PLANNING FOR COLLEGE
Academic Preparation

Most colleges and universities either require or strongly recommend that students take a college preparatory
course of study while in high school. Although some universities may require less, the "core curriculum"
that will meet general course requirements for unconditional admission to any state university in Ohio is as
follows:

4 English (College Prep)
3 Math (Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry)
3 Science (at least two lab sciences)
3 Social Studies (at least one U.S. History and one-half government)
2 Global Language (the same language)
1 Fine or Performing Arts

The "core curriculum" should be supplemented with electives based on ability and interest. Currently many
state universities have a fine arts requirement. It is important to begin to consider the requirements for
colleges and universities as soon as a student is able to begin the decision-making process. Admissions
are becoming more competitive each year, thus students are encouraged to both maintain the most
challenging curriculum they can and to keep their grades as high as possible. Representative of the
increasing standards we are seeing for all schools, the average ACT score for students admitted to
Ohio State last year was a 26 and a grade point average of 3.6.

As college admissions get more competitive, the type of curriculum taken becomes another factor in
admission decisions. Competitive public and private schools are looking for students who have taken a very
strong academic curriculum, with a preference for advanced, honors and AP classes.

College Representatives and Visits

Between thirty and forty college representatives annually visit Canfield High School. Interested students
must sign up in the guidance office prior to meeting with these representatives. Students must have the
permission of the teacher if a class is to be missed, PrepHQ lists all scheduled visits. Visiting a college
campus is considered to be an excused absence but is still counted toward your absence total. Parental
permission and notification should be given to the attendance office (330-533-2622).

Admission Testing

The PLAN is offered through the Career Outlooks class, sophomore year. This test serves as a practice for
the ACT and provides a career interest survey. The score table will be on the student's transcript.
It is recommended that college-bound students take the PSAT, a practice for the SAT I and qualifier for the
National Merit Scholarship Program in the fall, and either the ACT or SAT I in the spring of their junior
year. Additional testing would depend upon college choice, choice of major, earlier scores, and scholarship
considerations. Prospective top qualifiers on the PSAT should take the PSAT as practice in the 10th grade.
Either the ACT or SAT I should be taken no later than in the fall of a student's senior year. Although most
colleges in Ohio will accept results from either test, applicants to state universities most often take the ACT.
Highly competitive private colleges usually require the SAT I and may also require the SAT II. Only ACT
scores are used in the calculations for the Ohio Academic Scholarship.
The SAT test is approximately 3 hours long due to a new expanded writing section with a student-written
essay. The test also includes higher-level math and additional critical reading passages. Other changes are
elimination of analogies and quantitative comparison.
The ACT added a 30-minute writing test as an optional component to the ACT Assessment. Although it is
optional, many colleges require this section and it is strongly recommended to take the writing section if
you are unsure. There is an additional fee for students who choose to take the writing test.

TEST TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINES

PLAN During the Sophomore career class, "Career Outlooks"

ACT See PrepHQ “Test Info” link
PSAT, SAT I AND SAT II See PrepHQ “Test Info” link

The Canfield High School Code Number (CEEB Code) for both the ACT and SAT I is 360750.

To register for either test, students should pick up an information packet in the Guidance Office. The
student then mails this packet directly to the testing service. Students may also register on line at
www.ACT.org and www.collegeboard.com.

College Application Process

Seniors may apply on-line or on paper. Only the Guidance Office may send out an official transcript. All
applications and requests for transcripts must be brought to the

Guidance Secretary. Please refer to the “Countdown to College” book given to each student in the Spring
of the Junior year.

Applications should generally be mailed by Christmas vacation of the senior year. Early admission,
NEOUCOM, military academies, ROTC, selective majors and other similar situations may require earlier
application.

The criteria used for college admissions includes quality of courses taken, grades, admission test scores,
class rank, and in some cases recommendations, activities, and special talents. It is extremely important that
students work to the best of their ability from the very beginning of the high school experience, and
consider taking the strongest academic schedule possible based on their ability level.

Financial Aid

Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work study. A meeting is held each year on the
evening of the fall conference day at which time the general process of financial aid is explained. Parents of
seniors are invited to attend this meeting, but any interested person is welcome. Additional financial aid
information can be found on PrepHQ (Scholarships, financing college)

Application for the great majority of financial aid takes place in the fall and winter of a student's senior
year. The FAFSA form should be completed after January 1, of the senior year. An application for local
scholarships should be completed in the spring in order to be considered for those awards (i.e, Rotary,
Junior Women's League, etc.)

Alternative to College

Among the alternatives to a four-year college degree are: one-year certificates; two-year associate degrees;
technical school programs such as business, art, computers, nuclear medicine or electronics; military
services. Information about these programs can be obtained in the guidance office.

Perfect Attendance

An award is given each year to any senior who has no absences or tardies throughout high school. Any
possible discrepancies on report cards must be dealt with as they occur.

Class Rank

Class rank is based on accumulated, weighted points known as quality points. Quality points are calculated
at the end of each year for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

Class rank is calculated in the fall of the senior year for college application purposes.
Final rank is calculated in the spring, after the 3rd 9 weeks of the senior year.
Quality points are determined by multiplying the amount of credit by the value of the grade earned. These
grade value scales are used for ranking purposes.

