1. ABCs of College Applications 12.1

2. Compile your list of colleges (typically 5-7) Some factors to consider GPA Course history SAT/ACT scores Intended major Location

3. 12.1 Make sure you apply to a… Reach school: Dream school Target school: You fit right in! Safety school: Your qualifications exceed the average. Your reach, target and safety schools are specific to you!

4. 12.1 Resources to find out about colleges www.collegeboard.org College visits at MHS –When are the college reps coming? MHS website Meet with your school counselor! Stop by the College and Career Center in the Purple hallway Visit campuses

5. 12.1 Register for the SATs/ACTs SAT: www.collegeboard.orgwww.collegeboard.org –SAT IIsSAT IIs ACT: www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Do you need a fee waiver? Let us know! Note: It is your responsibility to send your scores to colleges. The school counseling department does NOT send official scores for you.

6. 12.1 Documents due to your school counselor Transcript Request Form Senior Autobiography Activity Sheet Parent Recommendation THREE teacher recommendation forms Your counselor uses these forms to write your letter of recommendation

7. When are these forms due to your school counselor? 30 SCHOOL days before your first deadline date Example: If you have a November 1 st deadline date your forms are due on September 19 th ! Types of Deadlines Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admission

8. 12.1 What is a secondary school report? The SSR asks your counselor questions that the college wants to know about your… –GPA –Senior courses –Difficulty of past coursework It is your responsibility to give the SSRs to your school counselor! Most schools (UVA, JMU, VT, William and Mary) have secondary school reports (even if they’re not called that!)

9. 12.1 Teacher recommendation This is different than the three teacher recommendations you turn into your school counselor. When you approach a teacher you can begin by saying… “Do you feel that you would be able to write a positive recommendation for me?”

10. 12.1 Personal Essay Proofread! Have an English teacher review it so you can do revisions

11. 12.1 Meet your college application deadlines!!!!

12. 12.1 Financial Aid/Scholarships www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fastweb.com MHS School counseling website

13. 12.1 Events to remember… College Planning Night Common App Workshop – September 20 th (during Mustang Morning in the red computer lab. Bring questions you have about the common app to this workshop) Financial Aid Night –January 9 th