Class of 2023 Counselor Connection
Updates from Mrs. Ottinger, Counselor for the Class of 2023
SENIOR YEAR IS HERE!
All seniors are enrolled in the Class of 2023 Canvas Page. The Canvas page will be updated frequently. Parents can view this Canvas Page as Observers. If you need help with Canvas, contact Dr. Ritter.
Click here to view the 2022-2023 ORHS Academic Planning Guide!
CLICK HERE TO REVIEW VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PARENT/STUDENT/COUNSELOR COLLEGE APPLICATION RESPONSIBILITIES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- August 1 – November 1, 2022 – TNPromise Scholarship Application Open. Apply at www.tnpromise.gov
- August 25, 2022 - Senior Seminars for Students – ORHS Amphitheater. Students will be called down by alphabet throughout the day. Topics include applying to college, sending transcripts and requesting letters of recommendation.
- August 30, 2022 6:00 pm - Senior Seminar for Parents - ORHS Amphitheater
- September 20, 2022 - Community College Day for Students- September 20 – ORHS Amphitheater. Students will receive assistance applying for the TNPromise Scholarship and applying to a Community College.
- September 20, 2022 5:30 p.m. - College Admissions Evening - ORHS Amphitheater (Representatives from UT Knoxville, Maryville College and Roane State will discuss the admissions process for a 4 year public college, a 4 year private college and a 2 year college).
- September 22, 2022 5:30 p.m. - Financial Aid 101 - ORHS Amphitheater (presentation by TSAC - TN Student Assistance Corporation)
- September 26, 2022- 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - College and Career Fair- Wildcat Arena
- October 18, 2022 - ACT Senior Retake Date - The ACT will be given during the school day to all 12th graders. This test is FREE.
- November 1, 2022 - TN Promise Scholarship Application Deadline
- November 10, 2022 5:30-7:30 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Media Center/Library
- December 13, 2022 3:40 p.m. – Mandatory TNPromise Meeting for Students - ORHS Food Court
- January 24, 2023 5:30-7:30 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Media Center/Library
- March 1st – FAFSA deadline for the Class of 2023 (fafsa.gov)
SENIOR SEMINAR INFORMATION
On Thursday, August 25, the Class of 2023 will be participating in Senior Seminars. The Senior Seminar is full of important information about college applications, graduation requirements, and future planning. Attendance will be taken and is mandatory.
Seniors will report to the amphitheater on 8/25 using the following schedule:
- First Block: Last Names Ajaz - Fouche
- Second Block: Last Names Francis - Lowe
- Fourth Block: Last Names Lucas – Sanders-Ball
- Fifth Block: Last Names Sangrey - Zorn
Middle college students are welcome to attend at any time that works with their college schedule regardless of last name.
All Senior Seminar information will be shared with parents at the Senior Seminar for Parents which will take place on August 30, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the ORHS Amphitheater. If you are unable to attend, all information will be emailed.
make sure you are on track to graduate!
Need to know what classes to take to pursue a certain career? Click here for the ORHS Career Cluster Maps: Oak Ridge Career Clusters 02.03.22.pptx
TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
- When you need to send transcripts to colleges, official transcripts MUST be requested via Naviance. Emailed requests will not be processed. Follow instructions here to request a transcript: HOW TO REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT IN NAVIANCE.pdf
- Transcripts (including decile) will be finalized and made official once all seniors return senior forms.
- Transcripts can be requested via Naviance now but will not be sent until transcripts are made official in mid-September.
- STUDENTS should go ahead and submit their college applications. They do not need to wait for transcripts to be made official.
LINKING NAVIANCE & COMMON APPLICATION
- In order for ORHS to communicate with Common Application, students complete the Common App FERPA Release Authorization and they MUST link Common App & Naviance. Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation CANNOT be sent until the student completes this. Linking is a very simple process explained here: Link your Naviance Account with your Common App.pdf
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION INFORMATION
- ORHS policy requires student to check with the faculty member who they want a letter from prior to requesting the letter in Naviance to ensure the faculty member will be able to provide a letter.
- Once the student verifies that the faculty member is able to provide a letter, the student needs to submit an official request in Naviance. Without this request, ORHS faculty will be unable to submit a letter. Please follow these instructions to request a letter of rec: Request a LOR in Naviance.pdf
- If Mrs. Ottinger has agreed to provide you with a Counselor Recommendation and you have submitted your request in Naviance, your next step is to complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/1A2QHeZvj8
- It is imperative that you ask your teachers and your counselor for a letter of recommendation at least 3 WORKING WEEKS before the deadline. Fall Break does not count as working weeks. This is necessary for your teachers and your counselor to be able to meet deadlines. Failure to request a letter within the required timeframe could result in us not being able to provide a letter. Please see deadlines here: 2022-2023 counselor recommendation deadlines.pdf
WHAT IS NAVIANCE and why should i use it?