Advanced Courses College Prep Courses Other Courses
1.00 Credit .50 Credit 1.00 Credit .50 Credit 1.00 Credit .50 credit
A = 6 3 A = 5 2.5 A = 4
2
B = 5 2.5 B = 4 2 B = 3
1.5
C = 4 2 C = 3 1.5 C = 2
1
D = 3 1.5 D = 2 1 D = 1
0 .5
F = 0 0 F = 0 0 F = 0
0

Physical Education, eighth grade algebra, band and choir sectionals and summer school classes are
excluded. Quality points will be calculated for a maximum of 6 credits per year in grades 9, 10, and 11. In
the senior year a maximum of 3 credits will be counted for the first semester. 50% of the quality points for 3
credits in the first nine weeks of the second semester will be counted. Total points earned, not grade point
average (based on a 4.0 scale only), determines a student's class rank. It is possible that a student with a
4.0 average might not be ranked number one. Class rank based on accumulated quality points is used to
determine valedictorian, salutatorian, and honor students (top 10%). In order to become valedictorian it is
necessary to take all of the 6 qp classes and as many 5qp classes as possible. (Refer to sample course
schedule on page 2.

In summary, a higher class rank is best obtained by:

1. Earning good grades.
2. Taking courses with 6 qp classes and as many 5 qp classes as possible.

Students have the option of using their six-semester grade point average (GPA) class rank for college
admission purposes if it is higher than the official quality point rank. Only the quality point rank is
calculated for the final rank.

Schedule Changes

Students and parents need to be aware that schedules can be changed ONLY for the following reasons:

1. Administrative error
2. Missing prerequisite class or grade
3. Failed class
4. Erroneously scheduled into a class previously passed
5. Gap in schedule
Please do not request specific teachers

Students must secure recommendations for determining which level of English, Math and Science to take.
They also need to be recommended for any higher levels of other disciplines (i.e. Advanced Art, 3rd or 4th
year of global language, all honors and advanced level courses). Once you have registered for
classes and your parent has signed the registration contract, you will be required to
remain in the classes you have selected. Be aware that Spring scheduling does NOT
necessarily represent the final schedule a student will receive in August. Class balancing, done over
the summer, may change when a student takes a particular class.

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options

Senate Bill 140/Post Secondary Enrollment Options is a program open to all high school students in grades
9-12. This program allows students to attend college while still in high school and receive dual credit.
During winter conference times, there is a mandatory counseling session for parents and students wishing to
apply for this program. The deadline date for applying is midMarch. This is the only time a student can
apply to this program for the upcoming year.

YSU, being the closest, is the college attended by the majority of our students. The entrance requirements
are as follows: Juniors or Seniors - 3.3 GPA, 23 ACT or 1070 SAT; Freshmen or Sophomores - 3.5 GPA,
28 ACT, 1260 SAT. In addition, all prospective students must place into English 1550 based on the
Composition and Reading Placement Test given by YSU and must have passed the OGT tests. Students
may also be required to take the Math Placement Test. Once a student is enrolled in the program, there are
specific requirements that the student is responsible for maintaining.

An additional program is offered to Juniors and Seniors. This program is the Early Admissions Options
Program (EAOP). Criteria for acceptance include college application, application fee, written consent or
recommendation from their high school guidance counselor or principal, official high school transcript and
successful completion of testing requirements (see SB 140). Early Admission requires an interview and
pre-admission advisement. Tuition, fees, books and materials are the student's responsibility.

OGT (Ohio Graduation Test) and Diplomas

State mandated OGT Tests in Writing, Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science are intended to
verify student performance at an established level. Passing all 5 subject areas of the OGT is a
requirement for graduation.

Senate Bill 1 (September 2001) provides an alternative to passing all five OGT assessments.
Students must meet ALL 7 criteria

Alternative for Getting a Diploma
1. Pass 4 of 5 tests
2. Missed “proficient” score by 10 points or fewer on the failed test
3. 97% attendance, no expulsion (since the beginning of grade 9)
4. 2.5 GPA in all courses of test not passed
5. Participate in intervention offered by the district (including summer remediation)
6. Letters recommending graduation from principal and teachers.
7. Complete high school curriculum requirements in the subject of test not passed

Honors Diploma
An honors diploma may be earned by meeting 8 of the following 9 criteria:
1. 4 English
2. 3 Math (Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry)
3. 3 Science
4. 3 Social Studies
5. 3 of the same Global Language or 2 each of two Global Languages
6. 1 Fine Arts (music, art, computer graphics or Arts Alive)
7. Either 1 unit of business/tech or 2 units from 1-6.
8. 3.50 GPA
9. ACT of 27 or SAT I of 1210 .

An honors diploma may be earned in vocational education by meeting 9 of the following 10 criteria:
1. 4 English
2. 3 Math
3. 3 Science
4. 3 Social Studies
5. 2 Global Language or 2 business technology or 1 unit of each
6. 3 units in student's career-technical education curriculum
7. 2 additional units in 1-6
8. 3.50 GPA
9. Completion of a career passport including proficiency in the occupational benchmark course.
10. ACT of 27 or SAT 1 of 1210.