1. Lakeside High School College Application Process Fall 2010

2. Expectations We expect all of you to apply to a post-high school program. Military: High school diploma or GED Military: High school diploma or GED Community College: High school diploma or GED; AA or AS; placement tests Community College: High school diploma or GED; AA or AS; placement tests Tech Program: requirements vary; need to contact particular program Tech Program: requirements vary; need to contact particular program 4 Year College: High school diploma; above and beyond high school graduation requirements (e.g., 2+ years world language, 3+ years math, 3+ years science); SAT/ACT 4 Year College: High school diploma; above and beyond high school graduation requirements (e.g., 2+ years world language, 3+ years math, 3+ years science); SAT/ACT

3. Standardized Tests SAT Reasoning/ACT – either one or both are accepted by most schools. SAT Reasoning/ACT – either one or both are accepted by most schools. SAT Subject Tests - required by some universities. SAT Subject Tests - required by some universities. It is YOUR responsibility to know which tests you need to take and to register for the exams. It is YOUR responsibility to know which tests you need to take and to register for the exams. Register online: SAT – www.collegeboard.com ; Register online: SAT – www.collegeboard.com ;www.collegeboard.com ACT - www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org Have your scores sent directly to the colleges. Have your scores sent directly to the colleges.

4. SAT Test Dates & Deadlines Test DateRegistration Deadline October 9September 10 November 6October 8 December 4November 5 January 22December 23

5. ACT Test Dates & Deadlines Test DateRegistration Deadline October 23September 17 December 11November 5 February 12January 7 Note: Although the ACT Writing section is optional, we recommend you take it.

6. Finding College Info... www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.projectopportunity.net www.projectopportunity.net www.projectopportunity.net Western Undergraduate Exchange: www.wiche.edu Western Undergraduate Exchange: www.wiche.edu www.wiche.edu www.wois.org (SiteKey gws332 click a state) www.wois.org (SiteKey gws332 click a state) www.wois.org

7. Application Info Online Applications – used by most colleges. Make sure to print off all additional forms required. Online Applications – used by most colleges. Make sure to print off all additional forms required. Common Application – 414 member schools (mostly private, some public); remember to complete the required Supplement! www.commonapp.org Common Application – 414 member schools (mostly private, some public); remember to complete the required Supplement! www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org Know whether your schools are: Know whether your schools are: Early Action – Not legally binding Early Action – Not legally binding Early Decision – Legally binding Early Decision – Legally binding Early Action, Single Choice (Restrictive)– Non binding, Early Action, Single Choice (Restrictive)– Non binding, BUT you agree not to apply to any other early BUT you agree not to apply to any other early action school. action school.

8. Application Info, cont... NCAA Clearinghouse/Student Athletes (ncaaclearinghouse.net) – Talk to your coach & Mrs. Powers in the Student Office. NCAA Clearinghouse/Student Athletes (ncaaclearinghouse.net) – Talk to your coach & Mrs. Powers in the Student Office. You are responsible to know and meet all your application deadlines. Many Application Deadlines are earlier than last year. You are responsible to know and meet all your application deadlines. Many Application Deadlines are earlier than last year. Plan to have all your applications completed by Thanksgiving. Plan to have all your applications completed by Thanksgiving.

9. The Essay Remember the 3 P’s: Personality – What makes you unique? Personality – What makes you unique? Pride – What have you done that’s special? Pride – What have you done that’s special? Personal Story – Tell your story. If you have experienced difficulties, tell how you’ve faced and overcome them. Personal Story – Tell your story. If you have experienced difficulties, tell how you’ve faced and overcome them.

10. Tips Your email address - make sure it is appropriate and check the account regularly. Your email address - make sure it is appropriate and check the account regularly. Create an email account specifically for colleges/scholarships – hotmail, gmail, etc. Create an email account specifically for colleges/scholarships – hotmail, gmail, etc. Use your legal name – on all your applications. Use your legal name – on all your applications. Visit the schools – if you can – if not, online! Visit the schools – if you can – if not, online! Eighth semester grades – do count! Eighth semester grades – do count! Keep a calendar – with all your deadlines. Keep a calendar – with all your deadlines. Keep copies – of all application materials and communications. Keep copies – of all application materials and communications. This is YOUR application – complete it yourself. This is YOUR application – complete it yourself.

11. Financial Aid FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – FREE FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – FREEwww.fafsa.ed.gov PIN for FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov) – get PIN now PIN for FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov) – get PIN nowwww.pin.ed.gov Cannot submit FAFSA until January 1 st ; best to submit by February 1 st Cannot submit FAFSA until January 1 st ; best to submit by February 1 st CSS Profile – required by some colleges. Get through www.collegeboard.com CSS Profile – required by some colleges. Get through www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com College Goal Sunday – Winter 2010 Sunday, January 23rd at SFCC in one of their computer labs College Goal Sunday – Winter 2010 Sunday, January 23rd at SFCC in one of their computer labs

12. Scholarship Searches Be aware of scams! Be aware of scams! Individual Colleges – have their own list of scholarships. Individual Colleges – have their own list of scholarships. www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com www.wiredscholar.com www.wiredscholar.com www.wiredscholar.com www.brokescholar.com www.brokescholar.com www.brokescholar.com www.finaid.org www.finaid.org www.finaid.org www.meritaid.com www.meritaid.com www.meritaid.com Community resources Community resources Employers Employers www.thewashboard.org www.thewashboard.org

13. Remember... You still need to graduate from high school! You still need to graduate from high school! Need at least 28 credits, complete Culminating Project, High School and Beyond Plan, pass HSPE (or state approved alternative). Need at least 28 credits, complete Culminating Project, High School and Beyond Plan, pass HSPE (or state approved alternative). An offer of admission and/or scholarship CAN be rescinded. An offer of admission and/or scholarship CAN be rescinded. Finish strong! Finish strong!