The College Application ProcessClass of 2020

Presented April 24, 2019

By Mrs. Corr and Mrs. Bagnick, Counselors

Tonight’s Goals

To allow students and parents to see the big picture of the College Admissions Process

To provide families with a timeline from Spring of Junior year through end of Senior Year

To encourage families to start making important decisions about college planning – now!

To answer as many questions as possible before the fall of Senior year

Agenda

Post-Secondary Options

Resources for College and Career Research

The College Application Process

Financial Aid

Timeline – now through Senior year

Q&A

Post-secondary options

College isn’t the only option.

It’s OK to be undecided. If you are, continue doing research.

Gap years can be helpful with meaningful research and experiences.

As long as you have a plan, there’s no “one right plan” for everyone.

Advice from College Admission Reps:

“College major ≠ Career! It’s about involvement, exploration, academic success, and work/life experiences.”

Students have until Sophomore year to declare a major.

Resumes (for High School Seniors) should contain only information and achievements from grades 9-12.

Incoming Freshman should know Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access), and Social Media platforms. Clean up your social media.

Email address should be “professional,” and checked often for important college communication. Don’t use CBSD email for official college communication - it expires

when you graduate.

Resources for College and Career Research

Naviance – College Search Tools

Search for schools by criteria that are important to you in COLLEGE TAB > “College Search.”

Organize yourself by adding schools to COLLEGE TAB > “Colleges I’m Thinking About.”

“College Match” – for every school you’re “Thinking about,” it shows you a few other similar colleges who have accepted students with your similar profile.

“Scattergrams” – compare your GPA/SAT’s to former CBW students who applied to that school.

Review your own Career Plan Assessment results (under ABOUT ME and CAREER tabs).

“Colleges I’m Thinking About” List

Naviance – Explore Careers and Clusters

How-To Videos for College Search (“SuperMatch”) and Career Search (“O.O.H.”)

Other resources for exploration

College Websites –

Search Academics > Undergraduate > Majors

READ about the program, and what you’ll be required to do in four years

Compare programs at different schools

GOOGLE!

“What are good undergraduate schools for Political Science?”

“What are some good schools for “B” students?”

“What does a materials engineer do?”

“What colleges give a lot of merit aid?”

“What are cool jobs where I can work with animals?”

Approaching the College Selection Process

TYPES OF POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS

PA State Universities (PASSHE)

State Universities

Liberal Arts Schools

Ivy League (and “Little Ivy”) schools

Military Academies

Specialized Institutions

Art Schools

Musical Conservatories

Culinary Schools

Technical Schools

Trade Schools

Community Colleges

Transfer programs

2-year Associates Degrees

Certificate Programs

Colleges: TOP ADMISSION CRITERIA

Your transcript – courses you take, rigor of courses, grades (cumulative GPA).*

Senior year schedule and mid-year grades are sent to all schools to which you apply

Standardized test scores

Application Essay and/or Personal Statement

Teacher and/or Counselor Recommendations

Extracurricular Involvement and Leadership

*CBSD does not provide rank for admissions purposes.

Important to consider:

Selectivity – Reach? Target? Safety?

Size – undergrad & grad

Average class size

Geographic location and proximity to town, city, cultural centers

Distance from home

Athletics, activities that are important to you

Facilities and housing

Technology integration and expectations

Diversity

Average financial aid award/ merit aid

Other Career-based Considerations:

Statistics

Retention rate, and 4-year graduation rate

Job placement and career center

Graduate school acceptance

Co-op/Internship Experiences

What does the school offer in terms of access and opportunityto help you reach your goals?

College Applications:The Basics

Types of Applications

College-specific application – access from their website.

Common Application (750 + schools) www.commonapp.org

Coalition Application (90+ schools) U. Florida; U. Maryland; & U. Washington are only colleges that use

Coalition App exclusively

PA State System www.passhe.edu

Penn State Use MyPennState Portal, or Common App or Coalition App

Must complete SRAR (Self-Reported Academic Record) through PSU Portal, regardless of type of application used.

THE COMMON APPLICATION

Fill out one application, and send it to multiple schools.

Contains demographic info, educational history, activities, and essay, which is sent to ALL colleges.

Many schools have a “supplement,” which you’ll see in the Common App. Those questions, short answers and essays go only to that one school. Many selective schools have Supplements, which often contain multiple essays.

Keep Common App account info secure- write it down!

Use same email for CA, College Board, and ACT.

Don’t use CBSD email – it will be de-activated after graduation.

No parent email addresses!

Types of Applications - deadlines

Regular Decision: Apply by the posted deadline (typically in early-mid January), and receive decision by April 1st.

Rolling: No strict deadline. Admission decisions are made approximately 4-6 weeks after your application is complete. State schools are typically rolling admissions.

