Hialeah High School

COLLEGE GUIDE

Class of 2015

College Entrance ExamsCollege Entrance Exams

What are the SAT and ACT exams?What are the SAT and ACT exams?These exams are used by colleges and These exams are used by colleges and universities nationwide to assess an universities nationwide to assess an applicant’s aptitude for college-level work.applicant’s aptitude for college-level work.

Even if you are not planning to apply to Even if you are not planning to apply to college, or applying to a college that does college, or applying to a college that does not require these exams; it would be a good not require these exams; it would be a good idea to have them in your records for the idea to have them in your records for the future.future.

SAT Subject TestsSAT Subject Tests Subject Tests are designed to measure Subject Tests are designed to measure

your knowledge and skills in a particular your knowledge and skills in a particular subject area, as well as your ability to subject area, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. apply that knowledge.

Required by Required by CERTAINCERTAIN cocolleges and lleges and universities.universities.

Offered on the Offered on the SAME DAYSAME DAY as the SAT as the SAT You may register to take up to (You may register to take up to (33) SAT ) SAT

Subject Tests on the same test date.Subject Tests on the same test date. Registration available online at Registration available online at

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

SAT and ACT test Fee WaiversSAT and ACT test Fee Waivers  If you have free or reduced lunch, you qualify for the If you have free or reduced lunch, you qualify for the

following: following:    2 ACT test waivers2 ACT test waivers 2 SAT test fee waivers2 SAT test fee waivers 2 SAT Subject Test fee waivers (each waiver is good for 3 2 SAT Subject Test fee waivers (each waiver is good for 3

subject tests)subject tests) 4 College Board - College Application Fee Waivers (4 College Board - College Application Fee Waivers (These These

will be available through your College Board account)will be available through your College Board account) 4 ACT – College Application Fee Waivers4 ACT – College Application Fee Waivers Waivers used during your junior year countWaivers used during your junior year count It might be a good idea to take a picture of the fee waiver It might be a good idea to take a picture of the fee waiver

number in case you lose it. number in case you lose it. I can’t replace it!!I can’t replace it!!  

Testing CodesTesting Codes

HHS CodesHHS CodesCEEB: 100-662CEEB: 100-662ACT Test Center Code: 231140ACT Test Center Code: 231140

NCAANCAA – 9999 – 9999Athletes applying to a Division I or II Schools Athletes applying to a Division I or II Schools MUSTMUST fill out fill out an an NCAA Clearance House Form. NCAA Clearance House Form. See Mr. Legg in room 826 or visit See Mr. Legg in room 826 or visit www.ncaa.org National National Collegiate Athletic Association-official website for the Collegiate Athletic Association-official website for the NCAA.NCAA.

Find the Right FitFind the Right FitThere are over 3,000 colleges and universities in There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the USthe US

Keep in mind:Keep in mind:Academic Reputation (quality education)Academic Reputation (quality education)Availability of scholarship and financial aidAvailability of scholarship and financial aidCollege SizeCollege SizeLocationLocationMajorsMajorsFaculty to Student ratioFaculty to Student ratioSports and extracurricular activities availableSports and extracurricular activities availableCost.- Do not exclude any choices because of high cost (sometimes Cost.- Do not exclude any choices because of high cost (sometimes expensive schools can afford to give you more aid).expensive schools can afford to give you more aid).

What Colleges Look for When What Colleges Look for When Making DecisionsMaking Decisions

Top 3 Most Important FactorsTop 3 Most Important Factors1.1. Strength of curriculum (Honors, Advanced Strength of curriculum (Honors, Advanced

Placement) Placement) 2.2. GPA and class rankGPA and class rank3.3. College Entrance Examination Scores (ACT or College Entrance Examination Scores (ACT or

SAT)SAT)

If the college requires them:If the college requires them: EssayEssay Recommendation LetterRecommendation Letter InterviewInterview Resume (leadership, community serResume (leadership, community service, vice,

extracurricular, talents, etc)extracurricular, talents, etc)

Applying For AdmissionApplying For Admission Application – Application – All applications are now All applications are now onlineonline

(commonapp.org)(commonapp.org) Transcript - Transcript - electronic or hard copy (See Ms. electronic or hard copy (See Ms.

