WELCOME TO SENIOR PARENT COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT CLASS OF 2014 ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

OUR COLLEGE COUNSELING TEAM Mr. Brendan Farley, Assistant Principal for Academics Mrs. Renee Duckworth, Director of Guidance Mrs. Kelly Hawse, Director of International Student Program/College Counselor Mrs. Robin Marton, College Counselor/Registrar ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

GENERAL INFORMATION Please check our website for College Counseling Guide for Senior Year: It is our hope that this book will answer many of your questions about the college search and application process. Senior Year Calendar has important dates for seniors and families Scholarships Page Open Houses, College Fairs & Special Programs/Opportunities Page Helpful Links (Naviance, NCAA, FAFSA, Scholarship Searches, Collegeboard, ACT, Forms. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

COLLEGE SEARCH Started when students met individually with college counselors last year Hopefully with your help they have continued to refine their list over the summer We will meet individually with each senior again this September & October. OK if they are not completely sure yet – Just remember watch the deadlines  UMCP and UMBC have Nov. 1 early action deadlines  Many other colleges have later deadlines with most being done by January 31  Some schools have rolling admissions – accept until full Visit schools which you are seriously considering attending. Colleges watch for your level of interest ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

FIT, STRETCH, SAFETY SCHOOLS Fit: Student’s GPA and test scores fall within the range the school lists as their average Stretch: Student’s GPA and test scores are a little below those reported by the school Safety: Student’s GPA and test scores are above those listed by the school ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

GET ORGANIZED Create a file for each school. Keep everything together. Make a copy of every application to keep in the file. Find out and make note of all test, admission and financial aid application deadlines ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

ACTIVITIES RESUME: Your chance to show off a bit. Limit yourself to high school years Explain any special language (i.e. - Kairos) Keep it brief don’t write too much Include accomplishments outside school Always proofread A SAMPLE RESUME IS IN THE APPENDIX ON PAGE 27 of the Senior Year Guide ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS Check deadlines: These are non-negotiable Which scores are required? SAT, SAT Subject tests (required at some schools). Each school has their own requirements check their website. Usually English, Foreign Language, and sometimes Math. Common Application (comonapp.org): Accepted by over 300 schools. Link is on our website. Connects with the Naviance Program we use to match all the parts of your application ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

APPLYING Most schools want you to apply online. This is easiest for them and your application gets there immediately. You should get a receipt back within hours. Save this! Keep a copy of every completed application in case you need it later Remember to go to Collegeboard.org and have your scores sent if you have not done so already. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

SPECIAL POPULATIONS If you plan to play Division I or II sports you must also send your test scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center Learning Disabilities – All colleges must offer support. Contact the Support Center at the schools you are applying to for specific information on their programs. K&W Guide to College Programs Services for Students with Learning Disabilities or AD/ADHD is a resource. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Students are required to get two letters of recommendation in addition to the Counselor: English teacher. One other major subject teacher Teachers should be junior or senior teachers. Teachers must be given at least two weeks to write a letter. Do not ask for a letter by the next day. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

HANDING REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE COUNSELING OFFICE Your application is not complete until the school sends your school package which includes: your transcript a school profile letters of recommendation any forms required by the college. How do we know that we need to send these documents? The student must fill out a Transcript Request Form for each college to which he/she applies. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

WHEN TO TURN IN DOCUMENTS Letter Requests: should be done as soon as possible. Teachers need at least 2 weeks to complete letters Transcript Request forms at least 3 weeks prior to the application deadline. There is a lot of paperwork and document collecting involved in getting the application packet ready. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

TYPES OF DEADLINES/ REPLY AGREEMENT Early Decision – Binding Early Action – They will give you a decision earlier – Nonbinding Single Choice or Restrictive Early Action – Can only apply to one school early action ( Harvard & Yale) Priority Admission – Insures that your application is read in the first round - UMCP Rolling Admission – first come first served. Accept until full. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

WHEN THE ACCEPTANCES ARRIVE Candidate Reply Date Agreement – May 1 - Do not let anyone force you to commit earlier if you are not sure. Please inform all other colleges of your decision, so they may open up your slot Do not double deposit. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

COLLEGE VISITS Many College Reps visit Pallotti - All visits are listed on your Family Connection Page. Students sign up on Family Connection in advance. Visiting a college is best way to get a feel for the campus. Give them at least two weeks notice if your want to set up an individual visit. OR you can attend their organized Open House Programs. Try to visit a small, a medium, and a large college – sometimes the college you like best will not be the one you thought! ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

SCHOLARSHIPS Non Need Based Aid – Merit Aid- not based on financial needs. Usually awarded for grades, athletics, or talent. (meritaid.com) Need Based Aid – uses financial information to determine eligibility or need. May be scholarships, loans, grants, or work study (fafsa.gov) Scholarships are offered by various organizations and businesses. Use a scholarship search (scholarships.com, schoolsoup.com ) check the school web page Never pay for a scholarship! ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid Night Presentation, October 9 at 7:00 Apply for a pin for your FAFSA account now. It takes a while to get the pin and you will need it to file your FAFSA in January FAFSA may be filled out on January 1 using estimated tax information (best thing is to use your last year’s taxes. If things vary you can go on and make changes later. Do the FAFSA early. File you FAFSA online, do not use paper, it takes too long ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR

CONFUSED? If you have questions – please ask. We may not have all the answers, but we have lots of resources and we can usually get the right answers for you. ROBIN MARTON, COLLEGE COUNSELOR