College Applications & Essays AP Language and Composition

Things to think about now... What colleges do you want to apply to? Safety, match, reach The numbers GPA, SAT/ACT/AP scores Recommedations Time Have the names and contact information for coordinators of clubs/work supervisors Applications and references Both school-affiliated and not You have plenty of time to prepare for college applications and to find the resources you will need for testing, recommendations, and essays so start early! If you’re not certain of what you want to do for a career or even for school, that’s okay. There is plenty of time to figure things out and get to know yourself and your goals more. But don’t let that stop you from moving forward!

Numbers GPA requirements Use collegeconfidential.com & others to get a profile of the average scores accepted at different schools You have control over your scores And you can always supplement weaker areas with quality essays, activity descriptions, and recommendations. Use school resources!

The SAT and the ACT Similarities and differences - a matter of personality Check college requirements Study and practice Identify areas of strength and weaknesses Take it twice Send your scores directly Find a resource that is engaging for you. Rely on learning strategies, not just information

Finding a College bigfuture.collegeboard.org Collegescorecard.ed.gov Consider long-term programs Factor in cost, location, and personality of schools (big/small, focus, reputation) Possible formula: 5 schools - 1 reach, 3 match, 1 safety Deciding Financial aid offered Visit Intended major & Undergraduate requirements Financial aid offered Location, personality - visit! Intended major (or if undecided, flexibility of major) Undergraduate requirements

Application Process Familiarize yourself with each school’s requirements early ORGANIZE Understand college websites Activity log, recommendations, essays Create a folder for each school including application forms, recommendation templates, essay prompts, drafts of what you will send them

Recommendations Strongly rely on academic recommendations Non-academic recommendations Coaches, work supervisors, club/organization coordinators 3-4 possible recommendation-writers Let them know EARLY Provide a current resume teachers you have strong relationships with and/or teachers for classes in which you worked hard

Recommendations Information to provide to people who you are asking to write you a letter of recommendation: Your name Due date (specific or estimate) What is the letter for? (Which university are you applying for? What do you intend to study? What is the scholarship you’re applying for? Etc.) 3+ specifics about you to include – highlights from your resume teachers you have strong relationships with and/or teachers for classes in which you worked hard

Personal Statements and Essays Understand the prompt Be honest Try to avoid cliché topics Sentence variation PURPOSE Sensory imagery, narrative “showing not telling” Get different perspectives and revise Be honest about aspirations, intentions, and interests Be genuine about an experience, value, or activity that has been important to you

Resources http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ College application websites Have conversations with friends, family, teachers Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing strategies Find examples College application websites often have pages about what they’re looking for

The Application Process College application timeline Organize due dates, your own personal application timeline, and college info Spend enough time on each application Tailor your application, essay, recommendations to the college’s requirements as much as possible Find out what works for you! 3-5 weeks focusing on each.

Financial Aid FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA forecaster Grants, loans, scholarships Send FAFSA info to schools you apply to As much as you can, seek out other sources of aid such as private scholarships

Scholarships Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation fastweb.com School-specific scholarships Check clubs, organizations, employers and parents’ employers, scholarships specific to your situation Mrs. Dagan Treat scholarship applications with the same rigor you go college apps and the return will be big!

Questions?