The Senior Year . . .

. . . and Next Steps

Class of 2026

Enrollment – 157

Jill Blount A-G

Amy Medley H-O

Jordan Heishman P-Z

We are here to guide you through the process!

#1 Prayer, Patience & Communication

• Your love and obedience to God is more important than the campus or journey.
• Communicate with your parents about what they can afford before setting your mind on a particular school or undertaking.
• Discuss distance

#2 Getting Organized

• Individual student meetings with counselors in August, September, and October
• Review graduation requirements
• Individual future plans
• Naviance
• Do NOT sign up during a core class period (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)
• DO make a reminder by putting the date/period on your calendar/planner
• Use an email account with appropriate address
• Use “Road to Your Future”
• Use your legal name

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#3 Service Hours

• Need 60 hours to graduate
• 2 types of hours
• CHURCH – Serving the Christian community
• COMMUNITY – Serving the non-Christian community
• MUST HAVE ALL COMPLETED PRIOR TO MARCH SENIOR LUNCH

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#4 Making Choices

What am I going to do after High School?

Interest Inventories

These are found in Naviance.

Career Calculator

http://www.careercalculator.org/#/

OOH

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Occupational Outlook Handbook

GAP Year

What is it?

“A semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.”

Common Reasons for taking a GAP year:

• Burnout from competitive pressure of high school
• Desire to know more about self
• Called to serve in a special area (i.e. missions)

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A gap year is a time to explore the world around and within you -- a time to get fired up about what’s really important to you.

Apprenticeship

What is it?

Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study.

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Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated occupation.

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Vocational and Technical Schools

• Trade schools--also referred to as a vocational school, technical school, or vocational college
• Post-secondary institution that's designed to give students the technical skills to prepare them for a specific occupation.
• Can be public or private, but many are for-profit businesses.
• Upon completion of the program, students receive a diploma or trade certificate
• For some programs students can earn an associate degree, which is the degree received from a two-year college.

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Military

The U.S. military has six branches of service:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marine Corps
• Coast Guard
• Space Force

The requirements to join are similar for all six. The main differences are in age limits, test scores, and fitness levels. Each may have additional requirements.

Colleges and Universities

Community Colleges

Public Universities

Private

For Profit

Liberal Arts

Special Interest (i.e. Art, Nursing, Bible)

Military Academies

#5 Admissions Tests

• Register for ACT at www.myact.org and for SAT at www.collegeboard.org
• Take at least one of the tests TWICE. Colleges sometimes combine sub scores for scholarships (aka Superscore).
• 57% of students raise their score, 21% have no change, 22% of scores go down
• Check to see if the writing portion is required for admission to the college(s) where you plan to apply.

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Standardized Testing

SAT

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September 12, October 3, November 7, & December 5

Register at https://mysat.collegeboard.org/login

ACT

September 19, October 17 & December 12

Register at ACT.org

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**Send previous scores. Send future scores at registration.**

Request ALL test scores be sent to CAL.

Test Optional

Due to COVID-19, most schools were test optional, but others are returning to the requirement for the class of 2026 creating a range of test policies

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Test scores still often required for scholarships

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#6 Visiting Colleges

• August 30-September 2 or October 5-9
• Make appointments with schools as well as departments within the college; seniors receive 2 days for visits but must provide documentation from college(s) to be excused
• A “good fit” is important
• The Student should ask the questions! Use suggestions in the “Road to Your Future.”

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Register for in person tours through the college website

#7 Applying for Admission

• Online applications are on college websites
• All colleges require a transcript and school profile sent from the high school
• Proofread the application before hitting submit
• CAL Profile will be updated and included
• Each state and/or college has its own requirements for admission.

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Types of Applications

• Individual College Applications--apply directly to college
• Shared Application for a System of Colleges--apply directly to college
• May require extra component (ie. audition)

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• The Common Application
• The Universal Application

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Recommendations and Evaluations

• More is not better--Colleges only want the number of recommendations for which it has asked
• Be courteous and ask the recommender at least 2 weeks (10 school days) before the due date–PLEASE
• Counselors require parent and student questionnaires to be completed before writing recommendations

Talk with your counselor BEFORE asking a teacher

Questionnaires

All student and parent

questionnaires must be

completed before letters

of recommendation can

be written. Forms are

found by clicking on

the “documents

library” link on the

Naviance Student

home page.

�What do colleges look for in an application?

• Academic Rigor (Including senior year)
• Cumulative GPA (Grades in all courses/levels)
• ACT and SAT Test Scores
• Recommendations (Teacher and Counselor)
• Community service, work and extracurricular activities, internships, summer enrichment and outreach programs
• Leadership, Special Talents/Skills, Honors, Awards, Essay and/or Writing Samples Interviews (if required)

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PERSONAL BACKGROUND

• Alumni Connection
• Cultural Awareness/Experiences
• First Generation
• Low-economic background
• Underrepresented Minority
• Personal Disadvantage
• Professional Diversity
• Faculty/Staff Connection
• Military Veteran/Peace Corps, America Corps, etc.