Johnson in room 826) $1.00 eachJohnson in room 826) $1.00 each Application fee (Application fee (fee waivers available)) Letters of recommendation - Letters of recommendation - (if applicable)(if applicable) Essay - Essay - (if applicable)(if applicable) Copy of other required documentation – Copy of other required documentation –

(if applicable)(if applicable)

Important!Important! Keep photocopies of Keep photocopies of everything you mail!everything you mail!

www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org Over 500 member colleges/universitiesOver 500 member colleges/universities Your teachers will be notified by email when they are Your teachers will be notified by email when they are

required to submit supporting documentation.required to submit supporting documentation. Once completed, the form can be sent to any number of Once completed, the form can be sent to any number of

participating member organizations instead of sending out participating member organizations instead of sending out multiple applications, meaning that you can save valuable multiple applications, meaning that you can save valuable time that could be spent writing essays, visiting campuses time that could be spent writing essays, visiting campuses and completing your coursework in your senior year.and completing your coursework in your senior year.

Order of Activities on the Common AppOrder of Activities on the Common AppYour activities should be listed in order of importance to you, starting with the most important and moving down to the least important.

There are instructions for this on the side of the activities page but many students miss that instruction.

Yes, you may really enjoy singing, but unless you have won a number of awards for your singing, it probably should not be the first listed activity. On the other hand, if you are an internationally recognized violinist, putting music first is not a problem.

Just use your best judgment in arranging the activities remembering that volunteering, club involvement, research, athletics, etc. are some of the important things that colleges are looking for..

Common App Additional Information. What Is This For?Common App Additional Information. What Is This For?

If there is something odd that needs to be explained. For example, if a student had an illness as a freshman that adversely affected their grades, a note here could be used to explained the unusual grades.

However, even in that situation it isn’t always necessary for the student to provide an explanation. If your counselor knows the situation and is willing to write about it in their letter of recommendation, that can be an even better way of communicating the problem since it won’t sound like an excuse.

Another situation to use the additional information section is if you can’t fit everything from your resume into the list of 10 activities on the common app. But remember, only serious accomplishments should go into the additional information section.

To explain the intent to apply ED to a school that has no supplement or a school that has no ED option on their supplement.

For most students, even the very strong students, there is no need to put anything in that section.

ESSAYESSAY The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish

yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? scores?

Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words650 words.. Remember: Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but . Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do don't feel obligated to do

soso. (The application won't accept a response . (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 wordsshorter than 250 words.) .)

1.1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2.2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

3.3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? again?

4.4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? •meaningful to you? •

5.5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. your culture, community, or family.

6.6. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition fromDiscuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from

childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or familychildhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. .

Different Versions of the Common App. When Is This Appropriate?Different Versions of the Common App. When Is This Appropriate?You can have different versions of the common app. Why would you want to?You can have different versions of the common app. Why would you want to?Two different reasons for having different versions. Two different reasons for having different versions. If you made a mistake on the common application but have already sent it off to at least one college. If you made a mistake on the common application but have already sent it off to at least one college. Phone number? School code? Didn’t list your activities in order of importance? These can be corrected Phone number? School code? Didn’t list your activities in order of importance? These can be corrected and once you have, the new version will be sent to each college that gets your common app. and once you have, the new version will be sent to each college that gets your common app. These These type of corrections have no limit to them.type of corrections have no limit to them.If you have an error in your personal statement you can correct the essay but the number of changes If you have an error in your personal statement you can correct the essay but the number of changes is limited to 3. is limited to 3. Once you have reached the limit of 3 essays, the final essay will be frozen.Once you have reached the limit of 3 essays, the final essay will be frozen.The second reason for another version of your common app is if you want to personalize it for a The second reason for another version of your common app is if you want to personalize it for a specific college. specific college. There is absolutely no reason to personalize the common app for different colleges. There is absolutely no reason to personalize the common app for different colleges. If you believe that you need to have a different essay for one college, it is possible. But usually that’s If you believe that you need to have a different essay for one college, it is possible. But usually that’s what the college specific essay is for. what the college specific essay is for. This comes under the category of just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it. This comes under the category of just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it.

