The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook by The Summit Country Day School

college counseling handbook

Support. Information. Encouragement.

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Team Maureen Ferrell

Laci Tucker

Director of College Counseling

College Counselor

513.871.4700 x226 ferrell_m@summitcds.org

513.871.4700 x364 tucker_l@summitcds.org

Mike Fee

Susan Maxwell

Guidance Counselor Grades 9-12

College Counseling Administrative Assistant

513.871.4700 x249 fee_m@summitcds.org

513.871.4700 x282 maxwell_s@summitcds.org

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

Welcome College Counseling at The Summit is a partnership that brings families and college counselors together to educate, support and encourage students as their college search unfolds. With this approach comes the belief that the family is ultimately responsible for the key decisions and actions necessary to move this process forward. Summit’s college counselors are paired with faculty advisors. This collaboration ensures each student, beginning in the ninth grade, has a support team at school. Advisors serve as a communication link with college counselors throughout the school year. In the past few years, Naviance has become an essential tool used in our department. Naviance is a college and career readiness software provider that partners with high schools providing students a variety of features, including college research and matching tools, career assessment and personality tests. Each Summit student and parent receives a username and password upon enrollment. Families can connect with Naviance on their personal computer. Exploring the range of post-secondary opportunities can be overwhelming. College counselors are accessible to students and parents throughout the college search. We are open and positive, providing an atmosphere that encourages faculty, students and parents to take advantage of the available resources. Summit’s counselors stay abreast of current trends within college admission and are attuned to pedagogical issues regarding adolescent development. The College Counseling department represents Summit and articulates the school’s mission and values to colleges so that they understand the Summit school experience. In turn, the department represents the college admission landscape to The Summit community.

—Maureen Ferrell Director of College Counseling

Index Welcome

Planning Calendar

College Application

How It All Works

Athletes

Testing

College Visit

What to Ask

The Interview

Financial Aid

Resources

Websites

Plan Your Work ... Work Your Plan

College Counseling Planning Calendar: Freshman Year • Take the most challenging coursework offered and do well in those classes. Remember, colleges and universities look at your freshman year grades. • Get to know the college counseling staff, they are great resources. They will help you understand your GPA, choose coursework, activities, and help you to balance your academics with outside interests. • Attend Upper School evening programs with your parents. See school calendar for dates. • Become engaged in The Summit and larger community. Find extra-curricular groups of interest. It’s completely OK to go to one meeting and decide it’s not for you. Colleges want to see quality over quantity and want to see you are passionate about what you do. • Explore your talents and take advantage of opportunities to join a club, play a sport, and participate in art, music, theater, etc. • Organize your time and adopt good study skills. • In October, take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT). Review your score report along with your test book to learn your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare to repeat this test your sophomore year. • Take the PLAN (Pre-ACT) in the spring to help determine your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare to take the ACT in the future. • Consider taking the SAT Subject Test Math Level 1 after Algebra II. Please note: Some colleges require, suggest or recommend sending SAT Subject Test scores for admission. Summer Assignment: Plan worthwhile summer activities, such as college programs, volunteer work, a specialty focused camp or a summer job. Naviance Activity: • Investigate your learning style. • Explore your career interests. “If I had offered just one piece of advice for incoming freshman, I’d say go meet the people in the college counseling office — not like a formal meeting about college search, but as a general meeting to say, like, ‘Hi, I’m Alex. I like technology.’ They’ll look at you and say this kid likes technology, and they’ll look at colleges with you in mind and make recommendations. There is a very personal connection with the college counselors here at The Summit.” — Alex Marcellus ’13, Purdue University

“Start planning as soon as the common application and individual essay topics are announced. During the summer, when you are bored with nothing to do, start writing outlines for the essays. It will make your life a lot easier during the fall of your senior year.” — Warren Hill ’13, Hampton University

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

College Counseling Planning Calendar: Sophomore Year • Continue to take the most difficult coursework available to you and keep up the good work and grades. Continue to explore your academic interests. • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities. Find ways to give back to The Summit and larger community. Accept leadership roles. • Continue building a relationship with your college counselor. Your counselor will help you become more familiar with the college process. • Attend Upper School evening programs with your parents. See school calendar for dates. • In October, take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT). Review your score report along with your test book to learn your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare to repeat this test your junior year. • Begin to build a college file by gathering materials about colleges of interest. Use school vacations to visit college campuses. Journal your impressions of colleges upon return from visiting. • Take AP exams for courses you may have taken at the AP level. • Take SAT Subject Tests that are appropriate. Please note: Some colleges require, suggest or recommend sending SAT Subject Test scores for admission. Summer Assignment: Plan worthwhile summer activities, such as college programs, internships, volunteer work, a specialty focused camp, a summer job... Find out what interests you, or better yet, what you’re not interested in! Naviance activities: • Develop your personal resume recording activities and accomplishments • Begin a prospective college list. • Complete the “Do What You Are” assessment. “I started early. I thought about what kinds of schools I wanted and did a little research on what it took to get in. I began to go to college visits in my sophomore year.” — Isabelle Saldana ’13, Emory University

“Practice interviewing. It really helps to have a good interview so the person representing the college likes you and therefore can be a good resource, i.e. recommendations, contacts, questions.” —Dale Lakes ’13, U.S. Military Academy at West Point

College Counseling Planning Calendar: Junior Year • Continue to take the most difficult coursework available to you and keep up the good work and grades. Continue to explore your academic interests. • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities. Find ways to give back to The Summit and larger community. Accept leadership roles. • Continue developing your relationship with your college counselor. They will help you become more familiar with the college process. Attend evening programs with your parents. • Sign up and attend college visits during the school day and local College Fairs. This is a great way to begin the college search and just take a look at schools of possible interest. Attend regional college presentations; Summit hosts a few each year! • Take the PSAT in October. This test determines National Merit recognition. This test will help determine your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare for the SAT. • Register and take the SAT (December) and ACT (January). Please refer to The Summit’s College Counseling web pages for links to updated testing dates and online registration. • If you intend to seek an athletic scholarship, start contacting the coaches at the schools that most interest you. Complete the online NCAA Eligibility Center registration. • Use school vacations to visit college campuses. Look for tours on your individual college websites and sign up for them. • Schedule an individual meeting for you and your parents with their college counselor in the winter for college planning. • Think about teachers to ask for recommendation letters. • Using information provided in Naviance, note any early action or early decision deadlines at each college of choice. • Using information in Naviance, develop a timeline for college and scholarship application deadlines. • Take AP exams for courses you may have taken at the AP level. • Take SAT Subject Tests that are appropriate. Please note: Some colleges require, suggest or recommend sending SAT Subject Test scores for admission. • In August, the Common Application (the application for about 400 colleges) becomes available. It’s a good idea to start early and look through the different schools you are applying to see what is required of you.