Early Action (EA): Deadlines are typically mid-fall (Nov 1st; Nov 15th). You apply early and find out your decision early (usually before the Holidays). You can apply to many schools EA.

More types

Early Decision (ED): Deadline typically Nov. 1st or 15th. This is a binding agreement. You may only apply to one school Early Decision, so this must be your 1st choice. If admitted ED, you must withdraw your other applications, and attend that school (pending financial aid).

Restricted Early Action: Many selective schools say that if you apply Early Action to one school (Harvard), you may NOT also apply Early Action to other private schools with similar Early Action programs (Princeton). You may apply to public universities early, and may apply to as many schools as you wish Regular Decision.

Example of Application Type and Deadlines listed in Naviance.

When should I start my applications?

Applications typically become available by August 1st.

CB high schools will start processing record requests on Monday, September 9, 2019. (See “Timeline” section)

Goals should be to have most applications in by mid-November:

PSU (November 30 early action deadline).

Rolling admissions schools fill seats & housing as students are accepted.

Universal College Acceptance Date: May 1st

You are not required to notify schools of your decision before May 1st.

Steps for applying to college

YOU ARE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT!What must YOU do?

YOU must fill out RRA (Records Release Authorization) – give us permission to send your transcript(s). Fill out only ONCE, and turn in at beginning of Senior year.

YOU must create Common App account, and add colleges to your ‘My Colleges’ tab if you are applying via Common App.

If you are using Common App, you must complete your FERPA Release and match your Common App account with your Naviance Account.

YOU must fill out your applications.

YOU must send your official SAT/ACT Scores from testing agency.

YOU must add your schools into the “Colleges I’m Applying To” List in Naviance after you submit your applications.

YOU must approach your teachers about submitting letters of recommendation.

YOU must request teacher letters of recommendations through Naviance. Counselor letters are requested on your RRA.

YOU must work with your parent(s) when applying for Financial Aid – the application is in YOUR name.

YOU must stay on top of deadlines, account logins and passwords.

YOU must follow the instructions and use the resources provided by your counselors.

All Information, Instructions, and Downloadable Forms will be available on our Guidance Website > College Application Process page

Common App Facts

It will become live for the 2019-20 application season on August 1, 2019.

You must answer all required fields (*), and we will provide you with all school-related information you’ll need.

You will need to “match” your Common App account with Naviance, a quick process that allows the two platforms to communicate, and allows us to send Common App documents through Naviance to your colleges.

Common App is very user friendly, with a “Virtual Counselor,” check lists, videos, and FAQ’s.

WHAT GETS SENT TO COLLEGES?

YOU SEND:

Application Essay(s)

SAT/ACT Scores (if “Official Scores” are required)

Application Fee

Any required supplemental materials (portfolio, etc.)

WE SEND:

Transcript w/ SAT/ACT scores

Senior Year Schedule

Secondary School Report

CB West Profile

Counselor recommendation*

Teacher Recommendation*

*if required

A Note about “Self-Reporting Schools”

Some colleges are asking students to self-report courses, grades, and even SAT/ACT scores on applications.

Unofficial transcripts can be obtained through Student Portal.

Contact the college if you have questions about their self-reporting requirements – be sure you follow each school’s directions.

Teacher Recommendations

Follow college’s instructions for how many teacher recommendations they want. Do not send more.

“Teacher” = classroom teacher, ideally from Junior or Senior years. Should be someone who knows you as a person, and can write more about you than “you did well in the class.”

Do NOT send letters from family members/friends, employers, coaches or pastors unless the colleges say that’s permissible.

You may approach teachers now, to ask if they’d consider writing a letter for you in the fall. Follow their instructions.

You MUST communicate with teachers personally about your recommendations, even though you will technically request the letter through Naviance in the fall. Make sure to follow their directions!!!

Counselor Recommendations

We will happily write a letter of recommendation for you.

Not all colleges require a counselor letter.

If the colleges say that a counselor is “Recommended, but not required,” consider whether you need the counselor to “explain” anything for you.

If so, we are happy to do that.

If not, and if there is not much more we can add to your application, please reconsider asking for a letter – it will not necessarily help your application.

If you need a counselor letter, you must complete a survey in Naviance. We will email you when this becomes available, and you may complete it over the summer.

Sending SAT/ACT Scores

If colleges want “Official Scores,” you must send scores from College Board or ACT directly.

SAT/ACT scores are on our Transcript; however, those are not considered “official.”

You can send scores to 4 schools for FREE with every SAT/ACT registration.

A Note about Deadlines

You must allow 15 SCHOOL days (3 weeks) for transcripts and recommendations to go out. All dates will be posted on Guidance Website, and Guidance Office windows. Counselors can NOT guarantee that transcripts or recommendations will be sent sooner than 15 days.

