2.  What To Do Before Completing Applications  Your Immediate Responsibilities  Parts of the Application  Counselor Responsibilities  Deadlines  Financial Aid  Important Items to Remember

3.  College Search- Collegeboard, Naviance  Attend college fairs ( Lewis Mills High School Tues 10/23/14 6:30 pm)  Campus visits  Conversation with an Admissions Officer  Tour the campus/visit classes  Try a meal in the dining hall  Sign up for college representatives visiting THS through your Naviance account  Narrow down your schools to:  1-3 Reach Schools  1-3 Match Schools  2 Scholarship Likely Schools Total= 4-8 schools on average

4.  Application Form Online  Application Fee (usually about $50)  Essay  Recommendations – if necessary  Teacher(s)  Counselor  Transcript  Standardized Testing  School Profile

5.  Take the proper Standardized Test(s)  SAT or ACT (test dates handout)  Both are widely accepted  Majority of schools will require these  SAT II Subject Tests are sometimes required for specific majors or more selective schools (please check individual colleges requirements)  Less schools will require subject test  Some schools are test optional (students are admitted based on high school academics, activities, essay, and recommendations) *You MUST send your scores directly from Collegeboard.org or Actstudent.org to each college you apply to (not sending scores will delay the decision)*

6.  Make a list of colleges and the application deadlines in the Colleges tab on your Naviance account  Work on college essay

7. Your Resume:  Shows how you spend your time outside of class  Include:  What is important to you: maybe a personal statement or quote  Events you are involved in-academic and athletic honors, work, community service  Show leadership  Show deep commitment in your activities

8.  Request Teacher Recommendations  Only request 2 academic teacher recommendations for college applications (see teacher rec. request form)  Follow up with your teacher in person request by adding each teacher to your Naviance account (5 steps card)  Inform Counselor of recommendation if needed  Give your Counselor a resume and a completed Student Self Description in Naviance

12.  Transcript Request Form must be completed and submitted to your counselor for each school (the Orange Sheet)  Indicate which teachers will be providing recommendations  Check off Submitted Application and Request Transcript in your Naviance account

13.  Transcript  Counselor Recommendation  Secondary School Report  School Profile  Mid-Year Report & Transcript  Final Transcript  Communication with Colleges

14.  Early Decision ( only 1 school ): These offers are binding:  If your first choice has Early Decision, then you may want to use this option  This is not for someone who is unsure!  Early Action:  Regular admission, but happens early  Priority Deadline:  This is the deadline for students who want to be considered for merit, grant, honors program, or university based scholarships, often earlier (Oct, Nov, Dec). If you miss these deadlines you will not be considered for these awards

15.  Regular Admission Deadline: This is the absolute last day you can apply for admission to schools. All materials must be at the school before this date (including teacher rec’s)  Rolling Admission: The admissions criteria is established beforehand. Students will be accepted if they meet the criteria until the freshman class reaches capacity  Special Majors or Program Deadlines: Certain majors will have a different (earlier) deadlines than the rest of the university majors

16.  CSS/Financial Aid Profile:  Collegeboard  Not all schools require this  Must apply on-line  FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):  Everyone must fill this out. It is the federal form for aid  Apply for pin before starting application  Application after January 1 st (can be based on last year’s taxes)  Many schools require this to be submitted by Feb. 15 th for students to be considered for need based aid  Fafsa.ed.gov NOT fafsa.com- this is a scam. Be careful  See local scholarship list FINANCIAL AID NIGHT at THS will be held October 22 nd at 5:30pm (same time, same place)

17.  Waive your right to see teacher and counselor recommendations on applications  You must request your high school transcript through Naviance and submit your Orange Sheet Transcript request form at least 10 days before the application deadline  All 4 year college/university applications to be processed before Christmas break must have a Transcript Request Form submitted and complete each step on Naviance before December 16th