charting the college application process
TRANSCRIPT
K I N G S P A R K H I G H S C H O O L
PARENT UNIVERSITY O C T O B E R 4 , 2 0 1 7
M R . L I N O E . B R A C C O M R . A N D R E W A K A P N I T I S
P R I N C I P A L A S S I S T A N T P R I N C I P A L
A K A P N I T I S A @ K P C S D . O R G
6 3 1 - 2 6 9 - 3 3 4 5
Charting the College Application Process
Tonight’s Agenda
The college application process
Application timeline
Two vs Four year institutions
The “college list”
Letters of recommendation
Early Action vs Early Decision
Brief overview of scholarships & financial aid
What do you have for me?
Applying to College Can Be a 2 Part Process
August- December: College Applications Paper applications
Online applications/Naviance
Common-App, Universal-App, Coalition-App
On-site admissions
January-March: Financial Aid FAFSA
CSS
Scholarships
So You Want to Go to College
Apply to more than one school Safety
Reach
Be aware of Application Options Early Decision-Early decision plans are binding. You get
accepted around December.
Early Action-Early action plans are similar to early decision plans, but are not binding.
You get accepted around December
Regular Decision- Apply to multiple colleges and then select by May 1st.
Due dates for early action or early decision differ from regular admissions
Organization is Important
Establish a list of colleges you plan to apply to
The longer the list, the better your chances
I applied to eleven and was accepted to ten
Create a calendar or buy a planner just for college planning
Applications
Research target application due dates (preferred by colleges)
Absolute deadlines
Financial Aid
FAFSA/CSS
Scholarships
Where to Begin
The earlier you start, the easier the year.
Compile a list of the colleges/programs you are interested in
http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp
Make a list of achievements and accolades
Know testing deadlines and the latest you can take an exam for each school
Draft an academic resume
Include sports, clubs, leadership positions, and volunteer hours
My Testing Deadlines
August-September: began apps
October - ACT
November - SAT
December - ACT
December- SAT II
December - submitted all apps?
January - SAT
I highly recommend you to take SAT II’s immediately after an
AP exam corresponding to that subject
The “NEW” SAT
SAT – Started in March 2016 Important: Most students at this point will have only taken the “new” SAT exam You Changed What? You might be surprised by everything that’s new about the new SAT: All-new essay — and it’s optional No penalty for guessing No vocab that you’ll never use again Know what to expect: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test Quick Facts 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay 400–1600 score scale 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it 4 answer choices 4 college application fee waivers for every student who uses an SAT fee waiver
Student Resume
Definitely an integral part of the application Makes the Common App easier (section on activities)
Make yourself stand out Find internships
Special programs
Quality vs. Quantity
Name and contact information
Objective or summary statement
Work experience
Volunteer and extracurricular experience
Education
Skills
The College List-Who makes the Cut?
Applications are EXPENSIVE—choose wisely Common App/Reach Schools
Brown- $75 Columbia- $80 Princeton- $65 NYU- $70 Yale- $75
Other Schools Siena - $50 FSU- $30 Rutgers- $65 Tulane- FREE LIU - $50 *** Fall 2016 application costs
Other Fees
SAT Scores- 4 free per test, additional $10 per school
Score Choice- choose your best sitting
SAT= $60 (with essay, $46 without)
Includes SAT IIs- ($21** may include an extra $10 charge)
Advanced Placement Scores- $15 per college
Sends all scores from school year
ACT Scores- $10 per test date per school
Always take ACT + Writing; many colleges only accept this score
Costs more ($62.50 instead of $46)
My Pre-College “Investment”
$975
The Common App
What it is- a streamlined website to make applying easier
Advantages-finish all work and save it to the same location
Expedites payment process
Only way to apply for some schools
Not every school uses the Common App
www.commonapp.org
Know Your Chances
Out-of-state schools may be harder to get into
Be aware of admissions rates but don’t be deterred
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/compare-colleges
Working on the Application
Longest part of the process
Take your time
Proofread—get third party opinions
Sell Yourself
Be Original
Consider the reader- young demograph
STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE THE LEAD!
Components of the Common Application
Consists of general application
Future Plans
Applicant Data
Demographics
Family Education
Academics
Activities
Writing- 1 short answer, 150 words or fewer, about an extracurricular and THE PERSOANL ESSAY (250 minimum)
Specific Supplements for each college
Components of the Common App
Future Plans- admissions route (early or regular)
Applicant Info-name, address, telephone
*Demographics- You can opt out of this
Family Info-profession, sibling info
Education-input CEEB code (there is a search box)
Academics-rank, AP scores, SAT scores, current year courses
Activities-report extracurricular activities
Writing-essay
Supplement- varies
Personal Essay
Trip Gabriel’s article, “The Almighty Essay,” discusses the importance of this essay
“The personal essay, they (admissions counselors) all said, growing soft and fuzzy, is the one element where a student’s own voice can be heard through the fog of quantitative data.”
