Fall Guidance Newsletter for Seniors and Parents
*Counselors will be speaking with senior during their English classes on Sept. 2nd. The following is information that we will be sharing with students…
Summary of the College Application Process:
*NOW is the time to begin applying to college! Check to see if the schools you are applying to offer the option of filing an online application. These can be much easier and quicker. The guidance office has very few paper applications, as most colleges now prefer the electronic. Check with us to see if we have the one you need. Students are responsible for mailing their portion of the college application, as well as any application fee.
*All colleges will want students to submit a transcript. Students may request these in the guidance office by speaking the Mrs. Booher, the guidance assistant. Counselors will mail the transcripts directly from the guidance office. Please allow 5 days for our office to process your application.
*Some colleges will require a counselor page as a part of the application. If your school includes this you will need to bring the form to the guidance office when you request your transcript. In the case of online applications, the student will need to download the form and bring it in. This form will then be completed by the counselor and submitted with you transcript.
*If students chose to have their ACT/SAT scores reported to CHS, they will appear on the student’s transcript. More and more colleges are now requiring that scores be sent directly from the testing agency. Be sure to check with your prospective college to see how they want your scores reported. Students are responsible for having scores sent from ACT/SAT. You may contact the agencies at the following web addresses:
ACT: www.actstudent.org
SAT:
www.collegeboard.com*Pay attention to deadlines! If you plan to apply “Early Decision”, or are applying to a special program within a college (ex: Pharmacy, Engineering) there may be very specific deadlines. Plan to finish and submit you application well in advance of this deadline. If you need teacher recommendations plan to give teachers 2 weeks to write complete this item. Plan to provide the teacher with an enveloped stamped and addressed to the college. DO NOT LET RECOMMENDATIONS GO UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!
Testing and Retesting:
*If you plan to retake the ACT or SAT, or if you have not yet tested, you need to plan on testing in October or December. (The earlier the better!) The following is a list of test dates and registration deadlines. Additional information is available at the websites listed above.
Test Date Regular Reg. Deadline Late Reg.Deadline
ACT: Oct. 25, 07 Sept. 19, 08 Oct. 3, 08
Dec. 13, 07 Nov. 7, 08 Nov. 20, 08
SAT: Oct. 4, 07 Sept. 9, 08 Sept. 16, 08
Nov. 1, 97 Sept. 26, 08 Oct. 10, 08
Dec. 6, 07 Nov. 5, 08 Nov. 18, 08
Students may register for the ACT at:
www.actstudent.orgSAT registration can be completed at: www.collegeboard.com
*Plan to take the ACT with writing at least one time. More and more colleges are requiring the wiring portion for admission, and most use this assessment to determine scholarship awards.
*If a student currently has an Individualized Education Plan in place he/she needs to check with the IEP monitor to see what special testing accommodations he/she may qualify for. Applications for IEP students are typically processed through the guidance office. These applications need to be turned in to guidance one week prior to the regular registration deadline. Contact Mrs. Gabes for further information.
College Days/Military Days
*Seniors are permitted TWO college days. Forms are available in the guidance office, or may be downloaded from this website. Please be sure to have the top portion of the form completed and turned in to the attendance office BEFORE your college day. The bottom half must be turned in the day you return.
*Military days will be handled through the attendance office. Students need to bring a note signed by parents and military official 2days prior to the planned absence.
Financial Aid Information
*There will be a financial aid meeting for parents of seniors on Dec. 8 at 6:30 in the high school. A financial aid counselor from Ohio Northern University will be on hand to provide information about completing the FAFSA, as well as other options for financing your college education.
*Beginning in January be sure to check in the guidance office for details about local scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are also posted on the school website and electronic announcements. YOU are responsible for checking the scholarships to determine which ones you may qualify for. Pay attention to deadlines! We will not hunt you down for your application.
*Be sure to include everything the application asks for! If you need a teacher reference please give the teacher adequate notice of this scholarship If you need a transcript with your scholarship application you must request this from Mrs. Booher and place it along with your application.
College & Technical Nights
Coldwater will host its annual College & Tech night on Monday, September 15th from 7:00-8:30 in the Commons Area
St. Marys Memorial High School will be sponsoring College and Tech night on Wed. Sept. 17th. This will be held in the McBroom Gymnasium from 7:00-8:30. Over 50 colleges, military branches and proprietary schools will be on hand.
ATTENTION STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Again this year Gahanna Lincoln High School will be hosting a College Fair for Students with Disabilities. This will be held Monday, October 6th from 6:30-8:00 in the Gahanna Lincoln High School Cafeteria. The school is located at 140 S. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna, Ohio.