common application transforming the way student’s apply to college
TRANSCRIPT
COMMON APPLICATION TRANSFORMING THE WAY
STUDENT’S APPLY TO COLLEGE
HOW DO WE GET THERE ?
• Student Success Planning(SSP)
• Early College Awareness Programs
• Naviance• Evening Informational
Programs• Community Partnerships• SAT/ACT Prep Opportunities
• Field Trips• School To Career Program• College Representative
Visits• Financial Aid/Scholarship
Support & Opportunities• Individual Planning
Meetings• Developmental Guidance
Lessons
www.commonapp.org
STUDENT SUCCESS PLANNING
• Vertical Plan for grades 6-12• Pilot Year 2012-13• Yearly Goals relating to: Academic,
Career and Social/Emotional Well-being • Electronic Portfolio• Ensure that every student has a
personalized Post Secondary Plan
EARLY COLLEGE AWARENESS
College Trips to several State Schools
Motivational Speakers
Pay It Forward: Students>Students
College Rep(s)
Internship/Job shadow experiences
NAVIANCE
• Diagnostic Tool for College and Career Planning
• Each student has their own Password/Access
• Web-based for easy access
• Developmental Guidance/SSP Activities
• College Searches
• Career Interest Profiler
• Personality Profile (DWYA)
• Communication Tool
• College Visits
• Scholarship Information
SAT/ACT PREP
Elective Class Offerings
Practice Tests
PSAT taken by all 10th/11th graders (Oct. 16)
Programs: Revolution , Let’s Get Ready, Christian Action Network
Fee-Waivers
Referrals
Test-Optional Info (fairtest.org)
SCHOOL TO CAREER
Ms. Rivieccio: STC Counselor
Partnership with Guidance
Job Shadow
Internship
Employment
E-Mail Blasts
Unique Opportunities
Career Fairs
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP
• Scholarship Program
• Naviance
• Seminars
• Ms. Laura Blackwell:
Financial Aid Counselor
• Fee Waivers
• FAFSA
• Informational Sessions
• Advocacy
WHYThe Common Application is
designed to assist students with streamlining the process of applying to college.
COMMON APPLICATION STATISTICS
Each year, nearly 1 million students file their applications using the Common Application.
More than 500 colleges and universities utilize the common Application
www.commonapp.org
STUDENT APPLICATION
The application is the foundation of your admission file
Your job is to make sure it is complete, accurate, and submitted on time
The application must be the student’s own work.
Completing the application is, in part, an exercise in following directions
COMMON APP
This is the infrastructure of your application and includes six sections:
1. Profile
2. Family
3. Education
4. Testing
5. Activities
6. Writing
PROFILE (CONSISTS OF EIGHT SECTIONS: )
1. Personal Information
2. Address
3. Contact Details
4. Demographics
5. Geography
6. Language
7. Citizenship
8. Common App Fee Waiver
FAMILY
Background on your household, parents, or guardians
Sibling Information
Contact Information
Marital Status
Occupation
Education
EDUCATION
• Information about high school attendance
• Additional school experiences
• Contact details for your guidance counselor
• Your current academic record: GPA, current courses, and honors
• Career interests
TESTING
• Information about college entrance testing
• SAT• ACT• Subject Tests• AP• TOEFL- English testing for non-
native speakers
TESTING HOW ?
• On SAT/ACT testing, provide your highest scores in each area even if scores are from different test dates.
• Answer “Yes” if you have scheduled future testing so that the admission office can anticipate receiving further score reports.
• Test Optional
ACTIVITIES
Brag Sheet
List Activities
Work experiences
Depth of aforementioned(hours per week/year)
Positions held
Honors
Plans to participate in these pursuits in college
WRITING
There are three sections here:
1.The Personal Essay2.Disciplinary History3.Additional Information
COST STRUCTURE FOR COMMON APP
• The Common App is free. • However, Colleges may require the submission of
an application fee.• Fee Waivers are eligible to students meeting
eligibility requirements.• Application Fees can range from no charge to
upwards of $100 per college.• Payment is made by using any major credit card
or electronic check. Application fees are nonrefundable.
PERSONAL ESSAY• Students can choose from
five essay prompts• Maximum word limit of 650
words• Minimum word limit of 250
words• The essay will go to all of the
student’s colleges
MY COLLEGE TAB
All colleges that accept the Common App require a supplement unique to their school
Once student selects a school >the landing page for each school details:
Decision plans Recommender requirements Application fees
WRITING SUPPLEMENT• Schools may require –or include
as optional- writing supplement or additional short answers
• Often required by highly competitive colleges
• Pay attention to the word count•
ADDITIONAL FORMS• Early Decision Agreement• Teacher Evaluations• School Report• Mid-Year Reports• Final Report (Transcript)
ARTS STUDENTS• Students with interest and talent in
the arts • Check to see if colleges require an
arts supplement• May be a separate form of through
the Common App with Slideroom.com
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS• Some colleges encourage students to
submit supplementary materials
• May include: a special project, an academic paper, a short story or a YouTube video
• Only submit if the school indicates that they welcome or require their submission
• Let your individuality show but… follow directions
DEADLINES• Be aware of the college deadlines
• Can vary from school to school
• Check the web-site of every college to which you are applying
• Guidance may have specific timelines geared at benefiting students
• Merit $
• Increase admissions opportunities
ROLE OF COUNSELOR- GRAPHIC
• Assist with identifying schools and post secondary plans
• Help with Diagnostic Tools
• Meet with stakeholders
• Help maintain emotional equilibrium
• Establish a plan/timeline(s)
• college reps/visits
• Explain process and monitor progress
Assist with processing
materials
Letters of Recommendation
Financial Aid/Scholarship support and information
Standardized Testing
Disseminate materials, resources and information
Every student has a plan !
CONTACT INFO
Dan Sullivan, Ed.D.Guidance ChairpersonNorwalk High [email protected](203) 838-4481 ext. 13272
THANK YOU
Gloria Tenofsky, N.E.F.
Dr. Manuel Rivera— Superintendent of Schools
Norwalk Library
www.commonapp.org