During the first week of December in Group Guidance we discussed an overview of financial aid, financial aid sources, and important things to keep in mind. The students can access the slides in the Group Guidance Google Classroom. The slides can be found here for your reference.
The University of Cincinnati is waiving the undergraduate admissions application fee for students who apply between Nov. 1 and Nov. 14.
Students applying to the UC Uptown campus (that's the main campus) via the Common App must select "Free Application Days November 1-14" in the fee waiver section.
The following email was sent to your students on October 8. It was also shared with them on their Class of 2025 Google Classroom. It contains important reminders about what they should be working on over Fall Break (if they haven't done so already). Please let us know if you have questions!
Email to students:
Hi Seniors -
As we approach Fall Break, we want to encourage you to spend a little time this long weekend on college applications.
We know that you’re all in different places with them (which is totally fine 🙂), but please make sure you work on the following, if you haven’t done so already:
Make sure your college list in Scoir is updated
All schools you are planning to apply to should be in Applying
All schools where you have submitted an application should be in Applied
As soon as you submit an application, send Ms. O or Ms. Rose an email. We need to know from you where you have applied so we know where to send your application materials.
Share your Common App essay with your college counselor
Share supplemental essays, too, if you’re writing any
If you plan to apply with ACT/SAT test scores and the school requires official scores, make sure you log into your ACT or College Board account and send those BEFORE deadlines
Let your college counselor know when your Common App is ready to be reviewed
Notify Ms. Rose and Ms. O when you have gotten a decision (good or not so good) and if you receive any scholarships - use this form or send us an email
We will see you in Group Guidance next week, but please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions before that if you have any.
PS: for anyone with an October 15 deadline, that’s next week!
Enjoy the time off,
Ms. O and Ms. Rose
The following email was sent to your students on July 23. It was also shared with them on their Class of 2025 Google Classroom. It contains important information that will be helpful while they are completing their application as well as a timeline for the academic year ahead. Please let us know if you have questions!
Email to students:
Hi Seniors,
Yes, it’s official. You are most definitely seniors! We hope you’ve been enjoying your summer, and we look forward to seeing you and hearing about it.
This is a lot of information, but it’s extremely important that you read it in its entirety! We’ll also be posting it to the Class of 2025 Google Classroom and Google Site. Your parents can read it on the GoogleSite, please share it with them there:
It’s almost August, so we’re writing to provide you with information on what you need to do to prepare for the college process, starting with the application and moving on to a general timeline for the year. It’s a very deadline-driven process, and our internal deadlines are just as important as the colleges’ own deadlines, so please start checking and responding to email daily (because it’s the main way that both we and the colleges communicate with you) so you don’t miss out on something important.
Applications: Please do not submit any applications without meeting with one of us first! This is extremely important because there are steps in the process that you do not know about, plus, we want to check over your applications before you send them in.
On August 1, 2024, the Common Application goes “live” online. Each of you should already have your Common App account (CA from now on!) created. If you do not, you can start by going to commonapp.org, click on Create an Account, and follow the steps. Be sure to save your CA password so you can
always find it!
Begin by working to complete the CA. By the time school starts, you should aim to have finished everything except the essay. Below are some hints, section by section of the CA, that will help you complete the application. It shouldn’t take you no more than two hours (again, minus the essay). You can save your work and return to it later, but to save it, be sure to click CONTINUE at the end of each page! We suggest that you enter the colleges that are of interest to you in the My Colleges section before you start, as some colleges will have additional questions or requirements. Only colleges that accept the CA will be in MyColleges.
PROFILE: This section should be self-explanatory.
Fee Waiver question: leave it blank until you have talked with your counselor
FAMILY: Should be self-explanatory. You might not know all the answers here, though, so be prepared to ask your family for their help.
EDUCATION:
Beaumont’s CEEB code is 361440
Date of entry: August 2021 (unless you transferred in)
Graduation: May 2025
Colleges and Universities attended: leave this blank until you talk with your counselor
Grades:
Class size is 69
Grading scale is 4
GPA – you will find yours in Scoir
GPA is weighted
Current or most recent year courses: list all of your senior year courses except for Academic Support, ILT, and PE
Check Semester, even though we know some of your classes are year-long. Further down, under Course Schedule, you will have the option to choose Full Year, Semester 1, or Semester 2.
If the class is not AP, IB, or Honors, select College Prep for level.
Community-Based Programs: check “0”
Future Plans: This is generally *not* binding. If you enter “English” you will not be forced to be an English major! It’s an indication of possible interest. There may be some exceptions to this and you will discuss that with your counselor.
