1. Maur Hill – Mount Academy September 2, 2015 FALL COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT FOR SENIORS AND PARENTS

2. AGENDA Goals for classes of 2016 and 2017 Information regarding FASFA The college application“folder” Miscellaneous Information

3. GOALS FOR THE CLASS OF 2016 AND 2017 Make the Grade Send a strong message to colleges that you are READY Maintain study skills and keep the brain working Good senior grades could override past performance Remain Involved Don’t get overwhelmed with activities Maintain your clubs and involvement Prioritize activities in relationship to college Remember the college search takes time

4. 2016 Stay Focused Colleges want to see a strong senior year Colleges can rescind admission if grades drastically drop Enjoy the Experience Senioritis = NO BUENO Time management is key High school happens once

5. FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) A standard form that collects demographic and financial information about the student and family (income, number of dependents, etc.) May be filed electronically or using paper form Electronic has a much quicker turn around Information used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution or the EFC Colleges will use EFC to award financial aid

6. FAFSA May be filed at any time during an academic year, but no earlier than the January 1 st prior to the academic year for which the student requests aid For the 2016-17 academic year, the FAFSA may be filled out beginning January 1, 2016. Colleges may set FAFSA priority filing deadlines Financial Aid Presentation will be made available online

7. COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT This presentation is online My MH-MA  Counselors Corner  College Information & Resources Counselor/Family Teacher will meet with seniors by end of the month: Applications Reference Letters ACT/SAT Senior Information Packet

8. The Application “Folder” –The Magnificent Seven 1.Application 2.Essay (varies) 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter(s) of Recommendation

9. THE APPLICATION Applications are submitted electronically over the internet Print and review before submitting it! Seniors are responsible for completing and submitting their own applications (not mom & dad!) Seniors should make copies of all applications they submit for your records Many colleges use the Common Application Varies for each school

10. THE APPLICATION Seniors are responsible for being aware of application deadlines (see NACAC Guide) Regular Admission – traditional deadline “I COULD attend your school if I am admitted, but I’m applying to various schools and have options.” Early Decision – binding “Yes I WILL attend your school and am not seeking admittance from any other institution.” Early Action – non-binding “I CAN attend your school but have also applied to other schools under early action.” Rolling Admission – applications accepted based on space availability until the institution is “full” “Anyone is welcome to apply at anytime.”

11. THE APPLICATION Early Decision & Early Action Is it binding? Dates? Can I get out of it? If I am not accepted, will I be considered for regular admissions?

12. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter/s of Recommendation

13. THE ESSAY Not all colleges require an essay Essays are submitted electronically along with the application Make sure you understand the essay topic Seniors are advised to print out and review (with help!) their essays before sending them

14. THE ESSAY English teachers Family Teachers Seniors should save all essays because they may be modified and reused – but be careful! Make sure you edit the essay to be applicable for the school you are applying to

15. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter/s of Recommendation

16. STUDENT RESUME Many colleges accept student resumes Resumes can highlight your accomplishment both in and outside of school Resumes can be sent to the college electronically along with the application and essay An effective resume is EASY TO READ!

17. STUDENT RESUME Use resume templates and samples to format your own Information on resumes must be 100% accurate Use email, Facebook, YouTube, etc. appropriately (if you wouldn’t put it on a resume, don’t put it online…)

18. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter/s of Recommendation

19. SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT Some colleges provide the student with a Secondary School Report form for the counselor to complete and send in (many are uploaded electronically by the counselor)

20. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter/s of Recommendation

21. TEST SCORES Seniors are responsible for requesting to have their test scores sent to the colleges they are applying to. Seniors can request their scores be sent when they take the tests; or they can have their scores sent after the test date by contacting the CollegeBoard (for SAT) or ACT Some schools will accept scores from the counselors office, but some will accept them only from CollegeBoard or ACT. It is the responsibility of the student to know where the scores have to come from.

22. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter/s of Recommendation

23. THE TRANSCRIPT ALL transcript requests must come through the students Parchment account, or an official request from a college (SendEDU, Docufide, etc.) Students are able to track progress of transcript request using Parchment account. Allow 72 hours for processing of transcript requests AKA: The sooner you get your request in, the better.

24. THE TRANSCRIPT Please only request transcripts to be sent to colleges you are actually applying to If a college requires additional information with your transcript (test scores, class schedule) you must inform the counselor of this There are no costs for transcript requests for current seniors or juniors Seniors will become “alumni status” on July 1 of graduating year and will be charged $5.00 transcript fee for every request after that time.

25. The Application “Folder” 1.Application 2.Essay 3.Student Resume 4.Secondary School Report 5.Test Scores 6.Transcript 7.Letter(s) of Recommendation

26. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Counselor Letter If a senior needs a letter of recommendation from the counselor, he/she can request it The counselor will “send” the letter with the transcript (most often an electronic upload)

27. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Teacher Letter: If a letter of recommendation is requested from a teacher, the senior should make the request directly to the teacher. Think about who you are asking… they may need more time!

28. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Seniors should allow counselors and teachers a minimum of two weeks to write a letter Please only request letters to be sent to schools you are actually applying to If you send more letters than the college requests, you can not control which ones they choose to read.

29. The Application “Folder” - Summary 1.Senior submits application electronically to the college 2.Senior submits the essay electronically to the college (if there is one) 3.Senior may submit a resume electronically to the college (if applicable) 4.School will submit a Secondary School Report if requested by university 5.Senior has test scores sent directly to the college by the CollegeBoard (for SAT) or the ACT 6.Senior requests transcripts via Parchment account 7.Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed) from their counselor and/or teachers

30. KEEPING SANE!!! Complete one college application “folder” at a time Trying to work on several applications at once = confusion for all! Use a checklist for each application Pay attention to deadlines!

31. INTERVIEWS Some colleges interview applicants (in person or online) Process, procedures, and guidelines vary

32. COMMUNICATION/FOLLOW-UP Please review the NACAC Guide – includes rights and responsibilities in the college admissions process. This is a fantastic source of information! Keep checking Counselor’s Corner for updated information Scholarships, etc. will also be emailed to parents and students as they come available

33. SOME ADVICE HAVE FUN!

34. HAVE A GREAT SENIOR YEAR!! Whitney McGinnis wmcginnis@mh-ma.com 913-367-5482