How to Decide If Applying Early Is Right for You

Applying early can be a good idea if you’re sure about which college you want to attend. That means you’ve researched its programs and, if possible, visited its campus.

Think twice about applying early if:

You want to compare admission and financial aid offers from several colleges.

You’d benefit from having another year of high school work to show colleges.If you decide to apply ED If you decide to apply ED you must complete the ED Agreement. In order to complete and submit this form you must first select the Early Decision term option for one school. Once this decision is selected, the ED Agreement will be available in the Supplements section of your Common App account.Student, counselor, and parent must read and sign the agreement

Applying EDII or ED to another schoolApplying EDII or ED to another school

The student can apply Early Decision II (EDII) or Restricted Early Action (REA) to a second school if not admitted to the first Early Decision (ED) school.

If there is no EDII option, select Regular Decision (RD) on the Common App, and ED II (or REA) on the college's supplement before submitting. That college will then consider the application as an ED II candidate.

Also check with the school to find out if they accept EDII as an option.

If the supplement has no option for ED or EDII (or there is no If the supplement has no option for ED or EDII (or there is no supplement for that school), student should explain the intent in the supplement for that school), student should explain the intent in the additional information section of the application and still select RD on additional information section of the application and still select RD on the application itself.the application itself.

Fee WaiverFee WaiverIn the Profile section of the application answer yes to the question In the Profile section of the application answer yes to the question about your financial circumstancesabout your financial circumstancesThis will trigger your CommonApp Waiver requestThis will trigger your CommonApp Waiver requestOnce eligibility is confirmed the application will bypass the payment Once eligibility is confirmed the application will bypass the payment sectionsectionThe counselor will be notified of your intent to use a fee waiver and The counselor will be notified of your intent to use a fee waiver and they will verify your eligibilitythey will verify your eligibilityColleges that offer their own non-financial need fee waiver present Colleges that offer their own non-financial need fee waiver present the option in the College Specific Sectionthe option in the College Specific SectionThe payment option for that specific college will be bypassedThe payment option for that specific college will be bypassed

Teacher Recommendations, School Report, & TranscriptsTeacher Recommendations, School Report, & TranscriptsGo to "colleges" and click on a college then invite your teachers through Go to "colleges" and click on a college then invite your teachers through Invite Recommender.  You will need to enter your teachers' names and Invite Recommender.  You will need to enter your teachers' names and email addresses, and then they will receive an email invitation.  All email addresses, and then they will receive an email invitation.  All recommendations are completed online through the Common App. recommendations are completed online through the Common App.   

You must also invite your Counselor so that they can complete the You must also invite your Counselor so that they can complete the necessary school forms and recommendation for you! necessary school forms and recommendation for you! Your counselor can Your counselor can OPT out of submitting the School Report online.OPT out of submitting the School Report online.

If the counselor is submitting the School Report online, they will be able to submit your transcript. However, if they OPT out, you will be responsible for obtaining a transcript for each school and mailing it together with the School Report completed by your counselor.

Mid-Year School ReportMid-Year School ReportMid Year Reports should be submitted as soon as first semester grades are Mid Year Reports should be submitted as soon as first semester grades are available. available.

The Common App Online School Forms system The Common App Online School Forms system does not send remindersdoes not send reminders

Counselors do not receive invitations to submit theseCounselors do not receive invitations to submit these It is the student's It is the student's responsibility to keep track of this requirement and ensure that the counselor is responsibility to keep track of this requirement and ensure that the counselor is aware of it.aware of it.

Send a new transcriptSend a new transcript

Do not use the Optional Grade Report to submit midyear grades.Do not use the Optional Grade Report to submit midyear grades.

The link for the Mid Year Report will not be active until the School Report has been The link for the Mid Year Report will not be active until the School Report has been submitted. submitted.

The link for the Final Report will not activate until the Mid Year Report has been The link for the Final Report will not activate until the Mid Year Report has been submitted.submitted.

