Senior Admissions Planning NightClass of 2012

Mrs. Rae Ann PaolozziSeniors: Ki - N

Contact Information

Rae Ann PaolozziSchool CounselorPotomac Falls HS

46400 Algonkian ParkwayPotomac Falls, VA 20165

Office: 571-434-3204Fax: 571-434-3205

E-Mail: RaeAnn.Paolozzi@lcps.org

Post Secondary Plan

Immediately enter Work Force

Apprenticeship

Military

College

Combination

Define your goals: What does my Post Secondary Plan look like for me?

Application Process

The Application

Transcript Request

Recommendations

Resume/ Activities

SAT/ACT Scores

The Essay

Interview

Scholarships/ Financial Aid

Summary

The Application

• Student contact information: E-mail / Cell Phone

•How many to apply?

• Early Decision/ Early Action/ Regular Decision/ Rolling

• Colleges prefer on-line submissions BUT there are some exceptions when they offer on-site admission opportunities

• Common Application (www.commonapp.org)

• Specific College, for example James Madison University and George Mason University are not on Common App

• Print out the application checklist for each college to ensure you are completing requirements by the deadline

• Print a copy of the completed application for your records

Transcript Release Form

Copy in your packet

MUST have this signed in order to release to colleges

Fee: $3 per college transcript (No additional charge for sending mid-year transcript/ final transcript or scholarships)

Critical to have correct admissions address, especially for out of state submissions

School Profile is included with the transcript

Transcript GPA/Class Rank are updated at the Semester

End of Year Transcript: Student informs counselor of attending college

Recommendation Letters

Refer to Letter of Recommendation form in your packet (not a requirement but a resource)

Consult specific college for requirements

Inform Teacher/ Counselor where/ deadline to submit the letter

Provide any college specific forms, such as a Secondary School Report Form or Teacher/Counselor Evaluation Form

Please ask well in advance of your deadline as there are often many students making similar requests.

Resume

A quick reference for you as you fill out your college application regarding activities

Useful for counselor/teacher writing your recommendation letter or applying for a job or internship

Remember that colleges want depth in experience over a long list of activities where you were rarely present.

Format: Sample available in the Senior Planning Portfolio (aka The Purple Packet) or Microsoft Office Template or other on line standard student resume template

Standardized Test Scores

MUST be sent to colleges directly from testing agencies!

www.collegeboard.com

www.act.org

The Essay

Be sure you address the prompt

Adhere to word limit restrictions as stated

Be accurate! Have someone review or read aloud to find any errors

Be creative! Remember that admissions counselors read A LOT of essays.

Avoid Clichés!

Interview

Varies depending on the college

If it is recommended, take advantage of the opportunity

Prepare responses ahead of time: Tell me about yourself: What do you hope to gain from your education?: What makes you want to attend (insert college name)?: What do you know about our college?

Dress professionally

Interviews are often conducted by area alumnus

Procedures are found on the specific college admissions website

Items for Mrs. Paolozzi

Completed and signed Transcript Release Form

Any necessary Secondary School Report Forms

Inform of intended application submission ( EA, ED, RA, Rolling, or Priority )

Let me know if a counselor recommendation is required

If applying to a college that requires teacher recommendations to be submitted with transcript, the name of the teacher.

Please continue to communicate with me and be mindful of deadlines as I work with many other students with the same deadlines.

Scholarships/ Financial Aid

Check the Career Center web site for updated information

Various web sites have scholarship search engines

Check with places of employment and professional affiliations for available scholarships

Financial Aid Night: Wednesday, Dec 14 @ 6:30 PM in the PFHS Auditorium

Official FAFSA site: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Check with specific colleges for their financial aid deadline

Summary of Student Responsibilities

Student completes application

Ensure accuracy

Refer to Mrs. Paolozzi’s checklist (in packet) to help keep you on track

Print copy for your records

Communicate with parents/counselor/ teacher about what you are working on and any needed assistance

Remember your deadlines!! Colleges do not need to accept your late application.

Continue to work on any scholarship/ financial aid materials

Additional Resources

Career Center: Link off the PFHS home page or contact Mrs. Thomas

College Web Sites

Family Connections: http://connections.naviance.com/pfhs

Questions?