the guidance department of nipmuc regional high school presents post-secondary planning - part 2 the...
TRANSCRIPT
The Guidance Department of Nipmuc Regional High School
presents
Post-Secondary Planning - Part 2The College Application Process
from research to “application”
Last year as Juniors , you…
selected courses for senior year that fulfilled high school graduation and college admission requirements
compiled a list of potential colleges with the use of resources such as collegeboard.com and Peterson’s pages
collected information on colleges of interest based on online resources, college publications, and meetings with Counselors
took the SAT I (and SAT II subject tests, if necessary) or ACT
visited college campuses
A QUICK REVIEW
A “Self-Evaluation”The first step in finding the right match
You examined your . . .
– goals and values– academic interests, abilities, and
learning style– activities and personal interests– your personality and relationships– career awareness and interests
You have thought about colleges in terms of . . .
– Programs of study– Location– Size– Diversity– Its atmosphere– Special programs (ROTC, Comprehensive Learning Centers)– Financial commitments
Selecting colleges for YOU
Ask yourself, “ Can I succeed in this college?”
• Match your academic abilities to the criteria set by the school• Selectivity is determined by the GPA and SAT/ACT scores set
by the college
REACH – college standards exceed your scoresREALISTIC – college standards comparable to your scoresSAFETY – your scores exceed that of the college
a timeline for Seniors September - October - November
Sign up for the SAT/ACT in October/November
Continue to visit colleges, attend college fairs
Meet with College Admissions Representatives
Prepare Personal Essay in English 12 classes
Compile a “short” list of colleges, generally 5 to 8 based on selectivity (reach, realistic, and safety)
Determine admission deadlines for each (Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling, Regular)
Prepare the necessary paperwork required for each college
The “Paper Trail”
• Student and Parent Questionnaires*– The “yellow” student questionnaire– The pink parent “brag” sheet
• Common Application Forms– www.commonapp.org– 2 Teacher Evaluation Forms*– Secondary School Report
Remember - Complete the “Student” portion of each Common Application Form and sign ALL of them
*to be completed by every senior for each teacher providing a letter
THE COMMON APPLICATION directions
Teacher Recommendation Forms 1 & 2
– Complete the “Student/Applicant” portion of both Teacher Recommendation Forms.
– Remember to check off whether or not you waive the right to review the recommendation upon matriculation
– Sign and date both forms in
the designated box.
– Provide the two-page form to those teachers whose recommendations you are seeking. Each teacher will complete the forms with a letter and send them to the colleges to which you apply.
-OR –
Rather than use the hard copy forms, you may “invite” your teachers via the Common Application web site to complete the Teacher Recommendation Forms online.
THE COMMON APPLICATION directions, continued
Secondary School Report
– Complete the upper portion of the form with personal information as requested.
– List your current courses for the entire year and designate whether the course is a full year or half-year credit course.
– Sign and date the form and bring it to your Guidance Counselor.
– Your Counselor will complete the Secondary Report, attach a letter of recommendation, and send the form with the School Profile, a letter regarding block scheduling, your personal resume, and an official transcript
-OR-
You may “invite” your Counselor to complete the form online at www.commonapp.org
The Application
Step 1 Collect personal data and that of your parents for the application before preparing your applications – a time saver!
Step 2 Obtain applications from the Guidance Office or colleges OR
Download updated applications from college websites OR
Complete an online application for electronic submission
Step 3 Always CHECK your application and make a copy beforehitting “send”
Step 4 If you prefer a hard copy of your application, type your application or print neatly with black ink
NOTE - You can have the Guidance Office send the application and fee (check payable to the college) with the application packet
The Application ProcessStudent Responsibility
• Complete/send the application
• Ask one or two teachers for recommendations
• Provide teachers with Common Application Teacher Evaluation forms and stamped addressed envelopes, if needed
-OR-• “Invite” teachers and counselor to submit
recommendations via Commonapp.org.
• Submit a Transcript Release Form to your Counselor (one for each college at $4.00 each) at least 2 weeks before deadline
• Send SAT/ACT scores to colleges directly from The College Board/ACT
Counselor Responsibility
• Write a recommendation• Complete Secondary School Report,
either on line or hard copy• Sign/seal Official Transcript• Prepare an application packet for
each college and send packet to college before deadline
• Send copies of Midyear Grades to all Common Application and requestingcolleges
• Send Final Transcript to the college the student is planning to attend
About those recommendations…
Counselor Recommendation –
• Senior Questionnaire*• Parent Brag Sheet*• Student Resume• Academic Records
In order for the letter to be personal Individualized, anecdotal, and a “living” profile of you, we need YOUR input so don’t be modest!
* Due ASAP!
