
- Don’t develop Senioritis! All college acceptances are conditional pending receipt of final grades in June.
May
- Reply to the college you choose. Do not place a deposit with more than one college: it is unethical and you can be dropped by both colleges if discovered.
- Fill out a Final Transcript Request for the college you will attend. You must make this request in writing to release your transcript.
College Selection Process
Before you start researching colleges, you should make a list of characteristics you think you want in a school. Some characteristics to consider:
Academic Program (2 year, 4 year, Vocational) Admissions
Cost, Financial Aid
Affiliation (Public vs. Private)
Supportive Services (Counseling, Med Center)
Size of the College Activities, Social Clubs, & Athletics
Community (Rural vs. City) & Location (Distance from home)
Religious Affiliation
Ethnic Composition
Campus Housing (Dorm, Off Campus, Live at Home)
Areas of Study
Course Offerings, & Facilities
Student Body (Coed vs. All Male/Female)
Academic Rigor & Graduation/Retention Rates
Choosing a Major
A major is the area that you will study in most depth in college. You will take up to two-thirds of your classes in that subject. Most colleges do not require a student to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year. You can change your major, however, be cautioned that this could involve the risk of taking additional classes to satisfy the major requirements, which may cost additional time and money. Consider the following when choosing a major:Look at your interests-career and otherwise.Talk to people that you know that work in the field you are thinking of choosing. Come to the Guidance Office to look at the “Book of Majors” to help you decide.Research different career websites:* Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
What Colleges Look For
-Academic record
-Difficulty of courses taken
-Standardized Tests
-Grades-Class Rank
-Volunteer Work
-Recommendations College Interviews (Some colleges)
Filling Out a College Application
Freshman applications can be filled out any time after your Junior year. Colleges strongly recommend that students apply early (some as early as or earlier than Thanksgiving). In order to be considered for acceptance, scholarships, financial aid, and housing, applications need to be filled out by March. However, this does not mean that you can slack off and wait until April to fill out applications! Not only are they time consuming, but financial aid and housing is usually based on a first-come first-serve basis; meaning, if all of the housing has been taken by other freshman that applied early, you may not be able to start on time or get enough aid to cover the costs. Moral is: DON”T WAIT! College requirements often vary so always read and comply with those specific requirements. In general, the following are basic materials needed to complete an application:* A completed application & any required application fee
- An official copy of your high school transcript, including class rank & GPA
- An official record of your ACT/SAT scores (sent directly from ACT or SAT)
- Other items that may be required (recommendations, essays, & financial aid forms)
Applications DO’s & DON’T’s
DO
-Read applications & directions carefully
-Make sure to include any extra paperwork that may be needed/requested
-Fill out your own application
-Apply online to avoid mistakes (you can save and edit)
-Most schools require/prefer that you apply online
-Be truthful & don’t exaggerate
-Be thorough & on time
-If someone is writing a recommendation for you, give that person at least two weeks before it is due
DON'T
-If you fill out a paper application, do not use white-out
-Don't leave anything blank (if you have questions, ask!)
-Don't be unclear of vague (answer questions specifically)
-Don't put it off!
College Visitations
Visiting a college campus is a very important step in choosing a college. You can’t actually experience a college through brochures and smiling admission reps, so schedule a tour! Seniors are allowed two excused absences per year for college visitations. Per board policy, no visits can be made in May, so schedule your visits early by filling out a College Visitation Form, which are available in the Guidance Office. These forms must be completed and returned three days prior to the visit.Before visiting a college, call the Admissions Office at least one week prior to the visit to schedule an appointment/tour. Try not to visit two colleges in one day; the information may run together. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to:
- Speak to an admission counselor about admission procedures & programs of study (majors)
- Take a campus tour (preferably with a current college student & when classes are in session)
- Speak to a faculty member regarding an academic program that interests you
- Eat lunch in a campus dining hall (sampling food you may be eating for the next few years is a good idea)
- Get a general feel for the campus atmosphere (what students & faculty are like, residence halls, libraries/computer facilities)
- Ask questions that concern you & find out general information (admission process, financial aid, scholarships, housing, etc.)
Questions to Ask When Considering/Visiting a College:
-How many students attend? Do most students live on campus?
-What academic programs is the college most known for?
-How many students are in one class?
- How many total students are in the Freshman class?
-Do faculty teach all the classes?...or graduate assistants?
-Am I required to live on campus? What are campus policies regarding housing? How are roommates assigned? Ask to see a residence hall room.
