1. Countdown to College September 2019
SENIOR YEAR
Countdown to College
September 2019

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. By NOW, you should have:
Created online accounts for each of your schools
Made plans to conduct final visits (not needed for every school that you are applying to)
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
Late Registration for October SAT is September 24th; Emphasize LOR should be ed to your school counselor

4. 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

5. Moving into fall, winter & spring…
Consider attending the College Fair on Monday , October 14th at Carroll Community College , particularly if you are undecided—5:30-8:00
Consider attending the “College 101” night at CHS on Thursday, March 26th
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

6. 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

7. 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

8. GET ORGANIZED! School Application Deadline Counselor Rec Teacher Rec
Essay
Username
Password
Towson
1-Nov
Yes 1
University of MD
Coalition
UMBC
Common App
1-Dec No
Virginia Tech
McDaniel 2
Salisbury
Hood College
Rolling

9. 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)
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

10. 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

12. FAQ GPA Scale: 4.0 School Code: 211004 Class Size: 282 students
Counselor Addresses:

13. 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

14. 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 (Schools listed on Common App count as 1 transcript; Schools listed on Coalition App count as 1 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 online

15. 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

18. 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

21. 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

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

27. Attend the Financial Aid Night on September 16th from 6:45-8:15

28. NAVIANCE New Program to CCPS College Tools and Videos (Explore!)
Road Trip Nation
Get in the habit of checking your school account
Good routine to get into before heading off to college!!
Counselors will be sending mass s throughout the school year to seniors

29. Flex Chats—College Application Workshops
September 19th
September 26th
October 3rd
October 10th
Sign up in the Counseling Office or Online

30. Links Scholarships and FAFSA Recommendation and Transcript Forms
Common App
Coalition App
College Visits & College Application Flex Chats

31. Questions?????