Summer Assignments: • Plan worthwhile summer activities, such as college programs, internships, volunteer work, a specialty focused camp or a summer job. Find out what interests you, or better yet, what you’re not interested in! • Draft your college essay, personal statement and other essays you will need to submit. Naviance Activities: • Sign up to attend college rep visits/ information sessions. • Continue adding to your personal resume recording activities and accomplishments. • Complete the “Game Plan Survey” which helps you think about what you seek in college (location, size, specific programs, competitiveness). 6

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

College Counseling Planning Calendar: Senior Year

• Continue to take the most difficult coursework available to you and keep up the good work and grades. Continue to explore your academic interests. • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities. Find ways to give back to The Summit and larger community. Accept leadership roles. • Continue developing your relationship with your college counselor. They will help you with all aspects the college application process. Attend evening programs with your parents. • Sign up and attend college visits during the school day and local College Fairs. This is a great way to continue the college search and just take a look at schools of possible interest. Attend regional college presentations, Summit hosts a few each year! • Visit colleges of major interest. Plan an overnight in the dorm if possible. • Meet with your college counselor to narrow list of schools; discuss deadlines, application types and financial aid opportunities. August/September: • Submit drafts of college application essays to your college counselor to review for editing. • Make an appointment with your college counselor to review your online college application before submission. • Register for any additionally needed SAT or ACT tests. Please refer to The Summit’s College Counseling web pages for links to updated testing dates and online registration. • Register for and take SAT Subject Tests that are appropriate. Please Note: Some colleges require, suggest or recommend sending SAT Subject Test scores for admission. Make sure you send your scores directly to your college or university. • Send ACT and/or SAT scores directly to colleges. October: • Finalize your application for early action/early decision schools. Submit prior to deadline to ensure all parts are sent and received. November: • Finalize regular applications and submit before Thanksgiving. January: • Complete the FASFA (financial aid form) online. If required, complete the CSS/Financial Aid profile. Most colleges require these forms to be submitted between January 15 and February 1 to receive a financial decision with your acceptance letter. March/April: • Visit schools where you’ve been admitted, attend classes, meet admissions office staff and figure out the best school fit for you.

College Counseling Planning Timeline: Senior Year May: • May 1 is National Candidate Reply Day! Most colleges will require you to accept or decline their offer of admission by this date. Write to inform and thank colleges whose offers you did not accept. Write thank you notes to teachers who wrote letters of recommendation. • Complete the Future Plans survey in Naviance. • Take AP exams for courses you may have taken at the AP level. Make sure you send your scores directly to your college or university. June: • Graduate. July/August: • Relax, begin packing for college and correspond with your roommates. • Attend orientation at your college or university. Naviance Activities: • Link student Common Application account with their Naviance account. • Sign up for and attend college rep meetings/information sessions at Summit Country Day School. • Finalize “Colleges I’m Applying to” list ensuring transcripts and other supporting documents are sent. • Ask faculty members for recommendations and make requests in Naviance. • In May, complete the Future Plans survey. “Keep your mind open to any school and give them a chance. Some people may have opinions, but go ahead and judge from your own experiences. And start your essays early.” — Adam Chow ’13, Georgia Institute of Technology “I went to Rhode Island School of Design first and attended their open house and student welcome. Yale was nearby. When Yale had their Bulldog Days, I went. In the end, it came down to this: Because I went to this amazing school that rounded me and let me explore all my interests, I’m not just an art kid. I took calculus and I’m interested in physics. Yale was the place where I could do all the things that I love.” — Meg Mathile ’13, Yale University 8

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

Understanding Your College Application By mid to late fall of the senior year, you should reduce the college exploration list to schools to which you plan to apply. The application list should only include colleges you would gladly attend if admitted. There are several application options including: Early Action: Under Early Action, students apply for admission in the fall of the senior year, and the college notifies the student of the admission decision before calendar year-end. This is a non-binding process which means the applicant is not obligated to attend the college if accepted. Unlike Early Decision, Early Action still allows students to receive other admission decisions from the regular application process before making a final college choice. Early Action Single Choice or Restricted Early Action: Like Early Action, students apply for admission early in the senior fall and receive the decision in December. While the applicant is not obligated to enroll in the college if admitted, the opportunity to apply to other colleges is limited. Your College Counselor will help you interpret the process for each college. Early Decision: Early Decision is an application option in which an applicant agrees that if admitted, he or she will enroll in the college. Students also agree that they will not, upon acceptance, initiate applications to any other college, and will withdraw any outstanding applications. Early Decision deadlines can range from November 1 to January 15. Some colleges offer more than one Early Decision deadline. If accepted, your admission is binding. Early Decision candidates can only review one financial aid offer. If the offer is insufficient, most schools will release you from the binding contract. Early Decision is only appropriate for those students who are absolutely certain of their first college choice. Regular Admission: Most students apply for Regular Admission. Regular Admission deadlines range from December 15th until March 1st with the majority due in January. Colleges notify most Regular Admission applicants of the admission decision by early to mid-April. Admission under this option is not binding. Regular Admission is best for students who want to consider a selection of schools and several financial aid offers before making a final decision. Rolling Admission: Under Rolling Admission, colleges make admission decisions shortly (six to eight weeks) after receiving the application and the students are notified immediately. In some cases, if the admission office wishes to compare the applicant to later applicants, an application may be held and considered again at a later date. For colleges that offer Rolling Admission, it is best to apply well before the final deadline, because spaces will fill. Once full, a college will not be able to consider new applications. In addition to these primary application plans, there are other, less used, application options: Deferred Enrollment: Under this option an admitted student is permitted to postpone enrolling in the college for one year in order to pursue alternate plans. Open Admissions: These colleges accept all applicants who apply, and often admit the student and register the student for classes at the same time.

