1. Post-Secondary Planning
Senior Group Guidance
Post-Secondary Planning

2. Do you know what you need to graduate?
If you aren’t sure or if you are behind on credits, make an appointment to see me!

3. Considering a schedule change?
Colleges make admission decisions based on the courses you submit to them, so:
It is your responsibility to contact any colleges you have applied to if you are thinking about changing your schedule.

4. Where are they now?

6. Here we go!

7. Completing an Application

8. Timeline: Early Decision, Early Action and Priority Deadlines
National Notification Deadline
FAFSA available for completion
* Check college websites for deadlines
Most application deadlines
October 1
November 1-15
December/January
May 1

9. Step One - The Application
Complete the application online
Applications can be found on the Admissions page of college websites
Look for an application checklist that will include what you need to submit to complete your application (i.e. test scores, letters of recommendation, essay)
Step One - The Application

10. When you are asked how many years of a subject you have completed:
two terms of a subject = one year
For example:
Physical Science 2 terms
Biology terms
Chemistry 2 terms
Marine Biology 2 terms
Zoology term
= years of science

11. A Note About Math: Integrated 1 = Algebra I Integrated 2 = Geometry
Integrated 4 = Pre-Calculus
(Ignore the line for Trigonometry)
You are often asked on applications to indicate the math courses you have taken, but there are no spaces for Integrated Math.

12. The Common Application www.commonapp.org
Accepted at more than 700 colleges
Has a number of different sections - see your counselor for assistance
You will need to link your application to Naviance by electronically signing the FERPA agreement in your Common App. account -- handout in the CCC on this process
Make sure any teachers writing you letters of recommendation know that you are using the Common Application as there is an additional form they need to complete in Naviance

13. The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Exclusively uses the Common Application this year
Link Common App. to Naviance
Letters of recommendation
Common App. essay

14. The Coalition Application www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org
Accepted at more than 90 colleges
Check the box indicating that transcripts and letters of recommendation will be sent through Naviance

15. Step Two - The Admission Essay
If your application requires an essay, follow the directions and make sure you answer the question(s).
Proof your writing.
Be authentic! Don’t write about what you think they want to hear.
“Students always ask me, ‘What would you like to see in an essay?’ And my answer is that it’s not what I want to see. It’s what you want to tell us.”
- Amy Abrams, Dean of Admission, Sarah Lawrence College

16. Step Three - Letters of Recommendation
Not every college requires letters of recommendation!
If you need a letter of recommendation, pick up a yellow form in your floor office or the CCC.
Schools are most interested in seeing letters from teachers of core subjects:
English; Math; Science; Social Studies; World Language

17. Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Required by some colleges
Download a profile packet from the Guidance and Counseling site
instructions are available in the CCC or your floor office
(Allow plenty of time - good letters require considerable time and effort
Counselor Letter of Recommendation

18. Letters of recommendation are confidential!
Do not ask more than 2-3 teachers and allow 3 weeks for completion
Letters of recommendation are confidential!
The teacher writes the letter and will upload an electronic copy to your Naviance account.
Your counselor can advise you regarding which letter(s) might be helpful to your application.

19. FERPA Release
Green form available in the CCC waiving your rights to view letters of recommendation
Colleges consider letter of recommendation that are confidential to have more validity and carry more weight in the admissions process
This form must be turned in to the CCC before any letters of recommendation can be sent for college or scholarship purposes.

20. Are my letters ready?
Check Naviance!

21. Step Four - Submitting an Application
Review carefully to make sure you have completed all sections of the application and check for errors
Fill out a blue transcript request form and bring $5 to the CCC (one per college)
Step Four - Submitting an Application
Before your transcript request(s) can be accepted, letters of recommendation must be in Naviance!

22. Transcript Request Form

23. Counselors need 10 school days to process transcript requests
Watch your deadlines!
Counselors need 10 school days to process transcript requests

24. Colleges require that ACT/SAT scores come directly from the testing agency

25. Transcript/letters of rec.
Application
Test Scores
Transcript/letters of rec.

26. There is no perfect formula...

27. Naviance is a great resource!
Family
Access Username and
Password

28. Upcoming College Visits
Click here
Then here

30. Want help applying for college financial aid?

31. Wayzata FAFSA Completion Workshop
Get help from financial aid professionals from local colleges and WHS counselors
Process takes about 45 minutes - come anytime between 3:30 - 6:30
No reservation required
Enter to win a $500 scholarship!
Wednesday, November 1
3:30 - 6:30
B106 and B107

32. Scholarships
Scholarship information is listed in Naviance, on the Guidance and Counseling website, and is also available in the CCC.
Many local scholarship applications will be available mid-December and are typically due in early February. *local scholarship does not mean local college
The most important source for financial aid for most students is the FINANCIAL AID OFFICE at the school they will attend.

33. No appointment required - just stop in!
CAP Support
College and Career, Academic and Personal Support during myTime
Counselors will be in the CCC each week to help with any questions you may have on topics such as:
Course Planning
Academic Support
Social and Emotional Support
Post-Secondary Planning
College Applications
No appointment required - just stop in!

34. Tell me if you are interested today or see an Alpha Team member
Mindfulness Class
Learn how Mindfulness can help you:
Manage your stress
Improve your focus and concentration
Reduce anxiety and depression
Calm down when you’re freaking out
And take better care of yourself
This class runs each term and is open to ALL students.
Meetings take place once per week for seven weeks during the school day.
(Wednesdays during the last 40 minutes of blocks 1, 2, 4, and myTime on a rotating schedule)
Tell me if you are interested today or see an Alpha Team member