College Application Informational Session Some hints to get the best results

Overview Financial Aid Personal Essay Picking the Right College What to look for How many should I apply for and what are my options? Asking for Recommendations When and how to ask What you need Getting a Transcript Additional Resources

Financial Aid Where to look. Individual scholarships from the college Be sure you know the application process; they are all unique RAHS scholarships: applications are available in April/May over $100,000 just to RAHS students! Private scholarships found through Washboard, etc. Ms. Carper’s scholarship e-mails FAFSA or CSS Profile Be sure you know which form your schools require. Most public schools require FAFSA; private may require the CSS Profile FAFSA is available October 1. Submit before November 1. May need your tax documents (FAFSA is supposed to link with IRS) http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile www.fafsa.ed.gov

Writing Your Personal Essay Things to remember when writing. Answer the prompt. Too often students will write excellent essays that have nothing to do with the actual prompt. Directly address it, do not beat around the bush. Be aware of your tone. Don’t be too conversational, but also show your personality through your words. Be sure to share some of your personal story, but also be careful that you do not share too much of your personal story. Tell a story only you can tell. Have someone else read it, friends, teachers, mentors. All of them will have suggestions for you to improve your overall message and tone. There are private college counselors that can help you with your applications if necessary, be aware that they cost money.

Picking the Right College How many, and what are my options? Early decision It is binding, you have to attend that school (some variance, but assume that it’s binding) Can only apply early decision one school Make sure you are certain and that you have the money to pay for it You have a better chance of getting into the college, and may have substantial scholarship opportunities. Early action Better chances to get into school. Better scholarship opportunities. Find out if you are accepted earlier than you normally would. You should always be looking to apply to a school you are guaranteed acceptance to, just in case. Focus on the schools for which you fit the criteria and make sure your application fits the school well. Always apply to the school you would really love to attend, but may not quite qualify for. Sometimes you will be surprised by their decision process. Optimally, you should be applying to 5 – 10 schools. It will give you the best chance to get options to pick from when making your decision. You can always talk to an admissions counselor to get a better feel for the school. You can also visit the campus, sometimes visiting a campus can change your entire opinion of a particular college. Before the you visit, contact admissions and the department in which you are interested. Oftentimes, you can meet with someone and get a better idea of the experience of attending the school.

Picking the Right College What should I look for? Fit/Feel Does it offer your major? Where will you live? College ranking College visit? Distance/size Cost Are there scholarships available to you? How long will it take you to pay off your loans, and how big will your payments be? Beware attending a very expensive college if your anticipated income doesn’t cover the cost of your education. Will the more expensive option give you a better education or connect you with better career opportunities? Be aware of travel and food costs. Is the college located in a very expensive area? How much does it cost to fly/drive there? Textbooks each semester can become costly, factor those into your budget.

Asking for Recommendations Who should I ask? Adults who you have had in class or have worked with for at least a year. Adults who know your story or at least a part of it. Adults who can write nice things about you. Asking for Recommendations When should I ask? At least two weeks in advance, a month is better. When you have a lots time to talk about it. (aka, not in class, not in passing) When they are in a good mood.

Asking for Recommendations What should I bring when I ask? Best case scenario (each teacher has their own system for recommendations) Cover Letter Description or link to the school(s) you are applying for Reason for why you want to enter that school Speaking points about moments in/out of class that you would like the recommender to talk about Possible adjectives that you would like them to use Transcript (unofficial is ok) Resume Essays Stamped and addressed RAHS envelope(s) if the rec is mailed Check in often

Getting a Transcript Where to go, who to ask, when you should do it You should find out early how many transcripts you will need. Many colleges you apply to will ask for one or two and scholarship programs will usually ask for some also. When you know how many you need, go to the college/career center for a transcript request form Wait patiently for a week. Pick up the transcripts from the office. If you want the transcript sent straight to the college, submit your form with a stamped addressed envelope. Note: You should not be asking for these transcripts in any time span shorter than two weeks before you need it. Debi is busy and cannot always drop her other duties to provide last-minute transcripts. Try to ask even earlier in peak application season. Note: It never hurts to have a couple of extra official sealed transcripts for the occasional last minute scholarship application.

Resources http://www.washingtoncouncil.org/resources.htm https://www.commonapp.org/Login https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ http://www.thewashboard.org/login.aspx http://collegewise.com/