How It All Works At every college, your academic record will be the most important information considered in your application. Some factors that affect the admission decision are within your control, such as contributions to school and community, leadership, personality, essay quality, and the interview. Other factors that are out of your control – such as institutional priorities, the role of legacies, diversity, and developing winning athletic teams – all of which can influence the outcome of your application. The Academic Profile: Includes courses, Grade Point Average (GPA), and test scores (SAT Reasoning Test, ACT, and Subject Tests). The Academic Profile rates the candidate as a student and measures academic achievements and abilities to date. It supplies evidence to measure whether the applicant can meet, enjoy and contribute to the type of academic challenge of a particular college. The Personal Profile: Balances the academic profile and includes extracurricular activities, essays, and, perhaps an interview. The Personal Profile documents the applicant’s interests, extracurricular commitments, leadership, and personality. It helps the admissions representative know the applicant more personally. Supporting Documents: Serves to bring the two profiles together, verifying and balancing the applicant’s information. This part of the application consists of the secondary school report, college counselor’s recommendation, teacher recommendations (occasionally personal or peer recommendation), and additional supplementary materials. Completing Your Application: At The Summit, we advise applications be completed before Days of Grace and Wisdom, which happen annually right before Thanksgiving. The applicant’s responsibility is to follow each application’s instructions. The College Counselors will provide guidance throughout the process, answering general and specific questions.

We can’t stress this enough: Meeting deadlines is imperative!

Students request teacher recommendations a minimum of six weeks before the deadline. Once all supporting documents are ready, they will be sent electronically by Mrs. Nethers to each college/ university listed in your Naviance account. Please remember: • Follow the application instructions closely. • Secure all necessary information before you begin to work on the application. • Start early! If you procrastinate until two or three weeks before the deadline, it will probably show; you may create the impression that you aren’t really interested. • Organize your college application materials. Keep a separate file for each college. • Abide by the Golden Rule of College Admissions: Don’t file an application for admission to a college which you would not gladly attend if offered the chance. If you follow this rule, you will make good decisions about colleges. (Taken from NACAC, A Guide to the College Admission Process, NACAC Publications.) • Print your completed application for proofreading before you hit the “send” button. • Print a copy of each final application for your records.

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

For Athletes Students who are planning to participate in Division I or Division II athletics must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Meeting The Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation requirements will more than fulfill the NCAA core course unit requirements. Begin the certification process during the second semester of your junior year. Once you have received your second semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grades, you may submit your Records Release Form (found in the College Counseling Office) to the NCAA Eligibility Center for certification. Do not forget to contact the appropriate testing agency to request official SAT/ACT scores reports be sent to the Eligibility Center. Their code is 9999. Link to Eligibility Center: www.eligibilitycenter.org

The 11 Division I athletes and one Division II athlete in the Class of 2014: L to R, Daniel Bruns, Marist University, football; Michael Barwick, Jr., Indiana University, football; Alex Vance, University of Dayton, football; Antonio Woods, University of Pennsylvania, basketball; Meredith Schertzinger, University of Alabama at Birmingham, soccer; Mia Schreibeis, Winthrop University, soccer; Bryce Hueber, University of Dayton, soccer; Addie Englehart, Wright State University, soccer; Ellie Adams, St. Louis University, cross country/track; Sophie Adams, St. Louis University, cross country/track; Rebecca Stromberg, Belmont Abbey College, lacrosse; and Christian Hay, University of Cincinnati, soccer.

Standardized Testing Along with an examination of your academic program and grades, colleges also examine the results of standardized testing. Most colleges continue to require the SAT or ACT, and most competitive colleges also require the SAT subject tests. The SAT is designed to test your critical thinking skills in both the verbal and quantitative areas. Some colleges place more emphasis on standardized testing than others, while there are a number of highly selective colleges that are “Test Optional.” Some colleges understand that very able students don’t always test well and determine their true academic achievement and potential by examining their strong academic record rather than relying on a morning’s testing experience. Colleges interpret standardized tests in a variety of ways, which are discussed in individual meetings with The Summit’s college counselors, but here is an overview of the tests. Please refer to The Summit’s college counseling website for upcoming test dates, fees and registration deadlines. Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) The PSAT is given at The Summit to all freshmen, sophomores and juniors in October. This is a two-hour and ten minute examination designed to measure verbal, mathematical and writing ability. Scores range from 20 to 80 on each section. This is used as a practice test to acquaint you with the kinds of questions on the SAT Reasoning Test. Scores are reported to you and to Summit, and used as predictors of later scores on the SAT Reasoning Test. Based on these predictions, you will be aided in determining a plan of preparing for future testing. The results of this test, for juniors, are used to select National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists and Commended Students. Those students receiving these honors are notified in the fall of their senior year. SAT Reasoning Tests and SAT Subject Tests Administered by the College Board, The SAT Test is divided into three parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing Skills. This test lasts three hours and 45 minutes. The SAT Subject Tests, as the name indicates, are subject-specific. The score range for the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests range from 200 to a high of 800. Some very selective colleges require or recommend that students submit results from two or three Subject Tests in addition to scores from SAT Reasoning Tests for admission or placement. Of the colleges that require this test, most ask for a math Subject Test plus one or two subjects of your choosing. You must check online information and application requirements! Students who apply for Early Decision or Early Action should plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test and the requisite number of Subject Tests in their junior year. Subject Tests are best taken in the same year that you complete the academic course in that subject area. Registration dates about five weeks prior to test administration. Students are responsible for meeting all registration deadlines. Students receive scores about four weeks after the test date. Unless students enroll in Score Choice, all of your SAT and SAT subject tests scores will be sent to colleges.

