May Guidance 2020
May 2020
** Because of High School and University closures, most colleges have had to temporarily suspend campus visits for the Spring/Summer. However, check college websites for Virtual Campus Visits, as well as deferred Application Fees during this time of national emergency.
ACT TEST DATES
You will need to register for the ACT at www.act.org. Be sure to pick up an ACT practice packet in the Guidance Office. Testing dates are as follows:
TEST Deadline to Register Late Fee Required
June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 9-25, 2020
July 18, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 20-29, 2020
Do NOT wait until the last minute to register as it takes about two hours to complete the first time! It is recommended that juniors who are planning to go to college take the test for the first time no later than the December administration. Seniors who are taking it for the first time should take it as soon as possible! The ACT is the test score that colleges in this area want to see.
When you are completing the ACT Registration Form, you will need to list the colleges that you want your score sent to. Make sure you are including your most likely choices in this list. Larger colleges like Ohio State, Univ. of Miami, and Univ. of Cincinnati require that they receive your scores directly from the ACT company as well as from your high school.
- You should take the Writing portion of the ACT at least one time. Most colleges in Ohio prefer to see that you have taken this portion at least one time. If you have questions about a specific college, see Mrs. Meyer.
SAT TEST DATES
If you wish to take the SAT, register at www.collegeboard.org. Testing dates are as follows:
TEST Deadline to Register Late Registration Closes
June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 30, 2020
ACT PREP WEBSITES AVAILABLE!
www.March2Success.com (free)
This site is sponsored by the U.S. Army (if you do not want to be
contacted by a recruiter, just check “no” when registering—no obligations for
just using the site). Several students who needed to raise their scores for scholarships purposes have found it helpful in the past.
www.number2.com/exams/act (free)
You can register at this site to take free Practice Tests and get other test- taking tips!
www.actstudent.org Free Kaplan Live ACT Test Prep
www.actstudent.org/academy (free)
Visit the official ACT student website and view video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to a student’s academic/testing needs. ACT Academy provides learners with a personalized study plan based on pervious scores from the ACT test, Pre-ACT, and official ACT practice tests. Also available is the downloadable American College Application Campaign’s College Research Worksheet guide to help students understand match, fit, and cost when researching colleges and identifying to which colleges they want to apply. There is also an ACT voice-based assistant (Beta Version) that guides users through the ACT registration process, including finding test dates and locations. Users can set-up the skill for test taking tips and set reminders for test dates and registration deadlines.
www.infohio.org (free)
Go to the Learning Express Library. Register as a student, and here you will find free on-line prep courses and free down-loadable prep books to help study for the ACT!
- There are also various resources available at a cost. Copies of some of these preparation books can also be found at local libraries or can be found on-line.
*** The Guidance Office has 2 ACT Prep Guide Books and 2 CDs to loan out for your preparation! See Mrs. Meyer or Ms. Tennant if you are interested!
COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES & FINANCIAL AID HELP
For good info about college searches and scholarship notification, you will definitely want to check out the following websites:
www.EducationPlanner.com www.CollegeAnswer.com, www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org www.meritaid.com
www.admissions.com www.studentedge.com
www.CollegeBoard.com. www.anycollege.com
www.nitrocollege.com
www.salliemae.com (free Education Investment Calculator)
www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa (BG website offers short videos on financial aid topics)
www.christianconnector.com (request information & automatically be entered in $2,500.00 scholarship drawing)
Free Scholarship Searches! Register at www.Scholarships.com and www.fastweb.com.
Take On-line Campus Tours! Go to www.eCampusTours.com
The “Need A Lift” book sponsored by the American Legion is available in the Guidance Office. It contains extensive information on scholarships for veteran’s dependents.
PLAYING ATHLETICS IN COLLEGE?
Juniors and Seniors: If you are interested in playing athletics in college, you must register with the governing body of the athletic league to which the college you are playing in belongs. It is preferable to do this at the end of your Junior year in high school. If you are looking into playing at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3).
When taking your ACT or SAT, designate the NCAA as one of your “College Choices” by entering the code “9999”. The NCAA must receive your score directly from the company; they will not take it off of your transcript from the high school.
If you are looking into playing at an NAIA school, you must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center (www.playnaia.org). If you register with either one of these centers, please let Mrs. Meyer know so that she can forward more information to the sites when asked for it. Complete lists of schools and their affiliations can be found at each website. You are urged to keep in close contact with college coaches you may be working with to ensure a smooth transition from the high school to college arena.
APPRENTICESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS and OTHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES
2020 Shelby Co Conservation Day Camp Counselors – The application for students, grades 7-12, interested in positions as Day Camp Counselors is now available. The camp will run from June 25-27 and will be held at the Shelby Fish and Game Club. Applications may be requested through the Education Coordinator, Sophie Nieport, at Sophie.hurley@oh.nacdent.net or Mrs. Meyer via email. Applications may be emailed back to Sophie Nieport or mailed to Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District 822 Fair Rd., Sidney, Ohio 45365 no later than May 1st.
Ohio Conservation Teen Advisory Council - ODNR is looking for highly motivated students entering grades 9-12 for the 2020-2021 school year who are interested in natural resource conservation, outdoor outreach, wildlife, or simply making a positive impact within the Buckeye State. Go to http://ohiodnr.gov/teens to apply to be on the board.
Sollmann Electric – There are growing careers in the Electrical Field, and Sollman Electric has hired on average 2-3 students per year from the programs at Upper Valley Career Center and/or the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. If you are interested in pursuing a career in electrical construction field or questions regarding these programs, please contact Jeff Bertke or Tony Trapp at the Upper Valley Career Center at
937-778-1980 or Robert Ewry at the Miami Valley CTC at 937-854-6237 or speak with Mrs. Meyer in the Guidance office about the programs offered.
