Senior College Application Night

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Senior College Application Night

• How to survive the college application process

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List of College Choices

• Review and finalize list
• Complete college visits
• Schedule interviews if needed
• Check on Naviance for college rep visits to BHS
• Danbury College Fair (Oct. 16)
• College entrance tests (SATs/ACTs)

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-------- Attend Financial Aid Night with
your parents
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SAT and ACT Tests

• SAT now includes an essay
• The ACT offers an optional essay
• Check college/university entrance requirements
  concerning essays
• Colleges/universities have access to essay on line

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College Application Procedure

• Gather applications
• Check application requirements
• Read application and instructions carefully
  before completing any forms
• Standardized test requirements?
• Essay?
• Interview?
• Portfolio/tape/audition?
• Recommendations?
• List deadline dates on calendar

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College Applications contd.

• Make sure Counseling forms are completed
• Complete resume (1 copy to counseling secretary)
• Begin filling out applications
• Begin essays
• Request recommendations

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Transcript Request Form

• Pick up form in school counseling office
• Complete form and submit to counselor
• After you mail application OR
• After you apply on-line OR
• With application and check if college so requires
  it
• Parent/guardian signature required if under 18
• Five transcripts are fee thereafter 1.00 fee

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Transcript Request Form contd

• ALLOW 3 WEEKS TO PROCESS TRANSCRIPT REQUEST
• SCHOOL VACATIONS DO NOT COUNT AS ONE OF THOSE
  WEEKS
• STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET DEADLINESplan
  ahead!

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The Common Application

• Accepted by 298 colleges/universities
• Go to www.commonapp.org for a list of schools
  that accept the common application
• Complete once and send to many schools
• Some colleges/universities require both the
  common application and a college supplement
• Distribute Teacher Evaluation forms
• Bring School Report to counselor

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The Interview

• Is it an option ?
• Opportunity to learn more about the college
• Opportunity to leave a more personal impression
• Interview pointers in Next Step Guide
• Practice interview with counselor
  (available/optional)

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Interview Pointers

• Be prompt.
• Be Neat.
• Be Prepared.
• Answer Questions.
• Volunteer information.
• RELAX!
• Send a thank you.

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The College Essay

• Makes facts in students folder come alive
• Provides information beyond grades, test scores
  and list of activities
• Reveals the candidates intangible qualities

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Essay contd

• Senior English classes assign essay
• Take advantage of teachers feedback
• Utilize Writing Center (in BHS Media Center)
• Have counselor review for content (optional)
• Proof essay and word process it

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Recommendations

• Determine IF needed and HOW MANY
• (Usually 2 letters)
• Follow specific instructions of each college
• Dont confuse teacher letters and counselor forms
  (titled Student Evaluation Form)

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Recommendations contd

• Give writer your correct name
• Encourage writer to draw on personal perspective
  of you as a student
• Allow writer enough time
• Letter comes to guidance file
• Write a personal thank you note

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Financial Aid

• Check with each school
• File CSSs Profile (if appropriate)
• File FAFSA after January 1
• Check local scholarships (www.bethel.k12.ct.us
  under School Counseling Dept.)
• Search web --start with links from our site
• Nov. 29, 700-- BHS FINANCIAL AID NIGHT

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CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

• College Board product and service
• Two-stage online process-- Customized application
• More comprehensive family data
• Qualitative family information allowed
• Some colleges require non-custodial data
• Non-custodial PROFILE (NCP)
• Registrations accepted starting Oct. 1

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SCHOLARSHIPS--Two groupings

• Scholarships at large
• School Counseling webpagemany links
• BHS Media Center
• Internet

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Locally Administered Scholarships

• Memos posted to SR homerooms, BHS email list,
  School Counseling web page, School Counseling
  Office
• Regularly check Naviance/Family Connection
• Applications available in School Counseling
  Officeself-serve/list name on folder
• Return applications to Ms. Boedecker BY DATE
  LISTED ON SCHOLARSHIP MEMO
• Packaged applications forwarded to organizations

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Closing

• Individual senior conferences
• Financial Aid Night Nov. 29, 700 pm, BHS
  Auditorium
• Accepting/declining an offer of admission
• Notify school counselor
• Registration for WCSU spring courses