Appoquinimink High School Guidance Department

What is YOUR College Fit?  2-year (Associate’s) or 4-year (Bachelor’s) degree?  In-state vs. out-of-state schools  Large vs. small school  Available majors  Live on-campus or off-campus  School climate/culture

Research Colleges that Fit   

Ways to Apply to College  Early Decision  This is BINDING, meaning if your student is accepted to the institution they are expected to enroll  Early application deadline  Typically receive admissions decision by January  This application is for students who absolutely know what their #1 choice school is  Shows seriousness of applicant  You can only apply Early Decision to ONE school

Ways to Apply to College  Early Action  This is NOT BINDING, meaning if your student is accepted to the institution they do not have to enroll  Early application deadline  Typically receive admissions decision by January

Ways to Apply to College  Regular Decision  This is NOT BINDING, meaning if your student is accepted to the institution they do not have to enroll  Later application deadline

Types of College Applications  School Application  This application can be found on the institution’s Admissions page  Common Application  This application can be found on  Utilized by nearly 700 colleges and universities worldwide  One application that can be used for multiple schools  Requires students to write essay from one of five prompts

Information for Applications  Name  Address  Phone number  Student Address  This should be a PROFESSIONAL  Social Security Number  Citizenship and residency information  High schools you have attended  College credits you have earned (if applicable)  Parental information  Senior-year schedule  Standardized test scores ( /  Parents’ names and contact information (including their work numbers and s), the college(s) they attended, if any, and graduation years.

What to send with your Application  Official Transcript  Letter(s) of recommendation  Essay(s)/Personal Statement(s)  Application Fee  Official SAT/ACT scores

Official Transcripts  Students MUST complete a Transcript Request Form for each school they are requesting transcript for  Common Application schools can all be listed on one form  When official transcripts are ready to be picked up, it is the student’s responsibility to place stamp on envelope and mail out  For Common Application schools, Counselors will upload transcript to Common App for schools to access  Students should allow up to 10 school days for transcript requests to be processed

Letters of Recommendation  Teachers, Coaches, Counselors, Volunteer Supervisors, etc.  Letters of recommendation should NOT come from family members  Complete Student Brag Sheet/Senior Profile to help school recommenders supplement your letter of recommendation  Will be available to seniors over summer & can be found on Guidance webpage

Essays/ Personal Statements  Every school will differ in their essay/personal statement requirements  Pay attention to application requirements for EACH individual school you are applying to  Essays/ personal statements provide you with opportunity to share more about yourself outside of academics  ELA teachers are EXCELLENT resource to utilize

Application Fees  Every school will differ in their application fee  These fees can add up quickly! Make sure you aren’t applying to schools just for the sake of applying  If you qualify for free/reduced lunch see your counselor as you may qualify for a fee waiver

SAT/ ACT Scores  Most schools require the SATs or ACTs of applicants as part of their application  Most schools will accept either test  Double-check with the schools you wish to apply to  This information can typically be found on their Admissions page  It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to send official SAT/ACT scores to the schools they are applying to  SAT:  ACT:  If you qualify for free/reduced lunch see your counselor as you may qualify for a fee waiver

FREE Test Prep

How to Prepare for College Applications  Research schools  Complete Student Profile/Parent Brag Sheet (online)  Complete College Essay(s)/Personal Statement(s)  Request Official Transcripts from Guidance (form)  Request Letters of Recommendation  Discuss Application Fees  Register for SAT/ACT and send scores to schools

FAFSA  Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Federal Aid, State Aid, Institutional Aid  If you student is college-bound, you need to file FAFSA!  FAFSA will ask for personal information, tax information, schools student has applied to, etc. and will identify your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) NEED

FAFSA  FAFSA has changed!  Available beginning October 1 st  Will ask for 2015 tax information  Student and 1 parent/guardian will need to apply for FSA ID (used to sign and submit FAFSA)  The sooner you complete FAFSA, the more aid you may be eligible for!  You can always update FAFSA with additional schools your student has chosen to apply to

$tand by Me Services  Provides FREE services, including FAFSA completion assistance and advisement on ways to save for college  Contact:  

Scholarships  Students should make it a priority to search for scholarships frequently  Guidance webpage/ College & Career Corner webpage  Delaware Scholarship Compendium becomes available late fall  Each scholarship has it’s own criteria and deadline  Local scholarships become available for students to apply for in the spring and will be awarded at Senior Awards Night

Fall Events for Students  Frequent college visits to AHS  Fall College & Career Fair  Field trips to DE colleges  Financial Aid Workshops Pay attention to College & Career Corner website & the morning announcements for these dates

College Application Month  National “Reach Higher” Initiative from the White House  Encourage all students to take control of their own destiny by applying post-secondary institutions to continue their education beyond high school  Delaware College Application Month (CAM): October 17 th - November 18 th

Delaware Goes to College   Texting Campaign- stay abreast of important dates and information relating to college!  Cards with texting campaign information are available in back of auditorium

Student Success Plan (SSP)   Can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection  Search for majors, schools, scholarships, etc. Completion Criteria Annual SSP Review Parent SSP Review Career Matchmaker My Skills Careers of Interest Schools of Interest Grade 9 Course Selections Grade 10 Course Selections Grade 12 Course Selections Career and Life Goals Career Cluster Selection Post Secondary Plan Career Planning Activities Extracurricular Activities Skills and Abilities *MANDATORY GRADUATION REQUIREMENT*

 If you’re looking to enlist, you must take the ASVAB  ASVAB Testing will be offered at AHS next year  You can also contact a recruiter to schedule an ASVAB appointment

NCAA   Talk to your coach regarding NCAA requirements

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 Monica Parker Last Names A-G  Christine Czajkowski Last Names H-P  Elaine McCall Last Names Q-Z  Meghan Setser College & Career Counselor AHS Senior Counselors