College and Career Guidance

SENIORS

• College Application Workshop in the fall ( set up a common app, request transcripts, etc.)
• College/Club Fair in Fall
• Complete FAFSA by October 1st  (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa) 
• Develop a way to keep track of college information.
• Individual meetings with Advisor
• Register for the fall SAT/ACT if necessary.
• Research your list of colleges (college fairs, school visits, college websites, publications, etc.)
• Finalize common app essays.
• Request letters of recommendations from your teachers.
• Visit colleges, arrange tours, interviews.
• Complete applications and review if necessary.
• Financial Literacy Workshop in the Spring.

JUNIORS

• Attend college events (college fairs, college visits to the school, evening presentations).
• College Planning Assembly in Fall and Spring
• College/Club Fair in Fall
• Complete the PSAT (optional)
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Speak with parents regarding your college plans.
• Begin a list of schools that you are interested in researching (fall).
• Take the School Day ACT at Seton in early Spring.
• Meet with your counselor regarding your college plans (on going).
• Register to take the SAT and/or ACT in spring of the junior year.

SOPHOMORES

• College/Club Fair in Fall
• Naviance overview assembly in Fall
• Begin visiting college campuses.
• Continue to make a contribution to your community.
• Arrange a meeting with your counselor to discuss academic planning for college.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Consider taking the ACT/SAT test.
• Complete Career Paper in Spring (guidance from advisor on research, resources, interviews, etc.)

FRESHMEN

• Explore and participate in extracurricular activities that interest you and to which you can make a commitment.
• Introduction to High School assembly in Fall
• College/Club Fair in Fall
• Time Management/Test taking Tips/Exam Schedule Review Assembly in Winter
• Participate in your community.
• All freshmen will take the Ohio state assessments (IOWAS) beginning in Spring.

Career planning is a process that evolves over time. Many students and adults change their career paths as they learn about new opportunities.

Whether a student is just starting to plan or has a career path all figured out, Seton High School’s Academic Advisors are available to help with the process beginning in a student’s freshman year. The following is a general timeline Seton students follow to determine their career interests and paths:

• Freshman students meet in group advising sessions to discuss goal setting and to map out a plan for success. Students also focus on behaviors and attitudes necessary for success in high school and in life. These include effective communication skills, study habits, information literacy, and self-advocacy.

• In the spring of their sophomore year, students will complete a research project in conjunction with their English classes and group advising sessions. Advisor introduce students to reputable career search websites and methods to research one particular career of interest.

• All students are encouraged to shadow a person who is currently working in a career of interest. The Advisor can help connect the students with these adults.

• Students in their sophomore and junior years are encouraged to participate in summer programs, and internships. Many colleges offer summer programs in all kinds of career areas. A student who participates in such a program learns about the career of her choice and has an opportunity to learn about living on a college campus.

• As students register for courses in their junior and senior year, they should strongly consider career centered electives. Many of these electives are taught by or developed in conjunction with local colleges and universities and offer real-world experiences and valuable networking opportunities related to a particular career.

• Students are encouraged to volunteer in a field related to a career interest. For example, students interested in health careers may want to volunteer at a hospital.

• Students are encouraged to make an appointment to talk to their Academic Advisor about their strengths and interests.

Sallie Mae Pay for College video series