THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS SEPTEMBER, 2014 FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS 1

TIPS Work with your daughter on this college process Your child can be happy in many places Look for the good fit Talk about going away vs. commuting Visit colleges Go on an interview 2

SUGGESTIONS AND STRATEGIES Make a plan with your child when college discussions and college work is going to be done Help your child own this experience Organize the process Sign up for another SAT/ACT exam if needed – BLUE PAPER Be cognizant of deadlines Keep your counselor updated Use Naviance to help form your final list with probable admits, ranges, and reach schools 3

5 STEPS TO SUCCESS 1 - The Application (Essay and Supplements) in Commonapp.org 2 - ACT/SAT 3 - Recommendations 4 - Transcript 5 - Financial Aid 4

STEP 1 – THE APPLICATION Use the Common Application, Individual school application (only when Common App is not available) The Application: FERPA-Privacy Act (protects your daughter’s privacy) must be filled out Main Essay Supplement (if applicable) Activities (ex. Sports, clubs, and volunteering) Honors and Awards Additional information (ex. Resume) 5

STEP 2 – TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Identify/Confirm (2) academic teachers Request this through Naviance Give teachers paper resume and brag sheet Teacher will input the letters through Naviance, and Guidance will send them out electronically 6

STEP 3 - TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS All requests must be done on the Transcript Request Form – PINK PAPER Every college your daughter applies to must be on a separate form (**This can only be done after you have completed the Education Section and the FERPA document on the Common Application) Any student who is not using the Common Application must complete and submit a hard copy of the FERPA available online in your Naviance account under the “document library” tab or in the Guidance Department Counselor recommendations and secondary school reports will also be sent with your transcript 7

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TRANSCRIPT REQUEST? Once a transcript request is made through the Transcript Request Form your daughter’s counselor will be begin the process of preparing a letter of recommendation and secondary school report The transcripts, school reports, AMSU Profile, Teacher recommendations, and counselor’s recommendation will be sent electronically to all colleges that accept electronic materials. All others will be mailed The Counseling Department will meet all deadlines. It is critical that you provide the department at least 10 school days to meet an application deadline All college application deadlines are located in Naviance 8

STEP 4 – STANDARDIZED TESTS Contact College Board / ACT to release scores (SAT, ACT w/writing, Subject Tests) If a college requires testing scores, the scores must be official from the testing service. Visit fairtest.org for colleges that do not require SAT/ACT scores The Guidance Department does NOT send your SAT/ACT scores to colleges. You must go to either the College Board or ACT website and request your score(s) be sent to your colleges and pay the fee. Please allow approximately three weeks for your scores to be sent. 9

STEP 5 - FINANCIAL AID Visit the Website for FAFSA after January 1, 2015 Apply early!!!! 10

AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION You can track your application, transcript and letters of recommendation through Naviance You will be advised by each college/university on the status of your application **Please be mindful of any correspondence you receive from any college regarding the status of your application including, but not limited to, missing materials, first quarter grades and midyear reports 11