Get Ready for College Applications! Class of 2016

Todays Agenda The College Application Students Responsibilities Schools Responsibilities Process for Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts Why use Naviance? Financial Aid

We encourage you to apply to 5-7 colleges to allow yourself several options. How many colleges should I apply to?

Your College List (handout) Reach Schools: Reach School = colleges & universities whose admitted students may have a higher average GPA and SAT score Dont 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 Responsibilities: Complete application (on college website) Send Test Scores: SAT and/or ACT tests Request Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts Submit Supplemental Information to Colleges Track Applications through Naviance School Counseling Responsibilities: Transcript Secondary School Report Counselor Letter of Recommendation Track Applications through Naviance

College Application Apply Online Visit each colleges 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 an e-mail for all college/scholarship info Be sure to complete supplemental information for each college (see application requirements) Common Application www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org Handout UVA Blog http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2015/06/2015-2016- first-year-uva-application.htmlhttp://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2015/06/2015-2016- first-year-uva-application.html

College Application Most Applications Become Available July 1 st, 2015 Common App Aug 1st Follow Instructions & Proofread! Complete all required sections Carefully follow all instructions Proofread before you submit Application Fee Must be paid before the deadline or its considered incomplete See us if you need an application fee waiver Can ask on many applications

College Application Deadlines, 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

Specifics on Deadlines Early deadlines: transcript will show everything up through junior year and your senior year schedule You can only apply to ONE school EARLY DECISION You should be an ideal candidate for a school if you apply ED There is not necessarily an admissions advantage to applying ED You can apply to as many schools as you would like EARLY ACTION You will hear from them by the end of December If you are not accepted Early Action, MOST schools will defer you to the regular decision deadline They want to see your first semester grades! Generally speaking, the application requirements are the same for REGULAR DECISION They will use your first semester grades to make a decision No matter what you must make a decision by May 1 st Specific questions? Call or email the school!

2014-15 Virginia College Application Deadlines College/ UniversityEarly DecisionEarly ActionPriorityRollingRegularCommon App Bridgewater (Private)Yes Christopher Newport (Public)15-Nov1-Dec1-FebYes Ferrum (Private)Yes George Mason (Public)1-Nov15-Jan James Madison (Public)1-Nov15-Jan Longwood (Public)1-DecYes Lynchburg (Private)15-Nov15-OctYes Mary Washington (Public)15-Nov1-FebYes Marymount (Private)Yes Norfolk State (Public)15-Mar31-May NOVA (Public)Yes Old Dominion (Public)1-Dec1-Feb Radford (Public)1-Dec1-Feb Randolph Macon (Private)15-Nov1-Mar Richard Bland (Public)1-Apr1-Jul Roanoke College (Private)15-SepYes Shenandoah (Private)1-MarYes Virginia Commonwealth (Public)15-Nov1-Dec15-Jan Virginia Military Institute (VMI) (Private)15-Nov1-Feb Virginia State31-Mar1-May Virginia Tech (Public)1-Nov15-Jan Univ. of Virginia (Public)1-Nov1-JanYes Univ. of Virginia - Wise (Public)1-Dec1-Feb William & Mary (Public)1-Nov1-JanYes

Sample of Out of State College & University Deadlines 2014-15 College/ UniversityEarly DecisionEarly ActionPriorityRollingRegularCommon App Carnegie Mellon (Private)1-Nov1-JanYes Clemson (Public)1-DecYes Coastal Carolina (Public)1-DecYes Cornell (Private)1-Nov2-JanYes Drexel (Private)15-Nov1-Feb Duke (Private)1-Nov2-JanYes East Carolina (Public)15-Mar George Washington (Private)10-Nov10-JanYes Georgetown (Private)1-Nov10-Jan Harvard (Private)1-Nov1-JanYes Johns Hopkins (Private)1-Nov1-JanYes Univ. of Maryland (Public)1-Nov20-Jan NYU (Private)1-Nov1-JanYes Univ. of North Carolina (Public)15-Oct5-JanYes Penn State (Public)30-NovYes Shepherd (Public)15-Nov1-FebYes Univ. of S. Carolina (Public)15-Oct1-Dec West Virginia Univ. (Public)Yes