If you electronically request your transcript the night before your application is due, the request will be noted in Naviance; however, your transcript may not in fact be processed or sent out that next day. YOU MUST SEE YOUR COUNSELOR IF YOU HAVE MISSED YOUR 15-DAY DEADLINE.

It is to your benefit to get your applications in early. Especially at state schools, housing spots fill up quickly.

MEET ALL COLLEGE DEADLINES. They are deadlines, not “suggestions.”

Another note about Deadlines

2290: Transcripts sent THIS year (2018-19)

493: Students in the Class of 2020

2: School Counselors

1: Mrs. Matthews

Financial Aid

Financial Aid

You can start to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on October 1, 2019.

Some schools also require the CSS Profile (College Board site).

MEET ALL COLLEGE’S FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES.

Plan to attend Financial Aid Night on October 2, 2019 at CB East.

Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for ALL the information you’ll need for Financial Aid.

See Guidance Website’s “Financial Aid” and “Scholarship Info” pages for resources and links.

Start Financial Aid Research Now

Every college website has a Net Price Calculator.

Scholarship searches can start in fall.

Naviance

Employers

Service Organizations

Do NOT pay for a scholarship search opportunity

Scholarship Websites:

• Studentaid.ed.gov

• Fastweb.com

• Finaid.org

• Collegeboard.com/bigfuture

• Collegenet.com

• Scholarshipmonkey.com

Check Guidance Website

Quick Review

ONE MORE TIME

1. Records Release

2. Create Common App account

3. Match with Naviance; FERPA waiver

4. Complete Applications

5. Send SAT/ACT Scores

6. Send Transcripts (through Naviance, by adding to “Colleges I’m applying to” list

7. Request recommendations

Timeline for Spring and Summer

This Spring

Visit colleges and Open Houses.

Research schools, majors, programs. Develop “short list” of 7-10

schools.

Approach teachers for recommendations.

Take SAT’s/ACT’s at least once.

Compile resume or activity list from 9th grade through present.

This Summer

Visit colleges!

Do SAT/ACT prep/class if necessary.

Work on Common Application –starting August 1, 2019.

Work on essays.

Do Counselor Rec Survey if you haven’t already.

CLEAN UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

Trim your college list down to 3-7.

Fall of Senior Year

Attend Open Houses at colleges.

Attend college visits here at West.

Take SAT/ACT’s last time.

Complete applications and essays.

Attend Financial Aid Night on 10/2 at CB East.

Additional Notes

Fall College Visits at CB West

Over 200 colleges come to West during the fall. Sign up for these visits in Naviance.

Print out your confirmation page as your pass to the visit.

Visits begin early September.

New colleges are added daily, check Naviance to see if your schools will be here.

This is the last chance for you to meet the person who will read your application – USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A PERSONAL CONNECTION with your college’s Admissions Counselor!

Essays

Spend time on your essays – they are an important piece of your application.

The Common App has one required essay, and you may need to do supplemental essays for each school.

Common App essay prompts will not change for ’19-’20, so you can start writing yours now!

You should have uploaded your Career Plan 11 Essay to your Journal – you may use this as a starting point for your CA Essay.

Have others review it for grammar and punctuation, but it should be YOUR WORDS in YOUR VOICE!

Don’t be afraid to be funny or informal; however, you must never be inappropriate or disrespectful.

NCAA / Eligibility

Prospective Division I and II athletes must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.eligibilitycenter.org.

If you think you may play, or may consider walking on at your prospective college, you should register by the end of Junior year.

Work with your counselor to make sure you meet the academic requirements (courses, GPA and SAT’s) for Division I or II.

Juniors must forward their official Transcripts to NCAA at the end of Junior year. You request the transcript electronically through your Eligibility Center account.

Updated information

We will update all college information and forms by August 30, 2019

We often receive updates from Naviance and Common App over the summer.

Some forms or procedures may need to be updated.

The website will be updated regularly.

We will email you frequently – you MUST CHECK YOUR CB EMAIL regularly.

If you do not receive email blasts from the principles or from Guidance, please contact us immediately.

SAVE THE DATE

SENIOR INFORMATION NIGHT

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

6:30 PM – CB WEST AUDITORIUM

DETAILED REVIEW OF COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Contact Information

Mrs. Lori Bagnick (A-K)

Lbagnick@cbsd.org; 267-893-2517

Mrs. Lisa Corr (L-Z)

Lcorr@cbsd.org; 267-893-2519

Fax Number: 267-893-5846

CEEB School Code: 391045

Thank you for coming!You are invited to remain for group

questions.This presentation is available on the Class

of 2020 section of the CB West Guidance Webpage.