Senior college prep 9/14/17

Welcome to senior year! Something to consider this year…

How we are going to minimize stress Be responsible by listening during college prep, taking notes, meeting deadlines, following procedures and putting forth your best effort. Work diligently to complete your applications. You will be motivated because it is your future! Stay organized by using your college planning spreadsheet and a planner. Do not procrastinate. Ask questions when you don’t understand something. I am here for you! All of the stressors mentioned in the video are also things that can stress you out now. Let’s start this year off on the right foot.

College Meetings Mrs. Ruark would like to meet with you, individually, in the month of September. Please sign up for a meeting during your study hall or enrichment study hall by writing your name next to your preferred date and time on the sheet before you leave today!

Senior year plan Senior College Prep Outline Senior Year Timeline

College counseling Forms Senior Year Fall Update Form – Due next class (9/21) Record Release Form – Due next class (9/21) Transcript/Secondary Report Form - Mrs. Ruark needs this form for each school you apply to. Each form is due at least two weeks before the deadline. Senior Counselor Recommendation Request Form - Due to Mrs. Ruark at least one month before your first deadline. (Mrs. Ruark should have received the Junior Counselor Recommendation Request Form last year). Senior Teacher Recommendation Request Form - Due to teachers at least one month before your first deadline. (Teachers should have received the Junior Teacher Recommendation Request Forms last year).

Goals Applications are due at least one week before the deadline. All others are due by Dec 1st. All application materials should be received by the deadline. Confirm receipt of all application materials before the deadline. Choose a mixture of safety, match, and dream schools that you would be happy to attend. You are responsible for researching admissions criteria. Apply to at least three four-year institutions to ensure that admission is attained for the following year. One should be in your home state.

Application types Common Application http://www.commonapp.org/ 600+ colleges are members Allows students to apply to several schools with one online application Easy to use and convenient Mrs. Ruark is able to upload documents (transcript, school report, letter of recommendation, mid year grades, etc.) electronically Mrs. Ruark can track when students have submitted their applications Teachers are able to upload their letters of recommendation electronically http://www.commonapp.org/

Application types Coalition 90+ colleges are members Members are affordable state schools or private schools that provide sufficient financial aid Schools graduate at least 70 percent of their students within six years Provides a single platform of online tools to assist in the experience of applying to college, similar to the Common App Allows students to track high school experiences and accomplishments over four years Only some schools will accept applications in the summer of 2016, while others are still deciding when and how to use it http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/students.html

Application types Individual Application When a school is not a member of the Common Application or Coalition Application, this means that students need to apply through that school’s specific application Mrs. Ruark will mail documents Some applications give teachers the option to submit letters of recommendation electronically. Otherwise, they can mail them or give them to Mrs. Ruark to include in her mailing.

Application deadlines Early Decision I Binding Gives student best chance of acceptance Must be student’s top choice Family must make sure they can afford it - Use the net price calculator and talk to the Financial Aid office to get an estimate. Student must withdraw all other applications if accepted Mrs. Ruark will call parents before she signs the ED form to make sure everyone is on the same page Apply around November, receive decision around December, deposit due around January Early Decision II Same as above Apply around January, receive decision around February, deposit due around March

Early decision Policy Make sure that you would be 100% happy to attend. Make sure that you can afford to attend. Use the net price calculator and talk to the Financial Aid office to get an estimate. Mrs. Ruark will call your parents before she signs the ED form so that they understand the commitment you are making.

Application deadlines Restrictive Early Action Nonbinding Students agree not to apply to any other private college/university under an Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision or Early Notification program, but they may apply early to any public institution, as long as the decision is nonbinding. Students may apply to other colleges and universities under their Regular Decision or Rolling options. Mostly offered at elite schools Apply around November, receive decision around December, deposit due May 1

Application deadlines Early Action Non binding Good way to show interest without committing Apply around December, receive decision around January, deposit due May 1 Regular Decision Usually the last possible deadline Apply around January, receive decision around March, deposit due May 1 Rolling Admissions accepts applications until they reach their enrollment goal Students should apply early to avoid missing a spot, deposit due May 1

College Financial Aid Night Who – Juniors, Seniors & Parents What - Discuss financial aid process, the FAFSA and scholarships When - Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Where - Middle School Commons RSVP to Mrs. Ruark at grruark@thesalisburyschool.org by Monday, September 18

homework Schedule meeting with Mrs. Ruark Senior Update Form – Due next class (9/21) Record Release Form – Due next class (9/21) Email Mrs. Ruark Common Application essay rough draft (if you haven’t already done so) Give Mrs. Ruark Junior Counselor Recommendation Request Form (if you haven’t already done so) Give teachers Junior Teacher Recommendation Request Forms (if you haven’t already done so)