Standardized Tests SAT and/or ACT required for admission to most 4-year colleges & universities Encouraged to take by November Register in August! handout Not all schools require tests Please see the FAIRTEST information on the Career Center website If NOVA or any community college is the plan, they will have their own test

Testing Specifics Use the free prep course we gave you!! See Mr. Grzeda if you cant find the link/code We have fee waivers! See Mrs. Allder SAT Subject tests??? Only for certain schools Generally speaking, AP exam scores are used for PLACEMENT purposes, while SAT Subject test scores are used for ADMISSIONS purposes

Standardized Tests You must send your official score reports to each college 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 youre more than a number Its worth your time, thought, & energy See it as an opportunity! Be sure to address the specific question/prompt if a college provides one

What is the purpose of college essays? Allows the college admissions committee to: Assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing clarity of thought, organization & creativity Learn about you as a person Attitudes, values, & opinions Personal story & background Approach to life & challenges Goals & aspirations

Tips for Writing a Great Essay 1. Think small. Try to narrow your topic down so that you can be very specific & illustrative share a moment in time 2. Give examples & share stories to bring your essay to life. Rely on the senses to transport your reader to a place and time. 3. Write in your own voice. Use language, vocabulary, and a style that feels comfortable to you. Think of yourself as a narrator as if you were speaking or telling a story. 4. Avoid using flowery or pretentious language be authentic. 5. Show that you are self-aware. Be confident & honest but not boastful. 6. Avoid writing what you think they want to read or a canned response. 7. The topic, regardless of the question asked, is you. Its not about the stuff you have done, but who you are. 8. Be clear and concise. You often only have 200-500 words use that space wisely. 9. Be careful with humor & slang. 10. Check your spelling & grammar!

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 you feel can write you a strong letter of recommendation What is their process?? Can be a previous teacher if they know you well Ask early at least 2-3 week prior notice You can ask them now! 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 youre 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 Instructions on how each letter needs to be submitted to the college. We will use Naviance for this

Official Transcript School Counseling (Mrs. Sanabria) sends your official transcript to each college: At the time you apply (to all colleges you request) Mid-year sent with 1 st 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 Transcript Request Form Print legibly Be 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 send Student & parent must sign each request form Cost per transcript is $3.00 transcript release.docx

Counselor Letter of Recommendation Minimum of 3 weeks notice Encouraged to complete Student AND Parent Insight Sheet Will receive immediately in Fall, likely via email Counselor letter will be sent 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 dont check that you want a counselor letter sent, I wont send it FERPA and waiving your rights https://appsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questio nID=984&hitOffset=199+184+163+150+126+105+99+87+67+51+46+29+ 20+7+1&docID=3393 https://appsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questio nID=984&hitOffset=199+184+163+150+126+105+99+87+67+51+46+29+ 20+7+1&docID=3393

College Application Process Student Applies to College Student Submits Pink Form to School Counseling Mrs. Bush Completes SSR Mrs. Bush Writes Letter of Rec Mrs. Sanabria sends everything through Naviance Mrs. Sanabria Updates Naviance Student Requests Letters of Recommendation Provide Teacher With Deadlines, Instructions, Resume Etc. Teacher Writes Letter and uploads to Naviance or Gives to School Counseling 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. Mrs. Sanabria prepares Transcript

Can access from School Counseling page User name and password is students id number unless changed Will change in August to student id number and birthday Update your e-mail address so that you receive important college & scholarship info Create a resume Sign up for college visits during Rock Block/Lunch Shifts (print out confirmation as your pass) Scholarship searches Check status of transcript requests Other helpful websites handout

Financial Aid First, a little humor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPQ2QHshMc Yes, your child will likely be done applying for college before the process even starts! Keep options open Dont throw out private schools because of the scary pricetag! December and January Info nights Handouts and Mrs. Allder

Check Your E-mail Frequently! Why? Updates on colleges visiting RRHS Information 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!

People Who Can Help Mrs. Allder College and Career Center Specialist Will handle most scholarships and financial aid Can answer everything related to Naviance Mrs. Sanabria Administrative Professional and Registrar Will handle all transcript requests and tracking applications Mr. Terry our director, he knows everything If you cant track me down, please feel free to reach out to these individuals!

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Get Ready for College Applications! Class of 2016