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

ACT This is a three-hour test that measures skills in four major curriculum areas: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. You must check with each individual college to see if they require the ACT plus a Writing test. Summit’s recommendation is that you take the ACT with the Writing test. The ACT score range has a composite score range of 1 – 36 and each test sub-section has a score range of 1 – 36. With the ACT, you can take this test more than once and choose which scores get sent to colleges. Students who apply for Early Decision or Early Action should take the ACT in their junior year. Registration dates for these tests are about five weeks prior to test administration. Register at www. act.org. Test scores are reported about four weeks after the test date. Advanced Placement Tests (AP) AP examinations are given in May with specific dates set by College Board. These are three-hour, college-level subject tests used by many colleges for placement and credit. Save your AP Score Reports if you plan to self-report your scores on your college application. You are the only one who will send these scores to colleges, though higher levels of performance (scores of 4 or 5) may be cited by teachers or college counselors within the written recommendations that are part of the application process. Testing Accommodations The College Board and ACT may provide testing accommodations to students who have a documented disability (Learning Disability, ADHD or Health Impairment). This diagnosis must not be older than three years coming from educational testing performed by a psychologist. The accommodations for students at Summit have generally been given in the form of extended time. Other accommodations are available. If you feel you may qualify for testing accommodations or wish to discuss the procedure to document a disability, please contact Upper School Counselor Mike Fee. Sending Scores to Colleges Students are responsible for sending your test scores to colleges to which you choose to apply. When you are ready to report your scores for the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests or ACT you should you should make a list of colleges to which you want your scores sent. Upon contacting the testing agency (College Board or ACT) they will send your scores. There will be a fee for each test score sent. The Summit Country Day School’s Code Number (CEEB) is: 361120

What to Expect on Test Day ACT Format: • The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test that measures understanding of sentence structure, grammar and usage, sentence structure and rhetorical skills. • The Math test is a 60-question, 60-minute test designed to assess Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry skills. You may use a calculator, check www.actstudent.org for details. • The Reading test is a 40-question, 35-minute test measuring reading comprehension. Specific questions will ask you to refer to what is stated and use reasoning to determine the meaning. Passages are based on Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities and Natural Sciences. • The Science test is a 40-question, 35-minute test that measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills required in Natural Sciences. • The Writing test is a 30-minute essay test that measures your writing skills. You are asked to write a response to a question about your position on the issue presented in the writing prompt. SAT Format: • The Writing test is a 60-minute, 49-question and one-essay test combination. You will have 25 minutes to compose your response to the given prompt. You will have 25 minutes to answer 35 questions identifying sentence errors, improve sentences and paragraphs. You will have 10 minutes to answer 14 questions relating to improving sentences. • The Critical Reading test is a 67-question, 70-minute test that measures your ability to complete sentences and comprehend short and long reading passages. • The Math test is a 54-question, 70-minute test designed to assess Arithmetic, Algebra I and II and Geometry skills. You may use a calculator, check www.sat.collegeboard.com for details. • The Experimental test is 25 minutes in length and questions vary from test to test. Questions are tested for future use. Your answers are not calculated in your score report. PLEASE NOTE: The 25-minute Essay Section will always come first and the 10-minute Writing Section will always come last. All other sections can be in any order and will vary not only from test date to test date but also from student to student. 14

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

ACT — SAT Concordance constructs. The ACT measures achievement related to high school curricula, while the SAT measures general verbal and quantitative reasoning. ACT and the College Board (producers of the SAT) have completed a concordance study that is designed to examine the relationship between two scores on the ACT and SAT. These concordance tables do not equate scores, but

A tool for comparing scores

concordance tables and guidelines for proper use on our website at www.act.org/aap/concordance.

AC T C ompos ite S c ore

S AT S c ore C ritical R eading + Math (S ingle S core)

S AT S c ore C ritical R eading + Math (S core R ange)

AC T S c ore C ombined English/Writing

S AT S c ore Writing (S ingle S core)

S AT S c ore Writing (S core R ange)

36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1600 1560 1510 1460 1420 1380 1340 1300 1260 1220 1190 1150 1110 1070 1030 990 950 910 870 830 790 740 690 640 590 530

1600 1540–1590 1490–1530 1440–1480 1400–1430 1360–1390 1330–1350 1290–1320 1250–1280 1210–1240 1170–1200 1130–1160 1090–1120 1050–1080 1020–1040 980–1010 940–970 900–930 860–890 820–850 770–810 720–760 670–710 620–660 560–610 510–550

36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

800 800 770 740 720 690 670 650 630 610 590 570 550 530 510 490 470 450 430 420 400 380 360 340 330 310

800 800 770–790 730–760 710–720 690–700 660–680 640–650 620–630 610 590–600 570–580 550–560 530–540 510–520 480–500 470 450–460 430–440 410–420 390–400 380 360–370 340–350 320–330 300–310

AC T–S AT C oncordance S tudy: J une 2008

The College Visit Visiting a college campus is often the most important information-gathering tool in the search. It provides an excellent opportunity to determine a college’s fit for you. The junior year is a good time to begin visiting colleges. Starting too early can cause burnout in the college search process. College websites provide information that will help students prioritize the colleges they would like to visit in person. When visiting a college campus, there are several options to consider. Let us stress that there is no wrong choice, and each option has merit. Spring Visits: During spring break, you will find most colleges in the midst of their application reading process, and admission officers will be busy. Be prepared to see offices staffed by skeleton crew, with campus visits limited to tours and group information sessions. Summer Visits: Although you’ll not see the campus with the students in action, both you and the admissions office have more time to devote to your visit. It is often easier to schedule an interview with an admission counselor in the summer. Today, many colleges become summer conference facilities; often the campuses are active. Although most of the summer programs do not reflect the campus life during of the academic year, summer visits will give you enough information to assess your interest in the school. Fall Visits: Many families prefer fall campus visits when college is in session. Admission offices may be understaffed in the fall because officers are on the road recruiting. It is most important to call early for fall visit appointments to make sure an admission representative is available to see you. Visit after being accepted: Some students visit campuses after they have received all their admission decisions, when many colleges offer special “admitted student weekend programs.” You will have the opportunity to stay overnight in a dorm, eat the school’s food, attend a class or two, and get to know some other students who may also be attending the school as freshmen next year. Begin your visits close to home: the greater Cincinnati area has many outstanding schools of all sizes and varieties: urban, suburban, rural, large, and small schools. You might begin your campus visits with an Ohio school that fits your exploration criteria. Go on these visits with an open mind; you might find a place that is right for you. 16

