OHS COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT 2016 Presented by: Lynette Burton OHS College and Career Counselor burtonl@osceola.k12.fl.us
To Sign Up: Go to Edmodo.com Click on the word student under sign up Fill in required fields using the code below and click Sign Up Download the FREE Edmodo App to receive notifications Osceola High School: uz8zis *The code changes every 2 weeks.register soon! WRITE DOWN YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD PARENTS: Create your own account using the EDMODO Parent Code that can be found within your student s account
REMIND To receive messages via text, send a text to 81010 with your appropriate class message: Class of 2017: @kowboy17 Class of 2018: @kowboy18 Class of 2019: @kowboy19 Class of 2020: @kowboy20 *Standard text message rates apply
MEET YOUR COUNSELOR! 9 th Grade A-L Mrs. Parks www.calendly.com/parks 9 th Grade M-Z Mrs. Dunlap www.calendly.com/msdunlap 10-12 Grade A-E Mr. Mason www.calendly.com/mrmason 10-12 Grade F-Ma Ms. Gleason www.calendly.com/msgleason 10-12 Grade Mc-Ri Mrs. Ortiz www.calendly.com/msortiz 10-12 Grade Ro-Z Mrs. O Dell www.calendly.com/msodell Students with IEPs Mrs. Sharpe www.calendly.com/mssharpe College and Career Mrs. Burton www.calendly.com/msburton Use Calendly link to schedule an appointment with your counselor
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET ACCEPTED? Holistic Review: Rigor/GPA ACT/SAT Scores Extracurricular Activities Recommendations Application Essays
Rigor of Courses: RIGOR/GPA Exceed number of required Core Courses (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Foreign Language) Challenge yourself with Honors, AP & DE Strong schedule senior year equals acceptance and success GPA: Grades are a KEY factor; however, so is RIGOR Steady performance over time, particularly junior year Fix your GPA early, if needed
ACT/SAT SCORES Required, weighted equally and superscored by MOST colleges The more competitive the college, the more important the score Compare students nationwide and predict success Used for scholarships and acceptance into select programs Prospective college students should take EACH test AT LEAST once during junior year, preferably twice, and possibly one more time early in senior year. Talented sophomores who have completed BOTH Algebra II and Geometry should consider testing in June. Strong score prior to senior year eliminates stress Prepare for the tests.don T take them cold turkey!
PREPARING FOR THE TESTS SAT: College Board Recommends Khan Academy Go to khanacademy.com and create an account Link your previous PSAT and/or SAT scores to your account for a customized tutorial based on your previous scores ACT: Free Online Prep with Waiver Once you have registered with a waiver, ACT emails a link to set up a FREE one year online prep account valued at $39.95
HOW DO I REGISTER? Register Online and PRIOR to the Deadline ACT: actstudent.org SAT: collegeboard.org -WRITE DOWN YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD!! -Allow enough time, this is NOT a 15 minute process. -Be proactive so you don t have to be reactive! Watch the deadlines to avoid late fees and alternate test sites. Send your scores to colleges and universities. You may send up to 4 FREE at the time of testing, after that it costs $$$$. Most schools superscore so it is best to send them each time. Keep all test information and passwords in a folder in a safe place. Put your passwords in your phone as well.
WHAT IS A WAIVER AND DO I QUALIFY? Juniors and Seniors who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch may receive a test fee waiver for both ACT and SAT. A student MUST reapply each year on the school website: www.ohs.osceola.k12.fl.us ALL students at OHS may receive waivers from ACT. A student MUST reapply each year on the school website: www.ohs.osceola.k12.fl.us A student may receive a TOTAL of 2 waivers PER test during junior and senior year: 2+2=4 TOTAL (NOT per year) Students who register for a test with a waiver and miss the test must pay a test date change fee (ACT=$24/SAT=$29). Seniors who qualify for a waiver may also receive College Application Fee Waivers. SAT now issues 4 to a student s college board account once they take the test with a waiver. ACT will also issue 4 fee waivers; however, those must be requested from the Career Center.
