The College Application Process

Senior Year

Class of 2012

Senior Year• Work hard! Strive to do your best work!• Be sure you are meeting course and credit

requirements for graduation.– Check your transcript for accuracy, sign, and return to

guidance.

• Be aware of deadlines. Deadlines are DEADLINES!• Make an appointment to see your counselor if you

have not yet done so.• Stay informed:

– announcements, newsletters, bulletin boards, Naviance

Other Important Factors

• Essay

• Teacher/Counselor Recommendations

Top Factors in College AdmissionsTop Factors in College Admissions

•Grade in college preparatory courses

•Admissions test scores

•Overall grade point average

Factors Unrelated to Academic Achievement

• Extracurricular activities

• Community service

• Work experience

• Relation to alumni

• Race/ethnicity

• Key “tip” factor: Demonstrated interest in attending specific college

Identify Schools in Each Level of Selectivity

• Reach: College has characteristics you desire, but admissions standards are above your qualifications

• Realistic: Good fit. Admit half or more students with similar scores and GPAs to those of applicant.

• Safety: Certain to be admitted. Admit student with scores and GPA’s comparable to student.

AS MUCH THOUGHT SHOULD GO INTO SAFETY SCHOOL AS IN SELECTING OTHER SCHOOLS!

Application/Admission Plans

• Regular Admission: One Deadline, Decisions in late March to Early April

• Rolling Admission: Decisions made as applications are ready. Students notified as decision is reached.

• Early Action: Early application/notification. Non-binding acceptance. (Variation in programs-read EA requirements carefully for each school)

• Early Action Restricted: An application policy that allows for early application/notification but has restrictions on how many early action plans a student may submit. Unlike ED the student is not required to attend the school if accepted.

• Early Decision: Early application/early reply. Ethically binding commitment-Student must commit to enroll, and agree to withdraw all other applications if admitted.

Is this college definitely the student’s #1 choice?Has the student visited this and other colleges? Is Grade 9-11 strong? Is financial aid important?

Can the application be completed thoroughly in advance of the deadline?

PROS:

• Ends process early in year

• Relieves stress involved in process

• Allows planning ahead

• Smaller applicant pool

• Higher acceptance rates

• Savings in time/money

CONS:

Binding: doesn’t allow change of heart

Not able to compare financial aid packages

High quality applicant pool

Decision without senior grades.

If not admitted, have to move quickly.

To Apply or Not to Apply ED?To Apply or Not to Apply ED?

Options with Focused Process

• Physical therapy, nursing • Music and Art• Military-academies and ROTC

nomination, evaluation and qualificationAthletics: NCAA Eligibility

*Central Clearinghouse to certify athletes for Division I & Division II participation: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

*NCAA eligibility has no bearing on your admission to a particular institution

Hopedale’s Application Process

Forms and Instructions ONLINE! Go To Guidance Website• Review Handout /Hints • Teacher recommendation process

– Student/Parent questionnaire & Activity Resume

• School Report Form/Counselor Rec.• Filing options:

– Hard copy college application– On-line college application on college website– Common Application: Online, Supplements and

Required Forms, Update in Naviance

Application

Transcript Release Form – request in Naviance 2 weeks before you want transcripts sent out. You will need to request transcripts for each school $3/transcript request.

Packet sent from Guidance includes:• Transcript• School Profile• School Report Form• Counselor Recommendation• Hard Copy Application, Essay and Application Fee if

you are applying using Hard copy.

Senior TimelineSeptember• College Application Seminar with Guidance• Continue to narrow list of colleges and gather applications• Continue to visit colleges• Call to schedule visits and/or interviews• Meet with your counselor.• Complete Senior Questionnaire and Activity Resume if not completed• Request teacher recommendations: See process handout• Chart deadlines, application and financial aid deadlines• Begin drafts of essays• Register for SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT• Representatives visits at Hopedale:

– ?

Standardized Test Dates: October 1st, November 5th, December 3rd – SAT

October 22nd, December 10th – ACT

October• Continue visits to colleges and visits to college websites.• Appointments with counselors continue. Make sure you see your counselor ASAP

if you are applying Early Action or Early Decision.• Make list of schools and required application details-online, hard copy or common

application. If using Common Application, check for necessary supplements.• Request teacher recommendations. Make sure teachers have any required teacher

evaluation forms and stamped, addressed envelopes.• Request SAT or ACT scores to be sent to colleges

-www.collegeboard.com - www.actstudent.org

• Work on essays. Essay Seminar with Guidance in October• Start Scholarship search (Naviance, internet)• Mini College Fairs: October 13th

Scholarships Available now!! • Prudential Spirit of Community Award – November 1st • Wendy's High School Heisman – October 2nd

October/ November• Begin filling out applications. • Watch deadlines carefully. Transcript and school packet requests to

Guidance at least two weeks in advance.• Financial Aid: Verify each colleges requirements/deadlines for

financial aid forms/informationFile CSS Profile if required by collegesAttend MEFA Financial Aid Night with your parents

Wednesday, October 5th. Note: FAFSA can not be submitted until Jan. 1.

USE NAVIANCE and check the GUIDANCE WEBSITE FOR

UPDATES! Newsletter will be on the main guidance webpage.

Common Application• www.commonapp.org • Forms to Complete:

– Teacher Evaluation Form (1 for each teacher)– Secondary School Report Form (guidance)– Midyear Report & Final Report – ED Agreement or Athletic Agreement if relevant

• Tips:– Save your work often – Logout after each session – Use a word processor to type your writing samples before cutting

and pasting or uploading them into the online forms. – Use Print Previews to view your forms before submitting. – Either submit the application, supplement and payment (or fee

waiver) online, or submit them all by mail.

Any Questions?