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• Overcoming Personal Adversity
• Language Spoken at Home/ESL
• Frequent Moves/Many Different Schools
• Demonstrated Interest in the College – Good Match
• Strong Personal Statement

GEOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS

• In-State vs. Out of State/Country Resident
• From State or School with few or no previous applicants
• Economically Disadvantaged Region

Other Criteria Considered

#8 Deadlines

These dates are EXAMPLES...make sure you check!

Early Decision

• Early decision involves a BINDING DECISION to enroll of accepted – you will have to attend that school regardless of other offers and without knowing any financial aid package that may or may not be offered.
• Students may only apply to one school through Early Decision, and if accepted, must withdraw applications to all other schools.
• Early Decision offers a slight advantage of acceptance – colleges usually accept a higher percentage of applicants than those that apply for regular decision.
• Early Decision is a good option for admissible students with LOW FINANCIAL NEED who have a clear first choice school – all others should be very CAUTIOUS!!!

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Early Action

• Entails no commitment to enroll and therefore offers little advantage for admission.
• Early Action students, however, are often first in line for merit scholarships and housing.
• Competition in Early Action pools at highly selective schools is generally tougher than in the regular decision pool.
• Some Early Action colleges now ask that students apply early only to their institution, however, you may still apply regular decision to any other institution

Rolling Admissions

• Colleges that use rolling admissions accept students who meet their entry requirements as they receive applications.
• Usually accept students from September until July.
• Students receive a notice of acceptance 2-3 weeks after they submit their application and all supporting documents.
• As the college fills up its slots for the freshman class, it can become more selective in who is accepted.
• Rolling Admissions colleges may award some financial aid at the same time they are admitting students – so the amount of available financial aid may dwindle at the end of the admissions process.

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#9 Naviance

• Go to www.caschools.us
• Click on “English Station”
• Hover over “High School”
• Menu will appear
• Scroll down and click on
• “High School Counselor”
• Click on

Naviance–Login

Start Here If You Have Used Naviance Before

Start Here If You Are New to Naviance

Naviance–Home Screen

Click to Select Path and Get Started

Click to Do a College Search

Click to Check Out Careers

Select what you plan to do after high school

There are 8 choices!

Naviance

Screen will appear different based on path chosen and your options will vary

Naviance–GAP Year and Undecided

This screen is the same for GAP Year and Undecided

Naviance–Vocational Training and Employment

This screen is the same for Trades, Apprenticeship and Employment

Click to review inventories

Naviance–Military

Click to investigate the different branches

Naviance–College Path

Click Here

This screen is the same for 2 and 4 year college paths

Requesting Transcripts

Click on Plus Sign in Upper Right Corner

Find College

Select Application Deadline

Choose How You Apply

Click to Submit Request

Requesting Transcripts

Choose “Initial”

Click to Submit Request

Common App and Recommendations

Will see green bar when transcript request complete

If using Common App will need to match accounts

Click here to request Letter of Recommendation

Recommendations

Click here to select teacher and school

Naviance–Questionnaires

Click on blue circle

Click on “Document Resources” to access questionnaires for students and parents to complete for letters of recommendation

What should you do if you get a email from the college saying they have not yet received your transcript?

• Don’t panic! Wait a few days to call or email the college to see if they have received it.
• Great reason not to wait until the deadline...
• Early is good!

#10 Financing College

• SCHOLARSHIPS–From two sources:
• Colleges - 90%
• Independent - 10% (i.e. Community Foundation of Louisville, Rotary Club, Papa John’s, KY Farm Bureau, etc.)
• Talk to the Financial Aid office at the College
• Search online, www.fastweb.com
• Check daily announcements
• Apps – “Scholly”

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FAFSA

Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form to apply for financial aid for college

www.fafsa.ed.gov or https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

Opens

October 1st

Required for scholarship consideration and/or financial aid.

KY Work Ready Scholarship

• Earn up to 60 hours of college credit for FREE
• Can earn certifications in as little a 4 months
• Must complete the FAFSA to be eligible

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https://workreadykentucky.com/

# 11 Communication

• When contacting the college, YOU need to be the one to email or call.
• Email is the best way to communicate with counselors at CAL.
• Check daily announcements regarding scholarships
• Check your email!!!!

#12 College Athletics

• Register with respective athletic associations:
• NCAA Clearinghouse online at www.ncaa.org
• NAIA at www.naia.org
• Make sure your coach knows you would like to play in college.
• Make sure to tell your counselor. You must meet NCAA requirements for high school credits; these requirements are non-negotiable.

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Our Mission

The mission of Christian Academy School System is to develop students with a heart for God who grow as Jesus did in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men. � Luke 2:52

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education with a Higher purpose