SHS Senior College Night�September 4, 2025, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

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SHS College Counselors:

Ms. Watts A-C

Mr. Nowak D-Ho

Mrs. Trocchio Hp-Mc

Mrs. Kinney Md-See

Mr. Sims Sef-Z

SHS College Planning Support Staff:

Mrs. Rooney Secretary

Mrs. Harrell Financial Aid

Ms. Blashka & Mrs. Chiu Essay Advisors

So far, so good in 9^th-11^th

• Practice tests: Pre ACT and PSAT
• College/career search and discovery
• Annual meetings with counselors
• Résumé created in 11^th grade
• ACT and SAT testing
• College exploration and visitation

Beginning of 12^th Grade

• I have a list of colleges that match my profile and interests
• I have taken ACT and/or SAT
• I have explored college websites to determine their testing requirements
• I have completed the Transcript Release Form and submitted online
• I have completed My Profile and updated my resumé on SchooLinks

Where do we go from here???

1. Senior App Start with all seniors
2. Individual appointments with Counselor
3. Request letters of recommendation if needed (2 max)
4. Register/Complete ACT/SAT testing
5. Meet with an essay advisor if essays are required
6. APPLY!!!

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Three Basic Steps in Applying to College

1. Apply online using the college website or a universal online college application

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1. Students send test scores to college via ACT/College Board websites (Test Optional?)

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1. Request transcripts and recommendation letters

But there’s more to consider…

• Does this application need an essay?

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• How many recommendation letters are required for this application?

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• Does this college use the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and/or the Common Black Application? Is there a supplement?

College Admission Timeline

• SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER
• Meet with counselor for individual appointment
• Write essays and consult with an essay advisor
• Request recommendation letters from teacher(s) then on SchooLinks
• Complete ACT/SAT testing
• Attend College Representative visits to SHS
• APPLY
• Complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens according to the federal government (October).
• Seniors/parents may meet with the representative from College Now Greater Cleveland for financial aid guidance

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• JANUARY – APRIL
• February/March: Seniors complete local scholarship applications
• Review offers, visit again if needed, make final decision about your college choice by May 1, and commit to college/make housing deposit

What is most important in college admissions?

Top three factors that “open the door”:

Grades

Test Scores

Strength of Curriculum

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Next three factors that can help make the final decision:

Essay

Letters of recommendation

Extracurricular activities/leadership/community outreach

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Pointers for Students

• Take charge of your college application process

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• Stay organized: forms, deadlines, spreadsheet of admissions requirements

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• Communicate with your parents, counselor, and recommending-teachers throughout the process

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• Focus on the right fit for you, not the most “name-brand school” or where your friend is applying

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• Don’t panic! Counselors are here to help you through the process

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Pointers for Parents

• Let your student control the application process. Offer support, but do not complete the applications for your student

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• Reassure your student that you will be proud, regardless of the admission decisions

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• Use the resources: the college websites, the School Counseling website, SchooLinks, Post-Secondary Action Steps Packet and SHS information sessions, to help understand and navigate the process

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• Remember, there is a school out there for everyone. Help your student find the right fit

https://sites.google.com/solonschools.net/shsschoolcounseling/home

Student Athletes: NCAA Eligibility

FREQUENTLY�ASKED�QUESTIONS

QUESTION:

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If I apply online, am I done?

ANSWER:

No! In addition to online completion:

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• Students must add the college/university to the list of College Applications in SchooLinks.
• Request teacher letters if needed (2 max)
• Students go online to ACT or College Board to have test scores sent

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QUESTION:

What happens if I apply online and then receive an email stating that the Admissions Office did not yet receive my transcript and other materials from the School Counseling Office?

ANSWER:

• Don’t worry! Online submission needs to catch up with what is sent from the School Counseling Office
• Check SchooLinks to confirm status from SHS
• Check your college websites to monitor your admission status

QUESTION:

Should I wait until I retake the ACT/SAT to submit my applications to colleges?

ANSWER:

• Complete and send applications ASAP

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• Have scores sent later directly from the testing agency

QUESTION:

What is the advantage of completing college applications early?

ANSWER:

• Advantage for rolling admissions: student will be notified sooner regarding admissions
• More scholarship and financial award opportunities earlier in the application season
• The bulk of applications will be submitted before Thanksgiving!

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QUESTION:

I heard that there are different deadlines for students, teachers, and counselors. Is that true?

ANSWER:

• YES!

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• Students:
• If using the Common App, the FIRST student submission must be two weeks prior to the college deadline.
• ALL non-Common App applications MUST be submitted two weeks prior to the college deadline.
• Teachers/Counselors:
• Teacher and Counselor recommendations and required forms will follow.
• Tracking:
• Students can track submission status of all materials in SchooLinks or the individual college portal.

QUESTION:

Do grades really count senior year? Don’t high school transcripts just show grades 9 through 11?

ANSWER:

• Yes! Transcripts in the fall only reflect final grades from 9^th -11^th grade
• Senior year does matter! Colleges are relying heavily on academic performance and course rigor
• Colleges expect to see 7^th semester transcript and a final transcript
• Admission status can be revoked if your transcript shows a decline in performance

QUESTION:

Must my letters of recommendation be from teachers?

ANSWER:

• The recommender should know you well
• The recommender could be a teacher, administrator, coach, club advisor, employer, or youth leader
• Be sure to follow the instructions of the application
• If the recommenders ARE NOT SHS teachers, they must be requested through the Common App.

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QUESTION:

How does technology play a role in the admission process?

ANSWER:

• College admission representatives may communicate with you using various technology platforms. Your responses may be tracked to determine your interest.

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• Be sure to use a professional email when communicating

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• Assume that colleges are using AI detectors as part of the application evaluation process

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• Be aware of Social Media pitfalls and their admission implications

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QUESTION:

Could you recommend any resources which would be helpful at this stage of the application process?

ANSWER:

• SHS Counselors
• In-person and virtual college information: tours, live webinars, individual/group meetings with your admission counselor, Q & A sessions
• SchooLinks - our college and career readiness website
• School Counseling Website - which also provides many college resource documents and website links
• Senior Timeline (sent to parents via email)
• Essay Advisors
• College Now Representative (financial aid)
• School Counseling section in the monthly PTA Newsletter (important dates)
• Quarterly postcards (deadlines)

College is not a prize

to be won . . .

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but rather a match

to be found.