1. What You Need to Know to Apply to College A QUICK GUIDE

2. The SAT You should take at least two SAT tests. You should take at least two SAT tests. You can take as many as you like. You can take as many as you like. Don’t wait too long, it is best if you take the test by November. Don’t wait too long, it is best if you take the test by November. If you are applying to very competitive schools, check to see if you need to take SAT subject tests. If you are applying to very competitive schools, check to see if you need to take SAT subject tests.

3. The SAT If you have to take subject tests, you will most likely take 2-3. It is best to take one math or science, one history, and one language. Some schools may specify requirements. If you have to take subject tests, you will most likely take 2-3. It is best to take one math or science, one history, and one language. Some schools may specify requirements. To register for both the SAT and subject tests visit www.collegeboard.com To register for both the SAT and subject tests visit www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com To qualify for a fee waiver bring me a 2009 1040 or verification of public assistance or social security. To qualify for a fee waiver bring me a 2009 1040 or verification of public assistance or social security.

4. The SAT If you take the test in October, those scores will be included on your high school transcript in time for your college application. If you take the test in October, those scores will be included on your high school transcript in time for your college application. If you take a test after October, you should add the schools that you are applying to as score recipients during the SAT registration. These scores will most likely not reach your transcript in time for the college application. If you take a test after October, you should add the schools that you are applying to as score recipients during the SAT registration. These scores will most likely not reach your transcript in time for the college application. You can keep sending scores to colleges even after you have completed the application. You can keep sending scores to colleges even after you have completed the application.

5. SAT II If you are applying to a competitive College you might need to take 2-3 SAT subject tests. If you are applying to a competitive College you might need to take 2-3 SAT subject tests. To register visit www.collegeboard.com To register visit www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com Most schools recommend a math and/or a science and a history or language. Most schools recommend a math and/or a science and a history or language. Visit the schools web site or call the admissions office to verify this information Visit the schools web site or call the admissions office to verify this information

6. Appointments I will begin scheduling appointments shortly. I will begin scheduling appointments shortly. I have waited because I want you to be prepared for the appointment. I have waited because I want you to be prepared for the appointment. Once you have your initial one-on-one you will have to wait until I finish meeting with everyone else. Once you have your initial one-on-one you will have to wait until I finish meeting with everyone else. BE PREPARED and don’t waste your time. BE PREPARED and don’t waste your time.

7. What you should bring to your appointment Most recent 1040 (2009 tax return) Most recent 1040 (2009 tax return) Social security number Social security number Credit card or fee waiver. Credit card or fee waiver. Social security verification (if applicable). Social security verification (if applicable). Unemployment documentation (if applicable). Unemployment documentation (if applicable). LIST OF PROBABLE COLLEGES! LIST OF PROBABLE COLLEGES!

8. The Application as a Process Just because you submit an application does not mean that you can no longer send information to a college. The application is only the first step in the process. Just because you submit an application does not mean that you can no longer send information to a college. The application is only the first step in the process. Once you apply to a school a file is opened. The file remains open until they receive all of your documentation. Upon receipt of all required documentation, the school can render a decision. Once you apply to a school a file is opened. The file remains open until they receive all of your documentation. Upon receipt of all required documentation, the school can render a decision. Even after a school renders a decision, you can appeal with updated info. (SAT scores, mid-year grades, etc..) Even after a school renders a decision, you can appeal with updated info. (SAT scores, mid-year grades, etc..) This process will go on well into January and sometimes into March. That gives you plenty of time to complete the application process. This process will go on well into January and sometimes into March. That gives you plenty of time to complete the application process.

9. The SUNY Schools For students with low household incomes who want to apply for SUNY schools (EOP), you must use the application found at www.suny.edu. For students with low household incomes who want to apply for SUNY schools (EOP), you must use the application found at www.suny.edu.www.suny.edu During the application you must select that you wish to apply for EOP. During the application you must select that you wish to apply for EOP. If you would like a fee waiver for the SUNY schools you must fill out a SUNY fee waiver form. This form can be downloaded online or obtained from me. I need a copy of your parent’s 1040 to sign the fee waiver. If you would like a fee waiver for the SUNY schools you must fill out a SUNY fee waiver form. This form can be downloaded online or obtained from me. I need a copy of your parent’s 1040 to sign the fee waiver. If you are not applying for EOP, you can use the commonapp to apply to most SUNYs excluding the technical schools and community colleges. If you are not applying for EOP, you can use the commonapp to apply to most SUNYs excluding the technical schools and community colleges. The deadline for most SUNY schools is rolling which means that the earlier you apply the better. The deadline for most SUNY schools is rolling which means that the earlier you apply the better.

10. The CUNY Schools To apply to CUNY you must open a portal account at www.cuny.edu. To apply to CUNY you must open a portal account at www.cuny.edu. www.cuny.edu Once you open a portal account you will be able to begin the application. Once you open a portal account you will be able to begin the application. For $65 you will be able to apply to 6 schools. The schools must be listed in order, starting with your first choice. For $65 you will be able to apply to 6 schools. The schools must be listed in order, starting with your first choice. Make sure you select some safety schools. Make sure you select some safety schools. There will not be any fee waivers for this application. There will not be any fee waivers for this application. If you want to complete this application during you meeting with me you will need a credit card or $65 money order made out to CUNY UAPC. If you want to complete this application during you meeting with me you will need a credit card or $65 money order made out to CUNY UAPC. The priority deadline for the CUNY application is February 1 st, 2011. All applications received after that date will be reviewed on a space available basis. The deadine for the CUNY honors college is December 1 st. The priority deadline for the CUNY application is February 1 st, 2011. All applications received after that date will be reviewed on a space available basis. The deadine for the CUNY honors college is December 1 st.