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

Tips for Making the Most of your Visit • If you will miss school, notify your teachers in advance by completing the College Visit form available online or in the College Counseling office. • Review the college website and any information the school has sent. • Develop a list of questions to ask the admissions officers and students, particularly important if you have an admissions interview. • Depending on your interests, you may also want to arrange for meetings with people such as coaches or professors. If you do request additional appointments, prepare a separate list of questions for those meetings. • We recommend no more than two college visits in a day. College visits are more work than you may think! • Arrange your schedule so you are able to attend everything: the information sessions, tours, and interviews. • Remember to make a reservation about two weeks prior to when you’d like to visit. Most colleges prefer you make this reservation online. • Secure good directions to the school’s campus and admissions office. Confirm the location of admissions parking ahead of time. • Inquire about the possibility of observing classes. Most admissions offices are happy to provide a list of classes pre-approved for visitors. • Observe class sizes, facilities, and teaching styles. Ask about the accessibility of faculty. • Make sure you see a dorm room similar to the one in which you will live your first year. • Eat a meal in the dining facilities. Inquire about meal plan options. • Talk to as many students as possible. Also, check the bulletin boards for campus news, and pick up a campus newspaper, as it will tell you about campus life. • If financial aid is a consideration, families may want to meet with and ask questions of a financial aid officer. Many admission counselors are also well versed in financial aid and will be able to answer questions. Make this appointment ahead of time. • Take notes. If you visit several schools during a short period of time, you may have difficulty remembering the differences. Use the time in the car to record your impressions or keep a journal on your Family Connection account. • Collect business cards, keep the names of each person you meet during your visit, and send a thank you note. Remember, everyone likes to be appreciated for doing a good job. • Don’t argue with your parents during the campus visit. They will have questions that might be different from yours – let them ask. An argument will only reflect poorly on you.

What to Ask on College Visits Families should come prepared with a list of questions to ask not only admissions officers, but more importantly student admissions representatives and tour guides, in order to get a full idea of campus life. By tailoring questions to these students’ personal experiences, families can see the school from a current student’s perspective, rather than just hearing statistics compiled by the admission office, which may create an incomplete impression for prospective students. Most quantitative data is available either on the school’s website or in paper pamphlets. Campus tours provide an opportunity to collect qualitative data that can provide important points of comparison between two schools with otherwise similar numbers. On a hot summer day of touring colleges, qualitative data can also give much needed character to an otherwise empty campus. Before heading out on your next college trip, consider a list of questions that are important to you. Below are ten aspects of college life that are of particular interest to prospective students, with possible questions for student admissions representatives. Academics • How many students were in your introductory courses? Upper-level courses? • Have your courses been taught by professors or teaching assistants? What roles do teaching assistants play in classes? • How difficult is it to sign up for classes as a freshman? • How often are you expected to meet with your advisor during the year? Are advisors readily available to meet with their students? • How did you decide upon your major? Is it easy to switch majors? How much time do I have to decide my major before formally declaring?

Residential Life • Where do freshmen live? Is it separate from upperclassmen? • What are the living arrangements in dorms? Do students generally move off campus? Is housing guaranteed all four years? If it isn’t, how easy/difficult is it to find on and off campus options? • How is the food on campus? Are meal plans mandatory? How expensive are food options off campus? • How has your experience been living in the dorms? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? • Student Life • What clubs and activities are active on campus? What are you involved in? • Is Greek life a large part of the social life on campus? What is recruitment like?

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

• How often do students go home on the weekends? How does this affect your social life? What constitutes a typical weekend for you and your friends? • Are sports an important part of the school identity here? What levels are available — varsity, club, and intramurals? How competitive and time-consuming are they? Other Opportunities • Are there research opportunities on campus? How often do students participate in research? Do students work alongside their professors when conducting research? • Are jobs readily available on campus? Off campus? How easy is it to obtain a job? • How many internship opportunities are available to students during the school year? How have your internships impacted your college experience? • Do students study abroad? At what point in their college career do they generally do so? What resources are available to students interested in study abroad programs? Freshman Experience • How long is freshman orientation? Is it a worthwhile experience? What was your favorite part of freshman orientation? Least favorite? • What advice do you have for incoming freshmen? What do you wish you knew then that you know now? • What resources are available to freshmen to help facilitate a smooth transition? Requirements • How easy/difficult has it been for you to fulfill your requirements? Do you have a choice in what classes you take to fulfill requirements? • How many classes/credits are students required to take each semester? • How helpful is your advisor during the class selection process? Campus Safety • How safe is the area around campus? Have you ever felt unsafe outside of campus? • What policies and procedures exist to keep students safe? How accessible are campus safety personnel? Application Process • Why did you choose this school? What do you like most about your experience here? What do you like least? • What other schools were you interested in? • What do you know now that you wish you knew when you applied to college? • How is this school’s application process unique to those at other schools? Are interviews mandatory, highly suggested, or not necessary? Are the number of times I visit campus taken into consideration?

When on a tour, listen to the guide and take notes on advice, dates, and other important information. If something is unclear, ask for clarification. Remember to note where additional information can be found (website, pamphlets, emails to the admissions office). Make a point to speak one-on-one with student admissions representatives and ask the questions that are most important to you. If you create a plan before visiting a campus, you are more likely to get the information you need and get a better sense of life at the college, despite the lack of student presence. Happy travels!

Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Counseling staff â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Laci Tucker, Maureen Ferrell and Susan Maxwell â&#x20AC;&#x201D; work with students exclusively on college placement.

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

The College Interview Some colleges recommend interviews and some do not even offer them. Interviews, when offered, can make a difference. The interview is the only face-to-face part of the process. However, it is unlikely the interview alone will persuade the committee to overlook weakness in an application. Types of Interviews On Campus: A college admissions officer typically conducts the on-campus individual interviews, and his or her reactions to your 30-45 minute conversation will be included in your file. It is, perhaps, the most important type of interview because the interviewer is often a decision-maker. The alumni interview: This type of interview is becoming more popular. Alumni interviews are usually arranged after the college has received your application. The high school visit: A visit to a high school by a college representative or an admissions evening hosted by a college representative, this is similar to the campus group interview. You can distinguish yourself in the crowd by asking thoughtful questions. Admissions officers routinely keep notes of all their contacts with students in these and other settings. How to prepare for an interview • Practice answering questions about your record, test scores, grades, course selection, activities, summer experiences, goals, and your interest in this school. • Read the literature sent to you by the college, on the college’s website, or in guidebooks. • Come prepared to discuss your academic background and your interests outside of school. • Know your objectives and what you hope to accomplish during the interview. • Candor and maturity will work in your favor. Be prepared to discuss a blemish in your record without complaining, making excuses, or blaming others. • Practice with your College Counselor. Interview Do’s • Be yourself. • Maintain good eye contact. • Dress neatly. Take your baseball cap off. • Be positive. • Listen. • Avoid one sentence or one-word answers. Remember, each question is an invitation for a conversation. Keep it going. • Show interest. Pay attention to both the questions being asked and the answers your interviewer gives. • Be honest. • Prepare a few questions about the school ahead of time. • Relax, have fun! Remember the interviewer is looking for reasons to like you and to find ways in which the college is a good fit for you, just as you are trying to sell yourself to the college. • Send a thank you note. Interview Don’ts • Do not be late for your appointment. 21

