Navigating the College Application Process

Applying to college used to be easy-you submitted an application form, and the school notified you if you were admitted.

But things have changed. These days, application requirements vary; most schools require that you submit more than just a form. The supporting documents help the admissions committee decide if you and the school are a good fit.

A realistic evaluation of each college’s requirements for entrance (grades, standardized test scores, required high school courses)

Location (Geographic: urban, suburban, or rural) Size and Type (small, medium, large) The availability of academic course work in

which you are interested in.

How many schools?Students should submit multiple applications whenever possible. We recommend students should apply to 3-5 schools or programs, one or two in each of the following:

“Safe” Schools at which students are certain to be accepted.

“Good Match” Schools at which students are likely to be accepted.

“Reach” Schools at which your acceptance is not definite, but you’d really like to end up here!

More and more schools are going to using On-line applications exclusively. Some schools allow you to submit the Common Application. The Common

Application for college admission is an application you complete once and submit to several schools. Information about this form and schools that accept it is available at www.commonapp.org.

Another popular service is www.sendedu.org and they operate in a similar fashion.

You must request copies of your high school transcript to be sent directly to the colleges to which you apply. If you earned or will earn college credit in high school you must request a transcript from the college you attended as well.

(CCPlus for Cols. State or OSU)

Transcripts show classes you have taken and grades earned. Committees will look at your overall grades and the progress you have made.

An application is not complete until the transcript is sent!

Go to the guidance office and see Mrs. Hallett for a white transcript request form to complete.

You must also complete a GREEN “self assessment” and have a parent complete the BLUE “parent assessment” if you want your Mr. Longo to complete the “counselor recommendation” (Common App) or “school report” (SENDedu).

All transcripts are then automatically mailed or sent electronically to the colleges you indicated.

Most colleges and universities require that you submit SAT/ ACT and AP test scores ON YOUR OWN.

Test scores help admissions committees measure your probable success in college.

Some schools take your highest composite score, while others take the best combination of scores from different sections. (Super Score). Contact each school to which you are applying to see how they consider scores.

ACT:◦ October 24th (registration deadline is September 18) *or late fee

Oct. 2◦ December 12th (registration deadline is November 6)◦ February 6th (registration deadline is January 8)◦ April 9th (registration deadline is March 4)◦ June 11th (registration deadline is May 6)

The ACT test is content based, and there is no penalty for being incorrect you if you guess.

◦ Register on line at: www.actstudent.org *Buckeye Valley’s CEEB code is 361903

◦ A great link that gives detailed descriptions on all 5 subjects is: http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/descriptions/

SAT:◦ October 3rd (too late for this year)◦ November 7th (registration deadline is October 9th)◦ December 5th (registration deadline is November 5)◦ January 23rd (registration deadline is December 28)◦ March 5th (registration deadline is February 5)◦ May 7th (registration deadline is April 8)◦ June 4th (registration deadline is May 5)

The SAT Test is more reasoning (problem solving), and there is a penalty you if you incorrectly guess.Register on line at www.collegeboard.org CEEB:361903

***MANY COLLEGES REQUIRE SCORES TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THAT INSTITUTION

Some colleges will Super-Score test results, meaning that they will take the single highest math and reading, (as well as English and science for ACT only) from each test opportunity and re-configure a new "mix-match" score. This is not overly common amongst the most selective colleges, but it is nice knowing that some schools may offer more scholarship money based on one high math score, one high English score, etc.

Colleges will only focus on the highest scores and ignore lower ones (usually when you were younger). For this reason, as well as the fact that some schools Super-Score, it is recommended to send all test scores to colleges prior to seeing your results. It will cost you extra in fees if you wait until after!

Regarding both tests...

Depending on a school’s requirements you may need to get a letter of recommendation(s). *You really only need to ask a teacher if the school to which you are applying requires it!

Give your recommender a resume’ of your accomplishments so that he/she may write a letter of recommendation for you. This can be the same GREEN and BLUE sheets I mentioned earlier. Be sure to give your teacher/administrator advance notice of the application deadline. (approx. 2 weeks). The letter should include your full name, in what capacity he or she knows you, and the length of time he/she has known you. The person should comment on your capabilities and character. (Your transcript will supply the college with your academic record)

TeachersAdministratorsGuidance CounselorsCoachesEmployersMinistersAny non-related adult that knows you well

Writing a personal college admission essay may be the toughest and most time-consuming document to put together.

It is important to find your voice because this is the chance for the committee to get to know you beyond numbers. Read the questions carefully and follow the directions.

*WRITING HELP IS AVAILABLE: ask your English teacher and perhaps the teachers in the English Lab during lunch!

You will want to brainstorm ideas◦ Talk about what makes you special◦ Elaborate on what you have learned or how you

have changed because of the experience. Create rough drafts Have others proofread your essay. (English

teachers are excellent resources)

An important part of acing the college application is meeting deadlines.

You will need to have a completed application file by the deadline, which means that all documents must be submitted by that date. (including ACT/SAT scores)

Applications postmarked by the deadline should be fine; however, contact the particular school to find out what their policy is.

Many colleges have a “priority” deadline of December 1st, so get your applications complete by Thanksgiving!!!

(OSU’s and several others is even earlier this year: November 1st)

All students must notify each college that accepts them whether or not they are accepting or rejecting the college offer. Often a deposit is due.

Traditional National Reply Date – MAY 1, 2016

Great websites:· http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/· https://fafsa.ed.gov· www.fastweb.com· “Weird Scholarships” (just as it sounds): https://weirdscholarships.net/

*Check the BV guidance page for updates! http://www.buckeyevalley.k12.oh.us/1/Content2/82

Local Scholarship applications will be posted on our guidance web page during the month of December or January.

*Colleges will also offer their own set of scholarships, which are offered only to students who will be attending that particular college. Make sure to check each college’s website under “Scholarships” or “Financial Aid” (typically under the Admissions tab)

The financial aid package is contribution of gift aid, loans and work-study that a student receives.

Scholarships and grants are outright gifts of money. They are based on need and /or academic achievements.

Loans must be repaid, but most often not until after graduation. Interests rates are usually much lower. *Try to get government subsidized loans rather than unsubsidized!

Work-Study is a part-time job on campus. Example, you might work in the campus library or as a resident advisor.

Students are encouraged to call universities and set up meetings with admission reps and even potential professors (when permissible).

Seniors may visit schools twice in the fall. Juniors should wait until spring semester to make visits.

Good times to go include school holidays that colleges may still be in session. If you go when class is in session, you can focus on academics, but you might get a “truer” sense of campus life on the weekends.

We also have many colleges that are coming to us! (visit: www.buckeyevalley.k12.oh.us/1/Content2/82)

College is what you make of it. Get involved!

If school has always come easy, you may have to look to students who have always struggled to see what hard work is like. These are the students who might even do better in college because they have better work habits.

Make YOUR choices! Not your parents’, teachers’ boyfriend/girlfriend’s, etc. You have to decide!

Words of Wisdom