HOW DO I GET A WAIVER? Waivers are issued in the Career Center in the front office during lunch EVERY day.no appointment needed Off campus students are accommodated to meet their schedule Helpful to already have account and KNOW YOUR PASSWORD Waivers are entered at time of issue in the Career Center and registrations are reviewed for accuracy Plan AHEAD deadlines get VERY busy in the Career Center
ASVAB TEST Free Optional Assessment, but is REQUIRED for entrance into the Military. It contains a Career Interest Inventory that is beneficial in choosing a career path. Test Date: Tuesday, November 15 Juniors/Seniors register with Mrs. Burton via Edmodo, email or in the Career Center
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Colleges look for students who will contribute to their campus both inside and outside the classroom, as well as in their communities. QUALITY > QUANTITY! Don t attempt to join every club or sport on campus. Pick a few activities and do them well. Be a LEADER by holding an office in a club or be a Team Captain in your sport. Be well rounded by varying your activities. For example, play a sport or participate in the arts, and join a club or two. While it is never too late to get involved, the sooner the better. Colleges like to see dedication over time. It also makes high school more fun and helps you learn to manage your time. QUALITY volunteer hours through school and/or community organizations are also looked at favorably for both admissions and scholarships, as well as experience on resumes
RECOMMENDATIONS Many colleges require recommendation letters to help give them insight into a student s potential. They are part of the humanizing piece and can help tip the scale in either direction. Ask teachers who know you well and provide them with a resume of your activities and involvement to help make their recommendation more specific and beneficial. If applying to a college that uses The Common Application, it requires a counselor recommendation, as well as two additional letters. If the recommendation is optional, DO IT! Give your teachers or counselors PLENTY of notice!
ESSAYS Many colleges, but not all, use essays to learn more about you. It is another humanizing piece of your application. Carefully constructed, interesting, informative and clever essays will make you stand out. Be original! If an essay is optional, DO IT!! Pay attention to punctuation, spelling, grammar & word choice. Proofread, proofread, proofread and THEN ask someone else to proofread as well, preferably your English teacher. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression and your essay is doing that for you. Only a few schools offer the opportunity to interview with an admissions counselor, so your essay often takes the place.
POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS Four Year Colleges and Universities: Both Public and Private -Grant Bachelors Degrees: Either a BA or BS -Geared toward preparation for professional occupations Two-Year Community and Junior Colleges -Grant Associate Degrees: Either AA or AS -Offer many technical programs and certificates -Specialize in transfer programs to 4 year colleges Vocational and Technical Programs -Grant certificates and specialize in trades or vocations -Often a faster path toward gainful employement
FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL Entrance Requirements: Middle 50 th Percentile Size of School: Large/Mid-Size/Small Major Area of Study Location: Climate/Distance/Transportation Urban/Rural Setting Accreditation: REGIONAL credits TRANSFER Athletic Programs Cost: How much can you afford to pay? APPLY TO 4 OR MORE!!! At LEAST 1 Reach, 2 Safe and 1 Fall Back
VALENCIA TRANSITION COACH Mrs. Christina Harris On campus every Monday and Thursday in the Career Center wildschr@osceola.k12.fl.us www.calendly.com/harrisvc to make appointment
DUAL ENROLLMENT Application for Spring 2017 semester opens September 19, 2016 Application is due October 21, 2016 Test scores are due by November 4, 2016 Must have minimum 3.0 GPA (unweighted) and college level PERT/ACT/SAT scores to qualify Application can be found online at www.valenciacollege.edu/dual to be printed Requires parent signature
BRIDGES TO SUCCESS Scholarship opportunity at Valencia Starts in Summer 2017 Requires participation in community service and extracurricular activities at Valencia Covers full tuition with book stipend for two years at Valencia Application opens September 10 th Application is due January 20 th Interested students see Mrs. Burton to sign up for informational meeting Application process will involve parental assistance in completing 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 FAFSA
SENEFF HONORS COLLEGE Scholarships are available Smaller class sizes and rigorous course work Application TBA February 2017 Looks at students in a holistic view (gpa, extra-curricular activities, community service hours, employment)
TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER OF OSCEOLA COUNTY (TECO) Dual Enrollment Opportunities Accept Financial Aid (FAFSA) Programs can often be completed in a year or less and allow students to enter the workforce sooner Credits often transferable toward advanced programs at Valencia or UTI TECO Representative in the Career Center every other Wednesday
STEPS TO THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Get Organized/Prioritize Deadlines 2. Complete Applications: -Letters of Recommendation -Tweak Essays -Pay Application Fee and Submit (Request Waiver if Applicable) 3. Request Transcripts from Guidance 4. Send Test Scores: Each ACT/SAT Score 5. Sit back and wait patiently!