The Application Process

Determine the number of schools to which you want to apply

Be mindful of deadlines

Treat it as a homework project – rushed and sloppy work will reflect on your application

If an essay is required, give it proper attention

A good number of institutions to apply to is 7 – 8

Application StrategiesAPPLY EARLY (For schools with Rolling Admissions): At the beginning of the admission cycle (September, and October) GPA and test score mid-ranges are typically low due to the low volume of application received at institutions. Later on in the process (November, December, January and February) the volume of applications increase. As a result, GPA and Test Score mid-ranges increase.

CONTINUE IMPROVING YOUR GRADES AND CONTINUE TESTING:Depending on where you stand with institutional mid-ranges, it is recommended that you continue to improve your GPA and continue testing until you receive an acceptance letter from your college. Never Give UP !!!

SUBMIT NEW TRANSCRIPTS AT THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTERTranscripts are updated at the end of the first semester around mid-January. As soon as your transcripts are updated, it is important that you send them to all colleges that you are waiting for decisions.

Application DeadlinesApplication Deadlines Early DecisionEarly Decision. .

Students make a commitment to Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution a first-choice institution where, if where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline is usually admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline is usually October or November and decision are December or January.October or November and decision are December or January.

Early ActionEarly Action. .

Students apply to institutions of preference and receive a decision well in Students apply to institutions of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the institution's regular response date. Students who are advance of the institution's regular response date. Students who are admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution's admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution's offer of admission or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (May offer of admission or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (May 1).1).

Regular DecisionRegular Decision. .

Students submit an application to an institution by a specified date and Students submit an application to an institution by a specified date and receive a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time, receive a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time, but not later than April 15.but not later than April 15.

Types of College Admission (cont.)Types of College Admission (cont.)

Rolling AdmissionRolling Admission. . Institutions review applications as they are completed Institutions review applications as they are completed and render admission decisions to students throughout and render admission decisions to students throughout the admission cycle. the admission cycle.

Wait ListWait List. . Wait lists are necessary because students submit Wait lists are necessary because students submit applications for admission to multiple institutions and applications for admission to multiple institutions and may receive several offers of admission. By placing a may receive several offers of admission. By placing a student on the wait list, an institution does not offer or student on the wait list, an institution does not offer or deny admission, but extends the possibility of admission deny admission, but extends the possibility of admission in the future, before the admission cycle is concluded.in the future, before the admission cycle is concluded.

STAY INFORMEDSTAY INFORMED

@hhs_info

www.HialeahHigh.org

Create account through your Student Portal

Connect.eduConnect.edu Tools for Students Tools for Students

Interactive Planning ToolsCourse Planner & Credit CheckerTest Prep Information & Test DatesFinancial Aid Information & Critical DatesCollege Budget & Cost CalculatorsScholarships Search & ApplicationsProfile & Resume Building

Communication Tools

Email Counselors, Students, & ParentsHost & Track Student Events Send Scholarship & Events Notifications

College Search Tools Customized College SearchCollege List Collaboration4,300+ Searchable College Profiles Side-by-Side College ComparisonsAcceptance History Scattergrams

Centralized Student TrackingSuperAPP Application ProcessingComplete Application TrackingElectronic Transcript Requests

Student Home PageStudent Home Page

Research Colleges & Create a Research Colleges & Create a College ListCollege List

Scholarships Do Not Fall Scholarships Do Not Fall From The Sky!From The Sky!

You must apply for themYou must apply for themScholarships are awards based on something you do well:Scholarships are awards based on something you do well:

AcademicsAcademics AthleticsAthletics ArtsArts Community service, activities, or writing an excellent essay. Community service, activities, or writing an excellent essay.

Private Colleges offer a huge amount of money to enrolling students. Be Private Colleges offer a huge amount of money to enrolling students. Be sure to apply for any scholarships colleges you are applying to may sure to apply for any scholarships colleges you are applying to may offer, AND APPLY ON TIME! – Some private schools will ensure that offer, AND APPLY ON TIME! – Some private schools will ensure that all unmet need for admitted students is met.all unmet need for admitted students is met.