11. The Commonapp Most private and public schools will now accept the commonapp. To access the commonapp visit www.commonapp.org. Most private and public schools will now accept the commonapp. To access the commonapp visit www.commonapp.org. www.commonapp.org Once you open up a commonapp account you will be able to add the schools that you want to apply to. Each school that you add requires a fee. Once you open up a commonapp account you will be able to add the schools that you want to apply to. Each school that you add requires a fee. You will also be required to fill out a supplement for each school. Once you have completed the application and supplement, you can submit it. You will also be required to fill out a supplement for each school. Once you have completed the application and supplement, you can submit it. Under the forms section of the application you will have to add my name and email address in order for me to send your transcript. My names is James Giordano and my email address is giordanoj@staghs.org. Under the forms section of the application you will have to add my name and email address in order for me to send your transcript. My names is James Giordano and my email address is giordanoj@staghs.org.giordanoj@staghs.org

12. The Commonapp If you received a fee waiver for the SAT, then you will be eligible for a fee waiver for up to 5 commonapp schools. If you received a fee waiver for the SAT, then you will be eligible for a fee waiver for up to 5 commonapp schools. To apply for a fee waiver you must both select the collegeboard fee waiver option on the application and send the school a collegeboard fee waiver form which can be obtained from me. To apply for a fee waiver you must both select the collegeboard fee waiver option on the application and send the school a collegeboard fee waiver form which can be obtained from me.

13. Other applications Some schools do not accept the commonapp. Some schools do not accept the commonapp. For those schools, visit the school’s website for the online application. It is usually found under the undergraduate admissions section of the web site. For those schools, visit the school’s website for the online application. It is usually found under the undergraduate admissions section of the web site. An example is Saint John’s University in Jamaica Queens. This free app can be completed at the Saint John’s Web site under undergraduate admissions. An example is Saint John’s University in Jamaica Queens. This free app can be completed at the Saint John’s Web site under undergraduate admissions.

14. Transcripts All SUNY and commonapp schools can receive transcripts electronically from me. As long as you put my email address and the name of your high school on the commonapp I will be able to send a transcript electronically. All SUNY and commonapp schools can receive transcripts electronically from me. As long as you put my email address and the name of your high school on the commonapp I will be able to send a transcript electronically. For CUNY schools you must complete a transcript request from in my office. You must also print out a document return receipt and supply it to me upon completion of the CUNY app. For CUNY schools you must complete a transcript request from in my office. You must also print out a document return receipt and supply it to me upon completion of the CUNY app. For all other schools you must complete a transcript request form and submit it to me. For all other schools you must complete a transcript request form and submit it to me.

15. Recommendations If you are required to submit a counselor recommendation letter you must email me your resume and a short bio. If you are required to submit a counselor recommendation letter you must email me your resume and a short bio. Your bio should be informal and should include any personal facts that I can put into your recommendation. Let me decide if it is relevant. Your bio should be informal and should include any personal facts that I can put into your recommendation. Let me decide if it is relevant. Remember, for the commonapp schools, you must remember to add my name and email address. Remember, for the commonapp schools, you must remember to add my name and email address. For teacher recommendations you must ask the teacher well in advance of the deadline. I have a form in my office which allows you to request the recommendation. For teacher recommendations you must ask the teacher well in advance of the deadline. I have a form in my office which allows you to request the recommendation.

16. Scholarships There are many different scholarships. There are many different scholarships. Some scholarships require an application, while others do not. Some scholarships require an application, while others do not. Some schools automatically consider you for a scholarship, others do not. Some schools automatically consider you for a scholarship, others do not. Scholarships are very competitive. Scholarships are very competitive. If you do not qualify, do not waste your time. If you do not qualify, do not waste your time.

17. My web site I continually update my web site and facebook page with information. I continually update my web site and facebook page with information. My web site is www.admissionsandaid.com. My web site is www.admissionsandaid.com. www.admissionsandaid.com There is information about scholarships, open houses, collegefairs, and college applications. There is information about scholarships, open houses, collegefairs, and college applications.

18. Financial Aid Financial Aid (FAFSA) will be dealt with in December. Financial Aid (FAFSA) will be dealt with in December. For now, don’t even think about it. For now, don’t even think about it. Focus on completion of your applications. Focus on completion of your applications. Some schools require additional financial information such as the CSS financial aid profile. The deadline for this varies, but it can be as early as November. Some schools require additional financial information such as the CSS financial aid profile. The deadline for this varies, but it can be as early as November. To find out if your school requires the CSS profile or to complete the application visit https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp and click on list of colleges 2010-2011. To find out if your school requires the CSS profile or to complete the application visit https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp and click on list of colleges 2010-2011. https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp You might also have to complete a non-custodial parent profile. You might also have to complete a non-custodial parent profile.

19. NCAA Clearinghouse If you are going to play division I or II athletics in college you need to complete the NCAA application found at https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/co mmon/. If you are going to play division I or II athletics in college you need to complete the NCAA application found at https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/co mmon/. https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/co mmon/ https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/co mmon/