SCHOLARSHIPS Florida Bright Futures Scholarships www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/ Volunteer Hours Required Test Scores Important Application for Seniors Opens OCTOBER 1 Three Levels of Scholarships: FL Academic Scholars (FAS) Award FL Medallion Scholars (FMS) Award FL Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (FGSV) Award
OSCEOLA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Scholarships open November 3 Free Senior Scholarship Counseling For additional information or to schedule an appointment visit: www.foundationosceola.org Got College Hotline: 407-870-4028 (English and Spanish available)
ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES www.fastweb.com www.collegescholarships.com www.collegeanswer.com/payingfor-college www.latinocollegedollars.org/ www.raise.me
COLLEGE ATHLETICS Students interested in receiving an athletic scholarship need to register at the appropriate site: NCAA ww.eligibilitycenter.org NAIA: www.playnaia.org Waivers are available for those who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch
FAFSA FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov Application OPENS October 1 (use 2015 taxes-update after 2016 taxes are complete) APPLY EARLY TO MEET COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEADLINES FOR FINANCIAL AID!!!!!! FAFSA Fridays in Career Center for Assistance Financial Aid Night: November 15 @ 7 pm OHS Auditorium
IN SCHOOL COLLEGE FAIR Wednesday, September 28 Representatives from the Military, Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities Juniors and Seniors will attend with their Social Studies Class
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! College Night at Valencia: Tuesday, October 4 6-8 pm Osceola Campus National College Fair: Sunday, October 9 OHS College Financial Aid Night: Tuesday, November 15
School Preferred Time To Apply Mid-Range Accepted GPA - Summer Mid-Range Accepted GPA - Fall FAMU Sept - Feb 3.00-3.5 3.00-3.50 FAU Fall of Sr. Year 3.42-3.90 3.73-4.37 FGCU Aug 1-Nov 15 3.38-4.12 3.42-4.22 FIU July 1-Nov 1 3.7 4 Mid-Range ACT Accepted Summer Comp: NA E/W: 17-21 Comp: 18-23 E/W: 20-24 Comp: 20-24 E/W: 20-26/6-8 Comp: 21 E/W: 20 Mid-Range ACT Accepted Fall Comp: NA E/W: 17-24 Comp: 21-25 E/W: 21-27 Comp: 22-26 E/W: 21-26/6-8 Comp: 23 E/W: 22 Mid-Range RSAT Accepted Fall RW: 501-600 M: 501-600 RW: 550-640 M: 530-610 RW: 530-560 M: 510-590 RW: 590 M: 590 FA Deadline 1-Mar Dec 1; then rolling through Mar 1 1-Mar Rolling W/ Nov 1 as priority scholarship deadline Applications Accepted FAMU & CollegeNet FAU Online App & SSAR FGCU Online App FIU Online App FLPOLY Prior to Nov 1 NA 3.5 Comp: NA E/W: NA Comp: NA E/W: 26 NA Rolling, Mar 1 FL Poly Online App FSU 19-Oct 3.5-4.1 3.9-4.4 NCF 1-Nov No summer admit 3.71-4.31 UCF Fall of Sr. Year 3.6-4.0 3.7-4.3 UF Aug 15 - Nov 1 4.2-4.5 4.2-4.5 UNF Prior to Scholarship deadline 3.0-3.6 3.6-4.4 USF/T 1-Nov 3.38-3.85 3.83-4.39 Comp: 24-28 E/W: 21-26 Comp: NA E/W: NA Comp: 23-26 E/W: NA Comp: 27-32 E/W: NA Comp: 20.5-23.75 E/W: 20-24/6-8 Comp: 23-26 E/W: 21-24 Comp: 26-31 E/W: 23-29 Comp: 26-31 E/W: 25-30 Comp: 25-29 E/W: NA Comp: 27-32 E/W: NA Comp: 24.5-29 E/W: 24-30/7-8 Comp: 26-30 E/W: 24-28 EBRW: 640-710 Dec 1 - priority FSU Online App M: 600-690 NA RW: 620-700 M: 610-700 RW: 640-730 M: 620-730 RW: M: RW: 550-620 M: 590-690 Nov 1 - FAFSA April 15 - Guar. Scholarships Dec 1 - priority Dec 15; encouraged to apply earlier 1-Apr 1-Jan Common App UCF Online App & Common App Coalition App UNF Online App USF Online App UWF Fall of Sr. Year 3.5 3.6 Comp: 22 E/W: 21 Comp: 24 E/W: 22 RW: 560 M: 547 March 15 - priority UWF Online App