Class of 2012College Application

Process

Today’s AgendaCreating Your College ListThe College Application

Student’s ResponsibilitiesSchool’s Responsibilities

Process for Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts

Why use Naviance?

Your College List: Research

College & university websitesCollege Fair – Sept 24th @ Stone Bridge HSCollege visits to the Career Center College Open Houses scheduled in local area Visit the college campusDiscuss college options & costs with your

parents

Your College List: Finding the Right “Fit”

Location Size Career goals Academic majors Financial aidH.S. course requirements and recommendationsAcademic profile of admitted students Student life

Diversity of student body Appearance of facilities Athletic programs Extracurricular interests Study abroad programs ROTC Dorms/residence halls Available support services The “feel” of campus Cost (don’t rule out private or out-of-state colleges)

Life After High School: Why Plan?Post-secondary education opens doorsPost-secondary education gives you

optionsPost-secondary education can help you

make a differencePost-secondary education creates earning

power

Life After High School: Why Plan?Median Earnings by Level of Education

(2007):◦High School Dropout: $25,000/year◦High School Diploma: $33,00/year◦Associate Degree (2-Year/Community College):

$41,000/year◦Bachelor’s Degree (4-Year): $56,000/year◦Advanced Degree (masters, professional,

doctoral): $75,000/year

Options for Life After High SchoolTrade-schools/Apprenticeships

◦ Many “trades” have more earning potential than careers that require a 4-year degree

Military◦ Enlisting in the military and earning a college degree are

not mutually exclusive◦ Enlisting in the military can help pay for college◦ Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is available at

many colleges◦ Recruiters can provide more information

Options for Life After High School

College◦Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically

earned at a community college or a junior college)

◦Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree◦Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years

after earning a bachelors◦Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD,

JD, MD, DC

Options for Life After High SchoolCommunity College

◦Students can earn an Associates Degree, or, students can complete the first year or two of a Bachelors Degree

◦Make sure the community college knows what your goals are!

◦If you plan to transfer after a year or two, do your homework!

Options for Life After High SchoolBenefits of community college

◦NOVA is one of the best community colleges in the country

◦Relatively inexpensive◦Close to home◦A “small step” into higher education◦Usually “open” admissions

NOVA Pathways Program While you are in high school, the Pathway Program

provides…◦ Early placement testing and priority fall registration◦ Participation in selected social, athletic and cultural events at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and George Mason University (Mason)◦ Individual meetings with Pathway counselors to preparefor college transition, including major and careerselection and financial planning◦ Workshops on college transition issues, including theapplication process, placement test preparation and applying for financial aid and scholarships

Pathways Cont. While you are at NOVA, the Pathway Program provides…

◦ Designated program counselors to guide you through your college career, including course, major and career planning and financial aid

◦ Assistance with transferring to a four-year college or university◦ Academic and personal enrichment workshops conducted by

NOVA counselors◦ Continued participation in designated Mason social, athletic

and cultural events◦ Opportunity in your second year to enroll in classes at Mason

while completing your NOVA degree◦ Opportunity, if qualified, to apply early for junior year

admission to Mason

How many colleges should I apply to?

We encourage you to apply to 5-7 colleges to allow yourself several

options.

Your College ListReach Schools: Reach School = colleges & universities whose

admitted students may have a higher average GPA and SAT score

Don’t be afraid to apply to schools that may be a stretch.

You never know what they are looking for when they select their freshman class.

Consider applying to 1-2 reach schools.You will not know if they will accept you

unless you apply!

Your College List

Target Schools:Target School= colleges & universities whose

admitted students’ average GPA & SAT are comparable to yours

You should feel comfortable with these, knowing that you have a good chance of getting accepted

Consider applying to at least 2 target schools

Your College List

Safety/Backup Schools:Safety Schools = colleges & universities whose

admitted students’ average GPA & SAT score are significantly lower than yours

Great confidence that you will be accepted – almost guaranteed acceptance

Ask yourself – Would you go here if it was the only college you were accepted to?

Consider applying to at least 1 safety school

You have your college list… now what?

Components of a College Application

Student’s Responsibilities:

Complete application (on college website)

Sending Test Scores: SAT and/or ACT tests

Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts

Submitting Supplemental Information to Colleges

Guidance’s Responsibilities:

TranscriptSecondary School

ReportCounselor Letter

of Recommendation

College ApplicationApply Online!!!

◦Visit each college’s website for specific instructions on how to access the application

◦Remember your log-in information – keep it in a safe place for future reference

◦Make sure your e-mail address is appropriate◦ Encouraged to develop a e-mail for all college/scholarship info

◦Be sure to complete supplemental information for each college (see application requirements)

◦Common Application – www.commonapp.org ◦CHECKLIST – review form

College ApplicationFollow Instructions & Proofread!

