1. Countdown to College September 2018
SENIOR YEAR
Countdown to College
September 2018

2. What you need to know…..
Where should I be right now in the application process?
Admissions categories
Requesting a transcript
Requesting a recommendation
The Common App, The Coalition and other online applications
University of Maryland application
Financial Aid

3. Sept Identify schools of high interest Organize and begin applications/Common App/The Coalition Submit Transcript Request forms Request LOR from Teachers/Counselor Oct Begin essays Begin investigating financial aid FAFSA opens October 1st Nov-Jan Meet deadlines Continue pursuing financial aid Jan-Mar Collect and organize acceptances Make your decision Apr-May Pay deposit Jun-Aug Attend open house; pack your bags! Sept Begin college

4. By NOW, you should have:
Registered for, or printed out, applications for each of your schools
Made plans to conduct final visits
Registered for the October ACT or SAT, if necessary. Take advantage of sending 3 score reports to schools when you sign up!
Filled out the Counselor Recommendation Form & ed to your School Counselor
Chosen additional teachers/community leaders to write recommendations, notified them and sent them a completed copy of the Teacher Recommendation Form

5. This month and next:
Refine your list of colleges and organize yourself by identifying deadlines, compiling your academic resume, reviewing essays topics, noting application check-lists
Request transcripts online at least 10 (ten) school days prior to the date they are due
List financial aid options and their deadlines: Federal, state, local, college-based and lending institutions. Keep checking the CHS newsletter and your online resources
Fill out appropriate college financial aid forms

6. Moving into fall, winter & spring…
Consider attending the College Fair on Monday , October 8th at Carroll Community College , particularly if you are undecided—5:30-8:00
Consider attending the “College 101” night at CHS on Thursday, April 17th
Parents should review the FAFSA now, organize their financial info and COMPLETE the online FAFSA form beginning OCTOBER 1st
Continue exploring financial aid options and keep your grades UP

7. Admissions terms and benefits:
Rolling – Find out early and find out quickly
Generally utilized at smaller, less-selective schools
Applications are reviewed and decided upon in order of receipt
Acceptances begin now and run well into next spring, space permitting.
Early Decision- Some statistical advantage but financially risky
LEGALLY binding
Only permitted to submit one
Often due by November 1st
If a student is admitted to the college, the student must cancel all other applications

8. Admissions terms (cont.)
Early Action- Some statistical advantage, find out sooner, have time to reconsider options
Usually due November 1st
Applicant will receive an answer by early January
Can apply Early Action to as many schools as you wish
Denials often rolled over to regular admissions window
Regular Decision
Due between Dec and February
Students receive an answer by mid to late March
Commitment deadline usually May 1

9. Requesting a transcript
Visit the School Counseling page on the CHS website and fill out an online Transcript Request Form
The first three transcripts are FREE. After that, the cost is $2.00 per transcript
Minimum of 10 SCHOOL DAYS to process a transcript
If a Secondary School Report is required by your school, please work with your school counselor to have it completed either online or by hand.
Many secondary school reports are part of schools’ online process and DO NOT have to be attached

11. The Secondary School Report
An important part of your application that is submitted by the high school
It includes critical information: GPA, rank, character & academic scales, a general recommendation and more.
If a PAPER secondary school report is your only option, bring it to your school counselor in the counseling office.
If your are doing an online application, be sure YOU understand how the Secondary School Report will get to Century HS: Is it printed it out, auto- ed, or do counselors have to log-on to access it

13. Counselor Recommendation Letters
If a counselor recommendation letter is needed:
Visit the school website (
Click on the “School Counseling” Tab
Then click “Forms”
Open the Counselor Recommendation Letter Packet
After completing the forms, the complete document to your school

16. Teacher Recommendation Letters
If a teacher recommendation letter is needed:
Visit the school website (
Click on the “School Counseling” Tab
Then click “Forms”
Open the Teacher Recommendation Letter Packet
Be sure to ask your teacher(s) if they would be willing to write you a letter!
After completing the forms and speaking with your teacher, the completed packet to your teacher

19. The general ONLINE application process 99
The general ONLINE application process 99.99% of applications will be online.
Your piece: Personal information, academic resume, essay, SAT/ACT/AP scores (must be ordered by student), application fee, and more
Our piece: Secondary school report, counselor recommendation, transcript, character/academic scales, etc. We do not provide standardized test scores
Teacher piece: Recommendation, character/academic rating scales
Log-in and note your name and password (can log on with us)
Be sure you know how to get the secondary school report to CHS
Feel comfortable following-up with Ms. McKeiver and your Counselor with questions
Keep track of the status of your application and deadlines
Pay attention to check-lists and KNOW what each school requires

20. The Common Application/ The Coalition
Determine which of your schools accept the Common App or Coalition App
Complete student information portion online
Invite your Counselor and teacher(s) of choice – this allows them to complete their portion of the form
Minimum of 15 School Days to complete these forms
Complete a Transcript Request Form – found on the CHS website

21. University of Maryland
Use The Coalition App to apply
Minimum of 15 school days notice required for counselor to complete the online reports
Must apply by November 1st – their Priority Application

22. Primary sources of financial aid
Federal and state programs (usually need-based)
Colleges and universities (both merit and need-based)
Scholarships from local, state and national organizations
Lending institutions: banks, credit unions
Businesses and professional organizations

23. Financial Aid
Read the School Counseling Newsletter for scholarship opportunities
Complete the FAFSA Form after October 1st
Approach your college to see what aid opportunities are available
Meet with a rep from your family’s bank to discuss options

24. Link to the FAFSA is located on Century High School’s Website under School Counseling, then Scholarship Information

28. Attend the Financial Aid Night on September 12th from 6:45-8:15

29. Questions?????