Countdown to College Student Services Department

Riverside Brookfield High SchoolSeptember 1, 2015

The Secrets of College Admission

Mr. Jerry PopeDean of College Counseling for

Niles North & Niles West High School

Important College Planning Information at RBCollege Application Filing ProcessUsing Naviance to view application statusCollege Reps visits at RBHSFinancial AidScholarships Opportunities

Application Filing ProcessCompleting the college applicationEssays & personal statementsLetters of recommendation from

counselors/teachersRequesting ACT, SAT, & AP scoresTranscript requestsPutting the pieces together

Completing the ApplicationOnline applications vs. paper applicationsResume of extra-curricular activities

SportsClubs/organizationsLeadership positionsVolunteer hours/service projectsHonors/awards

Check application deadlinesEarly Decision (Binding Agreement)Early ActionPriority Filing

College EssaysStudents should start essays now.Ask a counselor for direction and ideas.Ask an English teacher for help.Be sure to answer the essay question asked.Avoid writing a “laundry list” of

achievements.Focus more on one or two experiences.Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Letters of RecommendationsCounselor recommendations

Students must complete the 2 page double-sided “Senior Questionnaire” form.

Please give your counselor at least 2 weeks notice.Teacher recommendations

Give teachers at least 2 weeks notice.Ask teachers early – many of the same teachers get

asked.Provide teachers with a college list.Remember to write a “thank you” note.Junior year teachers are a good choice.Teachers upload their letters to Naviance

Requesting ACT, SAT & AP ScoresStudents must request all tests scores from ACT

or College Board.No test scores are indicated on the transcripts.Request tests scores as soon as possible.ACT scores

www.actstudent.org$12.00 per score per school, $16.00 per score for

prioritySAT & AP scores

www.collegeboard.com$15.00 per score per school

Requesting a TranscriptAll transcripts are processed by Ms. Englehart,

not the counselors.A $5.oo fee was included on students’ fee

statements.Complete a request form for every college.Forms are available in Student Services and on

the Student Services webpage.Parents must sign the request if the student is

under 18.Students must allow 10 school days for requests

to be processed.

Putting the Pieces TogetherStudents should set up an appointment with

their counselor after applications have been submitted.

Counselors will go through the transcript release forms with the student.

Most transcripts and letters will be sent electronically to colleges through Naviance (e-Docs).

Student Services Website

View Status on Naviance

Still College Searching?• NACAC College Fair at Navy Pier, Chicago

• September 26th at 11:00 – 3:00• Future Focus College Fair at Triton College

• September 29th at 7:00 – 9:00• Visit college campuses.• Parent/Student Evening programs at various

locations• Use Naviance for college searches.• Continue to talk with your counselor.

College Rep Visits at RBHS

Signing Up For College Reps

Financing Your EducationMust complete the FAFSA (Free Application for

Federal Student Aid) starting January 1, 2016FAFSA is used by the U.S Department of

Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

FAFSA is used by nearly all colleges to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college sponsored financial aid including grants, loans and work-study programs.

CSS (College Scholarship Service Profile)Net Price Calculator

Net Price Calculator –Duke Example

*The above example assumes combined parental income of $85,000, savings of $30,000, and home equity of $100,000.

Financing Your Education HelpCollege Planning Tips for Seniors and their

ParentsSeptember 8, 2015 at 7:00-8:00 (Auditorium)

Financial Aid Planning Night at RBHSNovember 11, 2015 at 7:00-8:30 (Auditorium)

“Don’t Pay the College Sticker Price”January 19, 2016 (Auditorium)

FAFSA Workshop at RBHSFebruary 2016 TBD (Library & Computer Labs)

National Scholarship OpportunitiesGeneral Scholarships

Located under College and Career Information on the Student Services homepage http://www.rbhs208.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?type=d&uREC_ID=248958&pREC_ID=572783

Each scholarship varies in qualifications and application deadlines.

Updated weekly as scholarship information is received from the organizations offering the scholarship

Other resources for National ScholarshipsFastWeb – www.fastweb.com

Student Scholarships– www.studentscholarships.org Both sites allow the students to:

Search for local, state and national scholarships and grants Identify scholarships based on your academics, community

service activities, talents and interests

Local Scholarship Opportunities Local Scholarships

Located under Local Scholarships on the Student Services homepage Available to Riverside Brookfield students only http://www.rbhs208.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?type=d&uREC_ID=248958&pREC_ID=572782

Available to Riverside Brookfield students onlyIncludes academic, athletic, and community

service scholarshipsScholarship awards range from $500 to $7500.Students can apply for and receive multiple

scholarships.Applications will be posted on the Student

Services homepage in mid-February 2016.Deadline for applications will be in mid-March

2016.

University ScholarshipsEach college or university offers scholarships and

grants directly to its admitted students.Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid.

Some scholarships are automatically awarded to the students based on their application information.To receive most merit-based scholarships, the

Undergraduate Application is all you need to complete to be considered.

Other university scholarships require an additional application that can be found on its website.

Each college/university will have different scholarship deadlines.

Best of luck on your college admissions journey!!!

QUESTIONS?

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