TESTING: Don’t enter any test scores until you have met with your counselor.
ACTIVITIES: This section can be frustrating. There is only space for 10 and you don’t have very much space for explanations, but just do your best and your counselor will help you edit your list. Remember, the description of your Activities should answer the question, “so what?” Don’t just say what you did, but how it reflects what is important to you. What did you get out of it? How did you give to the group/organization/activity? NOTE: Activities should be listed in their order of importance to you! Do not worry if you have fewer than 10 – colleges care about quality, not quantity.
WRITING: Even if you believe you have finished your essay, please do not enter it on your CA until you’ve met with your counselor and she has approved it. Remember, writing your first draft is one of your first official assignments of Senior English for Mrs. Bernardo!
COURSES AND GRADES: You may or may not have to complete this section. As is the case with Writing, if you have entered colleges in My Colleges, you will see here whether you are applying to colleges that require you to complete this section. Alternatively, you can click on the link to the list of schools that require you to complete this section. If you do need to complete it, you will need a copy of your transcript. Just ask us for it if you need it. You will only enter information for grades 9-11 here. You already listed your senior year courses (and you have no grades yet) in the Education section of the application.
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SCOIR AND THE COMMON APP
You will need to put the names of all of the colleges you are applying to in Scoir. Even if you are not sure you are applying, go ahead and enter the names in Scoir. You also need to maintain your list in CA – but only schools that accept the CA will be listed there.
Some colleges and universities have their own application and do not accept the CA. You will find those applications on the colleges’ websites. Again, please do not submit any applications without first talking with your counselor. Even if the application is quick to complete and requires no essay, we want to check in with you first! No matter which application you are using, all schools you are applying to need to be in Scoir (this is how your school documents are sent).
ESSAYS
Most of you will need to write at least one essay, and some of you may write quite a few. If you are applying to even one school that takes the CA, you need to write that essay. You will see the prompts in the Writing section of the CA – note that you always have the option “Topic of your choice” (Option 7). Colleges that have their own applications and require an essay will typically accept the CA essay.
Your counselor will review all essays before they are submitted. Before you give her one to review, please put it through Grammar and Spell Check! If you are having trouble coming up with a topic, let us know. We’ll be happy to brainstorm with you. If you need a refresher on what the essay should accomplish, refer back to the slides from our session in Group Guidance. The slides for the Brainstorming activities are also posted if you want to revisit them.
Be sure you note the word limit on the essays. The CA essay should be between 500 and 650 words – don’t feel compelled to write 650 if you can say
what you want to say in fewer words. Some colleges have supplemental essays. Be sure to notice whether there is a word count or a character count – there’s a big difference! You don’t want to make the mistake of writing 250 words when they are asking for 250 characters.
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TIMELINE
August:
August 1: Common Application goes “live” online.
Students should complete the CA before school starts. This takes about two hours (minus the essay).
Work on Common App essay.
Monday, August 5, 10am-12pm: Common App Workshop at Beaumont
Put college lists in Scoir and in the My Colleges section of the Common App.
Visit colleges, if possible.
Update your Activities list in Scoir - we need to be sure our recommendation letters are up-to-date.
September:
Meet with your college counselor in the first two weeks of school.
Discuss college list; refine if necessary
Review Common App
Discuss testing, if applicable
Make a list of essays that need to be written – and start writing!
Make a list of application deadlines
Talk about whether to apply Early Action (most likely yes) or Early Decision (this is a binding commitment).
Ms. Rose and Ms. O’Connor are meeting with the students in Guidance classes periodically throughout the fall.
Visit colleges, if possible. Many colleges will have Open Houses on weekends in the fall in addition to weekday tours.
Attend college representative visits. The list of visits is in the Calendar section of Scoir. You must sign up in Scoir in order to attend. Visits will continue through September and October.
Tuesday, September 10, 7-8pm: Senior Parent College Night (virtual)
Thursday, September 26, 6:30-7:30pm: Senior Financial Aid Night (in-person)
October:
Some colleges have an October 15 deadline to apply. Please do not submit any applications until you have met with your counselor.
CSS Profile, a financial aid form some schools use in addition to FAFSA, goes live October 1. Check to see whether any of your colleges require the Profile. Deadlines vary, so check for each school.
It is the hope that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available on or close to October 1 this year. We will keep you updated on this and share additional information at the Financial Aid Night in September.
