Countdown to College September 2018 SENIOR YEAR Countdown to College September 2018

What you need to know….. Where should I be right now in the application process? Admissions categories Requesting a transcript Requesting a recommendation The Common App, The Coalition and other online applications University of Maryland application Financial Aid

Sept Identify schools of high interest Organize and begin applications/Common App/The Coalition Submit Transcript Request forms Request LOR from Teachers/Counselor Oct Begin essays Begin investigating financial aid FAFSA opens October 1st Nov-Jan Meet deadlines Continue pursuing financial aid Jan-Mar Collect and organize acceptances Make your decision Apr-May Pay deposit Jun-Aug Attend open house; pack your bags! Sept Begin college

By NOW, you should have: Registered for, or printed out, applications for each of your schools Made plans to conduct final visits Registered for the October ACT or SAT, if necessary. Take advantage of sending 3 score reports to schools when you sign up! Filled out the Counselor Recommendation Form & e-mailed to your School Counselor Chosen additional teachers/community leaders to write recommendations, notified them and sent them a completed copy of the Teacher Recommendation Form

This month and next: Refine your list of colleges and organize yourself by identifying deadlines, compiling your academic resume, reviewing essays topics, noting application check-lists Request transcripts online at least 10 (ten) school days prior to the date they are due List financial aid options and their deadlines: Federal, state, local, college-based and lending institutions. Keep checking the CHS newsletter and your online resources Fill out appropriate college financial aid forms

Moving into fall, winter & spring… Consider attending the College Fair on Monday , October 8th at Carroll Community College , particularly if you are undecided—5:30-8:00 Consider attending the “College 101” night at CHS on Thursday, April 17th Parents should review the FAFSA now, organize their financial info and COMPLETE the online FAFSA form beginning OCTOBER 1st Continue exploring financial aid options and keep your grades UP

Admissions terms and benefits: Rolling – Find out early and find out quickly Generally utilized at smaller, less-selective schools Applications are reviewed and decided upon in order of receipt Acceptances begin now and run well into next spring, space permitting. Early Decision- Some statistical advantage but financially risky LEGALLY binding Only permitted to submit one Often due by November 1st If a student is admitted to the college, the student must cancel all other applications

Admissions terms (cont.) Early Action- Some statistical advantage, find out sooner, have time to reconsider options Usually due November 1st Applicant will receive an answer by early January Can apply Early Action to as many schools as you wish Denials often rolled over to regular admissions window Regular Decision Due between Dec and February Students receive an answer by mid to late March Commitment deadline usually May 1

Requesting a transcript Visit the School Counseling page on the CHS website and fill out an online Transcript Request Form The first three transcripts are FREE. After that, the cost is $2.00 per transcript Minimum of 10 SCHOOL DAYS to process a transcript If a Secondary School Report is required by your school, please work with your school counselor to have it completed either online or by hand. Many secondary school reports are part of schools’ online process and DO NOT have to be attached

www.carrollk12.org/chs

The Secondary School Report An important part of your application that is submitted by the high school It includes critical information: GPA, rank, character & academic scales, a general recommendation and more. If a PAPER secondary school report is your only option, bring it to your school counselor in the counseling office. If your are doing an online application, be sure YOU understand how the Secondary School Report will get to Century HS: Is it printed it out, auto-emailed, or do counselors have to log-on to access it

Counselor Recommendation Letters If a counselor recommendation letter is needed: Visit the school website (www.carrollk12.org/chs) Click on the “School Counseling” Tab Then click “Forms” Open the Counselor Recommendation Letter Packet After completing the forms, e-mail the complete document to your school

Teacher Recommendation Letters If a teacher recommendation letter is needed: Visit the school website (www.carrollk12.org/chs) Click on the “School Counseling” Tab Then click “Forms” Open the Teacher Recommendation Letter Packet Be sure to ask your teacher(s) if they would be willing to write you a letter! After completing the forms and speaking with your teacher, e-mail the completed packet to your teacher

The general ONLINE application process 99 The general ONLINE application process 99.99% of applications will be online. Your piece: Personal information, academic resume, essay, SAT/ACT/AP scores (must be ordered by student), application fee, and more Our piece: Secondary school report, counselor recommendation, transcript, character/academic scales, etc. We do not provide standardized test scores Teacher piece: Recommendation, character/academic rating scales Log-in and note your name and password (can log on with us) Be sure you know how to get the secondary school report to CHS Feel comfortable following-up with Ms. McKeiver and your Counselor with questions Keep track of the status of your application and deadlines Pay attention to check-lists and KNOW what each school requires

The Common Application/ The Coalition Determine which of your schools accept the Common App or Coalition App Complete student information portion online Invite your Counselor and teacher(s) of choice – this allows them to complete their portion of the form Minimum of 15 School Days to complete these forms Complete a Transcript Request Form – found on the CHS website

University of Maryland Use The Coalition App to apply Minimum of 15 school days notice required for counselor to complete the online reports Must apply by November 1st – their Priority Application

Primary sources of financial aid Federal and state programs (usually need-based) Colleges and universities (both merit and need-based) Scholarships from local, state and national organizations Lending institutions: banks, credit unions Businesses and professional organizations

Financial Aid Read the School Counseling Newsletter for scholarship opportunities Complete the FAFSA Form after October 1st Approach your college to see what aid opportunities are available Meet with a rep from your family’s bank to discuss options

Link to the FAFSA is located on Century High School’s Website under School Counseling, then Scholarship Information

Attend the Financial Aid Night on September 12th from 6:45-8:15

Questions?????