• Do not ask the interviewer to compare colleges. • Do not make excuses or blame others for any blemish on your record. Offer concise explanations that indicate a sense of personal responsibility and/or lesson learned. • Do not provide academic materials unless they are requested. Admissions Counselors will review your transcript and resume at another time; they prefer to use the interview to get to know you personally. Most important, relax and be yourself. The admission decision does not depend exclusively on the interview. Interviews are, generally, just a friendly, informative conversation. This is your opportunity not only to establish a personal connection with the college through the interviewer, but search seriously about this college and how well it fits you. Remember: “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

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Financial Aid Information Financing a college education is becoming more difficult for many families. If you think you will need financial assistance in order to attend college, be sure to acquaint yourself with the procedures that must be followed in applying for financial aid.

We can’t stress this enough: Meeting deadlines is imperative! Regardless of a family’s financial situation, a college education is a significant investment that requires careful research and planning. When it comes to financing a college education, the fundamental premise is that to the extent they are able; it is the family’s responsibility to pay for a child’s education. In the 1960’s, federal and state financial aid programs were developed to help our nation’s most needy families access higher education. When competition for students increased in the 1990’s colleges began to use merit (non-need based) scholarships to encourage selected students to enroll. Today, families encounter a combination of need and merit based financial aid options. Principles of Need Analysis The single most important factor in determining aid eligibility for most families is parental income. Other factors include non-discretionary expenses (such as taxes, medical expenses and basic living expenses), parental assets, and the number of dependents attending college. • To the extent they are able; parents have primary responsibility to pay for their dependent children’s education. • Students also have a responsibility to contribute to their educational costs. • Families should be evaluated in their present financial condition. • A family’s ability to pay for educational costs must be evaluated in an equitable and consistent manner, recognizing that special circumstances can and do affect ability to pay. When you evaluate the packages offered by colleges, remember, the largest award may not necessarily be the best. Consider differences in cost of attendance. The largest dollar offer may also be the one at the most expensive college, and, therefore, the one with the greatest unmet need or “gap” between cost and available resources. If you cannot fill the gap with other resources, you still may not be able to enroll in that college. Even two offers that fully meet your needs may not be equal. If the estimated student expense budget used to calculate need is unrealistically low, you may have more real unmet needs than the award letter suggests. Some institutions estimate their costs conservatively to imply a more complete meeting of need than actually exists. You should compare stated costs with similar institutions to verify reasonableness. Consider, too, the loan burden you will have at the end of college in light of your long-range plans. Will you be attending graduate school? Will you be entering a lower-paying profession? If so, the cost of loans might be extremely burdensome. If you have questions about your financial aid package, you or your parents should contact the financial aid administrator at the college. 23

Divorced/Separated Parents: Most colleges and universities will also require information from the non-custodial parent with the expectation that contributions to the college expenses will be made if able. The College Board’s Divorced/Separated Parent Statement should be available from the college’s financial aid office. Early Decision Candidates: Early Decision candidates MUST communicate directly with the college’s financial aid office. In most cases, you will need to complete the CSS PROFILE in November and you may need to complete additional institutional forms. The college will likely give you an estimated award package at the time of admission. Your aid award will not become official until you submit a FAFSA in order to become eligible for federal aid. Types of Financial Aid Once the admission office decides to admit a candidate and the financial aid office has determined that the candidate qualifies for financial aid, the financial aid office puts together a financial aid package which is a combination of several types of financial assistance. Grants: Federal, state and institutional grants are financial aid awards that you do not need to repay. Loans: Most are interest-free during enrollment; student loans must be repaid with interest over a period of time after graduating. Subsidized/Stafford loans are needbased loans on which the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in college and for six months after graduation. Any student, regardless of financial eligibility can apply for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Work: The vast majority of financial aid recipients will be expected to hold part-time jobs. Note: Not all schools guarantee that they will meet the full need of every admitted student. Most schools are unable to fund everyone, which causes a “gap” (unmet need) for which you are responsible. Other schools that are unable to offer aid to some applicants choose to deny admission. Sources of Financial Aid

Institutional: Institutional aid comes directly from and is controlled by the individual college or university. Amounts of institutional aid offered by one college may differ significantly from what may be offered by another and can be based on financial need and/or merit.

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Private: Private sources include foundations, religious, cultural, community, or fraternal organizations. This funding may be scholarship- or loan-based and can be based on merit, need, or by association with the awarding organization. Federal Government: The Federal Government administers a number of grant and loan programs designed to aid students with college costs. Applying for Financial Aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the financial aid application required by all colleges and is processed by the Department of Education. Some colleges and private scholarship programs may also require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE (PROFILE) processed by The College Scholarship Service of the College Board. It is important to check with the college financial aid office or scholarship program for specific application requirements. When to Apply for Financial Aid FAFSA: FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and should be completed and filed as soon after January 1 as possible using information from the previous year’s federal tax forms. The FAFSA calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on a standard formula known as federal methodology. Each college’s financial aid officer then determines each student’s demonstrated financial need by assessing the difference between educational expenses (tuition, room, board and some expenses) and your EFC. Many families are required to submit additional information such as income tax records as a part of the process. Expected Family Contribution: The EFC and what the family feels it can afford to contribute often differ. Financial Aid Officers are there to help students and parents through the process— don’t hesitate to contact them for help. College financial aid officers attempt to maintain loan and work levels that will allow reasonable repayment either during or following college. Important Note: There should never be a fee to complete the FAFSA. If a website charges a fee, you are not using the correct online FAFSA! The CSS Profile is available online at www.collegeboard.com and families can begin to complete this form in the fall of the senior year. Non-Need Scholarships For the student who does not qualify for aid but finds it difficult to cover college costs, alternatives often exist. Seek out possible scholarships offered by the colleges of interest to you. Colleges will use scholarships to entice students who will enhance their student body (often students who are at the top end of the academic profile) to enroll. Also pursue scholarships you might apply for from “outside” sources such as companies, foundations, and community organizations.

