Applying to College Tips on the Process Created by: Susan Turner-McMullen, M.S., P.P.S., Counselor Verdugo Hills High School, LAUSD Sandra Hernandez, M.S., P.P.S., College Counselor John F. Kennedy High School, LAUSD Allen Forsythe, P.P.S., Counselor City of Angels School, Independent Study, LAUSD CSUN Upward Bound Program

Tips on the Process Prioritize your applications by deadline Prioritize your applications by deadline Use a calendar and checklist to get organized Use a calendar and checklist to get organized Create a Brag Sheet Create a Brag Sheet Tailor your application (private schools) Tailor your application (private schools) Read and follow the instructions Read and follow the instructions Make your application stand out from the crowd Make your application stand out from the crowd Practice on a copy of the application form Practice on a copy of the application form

Tips on Writing the Best Essay Answer the essay question orally and then write Answer the essay question orally and then write Use an outline to organize your thoughts Use an outline to organize your thoughts Give examples and be specific Give examples and be specific Personalize your essay and be passionate Personalize your essay and be passionate Write about something of interest to you Write about something of interest to you Talk about your impact on other people Talk about your impact on other people Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and grammar errors Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and grammar errors

Tips on Letters of Recommendation Ask the teacher if they can write you a great letter of recommendation Ask the teacher if they can write you a great letter of recommendation The recommendation should be relevant to the scholarship and/or school The recommendation should be relevant to the scholarship and/or school Provide the recommender with a copy of your Brag Sheet Provide the recommender with a copy of your Brag Sheet Provide the recommender with all forms Provide the recommender with all forms Thank the recommender for writing the letter Thank the recommender for writing the letter

Other Tips… Use a professional address, such as Use a professional address, such as Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material Google your name to see what shows up Google your name to see what shows up Make a photocopy or print your application before mailing it Make a photocopy or print your application before mailing it If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments

Most Common Mistakes Missing deadlines Missing deadlines Failing to proofread the application Failing to proofread the application Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations) Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations) Omitting required information Omitting required information Applying for an award when you don’t qualify Applying for an award when you don’t qualify Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor

SCAMS Beware of scholarship & financial aid scams! Beware of scholarship & financial aid scams! Never pay for scholarship information Never pay for scholarship information Never pay to have someone prepare the FAFSA Never pay to have someone prepare the FAFSA Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship

Get Help: Contact a Counselor Today! Susan Turner-McMullen Cynthia Edwards-Alarcon Griscelda Lepe Mark Woodhouse Paul McGlothlin (Magnet Coord.) Remember, counselors are waiting to assist you.