Teacher Recommendation(s) –
State schools – I teacher and counselor letter
Private schools – 2 teachers and counselor letter
• Ask teachers who know you best • Preferably junior/senior teachers• Other letters (coaches, employers)?• Ask teachers as soon as possible and give
them:-your resume-teacher evaluation form-list of colleges and deadlines-addressed, stamped envelopes
unless you file your application
electronically
Teacher Recommendation continued
Teacher NameNipmuc Regional High School90 Pleasant StreetUpton, MA 01568
College/University NameOffice of Admissions123 Street NameAny Town, State
For colleges not affiliated with the Common Application and where electronic submission is not an option:
Provide a stamped envelope, addressed to the college’s admission’s office for each college recommendation to be sent; print the teacher’s name w/ Nipmuc address as the return address:
Nipmuc Regional H.S., 90 Pleasant St., Upton, MA 01568
The Application Packet
• Application with essay/fee (if submitted by counselor) • Recommendation(s)
– Guidance Counselor– Coach/Employer (optional)
• Secondary School Report (if Common Application college)• Official Transcript• School Profile• Self-addressed, stamped postcard• Letter on Modified Block Scheduling• Your resume
resume Johnnie B. Goode 90 Pleasant Street Upton, MA 017(508) 529-2142 [email protected]
SportsVarsity Lacrosse, 2005-2008, Captain, 2008J.V. Soccer, 2004-2005Cheerleading, 2004-2008
Clubs and OrganizationsPeer Education, 2004-2008National Honor Society, 2007-2008Impact Team, 2005-2008
Community ServiceCancer Society Relay for Life, 2004-2008Special Olympics, 2007
Work ExperienceAssistant Manager, Friendly’s Restaurant, 2007-2008Lifeguard/Swim Instructor, YMCA, 2005-2006
Honors and AwardsHigh Honors Dinner, 2005-2008Smith College Book Award, 2007Baush & Lomb Science Award, 2007
•Highlights your activities and achievements
•Limit your list to those activities you participated in during your four years of High School
•Break your list into related topics such as “sports,” “academic honors,” “community service,” etc.
•Check for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
•Limit your resume to 1 page if possible
College deadlinesWatch those deadlines!
• Early Action – November 1 and 15• Early Decision – as noted by college and binding• Regular Decision – January through ?• Rolling Admissions – early notification
Some suggestions:
Plan to have all your regular decision applications completed by the beginning of December
The Guidance Office is CLOSED during the holiday break so all materials due January 1st must be mailed before the holiday week begins
Get your application materials in at least 2 weeks prior to the collegedeadline; it takes time to reproduce all the forms, print the transcript, and write the best recommendation we can
“Now What?”
Select colleges to apply to that will be a good fit for YOU!
Consider once again:
- Location- Size- Academics- Athletics- Campus Activities- Special Programs- Diversity- Cost (Parents - plan to attend our financial aid night)
Or, “How do I know which college to choose?”
“ “Are we there yet?” Midyear Reports
Term 1 & 2 grades need to be sent out to all Common Application colleges and requesting colleges therefore
KEEP THOSE GRADES UP! *
*Remember that your admission is contingent upon successful completion of your senior year.
Check with your counselor at the conclusion of Term 2 to make sure updated transcripts are sent to your colleges
“I Got in!” the next step(s)…
• Bring a copy of your acceptance letter to the Guidance Office
• Complete an acceptance form noting the college colors so Mrs. Moore can make your pennant
• Collect all the financial aid packages from each college so you can compare them
• Research Scholarship opportunities in the Guidance Office on a weekly basis
About those rejection letters...
Selecting a college: The final decision
• Compare pros and cons of each college and narrow your list to the very top few
• Go back and visit the colleges while in session- arrange an overnight- attend a class or two- talk to students at the college- eat a meal
• Consult with the Financial Aid Offices to see if financial packages can be improved
• Remember- there is no college that will meet ALL your needs
Applications: Parent Responsibilities
It’s not all about money (hmmm…)
Here are some things parents can do:
o Help your child organize college materialso Accompany students on college visits o Review their personal essays, but don’t rewrite themo Collect personal data needed for applications, including financial informationo Attend the Financial Aid Night in late November/December (TBA)o File the CSS Profile (fall) if needed and the FAFSA (after January 1)o Listen to and be patient with your child!
Graduation and beyond…
Once you have made your decision you should…
Notify the Guidance Office of the college you plan to attend
Send notes to the other colleges to which you have been admitted declining their offers
Enjoy your success, BUT continue to work toward the successful completion of your senior year
Check in with your Guidance Counselor frequently to keep us posted on your progress!
Congratulations!
The Nipmuc Guidance StaffCynthia A. Bucken, CounselorPatricia Crowley, CounselorKatherine Larracey, CounselorOna Moore, Admin. Assist/Scholarship Coordinator
Transitioning to College – some “helpful” hints
o Differences between high school and collegeo IEP’s and 504 Plans in the college setting o What is FERPA and how does it affect the student/parent?o Resources to assist students/parents with the transition
(collegeboard.com , education.com)o College resources for students/parents
The key to success at college is to
know what resources are available to students and to use them!
Any questions about the post-secondary planning session and/or the application process can be directed to the Guidance staff at:
Phone 508 529-2140 (Guidance Sec’y Mrs. Ona Moore)
FAX 508 529-2142
EMAIL [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Nipmuc Regional High School90 Pleasant Street, Upton, MA 01568