welcome to the northern highlands senior/parent college application evening

Welcome to the Northern Highlands Senior/Parent College

Application Evening

• The student• The parent• The counselor• The teachers

Applying to College is a Team Effort

The Four Parts to the Application Process

• Application• SAT or ACT scores• Teacher Recommendations• Transcript/School Secondary Report/Profile

and Counselor Recommendation

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESSCLASS OF 2012

• Northern Highlands Regional High School will be using eDocs through Naviance for our electronic submission of official transcripts, Secondary School Reports (SSR), school profile, and letters of recommendation.

• This system delivers to over 1200 colleges.This information is available in the Senior Packet.

The ProcessStudents were told during their senior class meeting that it is

mandatory to• To use their official name as listed on Naviance on all:– College Applications– SAT/ACT/AP registrations

• Register on commonapp.org and note their username and password

• In their Naviance account >Colleges >”Colleges I am Applying To” link, sign off on the FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) Waiver and provide their Common Applicaton information.

• In their Naviance account> Colleges>“Colleges I’m Applying To” add the colleges to which they are going to apply

The Process

Provide your counselor with:• Your self-description• A parent brag sheet• List of activities, honors, and work

experience• All forms are available on Naviance >About

Me Tab/ Surveys to take, and our website www.northernhighlands.org

Your COUNSELOR will send to the colleges

• Your Official Transcript• A copy of the NHRHS profile• Counselor Recommendation• The NHRHS Secondary School Report

Transcript Requests• Submit a Transcript Request Form to your

Guidance Counselor– List all colleges to which you are applying, and

submit to your Guidance Counselor at least 3 weeks prior to the deadline

– Indicate whether the college is an eDocs member

– Include your Common App ID number

If the college is NOT an eDocs member:

• Submit– A signed transcript release form – A large manila envelope addressed to the

college with three stamps– Any additional forms that are part of your

application

Teacher’s Letter of Recommendation

• ask teachers in person and give enough notice to write letters (three weeks)

• Log onto Naviance> Colleges>”Colleges I’m Applying To” and electronically request the teacher recommendation

• Complete teacher recommendation request form for each teacher

Teacher’s Letter of Recommendation

• If your teacher is NOT sending his/her recommendation electronically, you must bring your teacher the following: – Teacher Evaluation form, if required– A business-size envelope with the NHRHS return address and

one stamp – addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (Check school website or Naviance for exact mailing address) Teachers will send their letters directly to colleges.

– Be sure to write your name and the due date on the inside flap of the envelope.

• Follow up with a thank you note and a “thank you” in person.

The Common ApplicationHow It Works

• 456 colleges and universities, both private and public, accept this application

• 45 new members this year alone• One application can be sent to multiple

schools• File online at www.commonapp.org• ALL students must create an account

The Common Application• Student application • Teacher Evaluation• Supplements: College specific Athletic Arts

Check for ED agreement

The College Application EssayServes Three Purposes

• A sample of a student’s writing abilities• A sample of how well a student presents

his/her topic• A window into the student’s personality

The College Application Essay

• Be sure to ANSWER THE QUESTION • Essay should breathe life into the application• Clearly present your position • Be honest; write about what you know,

believe, and support• Proofread the essay for syntax, spelling, and

grammar

College Jargon• Early Decision • Early Action– Restricted or Single Choice

• Regular Decision• Rolling Admissions• Priority Application

Early Decision

• Binding Agreement• Deadlines usually Nov 1 or Nov 15• Notification usually Dec 10 – Jan 1• Early Decision II offered at some schools • Application to only one Early Decision school

Early Action• Non-binding agreement• Deadlines usually Nov 1 or Nov 15• Notification usually Dec 15 – Jan 1• Commitment by May 1• Check individual school Early Action policy(Single choice / Restricted choice)

Rolling Admissions• Ongoing review process• Improve your chances by filing early• Decisions usually within 4 - 6 weeks• No commitment until May 1

Priority Application• Offered at some schools– University of Maryland (Nov 1)– University of Delaware (Dec 1)– Ramapo College (Dec 22)

• A non-binding application• May give students an advantage with:– Academic Programs– Scholarship & Financial Aid Opportunities– Getting an On-campus Interview– Housing Options

Scholarship Sources#1 Naviance

• A list is available under scholarships• The list includes current scholarships, deadlines, and

requirements• Community Organizations• Corporations• Many scholarships are also posted monthly in the

Student Services Bulletin• Hard copies are available in guidance

Scholarships# 2 Colleges & Universities

• Offer their own scholarships• Please contact the college’s Office of Financial

Aid for further information

# 3 www.fastweb.com

Financial AidWhere do I Start?

Please attend evening program on October 6th for information on the following topics:

• What is Financial Aid?• What are sources of Financial Aid?• When should I file for financial aid?• Where can I get the financial aid application?

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial AidWhere to find more information

• www.nasfaa.org• www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide• www.northernhighlands.org• Attend HASA’s “How to Finance College”

program on October 6th 2011 @ 7:00 PM• Attend our “Evening on Financial Aid” January

5th 2011 @ 7:00 PM

Student Responsibilities• Submit/ send application• You must have all SAT & ACT scores sent

directly to your colleges • SAT Scores

• www.collegeboard.com• ACT Scores

• www.actstudent.org• SAT Score Choice

• Check each college

Final Reminders

• All materials must be turned into Guidance at least THREE weeks before your first due date

• Our CEEB code is 310-001• A mid-year report is automatically sent to

all colleges• A final transcript will be forwarded to the

school you plan to attend

DON’T PANIC• Call the college and

speak to an admissions officer before contacting Guidance to check if materials have been received

• Allow a few weeks after sending materials for information to be updated at the college