Students with November 1 deadlines (a common one) should meet with their counselor no later than mid-October to be sure everything is in order
Students should send Ms. O’Connor and Ms. Rose a list of the colleges they are applying to (even if the list is still tentative) and the application deadlines. This is critical for students with deadlines prior to December 1.
Continue working on essays.
If you and your counselor have determined that you will send test scores, send them three weeks in advance of application deadlines. Be sure you know whether the colleges on your list will accept self-reported scores or require that scores be sent from ACT and/or SAT.
Continue to visit colleges and keep an eye out for campus events related to your intended major or area of academic or extracurricular interest.
Continue to sign up for and attend visits by college representatives.
November:
November 1 is a common Early Action deadline. If a college offers Early Action, apply by that deadline. It is non-binding and notifies students of the admission decision before Christmas or early in the New Year.
Continue to keep Ms. O’Connor and Ms. Rose up-to-date on application deadlines. They have no way to know where to send your materials if you don’t tell them!
Be aware of any December 1 application deadlines and make an appointment to meet with your counselor.
Continue to visit colleges. Ask if you can observe class or meet with a faculty member if you visit during the week.
December:
Some Early Action deadlines are Dec. 1 – be sure you know all of your deadlines.
Christmas break encompasses application deadlines that fall in early January. And exams are in December. Plan ahead if you have early January application deadlines.
Early Action and Early Decision notifications come out in December, usually between Dec. 10 and December 23.
For Early Action acceptances, families generally receive the financial aid award in late February or even into March. The aid award generally does not come with the acceptance.
January:
Many students will have early January application deadlines.
Early Action decisions that are not sent out in December should arrive in January. OSU typically releases on two dates, one in December and one in January.
February:
Many colleges’ deadlines for submission of the FAFSA and, if required, CSS Profile, are in February.
March:
March is a big month for the release of decisions from colleges that had early January deadlines.
Many schools will be sending financial aid awards in March.
April:
The vast majority of admission decisions have been sent out, assuming the applicant did everything on time. The same is true for financial aid awards.
Colleges will invite accepted students to on-campus and virtual programs so they can learn more about the schools as they make their choices.
May:
May 1 is the deadline to pay a deposit at the school where the student has decided to enroll.
Please note that this timeline isn’t comprehensive, and your individual college search and application process might look a little different. If you have any questions or concerns, just ask your counselor!
We know that there is a lot of information here! Please keep this information where you can find it so that when you have questions, especially about completing the CA, you can use this as a reference. There’s plenty of support for you at Beaumont as you tackle the college process. We’re here to help!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Ms. O’Connor and Ms. Rose
You can find the full recording of the virtual Senior Parent College Night that was held on Tuesday, September 10 here.
On January 17, 2024, Mary Lynn Delfino from Kent State University presented on College Credit Plus (CCP) opportunities for students in the state Ohio. Check out her informational slide deck here. The program is open to students in grades 7-12 who meet the requirements. Please visit the Ohio Department of Education's CCP page to learn more.
Big points to remember for nonpublic school students:
This process requires independent, self-driven work on the part of the student/family.
Starting in February: A parent must create an OH|ID Account (if you don’t already have one) at https://ohid.ohio.gov. A parent or guardian must establish an OH|ID to file the CCP Funding Application.
February 1 - April 1: Students should apply to the college or colleges of their choice. Start early! Check with your preferred university or college for their CCP deadlines. You must have an acceptance letter to submit with your funding application. Parents must then upload a copy of the admission letter to their College Credit Plus Funding Application located in your OH|ID Account. If your student gets an admission letter from more than one college, you must upload each college's admission letter.
April 1 at 5:00 p.m. is the HARD DEADLINE to submit an application for funding. Any families that do not submit an application prior to 5 p.m. will be financially responsible for any courses their student enrolls in. This deadline is set forth by the Department of Education and cannot be extended.
By May 6: You will receive your funding award notification within your College Credit Plus Funding Application located in your OH|ID Account. Once you receive your award notification, you can have your child register for college courses.
Students must fill out the counseling session template to show they have discussed the pros and cons of taking courses before scheduling (see Ms. O'Connor for the form)
Rebekah O'Connor is the Beaumont School CCP contact.
Beaumont is partnering with Revolution Prep to offer students the chance to take a free practice test for the ACT on Saturday, February 24 at 9am. Students will need to register in advance here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/74477
If students would like to do an SAT practice test, or that practice date doesn't work for the ACT, check out all of the other opportunities here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/#online-practice-exams. For the next couple of months, most weekends have options for both.
