Career Choice Opportunities & College Planning
College Planning Resources: Grades 9 through 12
There are specific things you can do during each year of high school to plan and prepare for college. Use this college planning checklist to keep track of your progress and important application deadlines. Click year below to see list.
Transcript Request
Alumni Graduates contact Megan Marion at the High School office: 513-897-2776 or mmarion@waynelocal.net
Current seniors should go to the Waynesville High School office and complete an entry on the College Clip Board with the College Name, City/ State and Date. Transcripts will be mailed out or emailed.
Colleges only take an OFFICIAL transcript therefore it must be sent from the high school. If you have questions about this process please email Abby Shinkle at EMAIL
Seniors also have the option of setting up an account on the Common Application to apply to colleges. If you choose this option, please invite Abby Shinkle as Guidance Counselor - using the email: ashinkle@waynelocal.net
The Common Application offers students the ability to complete one application and essay and send it to multiple member schools, as opposed to having to complete each individual college's application. Furthermore, The Common Application can be done online, which helps students stay organized.
The high school transcript includes:
- All courses taken with only the final grade listed and credit earned
- Senior schedule
- GPA and Class Rank
- OGT Scores
- Unoffical ACT /SAT scores (Official scores need to be sent directly from ACT or from College Board for a cost).
- Attendance record
Note- If you are DO NOT want to submit your ACT scores when applying to colleges, Please email Abby Shinkle first so she can send High School Transcript without ACT scores on the Transcript.
Recommendation Request Procedure
Supply anyone you want to write a recommendation with your resume that includes your career goal, work experience, community service, honors and awards, and extra curricular activities.
Give teachers at least 2 weeks to write your recommendations. Also give them a self addressed stamped envelope to where you would like it mailed. Teachers should mail it directly to the college.
You should ask teachers or adults who know you best. If you are going in to engineering, nursing, medicine, and such, you should ask a math teacher and a science teacher to assess your skills in the recommendation. English intense careers should include a recommendation from an English teacher.
No recommendation should be from a family member.
On the common application I always suggest you waive your right to view the recommendations others write for you. It shows you have confidence in the recommendation being written and that a positive assessment will result.
If you don't waive your right it may look like you are worried that the recommendation may say something you won't like. Simply ask the teacher or adult to PLEASE provide you a copy for your records. Don't forget to WRITE a thank you NOTE to them. Writing recommendations is time consuming and it is something that should be appreciated and NOT expected.
College Visits
Please use the "Request to Visit a College Form" and the "College Visit Checklist" below when planning your college visits. If you are currently on the LEGAL LIST for attendance be sure to speak with the high school office.
Financial Aid & the FAFSA
- Tips for Transferring Tax Info into the FAFSA
- Instructions of items needed to complete the FAFSA
- FSA ID updated worksheet
- FSA ID instruction sheet 1
- College Cost Comparison worksheet
- College costs include more than tuition and room and board
- Am I Dependent or Independent
Financial Aid & Scholarships Websites
U.S. Dept. of Education FAFSA introduction
Search for scholarships
Guide to financial aid
Hispanic scholarship fund
I Can Afford College
National student loan data system
Plan, find student loans, apply online
Scholarship search engine
Search and compare student loans
Free info from the U.S. Department of Education
Acinet
Student Guide
College View
FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide
Ohio Scholarship Directory
College Planning Websites
College Entrance Exams
ACT registration, scores, test dates and college planning
SAT registration, scores, test prep and college planning
Prepare for College
How to succeed in college
Mapping your future
Choose a College
Ranking of America's best colleges
The Future - Getting an Early Start on Careers and College
Explore Your Career Options - An interactive website from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics
The Princeton Review - Great test preparation and practice resources.
Find the Right College for you - Learn about which colleges are similar to your interests and your strengths
Explore College Degrees Online
Data Science Programs
Explore Degrees in Sports
