KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS. Class of 2013

KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE

APPLICATIONS

Student’s Responsibilities in

the Application Process

• Deciding on final list of colleges

• Getting the applications

• Completing the applications

• Procuring other pertinent

Parents’, Counselors’ and

College Counselors’

Responsibilities in the

Application Process

• Provide support

• Provide guidance

• Provide assistance

Deciding: Where to apply

• An on-going sorting and selecting process

• The best Final List must include

combination of:

– “reach” school

– “possible” schools

– “probable/likely admits” – “financial safety”

– ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO ATTEND!

Terms for Prediction

– “dream” schools where admission chances are thought to be unlikely based on transcript and test scores

– “toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone (usually have admit rates between 7%-20%) • POSSIBLE

– Closely meet the academic expectations, but the college/university receives more qualified applicants than they can admit.

Terms for Prediction

– Chances for admissions are very strong

– A “safety” is so much harder to call today! • FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically an IL state

university but not always)

– A place that parents can afford

…if, financial package is weak at all other schools

…if, family financial situation changes: economy, unemployment

Deciding: How many should I

apply to?

• It depends!

• Finding a “reasonable” number is much

harder these days

• If you are happy with the schools where

you stand the strongest chances of

admission, then the final list can be a

lower number

Admission Options

• Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early winter and receive decision 2-8 weeks after application submitted

• Priority – apply in fall (occasionally early winter) and receive a decision in winter. Applying by a priority deadline can often give a student an advantage when space is limited.

• Regular Admission - apply in fall/early winter and receive decision on a specific date in the spring

Admission Options

• Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit

• Early Decision I - apply in fall, receive decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted • Early Decision II – apply in winter, receive

decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted

• Restrictive Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in early winter, if admitted student has until May 1 to deposit

Early Decision (ED) and

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

• Students may only submit 1 application Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action

• ED and REA policies are taken very seriously by colleges.

• Be sure you know the ins/outs of each school’s policies.

• It is permissible to apply Priority Notification to UIUC if submitting an ED or REA application

elsewhere.

What is needed for a

complete application?

• Application - on-line (preferred) or paper

- Essays (usually)

– Activities and honors information – Arts Supplement (if applicable)

• Application fee (credit card, check or fee

waiver request)

• Student Signature (electronic or handwritten)

• Parent Signature (usually only for Early

What else is needed for a

complete application?

• Official Transcript

• Official Test Score Report

• Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually)

• Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or

Secondary School Report Form (usually)

• Interview (optional)

Applications

• Applications available on college websites

• Common Application used by 488 colleges and

universities; create an account at

www.commonapp.org

– Large FAQ section website and video tutorials – Most schools have a supplement which must also

be submitted

– Common Application Workshop September 19 & 20 during lunch periods

Important “tidbits” for

Common Application

• Class rank reporting = None • Graduating class size = 507

• Counselor’s fax number = 224/765-2700 • Each class per semester = 1 credit

• Graduation Date = May 28, 2013 • GPA scale = 4.0

• We strongly recommended that students waive their right to access any letters of

Test Scores

• ACT/SAT and SAT Subject Test scores must

be sent directly from the testing agency.

www.actstudent.org

and

www.collegeboard.com

• In some cases it is advisable to send more

than one test score.

• A very small number of colleges, typically

those with highly selective admissions,

require that students submit scores from all

tests taken. Check each college’s website.

Test Scores

• It is strongly encouraged that students

request test scores now. It can often take

3-6 weeks for scores to be received. Do not

“RUSH” scores.

• If taking an ACT this fall,

consider

sending

one score now if your current score falls

within their published range. In some cases

applications will not be considered complete

until a score is received.

Teacher Recommendations

• How many?

– 0,1,2

• Who?

– The one(s) who know you best as a learner in their class

– Best if junior year

• Okay to have one sophomore year

• Cannot use senior year if applying early

– Visual and Performing Arts are usually supplemental recommendations

– Language teachers are sometimes not permitted.

This is VERY rare!

Counselor Recommendations

• Student and Parent Questionnaires are the first step in the process

• Questionnaires may be completed on-line through Naviance.

• Parents sign on to Naviance with parent account information.

• Students sign on to Naviance with student account information

• Questionnaire is found under ABOUT ME. • Parents may also complete the Parent

Questionnaire in paper form, available in the CRC or on the Counseling Department website.

Essays

• Essay Writing Workshop in English

classes on Friday, September August 31

• Sample essays available in books in the

CRC

• Mr. Morrison, Ms. Gilbert and Mr. Becker

are happy to review essays for content

Application Fee Waivers

• Students on the free and reduced

book/lunch program are eligible for fee

waivers.

• Families for whom the application fees are a

hardship may be eligible for fee waivers.

• Forms are available from your counselor.

• Students should talk with counselors to

University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign

• Visiting HPHS on Wednesday, Sept 12 at 10:30 A.M. in the CRC

• Application available September 1

• Postmarked priority deadline of November 1

• No recommendations will be considered with the application

• Most students will receive a decision on Friday, December 14

• Applying during this period may give a student an advantage when space is limited

UIUC and Self-Reported

Academic Record (SRAR)

• Students will complete a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) in lieu of sending an official

transcript

• Students should have a current transcript on hand when completing the record. Transcripts are

currently available through the parent portal on Infinite Campus

• Students needing assistance logging into Infinite Campus, should contact their counselor.

