LHS Counseling Department Mr. Tom Neighbour, Counseling Department Chair Students with last names A - Chen Mrs. Pat Woods, Counselor Students with last names Chf-Her Ms. Mia Kim, Counselor Students with last names Hes-McG and all ESOL Students Mrs. Jamie DiCarro, Counselor Students with last names McH-Sch Mrs. Kathy Bain, Counselor Students with last names Sci– Z Mrs. Shari Endo, Counselor 9 th grade students Mrs. Pam Bibik, Assistant Principal of Curriculum Mrs. Teresa Adamczyk, Graduation Coach Mrs. Nicole Lea, School Social Worker Mrs. Mary Blount, Registrar Mrs. Leah San Antonio, Counseling Secretary

Class of 2016 The Steps to College and the Application Process "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...“ Dr. Seuss

Step 1 Finalize list of College/Universities – 4 to 6 ( Remember to be selective and to keep in mind a “reality check”) Consider:College Visits (4 excused absences) Probe Fair (September 1st – Permission Slips Due Aug.26th) College Representative Visits ( Sign-up in Counseling Office) College Search Engines (BigFuture.org, GaCollege411.org...)BigFuture.orgGaCollege411.org

Step 2 Visit College/University Website Find the following info. from the Freshman Admissions Link: Requirements (HS credits, application, recommendations, fees, tests) Deadlines for Application Deadlines for Scholarships (also on the school’s Financial Aid website)

Step 3 Visit LHS Counseling Website – Senior PageSenior Page Complete Senior Information Sheet Students submitting Early Action Applications must submit Brag Sheets by September 11 th. Seniors must complete and submit Brag Sheet by October 1 st for all other deadlines Brag Sheet will provide counselors with important information that can be used when writing letters of recommendation. Give complete, honest and well-thought out answers to the required questions. Other links on this page include: Forms (Brag Sheet, College Visits, Transcript Request, Mid-Year Reports) Information (Scholarships, HOPE Scholarship, SAT/ACT Test Dates, NCAA Website) Post-Secondary Plans Forms Post-Secondary Plans Forms – Be sure to access when College Acceptance start coming in so that we can put your photo and college acceptances on the Senior Board

Step 4 Register for SAT/ACT (If you have not taken or need to retake either of these tests) Act quickly! Deadlines for registrations are coming up! SAT/ACT Test Dates Check with colleges for the last test date they will accept for a specific application deadline Send SAT/ACT scores directly from the testing agency. They must arrive by the application deadline.

Step 5 Complete and Submit Applications (Prioritize according to deadlines and Review/Edit before Submitting. Pay application fee.) Essays Dedicate time and effort. Be honest, authentic, creative and answer the prompt. Ask teachers/peers to review and make suggestions. Proof Read and Edit, Edit, Edit. Common Applications Create an account. Complete Personal and School Information. Invite your counselor and teacher(s) as recommenders. Deadline Terminology Regular Admissions Deadline: January or February Rolling Admissions : No deadline (apply early to insure your spot) Early Decision: A binding agreement. October/November Deadline. See counselor before selecting this option. Early Action: Early application that is non-binding with a deadline usually in October/November.

Step 6 Submit a Transcript Request (Beginning August 24 th )  Official Transcript & School Profile Forms available in Counseling Office and on the Senior Page of the Counseling Website. Fill out completely for all applications (Common App., In-State/Electronic Copy, Out-of-State/Hard Copy)  Include a $5.00 Fee for each request. Note: If you are completing a Common Application for multiple schools, please list them on one Transcript Request Form and include one $5.00 fee.  Counselor Recommendation (if needed ) – Requires 2 week notice  School Report/Counselor Evaluation (print and include with Transcript Request)  Transcript requests for out-of-state schools must include the admissions office address. Counseling office will provide a label and envelope.

Step 7 Request Teacher Recommendation (only if required by the college/university) Please allow teachers ample time (2 to 3 weeks) to write your recommendation. Provide them with a copy of your Senior Brag Sheet/ Resume. Counselors can them directly to the teacher upon request. Let the teacher know whether the application will be sent through Common Application, College Website, or mailed. If the recommendation letter needs to be mailed, provide teacher with a stamped envelope, addressed with the corresponding school’s Office of Admission address.

Step 8 Review Final Checklist  Completed Senior Information/Brag Sheet (by appropriate deadline)  Registered for SAT/ACT (if needed)  Send test scores directly from testing agency to college  Reviewed/edited and submitted Application  Paid College Application Fee  Requested Teacher/Counselor Recommendation (give appropriate 2 week notice)  Submitted Transcript Request with applicable fee, forms (beginning Aug.24 th, allow 3 weeks to process)

Step 9 The Waiting Game  Review application status page for each college  Verify all required documents have been submitted Note: If you receive an from the college stating they are missing something, first, please call the college and confirm they have not received it. If it has been 3 weeks since your request was turned in to Mrs. Blount, politely check with her to see when the documents were sent. Colleges have thousand of documents to process, they often have them, but there is a delay in processing them to your account. Don’t panic, everything will get there, but it is your responsibility to follow-up.  Patiently wait for Admission Decisions

Step 10 In the Meantime....  Maintain Grades – Mid-Year reports / Final Grades (Both Important).  Search for and apply for Scholarships (Scholarship Link Counseling Website)Scholarship Link Counseling Website  Students playing college athletics must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.NCAA Clearinghouse  Visit the counseling web page often and follow us on  Make an appointment to see your counselor with any questions.  Visit for HOPE scholarship details.  Attend Financial Aid Night at Lambert High School – November 3rd  Finally......ENJOY YOUR SENIOR YEAR! 08/27/10