Getting There From Here: Applying to Colleges Senior Retreat: Workshop 2 August 28, 2015 Sean Menton / Julie Lindsay
Members of the Team Student Parents HS Counselors Teachers College Admissions Representatives Friends/Siblings
Student Expectations Research colleges—know the admissions requirements Keep parents informed Organization: Set and meet deadlines Use more than one source in researching choices – best to use the university website to get answers Manage academics
The Parent’s Role Listen, support and advise, be careful not to take over Discuss openly and honestly the financial considerations Provide a quiet space to work on and organize college information Visit colleges together, but stay in the background Offer encouragement, but not extra pressure!
The Counselor’s Role Informed resource to the student and parents Provide clarification about the process Offer suggestions, not choose a college for the student Help student stay on track with the process Monitor coursework Provide encouragement Submit high school documents when requests are made
What should I be doing now? Finalize college list – best to be done with this before China Trips – Be sure to balance the list – Reach/Possible/Likely – Keep shopping – Research is key – Visit your counselor
What should I be doing now? Request letters of recommendation – Ask the teacher in person – Complete Teacher Recommendation Request form and give/ to teacher a minimum of 3 weeks prior to deadline – Be sure to provide online access or print copy to teacher if necessary – Add teacher to your recommendations on Family Connection – Do it today
What should I be doing now? Applying to US as an international student? – Talk to parents about Financial Certification – Print college/university specific forms and give to your parents – Parents will need to arrange for bank statements and notarization of financial statements
What should I be doing now? Begin applications once your list is final – Enter student data – follow directions! – Respond to essay questions – Pay with Credit Card – Carefully check EVERYTHING before you click “SUBMIT”
How does my counselor know when I submit my college apps? We don’t know. Once you finish your application, you will need to request a transcript/recommendations. Many schools accept electronic submission of documents and can be requested through Family Connection. Paper applications (sent by courier) require an Application Processing Form.
Requesting Transcript and Recommendations For Online Submission go to Family Connection, click on Transcripts Click on Request Transcripts for College Applications Click boxes of the schools where you want transcripts/recommendations sent
Requesting Transcript and Recommendations – APF on Family Connection Homepage under Document Library for Paper Submission of documents. – Bring APF and DHL fee to your counselor for schools that do not accept electronic supporting documents. Complete one APF for each college.
Deadlines That You Need to Meet Early Decision/Early Action: University Deadline is November 1 st – APF to your counselor by October 16 at 3:00 PM University deadlines of March 1 or before – APF to your counselor by November 27 at 3:00PM
How does it all come together? Who does what??? – Student Teacher recommendations – follow up NOW to be sure Complete SAT and TOEFL testing Complete application – send/give APF to counselor Request CollegeBoard/ETS to send test scores directly to university
How does it all come together? Who does what??? – Parent Arrange for Bank Statements and complete financial certification documents Student/Parent send financial documentation directly to university by deadline – DHL!!! Keep a copy of all financial documents sent
How does it all come together? Who does what??? – Counselors Send transcripts, letters of recommendation to college/university by uploading electronically or by DHL
Time for a closer look at: Family Connection Common App