Naviance is College & Career Software that Oak Ridge Schools provides for the students in our district. The ORHS Counselors have been tracking college admissions data in Naviance since 2015. You will have to use Naviance as a senior to request transcripts and letters of recommendation that are sent to colleges. It is in your best interest to start using it now so you are already familiar with Naviance when you start your senior year.
All students can log into their Naviance accounts by visiting this website and clicking the blue button that says "Sign In with Clever". Students will sign in with their Active Directory information. Be sure to sign in with Clever - you cannot sign in with a Naviance ID.
SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The vast majority of financial aid and scholarships will come directly from the colleges and universities that students are applying to but be sure to check these scholarship websites often to stay informed about other potential scholarships:
salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch
www.cappex.com (Unique in that it allows you to search merit aid at many schools, not just private scholarships)
https://accessscholarships.com/
HELPFUL ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
This is a list of Colleges that meet demonstrated need
This is a spreadsheet of Average need and merit aid statistics
This is a list of colleges with full ride scholarships
This is an additional list of scholarship resources and programs.
Remember to file your FAFSA during the Fall of your senior year and never pay for a scholarship or scholarship search! The FAFSA opens on October 1, 2022 and is due by March 1, 2023 (original date was February 1, 2023 but it has been extended).
Apply for the TNPromise Scholarship between August 1, 2022 and November 1, 2022. You must meet this deadline - no exceptions! Detailed instruction on how to apply are linked below.
Please also see the THEC/TSAC (TN Higher Education Commission / TN Student Assistance Corporation) State Financial Aid Summary below. For more information, visit
COLLEGES WAIVING APPLICATION FEES DURING SEPTEMBER
- August 1 – September 30: Union University
- September 1 – 30: Bethel University, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, The University of Memphis
- September 18 – 24: Middle Tennessee State University
- September 19 – 23: Lipscomb University, The University of Tennessee at Martin, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee Knoxville
ACT Information
All juniors should have taken the ACT on the State Test date of Tuesday, March 1, 2022. This test was free and it was given during the school day at ORHS.
Seniors will also get a free ACT retake opportunity on October 18, 2022. This test is free to seniors and will be given during the school day.
To take the ACT any other time, students must register HERE. Dates, cost, and all additional information are available on the ACT website. Visit the School Counseling office if you believe you may qualify for an ACT fee waiver. This requires a student to receive free/reduced lunch.
Do you want to compete in college sports?
ORHS Tutoring & Curriculum Information
Visit the ORHS Curriculum Page for links to:
- The complete 2022-2023 Academic Planning Guide
- Once available, the ORHS Tutoring Schedule will be posted on the Curriculum Page.
PLANNING FOR A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR YEAR
PLAN FOR SENIOR YEAR
- Make a list of colleges that you wish to research online. Start researching in Naviance.
- Research requirements regarding entrance and placement exams at the college in which you are interested in.
- Narrow your college list to your top 5 or 10 schools that interest you.
- It’s not too late to get involved. Pick up a new extracurricular activity (or two) and jump right in!
- Start certification process if you want to play Division I or II college sports. Click here to register with the NCAA.
- If you are thinking the military you need to speak with a military representative about your options. For more information go to: www.todaysmilitary.com
- Consider getting a job to gain work experience to put on your college application.
- Take the ACT again. ALL SENIORS WILL TAKE THE ACT FOR FREE AT SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 18th. To take the ACT additional times you must register at www.actstudent.org. To take the SAT, you must register at www.collegeboard.com. UTK will accept ACT scores through December.
- Start finalizing your college list and investigate college cost.
- Check the ORHS scholarship page often.
- Familiarize yourself with ways to pay for college.
How to Contact Mrs. Ottinger
The best way for students to set up a time to meet with me is to stop by the Counseling Office and ask Mrs. Campbell, the Counseling Office's Administrative Assistant, to schedule an appointment. Students are encouraged to stop by before school, during the lunch break, or after school to make an appointment. If the student's need is urgent or an emergency, students must tell Mrs. Campbell and she will find a counselor immediately.
If parents need to schedule an appointment, please call Mrs. Campbell at (865) 425-9607 to schedule a time. Counselors are in the office from 7:40 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Parents and students are also welcome to email Mrs. Ottinger.
Email: bottinger@ortn.edu
Website: https://www.ortn.edu/highschool/academics/school-counseling/
Location: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Phone: (865)425-9607
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakridgehighschoolcounseling
Twitter: @ORHSCounseling