KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

Class of 2011Class of 2011

Student’s Responsibilities in the

Application Process

• Deciding on final list of colleges• Getting the applications• Completing the applications• Procuring other pertinent

information

Parents’, Counselors’ and College Counselors’

Responsibilities in the Application Process

• Provide support• Provide guidance• Provide assistance

Deciding: Where to apply

• An on-going sorting and selecting process

• The best Final List must include combination of:– “reach” school– “possible” schools– “probable/likely admits”– “financial safety”– ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO

ATTEND!

Terms for Prediction• REACH

– “dream” schools where admission chances are thought to be unlikely based on transcript and test scores

– “toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone (usually have admit rates between 7%-20%)

• POSSIBLE– Closely meet the academic expectations,

but the college/university receives more qualified applicants than they can admit.

Terms for Prediction

• PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT – Chances for admissions are very strong– A “safety” is so much harder to call today!

• FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically an IL state university but not always)– A place that parents can afford

…if, financial package is weak at all other schools…if, family financial situation changes: economy, unemployment

Deciding: How many should I apply to?

• It depends!• Finding a “reasonable” number is

much harder these days• If you are happy with the schools

where you stand the strongest chances of admission, then the final list can be a lower number

Admission Options• Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early

winter and receive decision 2-8 weeks after application submitted

• Priority – apply in fall (occasionally early winter) and receive a decision in winter. Applying by a priority deadline can often give a student an advantage when space is limited.

• Regular Admission - apply in fall/early winter and receive decision on a specific date in the spring

Admission Options• Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in

early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit• *Early Decision I - apply in fall, receive

decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted

• *Early Decision II – apply in winter, receive decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted

• *Restrictive Early Action - apply in fall, be admitted in early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit

» *Students may only submit 1 application Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action.

Common Application

• Application used by over 415 colleges• Students create an account at

www.commonapp.org• Students complete one application and

submit it to multiple schools• Large FAQ section website (use it!)• Most schools have a supplement which

must also be submitted

Common Application

• Provides option for counselors and teachers to complete and submit recommendations on-line.

• Counselors will submit forms on-line.• Talk with teachers individually to

determine their preferences.

What is needed for a complete application?

• Application - on-line (preferred) or paper- Essays (usually)– Activities and honors information– Arts Supplement (if applicable)

• Application fee (credit card, check or fee waiver request)

• Student Signature (electronic or handwritten)• Parent Signature (usually only for Early

Decision)

What else is needed for a complete application?

• Official Transcript• Official Test Score Report• Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually)• Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or

Secondary School Report Form (usually)• Interview (optional)• Audition/Portfolio (if applicable)

Transcript Requests

• Transcripts are requested on-line through Docufide Secure Transcript

• Very exciting!

Test Scores• ACT/SAT and SAT Subject Test scores

must be sent directly from the testing agency. www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com

• In some cases it is advisable to send more than one test score.

• A very small number of colleges, typically those with highly selective admissions, require that students submit scores from all tests taken. Check the college’s website.

Test Scores• It is strongly encouraged that you

request test scores now. It can often take 3-6 weeks for scores to be received. Do not “RUSH” scores.

• If taking an ACT this fall, consider sending one score now if your current score falls within their published range. In some cases applications will not be considered complete until a score is received.

Teacher Recommendations

• How many?– 0,1,2

• Who?– The one(s) who know you best as a learner in their

class– Best if junior year

• Okay to have one sophomore year • Cannot use senior year if applying early

– Visual and Performing Arts are usually supplemental recommendations

– Language teachers are sometimes not permitted. This is rare!

Teacher Recommendations

• Complete the Teacher Recommendation Request Summary unless the teacher provides you with his/her own summary form.

• This form clarifies to which school they are sending a recommendation, which type of form they should use and when it is due.

• Talk with teachers about the option of submitting forms on-line (i.e. Common Application schools)

• If your teacher is submitting forms via US mail you must give them a stamped, addressed envelope for each recommendation. Do not put your return address.

Teacher Recommendations

• If applying via the Common Application and your teachers will NOT be submitting the forms on-line, you only need to give the teacher 1 copy of the recommendation form and he/she will make copies. You must provide a stamped envelope addressed to each school.