Essay can be like a tie-breaker
Be unique, research essay topics, talk to schools!
**College essay workshops in the spring at KPHS**
How To Write an Effective Personal Essay
Think positively—You can do this!
Discuss something you feel strongly about or an experience that changed you
Vary your writing style and make your topic sound interesting
Be yourself and use your voice
Don’t repeat something already stated in your application
Grab the reader’s attention right away
Sleep with a notebook next to your nightstand—sometimes creativity strikes at the strangest times
Personal Essay Topics
2017-2018 Common Application Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change] 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised] 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised] 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New] 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]
http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompts
Therefore…
There really are no wrong answers…
But there are poorly written essays…
The staff of Stevenson University in Maryland was moved by a student’s memories of being a Big Brother, even though he repeatedly spelled it “Big Bother.” Barnard College was puzzled by an applicant who kept referring to her enthusiasm for the “Peace Core.”
Supplements
Each school will ask for different components
Some require extended essays (Brown and Princeton)
Some require short answers (NYU, Columbia, Yale)
Spend an equal amount of time on supplements as on the personal essay
Research the school thoroughly if the question calls for it
Additional Requirements
Send OFFICIAL (sealed) transcripts to each school
Provide Guidance with enough time – ask for a 2-week processing window
Naviance is your best friend!
Be aware of schools that do not accept electronic doc’s
Counselor must fill out Secondary, Midyear, and Final Report on class ranking, etc.
Forms available at commonapp.org
Two letters of Recommendation from teachers, 1 from Counselor
Choose teachers who know you and can write an excellent letter about your awesome traits
When the Application is Complete…
You are halfway there.
Submit apps before winter break
Create domains on school websites to track your application and documentation received
Call undergraduate offices if necessary; it’s their job to help you
Make copies of all receipts and of your Applications
Keep all correspondence with schools
Take a short break because…
Financial Aid is Intimidating but “do-able”
Two types: need-based and merit based Need-based
under $60,000 household= lots of aid (hopefully!) Everyone else usually has to contribute something
Merit based Academic standing National Merit Scholar-PSAT results
If you need to apply for financial aid, have your parents file their taxes AS SOON AS THEY CAN FAFSA operates on first come, first serve as it is federal student aid You may not qualify for anything but loans—this happened to me Research qualifications for Pell grants
Out-of-State schools may still be in reach! The Ivies, especially, have their own system of awarding financial aid
Be Proactive
Look for scholarships on your own
www.fastweb.com
www.questbridge.org (need-based)
http://www.whitepicketcollege.com/tag/college-scholarships/ **Non-need based
www.scholarships.com **
Helpful Sites and Links
The Times education blog “The Choice” provides insight into the entire process and has interviews with students in the process of applying **
http://www.admissionsadvice.com/
Common App’s FAQ section
Collegeboard.com
Act.org
NACAC Guide to the College Process
www.collegeconfidential.com **
Helpful discussion boards on almost every college topic
Talking About College is the Easy Part
Senior year was my most stressful year
Choosing a college is one of the single most important decisions in your life
Easy to lose sight of goal
Incredible amounts of stress require allocated breaks
Remember that after Mid-March, everything else is cake
The Ideal Junior Timeline: College Applications
Sophomore Fall- PSAT Summer-Visit Prospective
Colleges Junior Fall- PSAT (NMSQT)
August: Begin Common App Work on CV (academic
résumé) Find clubs and activities
September: Practice for SAT Refine College List Research College
Requirements/Deadlines Consider Letters of
Recommendation Take ACT+Writing
October: Take SAT or SAT II PSAT Continue Common App
November: Refine Essays Ask for Letters of Rec. Research scholarships
December: Request transcripts Send app Prep for interviews Continue with scholarship
search Organize for FAFSA/CSS Take ACT/SAT for the last time
the college allows
The Ideal Timeline Cont.: Financial Aid
January:
Submit FAFSA
Submit CSS
Continue Scholarship search
February:
CSS due for some colleges
Scholarships
March:
Decisions
School Visits
May:
Choose a college by 05.01
REMEMBER!
Admissions officers are basing their selection on 9-11th grade progress.
Only the first semester of the senior year is sent before decisions.
Shine early on; don’t try to have a “miracle comeback”
If offered, do an interview!
In Case of Emergency or Just to Say, “Hello.”
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