APPLICATION MATERIALS TURN IN OCGO OFFICE Larry Turns, Didem Epikmen, Asuman Okman, Nilüfer Aras, Aziz Cinar

PARTS YOU WILL SEND (ONLINE) Application Personal Statement (USA) Activity Essay (USA) Resume (Upload to additional info) Supplemental Form* Supplemental Essays* Application Fee (Credit Card) Official SAT* & TOEFL Scores * ONLY IF REQUIRED

PARTS OCGO WILL SEND (BY DHL) Transcript School Profile Teacher Recs & Evaluation Forms* Counselor Rec & School Report Form* Certificate of Finances Form & Bank Letter* Financial Aid Documents* Art Portfolio (Also include Description List)* OPTIONAL: Printout of most recent SAT/Toefl scores *ONLY IF REQUIRED

1. Create a binder On the spine of the binder, write your name, as well as all schools you are applying to, and their deadlines. Like this: Asuman Okman_ Babson Jan. 1__ TUFTS Jan. 1__ *If you sent an early application, attach a page to the cover of the binder and write the school name and EA or ED.

2. Insert Naviance final list printout You need to move your university list from “Prospective Colleges” to “Active Applications” in Naviance. Print a copy of “Active Applications” list and put that as the first page of the binder.

3. Insert plastic sheets Put one plastic sheet in the binder for each school you are applying to. Example: If you are applying to ten schools, insert ten plastic sheets in to the binder. If you are applying to nine schools, you will need nine plastic sheets. If you are doing 2 regions (i.e. US and Canada) put US schools first.

4. Inside each plastic sheet, you will need the following, in this order: Application Check-Off List Certification of Finances* Bank Letter* Supplemental financial aid forms* College Board Profile* Any additional docs you want mailed* Note: UK and Canada do not require the Certification of Finances OR Bank Letter *OPTIONAL

You must also include: ONE Copy of online application (note: if you are sending the common app to several schools, you only need to submit 1 copy, if not a common app school include copy of online application for each school) Copy of Personal Statement and Activity essay* (again, if sending to more than 1 school, you only need to submit 1 copy of each) Copy of Supplemental Forms and/or essays* Secondary School report* (1 copy of common app school report + copy of school-specific report if a not a common app school)

Let’s look at a few of these components more carefully …

Application Check-Off List

Remember: DHL will not deliver to a P.O. Box Read carefully: Indicate the ADDITIONAL documents you would like OCGO to send, (eg. resume, or optional essays, NOT sent online). Make sure you write down who teachers wrote you rec letters.

Common Application

For your phone number, do not forget to include international area code: xxxxxxx Go ahead and fill this section out. It helps institutions with their international data. Most of you will check “White.”

Our school address: Use the PO Box 60 Tuzla address Make sure you fill out the information about your counselor: Mr. Larry Turns, Director or Ms. Didem Epikmen, Associate Director Hey, did you remember to send your scores to the universities and colleges you are applying to?

Make sure you follow the directions here. List activities in the order of their interest to you.

You will enter an electronic signature here. Here you should upload your short activity essay. It should not exceed 150 words. Remember to do a spell check in MS Word! Make sure you set your default language to English.

Here you should upload your Personal Statement. It should not exceed 500 words. Remember to do a spell check in MS Word! Make sure you set your default language to English.

Make sure that your counselor information is correct and complete. Make sure to tick the box “Yes I do waive my right to access…” Sign and date it! You can write here: “Please see transcript for complete list of courses”

Do not write on this page, your counselor will complete this information.

Make sure to tick the box “Yes I do waive my right to access…” Sign and date it!

Do not write on this page, your teacher will complete this section.

International Student Certification of Finances USA ONLY

Attach a bank letter to this form. You must include an ORIGINAL copy for each school. Copies are not acceptable!

You must obtain this letter from your bank. You need to include an ORIGINAL copy for each school. Copies are not acceptable!

CANADA Follow the same instructions: Make a binder, include a plastic sheet for each school you are applying to with the Application Check-Off List included. Include a copy of the online application. Include a copy of any essays you will send (i.e. UBC requires an essay) Include a copy of any additional documents you would like OCGO to send.

UK Foundation Follow the same instructions: Make a binder, include a plastic sheet for each school you are applying to with the Application Check-Off List included. Include the paper copy of the application (most foundation apps are on paper). Include a copy of the personal statement you will send. Include a copy of any additional documents you would like OCGO to send (i.e. resume).

UK UCAS Application process online OPTIONAL: Prepare Application Check- Off List if there are any additional documents you would like OCGO to send (i.e. Resume, specific teacher rec).

When to submit your online application: Each student will be assigned an appointment to meet with a member of the OCGO on Dec. 14 th, 15 th or 16 th. Do not press “submit” until your application has been reviewed. Make sure to make any changes or adjustments suggested by OCGO. Do not wait until the night before the deadline to send your application! Last minute work is obvious to admissions readers. Additionally, you could run into a last-minute problem, for example you may lose internet access or your credit card may not work.

REMINDERS Make sure show up for your assigned appointment with OCGO. We don’t want your applications to go into the LATE BOX. Your ENTIRE binder will be handed back to you if you have filled out forms incorrectly or if you are missing materials. If you are missing copies of essays, your ENTIRE binder will be handed back to you. The last day to make changes and turn in additional documents is Wednesday, December 16 th. Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING, especially Financial Aid Documents, as you may need to refer back to them later. OCGO does not make copies of your work.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO? It is ultimately your responsibility to submit all of your online documents on time. Once you send, you should make sure that you print the confirmation messages that receive from Common App, Canada and/or other schools. Bring a copy of your confirmation to OCGO so we have a record of exactly when each application was sent, incase the schools contact us with inquiries. Bring your DHL FEES! (25 USD x # of schools)

COMMON MISTAKES For the common application there are 3 parts to be completed for each school: 1. The application (you must complete each question!) 2. The application fee 3. The supplement* (click on the supplements tab) Make sure you send ALL parts, otherwise your application will be considered incomplete. If sending more than one version of the common application, be careful to send the right version to the right school! Don’t forget to click on “School Forms” and print both the Secondary School Report and Teacher Evaluation form if you haven’t already. YOU must give the teachers the forms yourself!

Wednesday, December 16th This is the final day to turn in any and all remaining documents to OCGO. We will close the office for processing after this date!

Last thoughts …. Mr. Turns and Ms. Epikmen will not accept or review any essays after Wednesday, December 16 th, so you should plan on having your final drafts done by that date. Any essays that come earlier will get priority. (Make sure you always have your name on the essay so we know who it belongs to.) OCGO will be closed for processing from December 17 th – January 4th. We will be open during lunch to see students with questions. However, Mr. Turns and Ms. Epikmen will spend several days out of the office during that time in order to write beautiful recommendations for all you lovely people! Good luck getting your materials complete! You are in our thoughts and we are rooting for your success! -Larry Turns, Didem Epikmen, Asuman Okman, Nilüfer Aras, Aziz Cinar OCGO December 2009