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College Application Process PLANNING FOR THE FUTUREGaithersburg High SchoolSchool Counseling DepartmentCollege and Career CenterMay 28, 2015

AgendaWe will cover the following topics:

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListTools and strategies to get you startedUsing Naviance/Family Connection

Application ProcessKey components of the application What makes a good, solid packet

Paperwork and DeadlinesSignificance and why they are important

Questions to ask yourselfAttend school near home or move away?In Maryland or out-of-state?State college or private?State = less expensive, fewer scholarshipsPrivate = more expensive, more financial aidType of campus?City, suburban, rural

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListAdditional questions: How far away from home do you want to be? How far away will your family allow you to go?City schools: not sure what the building next do is. Suburban: no more than 45 min. from a major metropolitan area with public transportation available to the city. Rural: somewhat isolated, rely totally on the campus for things to do.3More QuestionsSize of CampusSmall = 10,000Other preferences / interests?Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual, community, athletics

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListAnother question: Does the college or university have all of the major disciplines you are interested in.What do you need to make you happy at school? Movies? Jazz Clubs? Rock climbing? Skiing? The beach?4More To ConsiderCommunity CollegeApply EARLY to Montgomery CollegeMontgomery ScholarsMacklin Business Program Nursing program Flexible, save money, transfer credits2-year associate degrees availableAthletes what you need to knowNCAA Clearinghousewww.eligibilitycenter.org

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListIn the past, application fees to MC have been waived if students apply by March 1. All students should consider completing an application to MC as the admission to MC is good for summer school courses after you begin college. Any student attending MC should complete an associates degree in the first two years if you are contemplating transfer to a four-year college or university. Colleges and universities will usually accept your credits from MC if you have an Associates degree.NCAA Clearinghouse applications should be made during the junior year. It is online and can be accessed from the GHS website.5Gathering InformationLook at Schools Online Family Connection College Search toolWill They Be Visiting the Area?Are They Visiting at GHS?Counselor, CCIC, Teachers, ParentsResearching Colleges / Making Your List6Other Resourceswww.Collegeboard.org

www.PrincetonReview.com

Naviance/Family Connection (link on GHS home page)

We Are Here To Help!

Your Counselor College and Career Coordinator

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListNaviance/Family Connection has resources for past admissions history of GHS students, ability to conduct a college search based on your specific needs and much more.7Consider What Colleges Are Looking ForQuality of Academic Program (Rigor)Grade Point Average SAT or ACT Scores Extra Curricular Activities Volunteer / Community Service / Employment Letters of Recommendation

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListYou must take a full academic load (at least 4 academic courses) your senior year. Try to take a leadership position if possible in your extra curricular activities or volunteer/community service. Letters of recommendation are not the same as teacher feedback forms.8SAT Highestscore2400 for nowMath:Geometry,AlgebraII,andPrecalculusReadingMultipleChoiceEssayPenaltyforwronganswersFee$54.50 until March 2016www.CollegeBoard.org

The Tests Are Not Created EqualIt is important for the class of 2016 to complete all SAT testing by Dec. 2015 as the SAT is changing!ACTHighest Score 36 Math:Geometry,AlgebraII,andPrecalculusScienceReadingEnglishMultipleChoiceOnly$38.00With OptionalWritingExam$54.50NoPenaltyforWrongAnswerswww.actstudent.org

The Tests Are Not Created EqualThe Tests Are Not Created Equal Accuplacer - free

TOEFL - $190

Accuplacer is given daily at Montgomery College as well as several times in the spring at GHS.The ESL Accuplacer, for students whose first language is not English and with less than 10 years in MCPS, is given only at MC by appointment. Students attending Montgomery College who score less than 550 on both the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or less than a 24 on the English and Math sections of the ACT, MUST take the Accuplacer.TOEFL exam is for any student applying to a four year college or university who has been in the US less than 7 years. Sometimes students are required to take the TOEFL if English was not their first language.11Make Your ListPick 6-10 Schools Target Schools - 4 Reach Schools no more than 2 (?)- Safer schools - 2

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListNo more than 2 reach schools are recommended. Remember there is more than one right school for each student.Dont forget to make certain the schools have the major you are thinking about.12Setting up the Applicationswww.CommonApp.org after August 1Identify schools who participateAccess applications for non-participating schools directlyRegister online (write down login info, requirements and deadlines!!)Set up login and password for eachVerify what documents are neededApplication ProcessGHS sends transcripts and recommendations online through the CommonApp via Naviance as well as to all colleges and universities that accept electronic documents. 13Do The ApplicationsBegin completing the applications onlineDouble check applications for:AccuracyCompletenessPrint/Copy all pages prior to submitting for your records

Application ProcessAnswer all questions on every application. If you have no answer, write not applicable. Unfortunately things happen. Papers go missing once they arrive at the colleges or university. You should always be able to provide a copy of documents if needed. We receive electronic receipts for documents sent through Naviance, SENDEDU, the CommonApp and other electronic means.14Application RemindersAccurate email address that you check!Email in CommonApp and Naviance need to be the same!Update Your CounselorCheck for errors!!Spel checque iz knot enufProofreadSign and date forms (best handwriting!)Express Your Voice, Not Someone Elses

Application ProcessLet your counselor know where you are applying. Talk with teachers and counselors about your choices. They may have valuable insight into the colleges and universities or technical programs you are considering.Schools know when your essay is not your own!15Essays and ResumeActivity Statement - ~100 wordsOptional/or NOT!!1 2 Personal EssaysChoose Topic WiselyEnglish Teacher FeedbackActivities/ResumeOrganize by most important to youInclude important characteristics ofschool, if possibleShould demonstrate leadership

Application ProcessTopicsTake the word OPTIONAL out of your vocabulary until the application process is over. If an application says the extra state is optional, they know if you do not complete it, you really do not care about attending that school.Activities: please do not list things where you came in 9th out of 12. List items really important to you. Be able to explain an activity in 1-2 sentences.In your essay be specific! If the name of another school can be substituted into your essay and the essay still works, it is a bad essay. Find specific programs, places, professors, projects to talk about in the Why This College essay.16Letters of RecommendationTeacherResume or teacher forms

Counselor Brag Sheets, Extra Curricular ChecklistTeacher Feedback Forms

Application ProcessTeachers need information about you to write a good personal letter of recommendation. Counselors use teacher feedback forms to write their recommendations. Teacher feedback forms from the packet are NOT letters of recommendation.17Senior PacketRequired Forms due by exam week

Student Brag Sheet and Activities pageParent Brag SheetAuthorization to Release Records3 Teacher Feedback Forms (not letters of recommendation)18Deadlines!!!Chart or List of Deadlines and RequirementsSpreadsheet?Sticky Notes?Find a System That Works For YouTranscript Requests Allow At Least 15 School Days Paperwork and DeadlinesExplain why 15 days for the first counselor letter19More Deadlines!!!November 1 DeadlineAll Paperwork in By October 10

Apply by Priority Deadline if Possible

Scholarships Plan Ahead if Possible YOU Know Your Requirements Website Good Resource

Paperwork and DeadlinesExplain percentage acceptance at CP and UMBC.More than 95% of acceptances at UMD-CP and UMBC come from the priority/early action deadlines.20Time to Get Busy!Start NowMeet your counselorSchedule Tests SAT/ACTLook at SchoolsFinish Brag Sheets

Summer Fun Visit Schools Make Your ListStart Applications

ConclusionPlease turn in your authorization to release records, brag sheets, parent brag sheets, and provide feedback forms to teachers before final exam week to your Counseling! 21

Its your future.make sure you are ready! 22