College Planning

Our counseling department works to assist students, and their parents, in the college selection process to help students make college choices that meet their academic, personal and financial needs.

College representatives visit Westlake High School throughout the months of September, October and November. Sign up to attend a session through Naviance. A calendar of college visits is listed below with dates admissions representatives will be virtually meeting with students to discuss their programs and admissions process.

If you missed College Information Night in March you can still view the presentation and follow up with your school counselor if you have any questions.

College Resources

PSAT

The Prelimary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is taken by all juniors in October. Since there is a national test date for the PSAT, there is no make-up test. Sophomores will take the PSAT in the winter, currently the date is TBD.

The PSAT measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills and writing skills. The PSAT does not require students to recall specific facts. To learn more about the PSAT visit collegeboard.com.

Score Reports

In December, students who provided an email address to College Board will receive an email with instructions for accessing their score report through My College Quick Start. WHS will receive the score report from the Educational Testing Service and will share results with students and help students sync their PSAT exam results with Khan Academy, a free study program. Students will receive the Score Report and their test book. The Score Report includes the Selection Index, which NMSC uses to screen entrants in its scholarship competitions.

A Parent's Tutorial to Understanding PSAT Scores

CCP

SAT/ACT Test Prep

SAT/ACT Prep

Should a student take a test prep course or not? That is often a difficult question. The best preparation for college entrance examinations is enrolling in and excelling in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. However, if a student is motivated and willing to put in the time a test prep course demands, test preparation can be helpful. Other less costly options are available and include:

The ACT has test prep and practice tests on its web site at act.org .
The College Board has practice tests on its web site at collegeboard.com .
Khan Academy offers free SAT test prep
Seeley Test Pros
Ohio Means Jobs K-12 offers several practice tests
The WHS Library has Princeton Review SAT practice books available for student use.
Area bookstores have a number of books on this topic.
Learning Express Library provides a completely interactive online learning platform of practice SAT/ACT tests.

FAFSA

Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)

To be considered for most of the federal student aid programs a student must complete and submit the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). This application collects financial and other information used to calculate the Expected Family Income (EFC), which post-secondary schools use to determine the student's eligibility for aid. Students may apply electronically through FAFSA on the web. This cannot be done until October of the student's senior year in high school.

FAFSA Process and Timeline

Register for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. BOTH student and parent need an ID.
Attend WHS Financial Aid Night
Read the CollegeBoard's helpful financial aid timeline.
If your school requires it, file the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE at least four weeks before the financial aid deadline at your school. The PROFILE will determine your eligibility for nonfederal financial aid, such as institutional aid and scholarships. There is a registration fee and a fee for each school to which your information is sent.
7 Steps to Complete the FAFSA
FAFSA, Step-by-Step

Students with Disabilities

Northeast Ohio Learning Differences Symposium and College Fair

There are over 260 programs in the United States that offer some kind of support and special programs for students with a learning disability. Programs can have many different characteristics. For example, they can be part of a two-year community college campus or a four-year college or university campus. Some, but not all, offer residential services, either on or off campus. Helpful information on the different types of accommodations and services.

Transitional options offers a college search by state that includes family resources, FAQ, Facebook groups, etc.

College Consensus lists the 30 best colleges for students with learning disabilities (four are located in Ohio!).

College Autism Spectrum offers a college search for support programs for students with autism.

Ohio College2Careers exists at 15 public colleges and universities in Ohio to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to complete their degree and/or credential, earn higher wages, and meet the demands of tomorrow’s labor market.

Schools in Ohio with Support Programs:

Ashland University - Center for Academic Support
Mount Saint Joseph University - Project EXCEL
Muskingum University - PLUS Program
Notre Dame College - Academic Support Center
Ohio State University - TOPS
Ursuline College - FOCUS Program