Complete all required sections Carefully follow all instructions Proofread before you submit

Application Fee Must be paid before the deadline or it’s

considered incomplete See us if you need an application fee

waiver

College ApplicationDeadlines, deadlines, deadlines!

◦Best to check individual college admission websites for the deadline

◦Must submit college applications before the deadline

◦Highly recommended to submit applications early, so that you have time to verify that the college has received all components of the application

◦Deadline for scholarships may be earlier than the admissions deadline– Check each school for this information!!!

College Regular Decision Early Decision Early Action Priority Rolling Notification

Averett University 1-Sep - - 1-May Yes

Bridgewater College 1-Jul - - - Yes

Christendom College 1-Mar - 1-Dec 1-Mar -

Christopher Newport University 1-Feb 15-Nov 1-Dec - -

Eastern Mennonite University 1-Aug - - 1-Feb -

Emory & Henry College - 1-Nov - 15-Feb Yes

Ferrum College - - - 1-Mar Yes

George Mason University 15-Jan - 1-Nov - -

Hampden-Sydney College 1-Mar 15-Nov 15-Jan - -

Hampton University 1-Mar - 1-Nov - -

Hollins University 1-Aug 1-Dec - 15-Feb -

James Madison University 15-Jan - 1-Nov 1-Nov -

Jefferson College of Health Sciences 31-Jul 15-Oct - - -

Liberty University 30-Jun - - 30-Jun Yes

Longwood University 15-Jul - 1-Dec 1-Mar -

Lynchburg College - 15-Nov 15-Oct - Yes

Mary Baldwin College - 15-Nov - - Yes

University of Mary Washington 1-Feb - 15-Nov - -

Marymount University - - - 1-Apr Yes

Norfolk State University 31-May - - - Yes

Old Dominion University 1-Feb - 1-Dec - -

VA College/University Deadlines

College Regular Decision Early Decision Early Action Priority Rolling Notification

Piedmont Virginia Community College 23-Aug - - - -

Radford University 1-Feb - 1-Dec - -

Randolph College 1-Mar - 1-Dec 1-Dec -

Randolph-Macon College 1-Mar 15-Nov 15-Nov 1-Feb -

Richard Bland College 15-Aug - - - -

University of Richmond 15-Jan 15-Nov - - -

Roanoke College 15-Aug 1-Dec - - Yes

Shenandoah University - - - 1-Mar Yes

Southern Virginia University 31-Jul - - - -

Stratford University 30-Jul 29-Apr - - -

Sweet Briar College 1-Feb - - - -

Valley Forge Christian College Woodbridge Campus 1-Aug - - - -

Virginia Commonwealth University 15-Jan - - - -

Virginia Military Institute 1-Feb 15-Nov - - Yes

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 15-Jan 1-Nov - - -

Virginia State University 1-May - - 31-Mar -

Virginia Wesleyan College - - 10-Dec 1-Jan Yes

University of Virginia 1-Jan - 1-Nov - -

University of Virginia's College at Wise 1-Aug - 1-Feb 1-Apr -

Washington and Lee University 2-Jan 15-Nov - - -

College of William and Mary 1-Jan 1-Nov - - -

VA College/University Deadlines

Standardized Tests SAT and/or ACT required for admission to most 4-year colleges &

universities

Encouraged to take by November

SAT Subject Tests:◦ Why take the tests◦ Some colleges require or recommend that you take SAT Subject Tests. In

addition, you can enhance your application, demonstrate knowledge you’ve gained outside the classroom, and potentially place out of introductory courses.

Upcoming test dates:SAT: Register at www.collegeboard.com October 1st – late registration (fee applies) by September 21st

November 5th – register by October 7th ACT: Register at www.actstudent.org October 22nd – register by September 16th December 10th – register by November 4th

Standardized TestsYou must send your official score reports

to each colleges directly from College Board or ACT

Select score report recipients when you register online (4 free)

Must pay a fee per score report if you request to send to college after you take the test

Send to NCAA (9999) if you want to play NCAA sports in college

College Essays & Personal Statements

Your chance to “speak” to the admissions committee

Lets them know you’re more than a number It’s worth your time, thought, & energy See it as an opportunity! Be sure to address the specific question/prompt

if a college provides one

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

Check with each college to see if teacher letters are required or recommended

Think carefully about who you ask:◦ Try to select a core academic teacher who knows you well

and who can write a strong letter of recommendation◦ Consider asking a coach, sponsor, or another teacher who

may know you in a different context

Ask early – at least 2-3 week prior notice

Write a thank you note to the teacher once the letter is sent & inform them of whether you were accepted

What should I give to teachers?List of colleges to which you’re applying & the

deadlines

Any school-specific or Common App forms that the teacher needs to complete along with his/her letter

Any documents the teacher requests, such as your resume and/or personal statement

Envelopes (addressed & stamped if appropriate)

Instructions on how each letter needs to be submitted to the college….

