Seneca Valley Senior High School Senior Post-Secondary Planning

Seneca Valley Senior High School Senior Post-Secondary Planning Small Group Meetings 2011 -2012

Counselors Wendy Mc. Quiston Last Names A-G n Keith Chrestay Last Names H-O n Darla Ramirez-Hoss Last Names P-Z n Michelle Kostlich Learning Support & Alternative n

Guidance Office n Resources – Bridges, College Handbooks, College Applications, Reference Guides, Computers n Senior appointments by request – request made with secretary – pass in 1 st period n Plan ahead – requests are handled on a first-come basis

Class of 2011 n 89. 3% attending a post-secondary program - 4 -year program 68. 7% - 2 -year program 18. 3% - Nursing/Technical 3. 1% n 9. 9% joined the military or entered the workforce

Transcripts n 24 credits needed for graduation – your responsibility to track credits n Personal and scholastic record – QPA, Class Rank, Admission Exams, Senior Schedule, Academic Weight, Attendance n Transcript package – Sealed envelope containing Official Transcript, Report Card, HS profile, Academically Challenging Course sheet

Application Process n Start applying early – check for application deadlines – many schools have a November deadline n Narrow your choices – consider applying to 3 -5 schools n Review your applications or online procedures before making guidance office requests – saves time – will be charged for duplicate transcripts

Application Process n Determine what is needed to complete the application – schools have different and unique requirements – test score reporting – directly from testing agency – it is your responsibility to meet all deadlines and provide all requested information – 7 school days required to process each request n Official transcript, Secondary School Reports, Recommendation letters, Personal essays – these items will need to be acquired ahead of time to meet your application deadline – ask teachers early

Transcript Requests n Transcript Release Authorization – completed once – will not release records without it – must be on file in guidance office signed by parent/guardian – student can sign if over 18 n Student Information Sheet – must be completed once (can be updated) – page 1 information in Bridges Portfolio/Journal – often used for scholarship nominations n Transcript Request Form – completed for every transcript requested

Transcript Request Form n One Form must be completed for each transcript requested and/or application processed – used to track application process – guidance office statistics n Complete all demographic information – name, student ID, date, and counselor name n Complete exact name of school or scholarship program

Transcript Request Form n Indicate if application was processed online and date of submission n Indicate how the guidance office should process your request – mail it yourself (pick up sealed information) – Have the guidance office mail out your completed information (must provide postage and exact mailing address)

Transcript Request Form n Select the items you want processed – Official/Unofficial transcript • select if ACT/SAT scores should be listed on the transcript or omitted – Secondary School Report – Counselor Letter of Recommendation (if requested by school/institution n List all supplemental materials to be included with transcript if being mailed by the guidance office

Essay/ Personal Statement n Follow guidelines provided on the application n Type or neatly print the essay n Have someone review your work – the English department provides a review service – drop off box located in lab 2 C

Recommendations n Follow guidelines provided on the application n Consider asking people who know you well – teachers, employers, youth group leaders, etc… n Ask early – be considerate of teachers’ schedules – clearly specify when you will need the letter

Visitations n Permitted three excused absences per year – schools, school interviews, school placement tests, military interviews, job interviews – obtain a visitation form from attendance office – absence will count against the attendance policy n Be prepared – set up an official visit – meet with faculty within the program your pursuing n Take notes – keep a record of your impressions of the school

Financial Aid n Three basic types – scholarships/grants – awards – loans (federal/state sources, private organizations, institutions of higher education) – employment (College Work Study programs) n Financial Aid package – combination of grants, loans, and work-study n Application for financial aid – check with college for specific details – FAFSA and CSS Profile – Financial Aid Night (December 8, 2011)

Scholarships n Local businesses and organizations – Available in March n Ruth Varner Otto – only available to graduates of Seneca Valley – must file CSS Profile to be considered n Guidance Bulletin – scholarships listed as they become available Private programs and special competitions n BRIDGES /FASTWEB. COM search engine n

SAT/ACT Prep n BRIDGES – test. Gear (SAT & ACT) n BCCC – SAT courses offered n Penn State University – Beaver (SAT) n Courses held at local learning centers

Guidance Bulletin n Scholarship/Financial Aid Information n College Admissions Test Dates & Deadlines n Post Secondary School & Military Representative visits n Open House Information n Guidance Announcements

Bridges n Exploring careers n Planning your future n College and post-secondary n test. Gear – SAT & ACT prep courses available to all students www. bridges. com

Additional Info n NCAA – SAT/ACT score and QPA requirements – Test scores directly from testing agency – Division I & II – Must register with NCAA Eligibility Center www. eligibilitycenter. org Meet with counselor to discuss process n Guidance Website – http: //senecavalley. schoolwires. net Senior High -> Services -> Guidance

Additional Info n Evening Programs – Applying to Post Secondary School Night • Tuesday, September 27, 2011 – Financial Aid Night • Thursday, December 8, 2011 – College and Career School Fair • Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Learning Support Programs n Available at many schools but not all n Computer or paper search – BRIDGES – K&W Guide n Complete re-evaluation of abilities required within three years of entering college

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) n Testing – abilities – vocational n Financial Assistance