Walnut Hills High School Guidance & College Counseling Programs The Guidance Department and College Information Center host a series of informative programs for parents and students. These programs are designed to support each student’s individual goals. Academic planning and standardized test preparation are integral parts of each year’s programming. Beginning in 7th grade, all students are trained to use Naviance, the online counseling software, to support post-secondary planning. The goal of Walnut Hills High School’s college counseling program is to help every student matriculate to a college where he or she will grow and succeed. Although students do not actually complete college applications until the fall of senior year, they should challenge themselves in courses and commit to activities of interest as early as possible. This effort will result in increased options when it comes to the college admissions process. 7th & 8th grade 9th grade Getting Acclimated to WHHS College Planning I This program familiarizes new parents with Walnut’s policies and procedures. Counselors offer strategies for academic success and describe the academic support systems. Counselors review the top factors in college admission and discuss the importance of making an impact inside and outside the classroom and of committing to activities students really enjoy. Preparing for Exams The Redesigned PSAT and SAT Counselors offer tips on studying for exams. Teachers from each discipline give an overview of their departmental exams and offer study guidelines. College Information Center staff will preview the redesigned SAT administered for the first time January 2016 and the redesigned PSAT that Walnut 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take October 2015. Emphasis will be on content, format, and preparation strategies. for parents of all 7th graders AND parents of new 8th graders September 9, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium for parents of all 7th and 8th graders November 11, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium Transition to High School for 8th grade parents ONLY January 7, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium Counselors discuss the four year academic plan and the importance of selecting a course load appropriate for college aspirations and interests. The importance of the high school transcript is discussed. Reality Check: Preparation for High School for students and parents April 22, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium The College Information Center and the Black Culture Club co-sponsor a program highlighting the key elements of high school success from a variety of perspectives. for students and parents January 28, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium for 9th and 10th grade students and parents April 14, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium AP Fair for students January 13, 2015: 4th bell | Cafeteria The AP Fair is an opportunity for students to talk to other students about the benefits and requirements of the AP courses offered at Walnut Hills. 10th grade 11th grade College Planning II College Planning III A local College Admissions Officer will share what colleges are looking for in the holistic application review, and the Counseling Team will describe the components of a successful application. The Junior Parent Meeting is a “must-attend” overview of the entire college process. Parents will learn about resources available at Walnut to help navigate the application process including specific steps students should take to stay on schedule. for students and parents November 12, 2014: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Auditorium College Symposium for students and parents November 5, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium for students and parents November 22, 2014: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | selected locations Lunchtime College Admission Officer Visits Students and parents are invited to attend various break-out sessions: Naviance 101, Financial Aid Primer, Selective College Admissions, NCAA and Athletic Recruiting, Performing Arts Application Process. During the fall months, Walnut Hills sponsors college admissions office visits. Students can meet school representatives and learn about academic programs. Over 200 public and private universities participate. AP Fair College Symposium for students January 13, 2015: 4th bell | Cafeteria for students and parents November 22, 2014: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | selected locations The AP Fair is an opportunity for students to talk to other students about the benefits and requirements of the AP courses offered at Walnut Hills. Students and parents are invited to attend various break-out sessions: Naviance 101, Financial Aid Primer, Selective College Admissions, NCAA and Athletic Recruiting, Performing Arts Application Process. The Redesigned PSAT and SAT for 9th and 10th grade students and parents April 14, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium College Information Center staff will preview the redesigned SAT administered for the first time January 2016 and the redesigned PSAT that Walnut 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take October 2015. Emphasis will be on content, format, and preparation strategies. for students AP Fair for students January 13, 2015: 4th bell | Cafeteria The AP Fair is an opportunity for students to talk to other students about the benefits and requirements of the AP courses offered at Walnut Hills. Been There, Done That 2 programs — one for parents, one for students March 18, 2015: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Recital Hall/ Room 2840 Parents will hear other Walnut parents relate lessons learned as their students navigated the college-bound process. Students will hear Walnut seniors share their college search experiences. 12th grade Common Application Boot Camp for students August 13, August 19, or August 20, 2014: 10:30 – noon or 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Room 3701 Seniors can get a jump on the college application process by attending one of the Common Application Boot Camps before the start of the school year. The Common Application is an on-line document accepted by over 500 member colleges and universities. The Boot Camp will be held in a computer lab so that each student can create a login and password and begin filling out the application with guidance from members of the Counseling Team. Most of the non-essay portion will be completed by the end of the session! College Essay Workshops for students September 23 or October 7, 2014: 2:45 – 3:30 pm. | CIC The CIC sponsors after-school sessions for individualized brainstorming and essay feedback. Students are encouraged to sign up for one-on-one meetings. Interviewing Skills Workshop for students October 2, 2014: 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. | Conference Room The Director of an Ivy League Alumni Interview Program visits Walnut to talk to interested students about the alumni interview. Tips about the do’s and don’ts of interviewing apply to all evaluative interviews conducted by selective schools. Application Nuts and Bolts for parents September 10, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium The Counseling Team will review all aspects of the college process so that parents can assist their seniors. Topics will include application management through Naviance, the importance of the senior packet, and upcoming deadlines. Senior College Forum for students September 10, 2013: 8:25 – 10:15 a.m. | Auditorium For all seniors, an opening program that focuses on the college application process. Information will be provided about managing the application process with Naviance, writing college essays, and securing teacher recommendations. Lunchtime College Admission Officer Visits for students During the fall months, Walnut Hills sponsors college admissions office visits. Students can meet school representatives and learn about academic programs. Over 200 public and private universities participate. Senior Financial Aid Night for parents September 17, 2014: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Auditorium A Financial Aid Officer from Miami University presents the fundamentals of financial aid — grants, loans, scholarships — as well as information on the net price calculator. 2014-2015 Guidance Team Ms. Tanya Ficklin, Guidance Department Chairperson Grades 7-9 Mr. Rashaan Williams Mrs. Patty Morgan willira@cps-k12.org morganp@cps-k12.org 513-363-8493 513-363-8488 Grades 10-12 Mr. Adrian Cabrera Ms. Tanya Ficklin Mrs. Linda Sawan cabrera@cps-k12.org ficklit@cps-k12.org sawanli@cps-k12.org 513-363-8450 513-363-8463 513-363-8409 College Information Center Mrs. Martha Geller gellerm@cps-k12.org Director 513-363-8455 Mrs. Kathy Restle Assistant Director restlek@cps-k12.org 513-363-8609 Mrs. Julie Lerner College Consultant lernerj@cps-k12.org 513-363-8666 Walnut Hills High School 3250 Victory Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45207 (513) 363-8400