WELCOME SENIOR

PARENTS!!!The Journey Begins Here!!!

PARENTS… Is this your first child entering college?

Are you nervous? Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to begin?

WE are here to help!!!

Use your resources!

Start Early!

Watch those deadlines! They are closer than you think!

IMPORTANT PEOPLE!!!

Janelle Appleby- A-Cla

Debbie Harding- Cle-Gi

Cindy Stanford- Gla-Le

Kimberly Schmidt- Li-O

Debra Roland- P-Se

Kristina Holder- Sh-Z

Counselor Intern- Elizabeth Jablonski

MORE IMPORTANT

PEOPLE!!! Elsa Cruz- Go Center Technician

Monica Bennett- Counseling Secretary

PTA/Project Graduation

OC Graduates

College Representatives

Military Representatives

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP

S… Monica Bennett- Counselor Secretary- Turn in

awards to Mrs. Bennett Copy of confirmation letter with dollar amount is

required Dollar amounts are not listed or announced at

graduation or in addendum One scholarship will be announced at graduation Listen to announcements for deadlines!!! Report all awarded scholarships EVEN if you do

not accept.

PROJECT GRADUATION

… PTA- Lt Col.Tommy Fisher

Safe place to celebrate night of graduation

Time Warner Park

Transportation provided to and from event

Fun games, food and prizes

Cost- $40 (Until May 30th); $65 (May 31st)

Sign up tonight !!!

Register by Dec. 31st to be eligible for $100. gift card drawing

2011-2012Sandra Day O’Connor High SchoolHelotes, Texas

SENIOR CONFERENCE

IMPORTANT INFORMATIO

N Graduation Status Report (GSR) and Transcript Diploma Forms AAR/Transcript Release Forms Career Information JR/SR Guidebook SAT/ACT Dates Senior Portfolio Visits to Career Center begin this week!

NISDCOLLEGE

NIGHT When: Monday, October 24, 2011

Where: UTSA

Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm

Come speak to College Representatives for the schools you are interested in applying.

Wear your favorite college t-shirt to school on Oct. 24th.

SAT TESTING DATES

sat.collegeboard.org/register

ALL SENIORS!REPORT TO THE CAREER CENTER FOR MORE INFO.

OHS Testing Dates:

October 1, 2011

December 3, 2011

March 10, 2012

Sign Up Today on:

ACT DATES

www.actstudent.orgYou Can Sign up for the ACT at:

OHS ACT TEST DATES

October 22, 2011

April 14, 2012

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

ACT NOW!

FEE WAIVERS

Fee waivers are available for students who cannot afford the fees associated with the SAT or ACT.

Fee waiver also good for college application.

Please see Mrs. Cruz in the Career Center if you think you qualify.

THEA

All students entering a Texas 2 or 4 Year public college or university must take the THEA PRIOR to enrolling

in college level courses.

If you feel you are eligible for an exemption from this test, visit the testing or advising office of your college

choice(s) before you register for the test so that your status for exemption can be determined.

Accuplacer is the alternate form of the test. The test is available online with immediate results.

Texas Higher Education Assessment

www.thea.nesinc.com

AAR EXAMPLE

COLLEGE APPLICATION

SThe Common Application

www.commonapp.org

Accepted by over 400 private and public college and universities nationwide

Apply Texas www.applytexas.org

Accepted by every Texas Public University, plus some private and two-year schools.

REMINDERS:*Check websites of individual schools for deadlines & specific

information regarding scholarships, housing, etc.*Application fees apply for each school

COLLEGE ESSAYA Reflection of You…

Communicate effectively.

Don’t lie, exaggerate, or make things up.

Always read and follow instructions.

Avoid submitting your application late.

Proofread your essay.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIO

N Complete “The Packet” (available in the counseling office or online).

Include as much specific information as possible (unique experiences, overcoming difficult circumstances, etc.).

Include a resume, student brag sheet, parent brag sheet, teacher evaluation sheets.

Request a letter at least two weeks in advance.

Only send if the application requires it.

TRANSCRIPTS

Request transcripts in the registrar’s office.

Consent for Release forms must be signed by a parent if student is under 18 years old.

Senior Schedule will be included with transcript.

SAT/ACT/AP test scores will NOT be included on transcript (only included for scholarship purposes).

Know your deadlines: 3-5 day processing time for transcripts.

1st transcript is free, after that they are $2.00 each.

6th semester GPA & rank used for applications will be released in October.

Mailing transcripts is the student’s responsibility.

NATIONAL COLLEGIATEATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

All Student-Athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse

Requirements:

- Graduation from high school

- Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in 14 core academic courses

- Must take SAT or ACTwww.NCAA.org

NEW:

Credit Retrieval, Night School and other non-traditional courses will not be accepted by the NCAA.

Check with your college for more information.

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

TYPES OF FINANCIAL

AIDEGrants

Scholarships

Loans

Work Study

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL

STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is your key to getting financial aid.

Here are some things you should know in order to be ready!

Fill out a FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid. Some schools won’t consider a student for the school’s merit scholarships until the student has submitted a FAFSA! Most scholarships require you to fill out a FAFSA!

Before January 1st: Get a Federal Student Aid PIN www.pin.ed.gov Write it down! You need this to “sign” your online FAFSA. Keep it safe!

After January 1st: Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov

FREE Workshop – TBD in February 2012 – Watch OC webpage

SENIOR PORTFOLIO

College Information

Applications

Standardized Test Scores

Scholarships

Financial Aid

Resume

Personal Statement/Essay

Campus Visits

Career Planning

NCAA

Courtesy of the O’Connor Counseling Department

Stay Organized!!Don’t miss deadlines!!

RESOURCES:

Free scholarship matching service

Matches users to scholarships based on their qualifications

Also provides information and current news on financial aid, scholarships, college, jobs and internships, and student life.

Fastweb is tailored to your needs and is committed to providing every student with the tools necessary to fund their higher education goals.

http://www.fastweb.com

RESOURCES:

A new place for you with all the information and support you need to make going to college a reality.

*College Admission Assistance*Financial Aid Guidance

*Career Exploration*College Applications

*Advising*SAT & ACT Preparation

Cafécollege131 El Paso Street

eDiscover:Interest InventoriesCollege SearchesCareer Exploration

CAREER CENTER

RESOURCES:

SAT/ACT Information

Scholarship Information

College Applications

Financial Aid

Military Careers

And Much More!!!

OC

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMSHOW TO TELL THE GOOD

FROM THE BAD!

Scammer:

You’ve won an award for which you didn’t apply.

Does not supply valid contact information.

Guarantees you will win an award.

Requires personal financial information (credit card numbers, bank account number) to “hold” a scholarship.

Legitimate Service:

Sends information about awards when you request it.

Makes contact information available upon request.

DOES NOT guarantee you will win an award.

Should not direct you to a fee-based provider because they know info is available for free.

Scam Site - www.fafsa.comLegitimate site – www.fafsa.org

OTHER OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

Going for Further Training

Private trade

Technical

Business

Vocational Schools

Going Immediately to Work

Research job outlook and future marketability

Going into the Military

Can provide career skills training

Can provide funding for college

SENIOR YEAR REMINDERS

              

                         Know your college application instructions & deadlines.

Know SAT/ACT registration deadlines.

Request test scores from testing agency.

Know your financial aid application requirements & complete your FAFSA after January 1st.

Request transcripts (3-5 days to process).

Request letters of recommendation in a timely manner.

Complete scholarship applications.

Avoid Senior Slack!!!

Q & A