College Planning Application Packet

4 Steps… 1. Go to college website “prospective students” Follow directions! 2. Print necessary forms. Counselor Form, Secondary School Report, College Prep 3. Complete the application: Apply on-line. Go to college website. Some are free. Download application to be filled out by hand. (Use ink, be neat!) 456 schools use The Common Application BHS SCHOOL CODE: Bring to Guidance. You must have everything : Transcript Request Form completed: college, address, deadline, signature, checked items, Brag sheet, Counselor Forms

Name______________________________________ Date submitted to Guidance___________________ This form authorizes BHS to release your transcripts and records to the named schools. Each college requires certain items for a completed application. Go to each college’s website to verify what is needed for their university. To avoid delay, include all items with this request when you submit it to Guidance.. ___________________________________________ (Student Signature) College #1 (Include complete address) _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ College deadline date ______________ _____I have already applied to the above college: (Check the one below that applies) _____On-line application from college website _____The Common Application _____Downloaded application from college website filled out by hand _____College Prep Form, Counselor Recommendation Form or Secondary School Report MUST HAVE THIS!!! _____Résumé or Activity List ( if required) _____Recommendation letters from teachers: List teachers____________________________________ _____Recommendation letter from counselor Transcript Request Form

Check your deadlines!! 1.We need 2 weeks to prepare your application. 2.Holiday deadlines: December 1: We need it by November 14 December 16: We need it by November 28 January 15: We need it by December 15 …no exceptions

“Brag Sheet” Name _______________________ 1. What are your proudest accomplishments? 2. List five adjectives that describe you as a person. 3. How would your friends describe you? 4. What are your extracurricular activities? 5. Any volunteer experiences?

Your Counselor will… Mail to the colleges: – Transcript, SAT and ACT scores. AP scores. – Profile of BHS if required – List of classes – Letters of recommendation if required – Counselor Recommendation, College Prep, Secondary School Report. Mail you a confirmation when all is sent. It takes a college several weeks for a college to process your application. Patience!

September/October September 13th – College Planning Night Begin applying to colleges. Go to college websites. Most prefer on-line. Check for scholarships on college website and on BHS Guidance page. Complete Brag Sheet and submit to Guidance. Visit college campuses. Call university to inquire about Visitation Days. Take (retake) SAT or ACT. October 25– Attend Financial Aid Night Ask teachers for letters of recommendation only if the college specifically requires one. Contact local recruiter if interested in the military. November November (early in the month) Campus Caravan (UK and UC) November 28– deadline for transcript requests for submittal before Winter Break Submit applications for admission. Prepare documentation for the FAFSA and obtain FAFSA pin at December Finish college applications Senior Timeline

Application Do’s DO: Read applications and directions carefully. Know the deadlines for admission, scholarships, honors college, financial aid Know that BHS Guidance needs 2 weeks to process every request! Know that we need 2 weeks EVEN FOR LATE SPRING SCHOLARSHIPS. Make sure that everything that is supposed to be included is enclosed. Fill out your own applications. You are going to college, not your parents. Start with the simple applications and then progress to the more complex ones. Make copies of applications, and practice filling one out before you complete the original. Type or neatly print your answers Proofread the applications and essays several times for accuracy before submitting. Describe how you can make a contribution to the schools you applied to if they ask. Be truthful, and do not exaggerate your accomplishments. Tailor your essays to the specific college. Research what the college is like. Keep a copy of all the forms you submit to colleges. Be thorough and turn things in on time. Give your counselor 2 weeks…2 weeks….2 weeks….

Application Don’ts DON’T: Don’t use a paper application if you can apply on-line. Don’t include a teacher recommendation if you weren’t asked to submit one! Don’t write in cursive. If you don't have access to a computer or typewriter, print neatly. Don’t leave blank spaces. Missing information may cause your application to be sent back or delayed while admission officers wait for complete information. Don’t be ambiguous or unclear. If the question calls for a specific answer, be specific. Don’t ask your teacher at the last minute for a letter of recommendation. Don’t forget thank you note to a teacher who wrote your recommendation Don’t ask your guidance counselor to rush your application in without 2 week notice! Don’t forget the Counselor Form (Secondary School Report, College Prep Form)

College Entrance Tests ACT: October 22 (9/16) SAT: November 5 (10/7)

ACT vs. SAT ACTSAT Test Length 3 hours, 25 minutes (including the 30-minute optional Writing Test) 3 hours, 45 minutes Test Structure 4 Test Sections (5 with the optional Writing Test): English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (Optional), Experimental Test (sometimes added and clearly labeled) 10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing (including the Essay), 1 Experimental (unscored but included as a regular section) Reading Reading Comprehension—4 passages with 10 questions per passage Reading Comprehension—short and long passages with questions Sentence Completion Math Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, algebra II, and trigonometry Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and algebra II Science Analysis, interpretation, evaluation, basic content, and problem solving Science not included Essay Last thing you do (optional): 30 minutes  Not included in composite score  Topic of importance to high school students First thing you do: 25 minutes  Factored into overall score  More abstract topic (vs. ACT) Scoring Composite score of 1–36, based on average of scores from 4 tests  4 scores of 1–36 for each test  Plus optional Writing Test Score of 0–12 Total score out of 600–2400, based on adding scores from 3 subjects  3 scores of 200–800 for each subject  Score of 0–12 for the Essay Wrong Answer Penalty No penalty for wrong answers. ¼ point subtracted for each wrong answer. (except for Math Grid-In questions) Sending Score History You decide which score is sent Your entire score history will be sent automatically. NEW—Beginning with Class of 2010, you decide which test score is sent. Test Contact Information ACT, Inc actstudent.org actstudent.org The College Board collegeboard.com collegeboard.com ACT vs. SAT

Scholarships, Financial Aid: FAFSA: Grants Loans Scholarships BHS guidance webpage Top websites for

Visiting Colleges Visits are excused absences (exams) How to set up a visit. What to do while there? Questions to ask Interview help

BHS Resource Guide Counselor Info ACT/SAT info Improving ACT/SAT Top 10 search sites College fairs Visiting a college How to choose a major Military/College ROTC CEEB: Apprenticeships BHS class of 2011 FAFSA Scholarships Scholarship websites

Campus Caravan University of Cincinnati University of Kentucky November (early) Leave 7:00 a.m Return 5:00 p.m $$ ??? Sign up and pay in Guidance

Introducing…. Mrs. Tortorici “College Access Counselor” Tuesdays and Thursdays in Guidance Scholarships, Financial aid, help with FAFSA Sinclair information Career counselor Help with applications Help with SAT/ACT registration

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