Edison State and Phelan Insurance of Versailles – This is a registered apprenticeship opportunity position and related instruction is required through Edison State Community college in the Business – Short-Term Certificate Program. A $2,500 grant is available to help offset tuition, as well as other grant options. This is a paid apprenticeship offered by Phelan Insurance in Versailles for students and/or current graduates who may have an interest in employment in the insurance field. For more information contact Brandi Olberding at Edison State at 937-381-1533 or bolberding@edisonohio.edu. Information is also available in the Guidance office.
Lowe’s Track to the Trades – Track to the Trades Program is designed to help employees of Lowe’s to launch a career in the trades of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and appliance repair. In this program, Lowe’s pays for 100% of the employee’s tuition upfront. The only requirement is that the employee be with the company for at least 6 months. To apply for a job position at Lowe’s go to www.jobs.lowes.com and for more information on this program, you may contact Derrik Cupps at derrik.cupps@lowes.com or by calling
937-553-8995.
Integrity Tree Services – Integrity Tree Services is offering career opportunities to those seniors that are not planning on attending college in the field of forestry. They offer competitive pay, 100% employer-paid health, life, and disability insurance, retirement saving match, bonuses, paid holidays and vacations, full training, as well as other incentives. For more information go on their website at www.INTEGRITYTREE.CAREERS. Also, check out the flyer posted on the Guidance and cafeteria bulletin boards.
Careers with the State of Ohio – To search jobs and positions available with the State of Ohio, including ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation), visit http://careers.ohio.gov. Apprenticeships and internships are also available through different state agencies when asked.
COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE DAYS
Colleges set aside days to feature or “spotlight” certain majors—kind of like an “open house”. To schedule college visits, go to the college’s website for information and registration. Listed below are some colleges that we have received special announcements about. Check college websites to find out about others.
The Ohio State University, Lima – To schedule a visit, go to the website at www.go.OSU.edu/visitlima or call the Office of Admissions at 567-242-7500. Due to the virus shut-down, students that have received admission to The Ohio State University, Lima, a Student Reception date will be announced at a later date. Please contact the admission office for further information.
Ohio Northern University – ONU hosts a summer visit day of August 1, 2020. These visit days are open to all high school students for all academic programs. To register to attend any of these dates, or further information regarding open houses, application, etc., please go to www.onu.edu.
Additional College Information
For descriptions of Private Colleges in Ohio, go to www.OhioPrivateColleges.com to download information
visit www.CIAmerica.org for information on the Court Reporting Institute of America.
*There are over 300 colleges who will accept “The Common Application” to apply to their university. See the map in the Guidance Office to find out which colleges accept this.
University of Dayton - If you are applying, they encourage that you attach a separate page listing your extra-curricular and service activities. Their admissions process is becoming more competitive, so providing information about yourself beyond the regular application may help your chances of begin accepted.
Bowling Green State University – BGSU has begun the Falcon Tuition Guarantee program. This is a program that will lock in the same price for tuition for four years and will give students the opportunity to know just how much a 4-year education will cost. BGSU also has joined the Common Application. Students may complete the BGSU application or the Common Application. Students may apply for admission online at http://choose.bgsu.edu/apply/online. Freshman scholarships, automatic and renewable, may be viewed by going to the Scholarship Calculator at http://choose.bgsu.edu/aid/scholarships.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Farmers Equipment Scholarship – Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in each of Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Hardin, Logan Putnam and Shelby counties to 4-H and/or FFA members who are graduating seniors. Students must be a high school senior or graduate of one of the above names counties, must be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year, two-year college or trade school for the fall quarter of 2020, and be involved in a junior fair program, such as 4-H or FFA. To apply go to the website https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAlpQLSdFYDHEPzdhhC_bo87j2uG3JJwnrAZy5nOHngYiouANA1Wtgw/viewform!usp=sf_link. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2020.
Altrusa Club Grant – This scholarship is available to those students graduating in 2020, and that have been a resident of Shelby County for at least 5 years. Applications are available in the Guidance office, and the deadline to apply is May 8, 2020.
B. Davis Scholarship - The creators of “Student Award Search Aid” are offering this $1,000 scholarship. Application and information are available at the website, www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm. Applications must be submitted online, and the deadline for this scholarship is May 22, 2020.
BigSun Scholarship – The BigSun Organization is offering their annual scholarship to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they participate. Their participation maybe in any capacity, whether as a player, coach, or official. Please visit their website at http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. This year’s deadline to apply is
June 19, 2020.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Dorothy Love VolunTeen opportunities are now available for those interested in a career in nursing, social work, dietary, or marketing, this is an excellent way to discover interests. Volunteers will do things like walk, read, play games and visit with residents, to just name a few. Dorothy Love Retirement Community is located at 3003 W. Cisco Road, near Sidney. For further information, please pick-up a brochure and application in the Guidance office, call Betsy Naseman at 937-497-6529 or email her at bnaseman@dorothylover.oprs.org.
Heartland Hospice Care – Heartland to Shelby County is in need of volunteers to offer support, companionship and practical, compassionate help. Some will interact directly with patients and families, while others prefer to work behind the scenes in the office setting. As a volunteer, you help determine which tasks you’re best suited to perform and scheduling is flexible. For more information call Dusty Hawkins, LPN, Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordination at 937-299-6980 or at Duisty.hawkins@hcr-manorcare.com. You may also see the Guidance office for more information.