Tips for Pursuing Non-Need scholarships • Be aware of deadlines. • Treat any required essays with great care. Carefully read the qualification requirements and only apply for those scholarships if you meet the criterion. • Like the college application, scholarship applications take time. • Evaluating Financial Aid Awards • Are the non-billed costs (such as books and travel) used to determine financial need realistic? • Is my full need being met with financial aid? If not, what is the gap? • If the billed fees (tuition, room, board, activity, etc.) increase in future years, will the new costs be considered in awarding future financial aid? • How many meals per week are covered by the dining plan? • What portion of my aid is gift aid (grant/scholarship)? • Must I accept all the financial aid offered in the financial aid package, or can I decline the loan or job without losing any other part of the package? • What is the school’s policy if I receive an outside, private scholarship? Will it be used to reduce the college grant or the self-help (loan/work) portion of my award? • Is my top choice college (for academic and other reasons) feasible financially? • Every fall or spring students and their families are targeted to receive letters from companies claiming to be able to provide special access to scholarships, grants, or “guaranteed” financial aid packages. If you have to pay money to use the service, it is probably a scam. Financial Aid Tips • Both students and parents should learn as much as possible about the college financial aid process. Meet with college financial aid administrators to establish a relationship. • Submit a FAFSA, even if you do not think you qualify for aid. Being rejected for federal aid is often a prerequisite for private awards. • Apply for aid as soon as possible after January 1. Be aware of ALL deadlines. • Inform financial aid administrators in writing about unusual expenses. Sometimes allowances may be made to assist you. • Take advantage of tuition prepayment discounts. Some colleges offer discounts for early payment. • Investigate company-sponsored tuition plans. Many employers will invest in the education of their employees. • To avoid gift tax liability, money from grandparents should be paid in your name directly to the school. 26

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

• Apply! You cannot win awards or receive funds for which you do not apply, so pay attention to deadlines. • Use scholarship search engines like www.finaid.org or www.fastweb.com to help you find the private sector assistance you need. • Beware of scholarship scams. You should never have to pay a fee to file a FAFSA or to receive a scholarship. Web Resources for Financial Aid The following websites will be helpful to you as you research financial aid and apply for various financial aid programs and scholarships. These links are also on The Summit’s College Counseling web pages and you may find them easier to explore online. Financial Aid and Scholarship sites FAFSA: Free Application for federal student aid, need-based applications and scholarships. (800-433-3243) www.fafsa.ed.gov FastWEB: Offers a personalized scholarship search for various merit awards. www.fastweb.com FinAid: Offers users information about every type of financial aid and scholarship. www.finaid.org FinAid/OtherAid: Offers information about scholarships for students with disabilities. www.finaid.org/otheraid/disabled.phtml Black Students: Helps African American students find the latest scholarships and grants. www.blackstudents.blacknews.com Merit Aid: Lists merit aid organized by state. www.meritaid.com School Soup: Claims to be the world’s largest scholarship database. www.schoolsoup.com Sallie Mae: The nation’s leading provider of funds for insured student loans. www.salliemae.com Federal Student Aid: A student gateway to the U.S. government. (More than financial aid.) www.studentaid.ed.gov/redirects/federal-student-aid-ed-gov U.S. Department of Education: Explains policies on federal aid. www.ed.gov Scholarships.com: How to fund your education. www.scholarships.com CSS / Financial Aid PROFILE: Application site for nonfederal financial aid. www.student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile Tax Benefits for Education: Explains tax credits, deductions and savings plans that can help with college expenses. www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center Disabled Family Resources Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: www.cms.gov Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov 27

College Search Resources The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Office has prepared a quick reference guide on books often used during a college search. Most of these books are available through local bookstores, libraries or online booksellers. Many selections are also available for your review in The Summit’s College Counseling Office. Objective College Profile Books: The college profile books offer you the basic facts about colleges, number of students, majors, admission data, housing information, cost, addresses, etc. A number of publishers put them out, and they all have similar data. Two examples include are College Board College Handbook and Peterson’s Four Year Colleges. Subjective College Profile Books: The subjective college profile books are a bit more controversial, because as the name implies, they are subjective. However, you may find them useful. Usually based on questionnaires distributed to students, professors, administrators and deans, the profiles in these books are an attempt to characterize the aspects of college that cannot be quantified: social atmosphere, academic pressure and competition, quality of housing, food attitudes of students and faculty, etc. If you use these books, make sure to read a number of them. Do not take one books’ word for it! Some examples include: The Fiske Guide to Colleges, Insider’s Guide to Colleges, Colleges That Change Lives, The Best 377 Colleges, Ruggs Recommendations and America’s Best Colleges (US News & World Report). Guidebooks: College guidebooks are available to help students and parents understand the entire college search and selection process. These resources have been quite useful to many families. Some recommended titles include: College Admission by Robin Mamlet; Colleges Unranked by Lloyd Thacker; I’m Going to College – Not You! by Jennifer Delahunty; Letting Go by Karen Coburn and Madge Theeger; and Crazy U by Andrew Ferguson. Specialized Guides: Among the many specialized guide books to colleges are these examples: Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities or ADD by Peterson; K & W Guide to Colleges for the Learning Disabled by Kravets and Wax; African American Student’s College Guide; and America’s Black Colleges: the Comprehensive Guide to Historically and Predominately Black 4 Year Colleges and Universities by J. Wilson Bowman. Browse bookstores and booklists to find out about specialty books that may fit your situation or consult with a Summit College Counselor. Websites: College websites can give you a visual image of the campus and general student body. It seems that in photographs and promotional videos, every day is sunny and every student is smiling. However, these are often useful tools to get an idea of what the campus looks like. See a detailed list of college search web sites in the chapter “Useful Websites.”