Our friends at Revolution Prep are offering a Digital PSAT 101 Strategy Session and a Digital PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam to our
students to start their journey of preparing for college admissions exams. Please see details below.
We invite students to join Revolution Prep for an introductory strategy session for the official PSAT! This free two-hour session is designed to give students insight into the PSAT exam as well as provide tips and tricks for test day. In this session, one of their professional tutors will teach core test-taking strategies including a dive into the exam content and structure, how to avoid common traps, and how to create the best plan for success.
Digital PSAT 101 Strategy Session:
Sunday, September 17, 2023, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET | Live Online
Register here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/74477
Digital PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam
For the class of 2025 and younger, the College Board is transitioning the PSAT and SAT from pencil-and-paper format to digital format. Becoming familiar with the new digital-format tests will be key for students to feel confident as they head into their official PSAT in October of junior year.
Our friends at Revolution Prep are excited to support us through this transition by offering a free digital PSAT experience that most accurately reflects the official College Board test in format, user experience, adaptivity, and content. Students will learn how to navigate the new digital testing format and practice using the exact tools available to them on the real test, such as the graphing calculator, digital annotations, answer elimination, and much more! Upon completing the practice exam, you will receive a score report illustrating three high-impact areas for your student to focus on for each section of the test (math, reading, and writing) to help your student feel confident on testing day.
Support your student in being prepared for the switch to the digital SAT PSAT by registering for the practice test below:
Digital PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam:
Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET | Live Online
STEP 1: Register here: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/74477
STEP 2: Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here: www.revolutionprep.com/shannon-norris
STEP 3: Make sure your device is fully charged and ready to go prior to exam day.
If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to your Revolution Prep Advisor, Shannon Norris, at (216) 232-3240 or by email at shannon.norris@revolutionprep.com.
Thinking about test prep this summer? Revolution Prep is offering a $200 gift card for Beaumont students to use towards leveling up this summer. Whether you need support preparing for more rigorous classwork or SAT/ACT tests this fall, there are plenty of options.
For more information, visit the Revolution Prep 2023 Summer Resource page.
Calling all high school students to particpat ein college-level entrepreneurship in cooperation with John Carroll Univresity. Launching Fall of 2023, you are able to participate in ER 201: Innovative, Creativity and Collaborative Thinking, and ER 301: Introduction to Entrepreneurship.
For more information and sponsorship please contact Dr. Clifford at dclifford@jcu.edu or 216-406-7711.
Classes offered LIVE, via Zoom, and through class recordings
Entrepreneurship 201 offered Fall of 2023
Entrepreneurship 301 offered Spring of 2024
Lake Erie Ink would like you to check out some information regarding their 11th Annual Comic Con on March 3rd-4th. It’s a perfect event for writers, illustrators, kinetic learners, and those interested in things like zines, comics, graphic novels, clay, collaging and additional art and literary mediums. Open to all grades 2nd-12th. During this two-day event, they will have a teen cosplay event, virtual programs with groups like Nickelodeon, and a day of in-person workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from over 20 different workshops to explore the theme of Creating a New world.
They still have 50 slots and scholarships available for any student that is interested! Additionally, all virtual programming is free… families would only need to register their participants. Here are some links that you might find helpful:
Hi Juniors - Beaumont partners with an online test prep company, Revolution Test Prep -- some of you did a PSAT test prep class with them prior to taking the PSAT in October, so the name may be familiar.
They are offering Beaumont families a $200 gift card that can be used in November and December to help make test prep more affordable, so we are passing that information along to you, and in an email to your parents. Here is the link to use to get more information or to sign up: https://www.revolutionprep.com/gift-card/
Beaumont will be offering test prep classes -- in person -- leading up to the March ACT that you all will take, but just in case you're interested in prepping for the SAT, or want additional ACT prep, you might consider Revolution. All of their classes are virtual.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Ms. Rose and Ms. O'Connor
You may find it interesting to research statistics on colleges and universities your daughter is interested in. Looking at retention rates and graduation rates may be of particular interest. The information is only as accurate as what each institution provides, and we would caution you against relying on it too heavily since, in many cases, the differences among institutions are small, and the numbers don’t reflect what your daughter’s lived experience will be on a particular campus.
Paying for college generally comes from a variety of sources. School scholarships and grants, state grants, federal grants, federal loans, private loans, and savings. Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid while loans do. Most schools also offer payment plan options.
Federal and State Aid:
External Scholarships:
Many colleges use ScholarshipUniverse. Students access this directly through a college's website. It allows students to search and apply for both college and external scholarships approved by the school.