• Remember to complete the student information part of the form and waive your right to access the letter.

• Only use the gold HPHS Request for Recommendation if the college does not provide a form. All Common App schools have a form!

Teacher Recommendations

• Students must ask teachers at least 15 school days ahead of deadline

• Inform teachers of ACCURATE deadlines for each college/university

• Be clear with actual needs and do not ask 3 teachers for a recommendation if only 1 is necessary

• Many teachers only do a limited number – ask early and follow up with a thank you letter to the teacher.

• Student should call the schools to confirm letter was received

Counselor Recommendations

• Recommendations are not required by all colleges.

• Student must meet with counselor to discuss content before recommendation will be written.

• It is the student’s responsibility to inform the counselor of things he/she would like highlighted in the recommendation

• Student and Parent Questionnaire forms should be turned in before or at the meeting.

• Appointment must be scheduled a minimum of 15 school days prior to the first application deadline.

Counselor Recommendations

• What I Need (W.I.N.) form must accompany all counselor recommendation requests.

• Recommendation requests for schools NOT on the Common Application must also include a stamped envelope addressed to the Office of Admission. HPHS should be used as the return address. Do not use student name and home address.

Sample Envelope___________________________________________________________________Highland Park High School STAMP433 Vine Ave GOESHighland Park, IL 60035 HERE

North Shore UniversityOffice of Admission1234 College StreetCollege town, UT

60134__________________________________________________________

Secondary School Report (SSR) Forms for schools NOT on the Common Application

• Not all schools have an SSR or a counselor signature page.

• Complete the student information part of the form (including senior year classes, if required) and waive your right to access.

• Forms must be submitted to your counselor with a stamped, addressed envelope.

Secondary School Report (SSR) Forms for schools NOT on the Common Application

• Forms must be submitted no less than 15 school days prior to the application deadline.

• Forms are to be turned in directly to the counselor during a scheduled appointment or walk-in times

• Forms cannot be dropped off with Mrs. Gomez or Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt

Secondary School Report (SSR) Forms for schools ON the Common

Application• Students must have an active Common App

account• Complete (at a minimum) the Applicant and

Current Year Course Information• Sign Release Authorization• Invite your guidance counselor to be a

recommender by inputting his/her name and email address

• SSR form cannot be submitted until transcript has been requested from Docufide.

• Can track when SSR and recommendation were submitted

Critical DeadlinesDeadlines for Requesting CounselorRecommendations and submitting SSRForms:• October 8 for November 1 deadlines• October 22 for November 15 deadlines• November 23 for January 1 deadlines• December 17 for January 15 deadlines

Essays• Essay Writing Workshop in English

classes on Friday, September 3.• Sample essays available in the CRC.• Mr. Morrison, Ms. Gilbert and Ms.

Giulietti-Schmitt are happy to review essays

• Utilize the Writing Lab and English teachers

Fee Waivers

• Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may be eligible for fee waivers.

• Forms are available from your counselor.

• Students should talk with the counselor to discuss eligibility.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Visiting HPHS on Thursday, Sept 2 at 2:00 pm in the CRC

• Postmarked priority deadline of November 1• All HPHS students should submit applications

by the priority deadline• No recommendations will be considered with

the application• Most students will receive a decision on

Friday, December 17• Applying during this period may give a

student an advantage when space is limited

Naviance/Family Connection

• Students MUST have an active account with Naviance

• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges• Can track if counselor

recommendations and SSR forms for non Common Application schools were mailed from HPHS.

• Great way for students to determine chances for admission by examining stats from previous years.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Important that students update their email addresses so we can contact them.

• Forgot password? Go to tcci.naviance.com/hphs to request new password.

• Forgot username? Email Ms. Giulietti- Schmitt.