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Summit College Counseling Reader's Guide: College Search Books Title

Author

Description

The College Solution

O'Shaughnessy

Great book on finding the right fit at the right cost!

What High Schools Don't Tell You

Wissner-Gross

The College Hook

Proctor

Running of the Bulls

Ridgway

Getting In!

Cohen

Strategies to be admitted to highly selective colleges. Hints on how your student can differentiate themselves. Describes 5 Wharton Undergrads' experiences. Practical information on getting into selective colleges.

Guide for Right School at Right Price

Zinch Guide to College Admiss and Fin Aid Paying for College without Going Broke

Chany

Best Buys in College Education

Barrons

Winning the Admissions Game

Van Buskirk

Fat Envelope Frenzy

Jager-Hyman

The Financial Aid Handbook

Stack

The New Rules of College Admissions

Kramer

Shrinking the Cost of College

O'Shaughnessy

Up to date info on Financial Aid, easy to read with tips. Getting the most for your money. Advice to parents and to students. Highly recommended. Follows 5 seniors from Sept to May with applications. Former financial aid officers describes merit awards/aid. Former admissions officers reveal how to get in to colleges. Easy to read workbook with great examples and info.

Overachievers

Robbins

High end stressed kids trying for the top.

The Gatekeepers

Steinberg

How Wesleyan Univ determines acceptances.

Inside the Admissions Process Reflections on 100,000 Admissions at Stanford A is for Admissions

Fetter

X-admission's officer talks about her previous job.

Hernandez

Former admissions officer at Dartmouth.

Admissions Confidential

Toor

Duke's admission officer feedback.

Getting In

Cohen

The Select

Greene

A Parent's Guide to College Admissions

Kaplan

Written by a high priced college admissions counselor. Realities of life and learning in America's Elite Colleges. Logical approach to college admissions.

Harvard Schmarvard

Mathews

The ins and outs of going to Harvard.

Campus Visits and College Interviews

College Board

Describes how you should visit colleges.

Acing the College Application

Hernandez

Advice from a former Dartmouth admissions officer.

Go to College Almost for Free

Kaplan

Logical strategies for finding outside scholarships.

Scholarship Scouting Report

Kaplan

Insider's guide to the best scholarships.

Privilege

Douthat

Harvard alum writes about his time at Harvard.

The Price of Admission

Golden

Pledged

Robbins

Debt-Free U

Bissonnette

How the ruling class buys its way into elite colleges. College life in a sorority, written by undercover writer. How to pay for college without loans or scholarships.

The Summit Country Day School College Counseling Handbook

29 29

Useful Websites There are an abundance of websites offering information about every aspect of the college admission process. We have listed a number of sites we find reliable and informative. These links are also on The Summit’s College Counseling web pages and you may find them easier to explore online. Essential Sites The Common Application: The standardized application used by many colleges and universities. www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx The ACT: Administers the ACT test. Free prep materials. www.actstudent.org College Board: Administers the PSAT, SAT and Advanced Placement tests. www.collegeboard.org NCAA Eligibility Center: Provides information about eligibility for Division I and II. www.eligibilitycenter.org Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Need-based applications and scholarships. www.fafsa.ed.gov Naviance Family Connection: The Summit uses this throughout the college planning process. It lists every scholarship we know of with application links and deadline information. You will find this link on The Summit’s website and in the portal. https://connection.naviance.com/summitcds Researching Colleges in the U.S. Go See Campus: A college search engine with a trip planner tool. www.goseecampus.com Princeton Review: Offers test prep options. www.princetonreview.com Kaplan: Offers test prep options. www.kaplan.com Campus Tours: Offers virtual tours of colleges. www.campustours.com Unigo: Offers student’s reviews of colleges they attend. www.unigo.com College Confidential: A forum where you can ask questions of insiders. www.collegeconfidential.com Colleges That Change Lives: Directory of colleges worth consideration. www.ctcl.org Reputation Management: A guide to a student’s online reputation. www. reputationmanagement.com/online-reputation-management-for-high-school-students Researching Colleges outside the U.S.

WorldWide Classroom: Library of International Programs. www.worldwide.edu/index.html Education International (EI): www.ei-ie.org/

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Braintrack: www.braintrack.com Study in Canada: www.studyincanada.com/english/index.asp Financial Aid and Scholarship sites FAFSA: Free Application for federal student aid, need-based applications and scholarships. (800-4333243) www.fafsa.ed.gov FastWEB: Offers a personalized scholarship search for various merit awards. www.fastweb.com FinAid: Offers users information about every type of financial aid and scholarship. www.finaid.org FinAid/OtherAid: Offers information about scholarships for students with disabilities. www.finaid.org/ otheraid/disabled.phtml Black Students: Helps African American students find the latest scholarships and grants. www.blackstudents.blacknews.com Merit Aid: Lists merit aid organized by state. www.meritaid.com School Soup: Claims to be the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest scholarship database. www.schoolsoup.com Sallie Mae: The nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading provider of funds for insured student loans. www.salliemae.com Federal Student Aid: A student gateway to the U.S. government. (More than financial aid.) www.studentaid.ed.gov/redirects/federal-student-aid-ed-gov U.S. Department of Education: Explains policies on federal aid. www.ed.gov Scholarships.com: How to fund your education. www.scholarships.com CSS / Financial Aid PROFILE: Application site for nonfederal financial aid. www.student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile Tax Benefits for Education: Explains tax credits, deductions and savings plans that can help with college expenses. www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Benefits-for-Education:-Information-Center College Scorecard: Compares affordability for various colleges and universities. www.collegecost.ed.gov/ scorecard/index.aspx Online Schools: College financial aid guide. www.onlineschools.org/financial-aid Disabled Family Resources Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: www.cms.gov Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov Other Online Test Prep Sites Number2: Free practice tests for the SAT and ACT. www.number2.com/ Prep Me: For profit company offers a diagnostic SAT and ACT. www.prepme.com/ Reviews.com: Evaluates ACT and SAT prep courses. www.reviews.com/act-sat-test-prep-courses 31

College Counseling Office: (513) 871-4700 x282 The Summit Admissions Office: (513) 871-4700 x261 www.summitcds.org

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