The College Application Process

North Carroll High School CounselorsCaitlyn Hewett (A-D)

Mary Susan Cunningham (E-M)Mary Jo Kraft (N-Z)

Search Application Process

Financial Aid &

Scholarships

R e s o u r c e s

• The College Search

• The Application Process

• Financial Aid and Scholarships

• Questions

The College SearchFinding the Right Fit

• Location– Distance from home/ accessibility – Urban vs. Rural

• Size– Small, Mid-Size, Large– Average Class Size

• Relationships with professors

• Cost– In State vs. Out of State Tuition– Scholarship Opportunities– Financial Aid

• Two Year or Four Year– Community College vs. University

The College SearchFinding the Right Fit

• Private or Public• Cost• Affiliations • Prestige

• Academics• Major Options• Academic match

• Student Life• Athletics, Greek Life, Travel Abroad Opportunities,

Dining hall, Housing Amenities, etc.

The College SearchFinding the Right Fit

• Review your high school transcript– Weighted & Unweighted GPA– Standard, Honors, & AP level courses

• Tests– ACT or SAT– Placement/ Accuplacer Test

Match your performance with average test scores and GPA of current freshman class using college websites

TestsSAT

(Aptitude)ACT

(Achievement )Accuplacer/ Placement Test

Writing (200-800)Math (200-800)Critical Reading (200-800)

Total Score Range 600-2400 (including Critical Reading)

Subject Tests• Required by some colleges• There are 20 SAT Subject Tests

available in 5 general areas: English, History, Math, Languages, & Science

English (1-36)Math (1-36)Reading (1-36)Science (1-36)Optional Writing Test (factored in to English portion)

Total Score 4-36

Reading WritingMath

Student performance determines placement into remedial or college level courses.

SAT Scores may exempt students from having to take the placement exam.

May only be taken twice in a 2 year period.

For optimal results students should take the test after completing English 11 and Algebra II

Register through www.CollegeBoard.com or www.actstudent.org The NCHS School Code is 210599.

A photo ID is required when registering.

Identifying Resources• School Counseling Department

– http://www.carrollk12.org/nch/counselors/• Teachers• CCPS College Fair

– October 5th at Carroll Community College• Career & College Readiness Information

– Print Resources– SET Information Sessions

• Online Resources– SAT Practice Sites– www.collegeboard.org – Smartphone Apps

• College Websites• Admissions Offices

– Schedule a Tour– Open House Opportunities * Carroll Community Sept. 30th from 6-8pm

Narrow It Down

2 “Safe” Schools

• Pros• Cons

2 “Reach” Schools

• Pros• Cons

2 “Good Fit” Schools

• Pros • Cons

The Application Process

WHEN should students apply?

• Students typically apply during the Fall Semester of their Senior Year.

• Identify the deadline for each school or if the school has rolling admission.

• Mark important dates on your calendar(s) and set reminders.

• Consider applying for early action if possible. Most of these deadlines are between October and December Colleges accept ~70-80% of the freshman class from this deadline

The Application Process

The Application ProcessHOW do students apply?

Apply online or by mail

Some schools use the Common Application. Visit www.commonapp.org for a list of participating members. All forms are submitted electronically.

Some schools use SEND.edu. This is where you complete the online application and then they school will submit the forms to the Counselor.

Some schools use their own applications (paper & online) versions. Paper copies of Counselor Forms and/or Teacher Forms must be printed and turned in to your counselor at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline.

The Application ProcessHOW do students apply?

Letter of Recommendation• Determine how many LORs are required.• Identify appropriate staff members.• Students should request a LOR in person or writing giving at least 2-3 weeks

notice. • Complete a Student Brag Information Sheet (available in the Counseling Office) to

help the person write a thorough letter.

Transcripts• Complete a Transcript Request Form (available in the Counseling Office). Be sure to

fill in ALL information. The first 3 transcripts are free and additional requests are $2.00 each.

• Please allow at least 2-3 weeks for processing.

The Application ProcessHOW do students apply?

Test Scores• Students can have their SAT/ACT test scores sent to colleges by indicating each

school’s code through www.collegeboard.com or www.ACT.org• Test scores can also be sent with your transcript if indicated on Transcript Request

Form.

Essay• Be sure to answer the question.• Consider having your English teacher review• Proofread

Interview• Some schools have an interview portion of the application process, this is handled

by each Admissions Office. • Relax and be yourself!

The Application Process

Stay organized!– Keep track of deadlines– Be proactive in securing Letters of

Recommendation and submitting paperwork

Be sure ALL components of each application are submitted.

Financial Aid

Need Base

d

Merit

Based

Two Broad Categories of Aid

$

NCHS Financial Aid Night

December 7!

Financial Aid Sources of Aid

The Federal Government- offers grants and low interest loans to students and/or parents

The State Government- offers grants based on need and/or merit for in-state schools

Institutional Funds (from College or University)- aid may be based on need and/or merit

Foundations, Community, Businesses, etc.

Bonds, Savings and Loans, Credit Unions- Parent & Student Loans

Financial AidLoans & Grants

Federal Loans• PLUS Loans- for parents and not need-based• Stafford Loans- for students• Perkins Loans• Subsidized Loans- Federal government pays the interest while

the student is in school• Work Study- federally funded student jobs

Need-based Grants• Pell• FSEOG• SMART• Academic Competitiveness

Financial Aid• Begin the process by researching what your eligibility may be

• NCHS will be hosting a Financial Aid Meeting December 7th at 6:30pm.

• Parents & Students Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in January of their Senior year. – Determines what a family is expected to contribute

Scholarships• All local scholarships are now on CCPS website (under Quick Links, resources for Students)

• NC will still publish a “mini” scholarship bulletin with scholarships specifically for NC students.

Application Timeline• Narrow Search attend Open Houses• Take the SAT/ACT test• Begin Application Process

• Fill out application • Secure Letters of Recommendation• Submit necessary paperwork

Fall

• Research estimated family contribution• January complete FAFSA • Start researching & applying for scholarship opportunitiesWinter• Continue researching & applying for scholarship

opportunities• May 1st Deadline to send Statement of Intent to Register• Register to take Accuplacer Placement test if you are

interested in attending a 2 year school Spring

Questions?

North Carroll Counseling DepartmentCaitlyn Hewitt (A-D)

Mary Susan Cunningham (E-M)Mary Jo Kraft (N-Z)

1400 Panther Dr.Hampstead, MD 21074

(410) 751-3461Fax (410) 751-3459