Private – Private – • Corporations and organizations award college scholarships. Corporations and organizations award college scholarships. • Check the Scholarship Bulletin Check the Scholarship Bulletin www.hialeahhigh.org • You can research them on your own (i.e., www.fastweb.com, You can research them on your own (i.e., www.fastweb.com,

ConnectEdu).ConnectEdu).• Apply, Apply, Apply!Apply, Apply, Apply!

Watch Out! College Scams Want Your Money

Here are some ways to spot them:

•Money back guarantee•The Scholarships will cost some money•Credit card or bank account number please!•We will do all of the work•You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship or… •“You’re a finalist”

Colleges That Meet Full Demonstrated Need

Types of Funding for CollegeTypes of Funding for College

GRANTSGRANTS – Based on financial need – Based on financial need- Private (CAP Grant)- Private (CAP Grant)- Public: Federal (Pell Grant)- Public: Federal (Pell Grant)- State (Fla. Student Assistance Grant)- State (Fla. Student Assistance Grant)

WORK-STUDYWORK-STUDY – Based on financial need- Employment on – Based on financial need- Employment on campus – usually jobs are not too demanding, with the idea campus – usually jobs are not too demanding, with the idea you can study some at work, thus the name, Work-Studyyou can study some at work, thus the name, Work-Study

STUDENT LOANSSTUDENT LOANS – Based on financial need – Based on financial need- Perkins (subsidized, fixed interest)- Perkins (subsidized, fixed interest)- Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized, adjustable interest)- Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized, adjustable interest)

PARENT LOANSPARENT LOANS– NOT based on financial need– NOT based on financial need- Not need-based, can borrow up to cost of education, - Not need-based, can borrow up to cost of education, payment begins 60 days after date of loanpayment begins 60 days after date of loan. .

What Are The Primary SourcesWhat Are The Primary SourcesOf Financial Aid?Of Financial Aid?

Federal governmentFederal government State governmentsState governments Colleges and universities (CSS Profile Colleges and universities (CSS Profile www.collegeboard.org

available in October) available in October) Private agenciesPrivate agencies

FAFSAFAFSA Free Application for Federal Student AidFree Application for Federal Student Aid Available after January 1 of senior yearAvailable after January 1 of senior year Family Income Tax information needed to Family Income Tax information needed to

complete form.complete form. Application available online at: Application available online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

HHS COLLEGE FAIRHHS COLLEGE FAIR

Tuesday, October 14Tuesday, October 14thth

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

GymGym

 Meet with dozens of college admissions reps.

Planning for the future starts now!!

Florida Bright FuturesNEW Mandatory FAFSA completion

BF PROGRAM

Award

Flat Rate

Payout

GPA

Requirement

SAT/ACT

Requirements

Community

Service

FLORIDA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS

NEW

$100 per credit hr.

30 credit payout: $3,000.00

120 credits total

3.5 weighted BF GPA

15 core academic

classes

1290 SAT

29 ACT

NEW

100 hours of community service

FLORIDA MEDALLION SCHOLARS

NEW

$76 per credit hr.

30 credit payout: $2,280.00

120 credits total

3.0 weighted BF GPA

15 core academic classes

NEW

1170 SAT or

26 ACT.

NEW

75 hours of community service

FLORIDA GOLD SEAL VOC. SCHOLARS

NEW

$76 per credit hr.

30 credit payout: $2,280.00

72 credits total

3.0 weighted BF GPA

3.5 weighted GPA in 3 vocational credits SAME

program

SAT 880

Math 440/Crit. Read 440

ACT

English 17 / Read 19

Math 19

PERT

Read 106/Writing 103

Math 114

NEW

30 hours of community service

Bright Futures ScholarshipsBright Futures ScholarshipsRegister Beginning December 1Register Beginning December 1

The state evaluates your meeting of the criteria upon The state evaluates your meeting of the criteria upon your date of graduationyour date of graduation GPA in specific coursesGPA in specific courses Specific course workSpecific course work Community serviceCommunity service ACT and/or SAT scores (PERT can also be used on ACT and/or SAT scores (PERT can also be used on

Gold Seal)Gold Seal)

First Evaluation February – Notification by AprilFirst Evaluation February – Notification by April Second/Final Evaluation June – Notification by AugustSecond/Final Evaluation June – Notification by August