Naviance/Family Connection

account.

• It is very important to both student and parent with accurate email addresses.

• Forgot password? Go to tcci.naviance.com/hphs to request new password.

• Forgot username? Never registered? Email Mr. Becker for assistance.

• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link accounts. Contact Mr. Becker for assistance.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges.

• Great way for students to determine

chances

for admission by examining stats

from previous 3 years.

• Provides date and time of college visits

• Allows students to sign up for college visits

• Has a great tool for helping students create

PARCHMENT

SECURE

TRANSCRIP

T

Make sure to choose the correct Highland Park High School!

Sign by clicking on your mouse

Request a Transcript to a

non-Common App school

Important:

• Search for your college using the proper

name (Univ. of Wisconsin, not “Madison”)

• “Current Transcript” vs. “Next Grading

Period”

• “Save” & add more schools or “Save &

Continue” to finish

Parchment Secure

Transcript

• E-mails upon order, upload, and download – Utilize! Colleges will have different processes for

inputting transcripts into their systems

• Cost: free for electronic transcripts to IL schools and some others in Midwest; $2.55-$4.70 for

others in U.S. depending on electronic vs. paper • See Mr. Becker if you are having troubles or do

Common App Schools

• There is no need to request a

transcript for a Common App School

• Counselors will upload transcripts

into student accounts once they have

received an invite from the student

• The Common App process will be

covered in detail with students

tomorrow during their meeting

Students with Special

Needs and the

College Application Process

• It is crucial that students have an

understanding of the type of

documentation is required and where it

should be sent.

• In most cases documentation should be

sent to the office that handles disability

services NOT to admissions.

Students with Special

Needs and the

College Application Process

• Some colleges may require specific types

of testing for evaluation but all want it to

be recent (w/in 3 years).

• Students must make arrangements with

the Department of Special Education for

this information to be released, it will not

automatically be sent.

CONSENT FORM

1. Obtain a white Consent Form from the Special Education Department. This form authorizes HPHS to send documentation to third parties for educational and college planning.

2. If the student is 18 years of age he/she may sign, if not, a parent signature is required. 3. The completed form should be returned to

A102.

RELEASE FORM

5. Students fill out a separate green

Release Form for

EACH

of the colleges

requiring documentation.

6. Forms are available in the Special Ed

Dept. and the CRC

DOCUMENTATION

• Once all of the proper paperwork has

been submitted, the Special Ed Dept

sends the documentation to the

appropriate place.

• Documentation includes: cover letter,

current testing, copy of the student’s

IEP and case studies, psych and

educational evaluations, social

Financial Aid Information

• All schools require the Free Application for

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is

available on-line in December. File the

FAFSA between January 1 and February 15.

www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Families can complete an estimator now to

determine eligibility for federal aid

Financial Aid Information

• In addition to the FAFSA many private

universities require the CSS Profile

www.collegeboard.com

• Most early decision candidates who are applying

for financial aid will be required to complete a

CSS Profile

BY

the early decision deadline

• Financial Aid Night – January 15 at 7:00 p.m. at

HPHS

• HPHS will host a FAFSA Completion Workshop in

January

Net price calculators

• All colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website.

• Uses student’s academic and family financial information to determine what price a family is “likely” to pay.

• Keep in mind the figure is an estimate.

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Date and time of college visits is listed in

Naviance.

• Must sign up in advance through Naviance

• Clear with teacher prior to visit – exercise

Appointments with College

Counselors

• College Counselors have walk-in hours

only August 22, 23 and 24.

• Scheduled appointments with College

Counselors begin August 27.

• Students must meet with the same

counselor they met with last Spring.

Welcome Mr. Becker!

With a background in Admissions there are

many things he can help with:

• Mock interviews

• Essay review

• Utilizing Naviance

• Application completion

• FAFSA completion

SENIORITIS

• Senior year courses and grades matter!

• Many schools defer decisions until the end

of 7

_semester.

• All offers of admissions are conditional

upon successful completion of coursework.

• Offers of admissions can and will be

Mandatory Senior Meeting with

Counselors

• Thursday, August 23rd _{- 3}rd _period

• Locations:

Alvarez – Library (Glass Classroom) Fleischer – A343

Cannon – CRC

Eder – E113 (Band Room)

Ginopolis (Gilbert) – Auditorium McCord - Auditorium

Siegel - Commons

Calendar of Upcoming HPHS

College Programs

• Senior Meetings with Counselor

Thursday, August 23 – 3rd _period

• Essay Writing Workshop

Friday, September August 31 during English classes • Common Application Workshops

Wednesday, September 19 - _{2A,2B,2C Tech Labs A & C}

Thursday, September 20 - _{3A,3B,3C Tech Labs A & C}

• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Forms & Financial Need

Important numbers and

email addresses

Mr. Bill Morrison, College Counselor

224/765-2056 - [email protected]

Ms. Aliza Gilbert, College Counselor 224/765-2055 - [email protected]

Mr. Becker, College Counseling Assistant/CRC Coordinator (224) 765-2057 – [email protected]

Mrs. Pam Helke, Secretary, Special Ed Department (224) 765-2333 – [email protected]