LOR Cover Sheet

College NameOffice of Undergraduate AdmissionStreet Address and/or BoxCity, State Zip

Student Name

Street Address

City, State Zip

Option 1: Teacher Mails Letter Directly

to College

Option 2:Teacher Submits Letter Online

Many colleges ask students to list the teacher’s name and e-mail address when the student completes the online application

Inform teacher how to submit letter online ◦Will they receive an e-mail from the college or Common App with specific instructions?

Option 3:Teacher’s Letter Mailed with

Transcript from Guidance OfficeProvide teacher with an envelope for each college

with the name of the college & your name printed on the front

Ask teacher to seal envelope & sign across the sealCollect sealed letters from teacherAttach letter to each pink transcript request form

when you give it to Guidance OfficeTeacher letters of recommendation must be

attached to pink transcript release form if you want it mailed with your transcript

Official TranscriptGuidance sends your official

transcript to each college:◦At the time you apply (to all colleges you

request)◦Mid-year sent with 1st semester grades (to all

colleges – no need to submit another transcript request – we automatically send)

◦At the end of the year – final transcript is sent to the college you plan to attend

PINK

FORM

PINK

FORM

PINK Transcript Request FormPrint legiblyBe specific!

◦Do not use abbreviations for the college name◦List the city/state in which the college is located◦List the specific deadline (ASAP and “Rolling”

are NOT acceptable deadlines – exact dates please!)

◦Check off which documents you want us to sendAttach teacher letter(s) of recommendation if you

want the letter(s) sent with your transcriptStudent & parent must sign each request formPay $3 for each transcript request (cash or check

made payable to Woodgrove High School)

PINK Transcript Request FormMust be submitted to Guidance for each college to which you would like your transcript sent at least 3 weeks prior to the college application deadline.

COLLEGE DEADLINE REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT & COUNSELOR LETTER DUE TO GUIDANCE

November 1 October 11

November 15 October 25

December 1 November 3 (to account for Thanksgiving Break)

December 15 November 17 (to account for Thanksgiving Break)

January 1 December 1 (to account for Winter Break)

January 15 December 15 (to account for Winter Break)

February 1 January 11

February 15 January 25

March 1 February 8

March 15 February 22

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

Minimum of 3 weeks noticeStudents will submit a Student/Parent Insight

Sheet Counselor letter will be mailed with your

Transcript and Secondary School Report (SSR)

Be sure to check off that you would like a Counselor Letter of Recommendation on your pink transcript request form. If you don’t check that you want a counselor letter sent, we will not send it.

SSR

College Application ProcessStudent Applies to College

Student Submits Pink Form to

Guidance

Counselor Completes SSR & LOR

Ms. Holland Mails Transcript & Updates

Naviance

Student Requests Letters of

Recommendation

Provide Teacher With Deadlines,

Instructions, Cover Letter Resume, &

Envelopes

Teacher Mails To College, Submits

Online, or Gives to Student to Submit

with Pink Form

Student Submits Supplemental Information

Student Sends SAT and/or ACT Scores

to Colleges

Student Submits Required Financial &

Residency Information

Student Completes & Submits Essays,

Portfolios, Auditions, etc.

Ms. Holland Prints Transcript

Update your e-mail address so that you receive important college & scholarship info

Create a resume/Activity Profile – template provided to students

Sign up for college visits during open lunch (print out confirmation as your pass)

Scholarship searches

Check status of transcript requests

Check Your E-mail Frequently!Why?Updates on colleges visiting WHSInformation on scholarships, honors,

recognitions, special programs (some with short notice)

COLLEGES USE E-MAIL AS THEIR PRIMARY FORM OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOU RE: YOUR APPLICATION!

Overwhelmed? Still confused?Breathe!Develop an action plan & timeline to

meet your goals and the deadlinesDon’t procrastinate!Seek assistance and be proactive.

We are here to help!

Some Advice

Complete applications one at a time◦One by Halloween◦One by Thanksgiving◦The rest by Winter Break

Use the checklist provided!Pay attention to deadlines!HAVE FUN!

Questions