-What types of student activities, organizations, and athletics are available?
-What is the surrounding neighborhood like? How is security? Ask for crime statistics.
-Can I have a car on campus? Where do I park?
-How is the food?
-Is there a health clinic on campus?
-Is there a hospital nearby?...bank?...churches?...grocery stores?...etc.?
-Is tutoring available?
-What are the campus rules about visitation?
-How much is the enrollment deposit?...is it refundable if I change my mind?
College Information & Scholarship Websites
- FastWeb: http://www.fastweb.com/ - Download applications & send them via email; apply for scholarships by completing a profile to see all of the scholarships that are best for you
- Peterson’s Education Center: http://www.petersons.com/ - Peterson’s publications offer some of the most comprehensive information available to students about all aspects of preparation for higher education.
- Princeton Review: http://www.princetonreview.com/ - General information on admission & financial aid.
- Transfer.org – Course Applicability System (CAS); provides information on how specific coursework will transfer and apply towards another degree at another university
- GoCollege: http://www.gocollege.com/ - Comprehensive resource covering college admissions, financial aid, educational options, and surviving college.
- College Net: http://www.collegenet.com - Download applications & send them via email; also provides a scholarship search.
- Supercollege.com: How to get into & pay for the college of your dreams; scholarship search & tips/strategies.
- Mapping Your Future: www.mappingyourfuture.org – College planning, career options, & financial strategies
- CollegeConfidential: http://www.collegeconfidential.com/ - provides College Admissions, School Search, and Financial Aid Resources to students and parents, from Ivy League to State Colleges.
- CollegeScholarships.com: Offers free college scholarship searches and information on financial aid, and provides tips on taking the ACT & SAT.
- FinAid: http://www.finaid.org/ - A student guide to financial aid, information on scholarships as well as a comparison of loans available.
- Sallie Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/ - The nation’s leading provider for college loans.* Hispanic Scholarship Fund: http://hsf.net/ - Scholarship program for Hispanic high school senior
- www.scholarship.com
- www.studentscholarshipsearch.com
- www.gocollege.com
- www.collegedata.com/cs/search/scholars/scholarsearchhtmpl.jhml
- www.finaid.org
- www.scholarship4students.com
- www.college-scholarship.com/schools/ohi
Scholarships
You have probably heard people say that there are “millions of scholarship dollars that go unclaimed each year.” You have also probably heard parents who have told you that their student has a 3.7+ GPA and cannot get a scholarship. Both are true. The fact is, there are thousands of scholarships, however, most of these scholarships have very specific eligibility criteria, and when it comes to academic scholarships, students generally need to have an outstanding GPA, high test scores, excellent recommendations, and be involved in extracurricular/community activities. * Even though searching and applying for scholarships can be a lengthy process, students and parents who are willing to invest the time and energy may find that their efforts pay off handsomely. When searching, keep the following in mind:
- Start early-finding & applying takes time, energy, & persistence
- Private colleges often are more generous in awarding scholarships, thus making them more competitive in price
- Be aware of deadlines & be organized (make copies of everything)
- Network-tell everyone that you are looking
- Search websites, books, etc. with scholarship information
- Be aware of scams! Six warning signs of scams:
-“This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
-“The scholarship service will do all the work.”
-“The scholarship will cost some money.”
-“You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
-“You are a finalist-in a contest you never entered.” Or “You have been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship.”
-“The scholarship service needs your credit card or checking account number in advance.”
To Sum it All Up: Do’s & Don’ts
DO: Attend College Fairs, use college source books, and take advantage of college-related Web sources to learn about as many colleges and universities as you can.
DO: Develop a set of criteria (entrance requirements, reputation/ranking, location, costs, majors, etc.) for developing your list of colleges.
DO: Research each college or university to determine entrance requirements, fees, and due dates for applications.
DO: Make campus visits to colleges that most interest you.
DO: Keep track of all the deadlines for each college or university-and do be sure to get your applications in before those deadlines.
DON’T: Wait until the last minute to begin the application process; the earlier you start, the better you’ll be. And do read the application instructions carefully to be certain you are following directions including everything each college requests.
DON’T: Allow yourself to fall into the dreaded senior slump. Many colleges will ask to see at least some of your senior grades before making an admissions decision-and some may wait on the decision until they see all of your grades.
Good luck and if you have any questions, ask! That is what your counselor, your teachers, as well as college admission reps are here for!
