College 101 The Application Process

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College 101The Application Process

• Plano West Counseling Department

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College Application Process

• Finalize SAT/ACT scores
• Visit select colleges for application
• Obtain complete college applications
• Prepare resume/write essay
• Request recommendations
• Request transcript

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College App. Process (cont.)

• Send application
• Schedule interviews
• Submit NCAA form
• Apply for scholarships/grants
• Submit FAFSA perhaps CSS profile

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Testing

• SAT/ACT
• Oct. test for Early Action
• SAT www.collegeboard.com
• ACT www.act.org
• SAT Subject Tests
• Not required for ALL universities
• PWSH code 445573

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Testing (continued)

• TAKS
• THEA/TSI/???
• Not used for admissions
• Check for possible exemptions
• Take prior to college entrance

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WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR ?
Difficulty of high school courses High School GPA
/ Class Rank SAT / ACT scores Insights from
written essays Community Service involvement
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YOUR List of Colleges

• Dream School? Reality School?
• Find your fit
• Academically
• Personally
• Socially
• Financially

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College Visit

• Schedule appointment with college
• Obtain College Visit Form from subschool
• Return signed College Visit Form
• Visits count against Senior Exemption

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College Application

• Apply on-line or obtain paper application
• Texas public colleges
• www.applytexas.org
• Many private colleges
• www.commonapp.org
• College website
• Check for necessary additions (essay,
  recommendations, interview,)

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Résumé

• Mimic the college application where possible
• Use outline form
• Be brief, yet thorough

• Include Name, Address, Phone Number, Social
  Security Number
• Edit your email address
• Complete activity section in application as well

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The College Essay

• DO NOT PROCRASTINATE
• . it leads to a rushed effort that is evident to
  the reader
• ANSWER THE QUESTION
• . use a reasonable progression of ideas
• . focus on quality not quantity of words

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The College Essay (cont.)

• MAKE IT ERROR FREE
• . do a draft, then rewrite rewrite
• USE YOUR VOICE
• . do not over-use a Thesaurus or a proofreader
• . remember you are writing to an adult not a
  peer
• . do show your personality
• AVOID EXPRESSING EXTREME OPINIONS OR EXCESSIVE
  SARCASM

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Counselor Recommendation

• BLUE PACKET
• General info (include SSN)
• Resume
• Student Profile
• Parent input
• Teacher evaluation forms

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Counselor Recommendation (cont.)

• Fill out yellow form with counseling secretary
• Blue packet alone does not start recommendation
  process
• Attach school report from application
• Addressed and stamped envelope (or send thru
  registrar)
• Allow minimum of 3 weeks processing time

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Teacher Recommendation

• Ask if willing
• Provide copy of resume, envelope, teacher form
  from application
• Follow up with thank you
• Not required for all schools

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Transcript

• Request from registrar and fill out transcript
  request form
• Include schools address
• Fee required 2 per copy
• Include addressed envelope (no stamp necessary)
• Allow adequate time
• Owe no fines

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Mailing Application

• Three methods for sending application
• Online (be sure to hit submit)
• Mail yourself
• Mail through registrar if application must be
  submitted in entirety
• Check with colleges to ensure receipt of all
  parts of application
• Check for possible mid-year report

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NCAA

• Required for college athletic participation
• Complete at beginning of 1st semester of senior
  year, or summer before
• Apply online
• (www.ncaa.org)

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Scholarship Resources

• Check college financial aid department
• Many schools have separate scholarship
  applications. Be aware of due dates.
• Look in
• Counseling center
• (spreadsheet, scholarship file)
• Announcements
• Online (e.g. www.fastweb.com)
• Books
• Majority of scholarship info
• arrives in the spring semester

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Grants

• Need based aid
• Completion of FAFSA required
• T.E.X.A.S. Grants Program and TEACH FOR TEXAS

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FAFSA / CSS Profile

• Required for most need-based scholarships and
  grants
• Based on family income in the year prior to
  college entrance
• Complete FAFSA in January
• www.fafsa.ed.gov (FAFSA)
• Complete CSS in the fall
• www.collegeboard.com (CSS)
• Online or application available in counseling
  office (December)

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COLLEGE NIGHTSeptember 11 PWSHSeptember
12 PSHSOver 200 colleges represented

• MAJOR MANIA
• September 19 PWSH
• College majors information from
• university professors.