COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING

Start the academic year well. Work to improve your overall GPA or at least to maintain it. Initially, college admission offices will be reviewing your first six semesters of coursework (freshman through junior years) when you apply in the fall of your senior year. You want to make a good first impression.

Continue to research potential careers and majors using Naviance.  Visit colleges you are interested in, make sure to inquire about scholarships.

Continue to research potential careers and majors using Naviance.  Visit colleges you are interested in, make sure to inquire about scholarships.

Prepare for semester examinations. Complete your College Planning Questionnaire, Complete your resume in Naviance.

Schedule an appointment with your college counselor and your parents to discuss post-secondary plans.  Review PSAT results and compare with the preACT test. (On which test did you score better?) Begin preparing for one or both college entrance examinations (SAT, ACT). Evaluate first semester performance.

Research potential colleges of interest using Naviance and plan to make some campus visits. Take the ACT at Hoban in February.

Make campus visits during spring break. Most colleges are in session during this time period. It is more beneficial to visit campuses on a weekday rather than a weekend because you can observe the students and academic atmosphere.  You do get 2 college visits day a year excused, just let Mrs. Agnoni know and get a note from the college.

Register for one or both college entrance examinations. Juniors who plan on participating in Division I or II athletics need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Continue to research and visit college campuses. Explore and possibly shadow occupations you are interested in.  Use your summer wisely, get a job, volunteer, go to a camp, research Scholarships.  If needed, register for the September ACT and/or SAT.  Register and attend our Common Application/Naviance sessions in August. Bring a list of college you are planning to apply to the Common App session so you are prepared to input them on that day.

Attend a Senior Common Application session before school begins. Work on completing the Common Application.  Register to retake the ACT and/or SAT. (Dates and deadlines are listed on the Hoban website HERE. Speak with college representatives during their lunch visits. Go on official college visits. Ask for teacher recommendations.

Check college application deadlines. Attend the senior parent Webinar on (date to be announced).  The webinar features a panel discussion with representatives from universities presenting the private and public perspectives of college admissions. Narrow down the list of colleges to which you plan to apply. Decide whether to apply early action, early decision, which is a binding commitment, or regular decision. Research and apply for scholarships.

Continue to work on college applications. Take ACT or SAT as needed. Make sure to notify college counselors when and where transcripts are to be sent. Attend the Financial Aid Night webinar on (date to be announced).  Make an optional appointment with a financial aid adviser from a local university (University of Akron or Kent State) to address specific questions you have in completing the FAFSA. Begin looking for scholarships.  Submit your applications with the November 1st deadline. Research and apply for scholarships.

Be mindful of your application deadlines.  Email your college counselor as you submit so they can send your transcript.  Submit the FAFSA by the priority date set by the colleges to which you have applied. Research and apply for scholarships.

Prepare for semester examinations.

 Avoid senioritis. It could impact graduation and/or college acceptance. Submit the FAFSA by the deadlines set by the colleges to which you have applied.

Revisit your top choice college to confirm your decision.

Keeps searching for other scholarship sources. Refer to College Scholarships part of the Hoban website.

Compare financial aid packages and make final college choice by the end of the month. Notify college counselors of all scholarship offers.

The deadline to notify the college you plan to attend is May 1st. Notify all colleges that offered you admission of your final college choice. Congratulations! You made it.