1. College Application Procedures and Information

2. Finalizing the College List  Recommended most students apply to 4 to 8 colleges  Ensure your list is balanced  1 Safety School*: Little chance of rejection  2-4 Good Matches: Schools that match your needs and wishes and that you could happily attend  1-2 Reach Schools: Your top choices but schools at which you are less likely to be accepted  Keep a financially Safe school on your list

3. Types of Admission  Rolling Admission - No specific deadline. It is best to submit the application in the fall.  Regular Decision - Most deadlines are December/January and students are notified by the spring  Early Action - Non-binding. Can apply to more than one school. Many applications are due in November; decisions rendered in January  Early Decision -Binding contract and commitment to one school only. Most applications due in November; decisions rendered in December

4. What is a College Application?  School Materials  Test Scores  Teacher Recommendations  Application  Essay  Fee/fee waiver  If applicable, interview and supplemental materials

5. What Matters to Colleges?  There is no“magic formula”  Small Schools pay greater attention to the person  Large Schools often use a mathematical formula based on GPA, ACT/SAT and favor in-state applicants

6. What Matters to Colleges?  Courses Taken – colleges want to see academic discipline and a challenge  Grades Received  Rank  SAT/ACT Scores  Essays  Recommendations  Extracurricular Activities  Truly commit to 2-3 activities  Interviews

7. Naviance Family Connection  Keep college info updated  Search colleges, see acceptance history  Request transcripts and teacher recommendations  Search for scholarships https://connection.naviance.com/cato

8. Common Application  What is the Common Application? The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application that students may submit to any of their members.  Create a Common Application account at www.commonapp.org

9. How Does Everything Get There?  Application, Essay and Fee/Fee Waiver  Transcript, Secondary School Report Form, School Profile & Counselor Recommendation  Test Scores  Teacher Recommendations  CPCC Transcript Sent by Student Sent by Ms. Van Lauwe within 2 weeks of your request Requested by student/sent from SAT/ACT Requested by student; sent directly to college by teacher Request through MyCollege account after graduation and CPCC will send

10. AP Test Scores  Reporting of AP scores in the admissions process is optional. You can self-report on the application.  Individual colleges, not the College Board AP Program, grant course credit and placement based on qualifying scores  You will need to send an official score report (available on College Board) to the college you choose to attend if they will accept your AP scores.

11. Scholarships  Check with each college you applied to  Check with your parent/guardian’s employer and community organizations  Naviance/Family Connection  My wiki page http://catomchscounseling.cmswiki.wikispaces. net/home http://catomchscounseling.cmswiki.wikispaces. net/home

12. Financial Aid  Grants- based on financial need, do not have to be repaid  Loans- subsidized and unsubsidized, must be repaid + interest  FAFSA- Free Application for Student Aid https://fafsa.ed.gov https://fafsa.ed.gov  Apply as soon as possible after January 1  Awards are made until funds are depleted  Your college may have its own deadline for completion (often March 1)  You will need your parent/guardians’ 2015 tax return to complete this application

13. Timeline of Events September  Register for ACT/SAT if you need to take it again  Firm up your list of colleges, get applications, request letters of recommendations from teachers (send resume with request and allow at least 3 weeks) October/November  Attend CACRAO College Fair 10/8  Fill out applications online, write college essays, finalize college list, re-take SAT/ACT if necessary  Submit completed applications for early deadlines if desired

14. Timeline of Events December  Continue submitting applications January  – Submit requests for mid-year transcripts  – Finalize and submit your FAFSA February/March  DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK - if your grades drop, universities will be notified and your admission could be rescinded!

15. Timeline of Events April/May  Decide which college/university you wish to attend and send your deposit by May 1  Make sure you have reported all college acceptances and scholarships to Ms. Van Lauwe so you can be recognized at the senior awards ceremony  GRADUATE!  Request final transcripts for high school and from CPCC

16. Questions?