• Never registered? See Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link

accounts! Contact Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt

Financial Aid Information

• In addition to the FAFSA many private universities require the CSS Profile which can be submitted in the fall. www.collegeboard.com

• Most early decision candidates who are applying for financial aid will be required to complete a CSS Profile BY the early decision deadline

• Financial Aid Night – January 12 at 7:00 p.m. at HPHS

Financial Aid Information

• All schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available on-line in December. File the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15. www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Families can complete an estimator now to determine eligibility www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Date and time of a college’s visit is listed in Naviance

• A weekly schedule is posted on the Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC and on the Counseling Department website

• Must sign up in advance via Naviance• Clear with teacher prior to visit

College Counselors

• College Counselors have walk-in hours only August 25, 26 and 27.

• Scheduled appointments with College Counselors begin August 30.

• Students must meet with the same counselor they met with last Spring.

Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt (aka Ms. G-S)

With a background in Admissions there aremany things she can help with:• Mock interviews• Essay review• Utilizing Naviance• Application completion• FAFSA completion• Scholarship searches

DOCUFIDESECURE

TRANSCRIPT

Docufide Secure Transcript

1. Register at www.docufide.com

• Select the correct Highland Park HS• Input Student ID (not SS#)• Use your proper name (as it would appear in

student records)• DO NOT use your school e-mail

Docufide Secure Transcript

2. Request a Transcript to a non-Common App school

• Follow the steps, e-mail confirmation when properly completed, failure e-mail if not

Request a Transcript to a non-Common App

schoolImportant:• Search for your college using the proper

name (Univ. of Wisconsin, not “Madison”)

• “Current Transcript” vs. “Next Grading Period”

• “Save” & add more schools or “Save & Continue” to finish

Docufide Secure Transcript

3. Request a Transcript to a Common App School

• Create an account at www.commonapp.org • Search for your college as before, the “C” in

front of it indicates a Common App school• Submit your Docufide request, transcript is sent

to Common App, good for all of your Common App schools (same for Mid-Year Grades)

Docufide Secure Transcript

4. Request a Transcript to something other than a college/university

• Choose your destination• Input the pertinent info (type of org., address,

etc.)• Delivery method- paper vs. electronic• Complete the Transcript Authorization Form

(TAF) after checkout and send to Docufide

Docufide Secure Transcript

• Confirmation e-mails upon order, upload, and download – utilize these, colleges will have different time frames for inputting received transcripts into their systems

• Notification e-mail if request was not completed• $5 per transcript including mid-years and finals

payable directly to Docufide• See Ms. G-S if you are having troubles or do not

have a credit card and need to pay with cash

Students with Special Needs and the

College Application Process

• It is crucial that students have an understanding of the type of documentation is required and where it should be sent.

• In most cases documentation should be sent to the office that handles disability services NOT to admissions.

Students with Special Needs and the

College Application Process

• Some colleges may require specific types of testing for evaluation but all want it to be recent (w/in 3 years).

• Students must make arrangements with the Department of Special Education for this information to be released, it will not automatically be sent.

CONSENT FORM1. Obtain a white Consent Form from the Special

Education Department. This form authorizes HPHS to send documentation to third parties for educational and college planning.

2. If the student is 18 years of age he/she may sign, if not, a parent signature is required.

3. The completed form should be returned to A102.

4. Students need only complete one Consent Form.

RELEASE FORM

5. Students fill out a separate green Release Form for EACH of the colleges requiring documentation.

6. Forms are available in the Special Ed Dept. and the CRC

7. Completed forms are submitted to A102

DOCUMENTATION• Once all of the proper paperwork has

been submitted, the Special Ed Dept sends the documentation to the appropriate place.

• Documentation includes: cover letter, current testing, copy of the student’s IEP and case studies, psych and educational evaluations, social development study if appropriate.

SENIORITIS• Senior year courses and grades matter!• Many schools defer decisions until the

end of 7th semester.• All offers of admissions are conditional

upon successful completion of coursework.

• Offers of admissions can and will be revoked for a decline in grades.

Important numbers and email addresses

Mr. Bill Morrison, College Counselor224/765-2056 - wmorrison@dist113.org

Ms. Aliza Gilbert, College Counselor224/765-2055 - agilbert@dist113.org

Ms. Allegra Giulietti-Schmitt, College Counseling Assistant(224) 765-2057 – aschmitt@dist113.org

Mrs. Pam Helke, Secretary, Special Ed Department(224) 765-2333 – phelke@dist113.org