College Application Process PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE Gaithersburg High School School Counseling Department College and Career Center March 2019

Agenda We will cover the following topics: Application Process Key components of the application What makes a good, solid packet Paperwork and Deadlines Significance and why they are important Naviance Tools Strategies to get started Researching Colleges / Making Your List

Pick 6-8 Schools Target Schools Reach Schools no more than 2 It’s Time to Apply: Starting the College Application Process Start by making a list of schools you are interested in Pick 6-8 Schools Target Schools Reach Schools no more than 2 No more than 2 reach schools are recommended. Remember there is more than one right school for each student. Don’t forget to make certain the schools have the major you are thinking about.

Questions to ask yourself as you begin your search You have choices: Questions to ask yourself as you begin your search Do you wish to attend school near home or move away? In Maryland or out-of-state? State college or private? State = less expensive, fewer scholarships Private = more expensive, more financial aid College Admission Type of campus? City, suburban, rural Size of Campus Small = <3000 students Medium = between 3000 and 15,000 students Large = >15,000 students Other preferences / interests? Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual, community, athletics College admission requirements: min GPA, test scores, letters?

Research: tools and resources Search colleges on-line: using search tools located under Naviance Student “Colleges” Tab Will They Be Visiting the Area? Are They Visiting GHS: check the Naviance Home Page Talk with your Counselor, College Career Advisor, Teachers, Parents about recommendations

Important documents we need from you! Senior Packet Forms are ONLINE at the College Career Web Page!!!! Copies are also available in Counseling Office! College Application Process: College Application Process Checklist College Application Organizer Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendation Required Documents: Authorization Release Records Teacher Feedback Form - students should ask three (3) teachers for feedback forms Student Brag Sheet - enter student Naviance account, My Planner, tasks, "complete brag sheet", complete survey Extracurricular Activities Sheet Student Resume - not required but very helpful Parent Brag Sheet Transcript Request Form - one for every application (college and/or university and/or scholarship)

Senior Packet Material Student Brag Sheet and Activities page –Include: - great DETAIL: the more information you provide, the more information we have to share to colleges on your behalf! - Include important characteristics of school - if possible should demonstrate leadership Parent Brag Sheet Authorization to Release Records –bring to Spring junior counselor conference 3 Teacher Feedback Forms (not letters of recommendation) Very, Very Important: Required Forms – due by end of 2nd Semester - June 5th through June 14th!!! Counselors rely heavily on this information for Letters of Recommendation!

The Tests Are Not Created Equal… Know what test to take…. The Tests Are Not Created Equal… Accuplacer TOEFL - If you are applying to a 4-yr college, you may have to take the TOEFL if you have been in the US for less than 5-8 yrs. depending on the school. SAT ACT Accuplacer is given daily at Montgomery College as well as several times each year at GHS. The ESL Accuplacer, for students whose first language is not English and with less than 10 years in MCPS, is given only at MC by appointment. Students attending Montgomery College who score less than 500 on both the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or less than a 21 on the English and Math sections of the ACT, MUST take the Accuplacer. TOEFL exam is for any student applying to a four year college or university who has been in the US less than 7 years. Sometimes students are required to take the TOEFL if English was not their first language. Important note: Gaithersburg High School does not send out your official test scores. Contact the test companies and arrange to have your scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying!

Research: Community College 2-year associate degrees available Flexible, save money, transfer credits Apply EARLY to Montgomery College Montgomery Scholars Macklin Business Program Nursing Program US Service Academies SAT/ACT in Spring Junior Year (average score) Must complete Pre-candidate Questionnaire Application Packets from Congressional Reps & Senators Get to know who your local representative is Athletes: what you need to know about college sports eligibility NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org In the past, application fees to MC have been waived if students apply by March 1. All students should consider completing an application to MC as the admission to MC is good for summer school courses after you begin college. Any student attending MC should complete an associates’ degree in the first two years if you are contemplating transfer to a four-year college or university. Colleges and universities will usually accept your credits from MC if you have an Associate’s degree. NCAA Clearinghouse applications should be made during the junior year. It is online and can be accessed from the GHS website.

Setting up the Applications It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!! Setting up the Applications www.CommonApp.org www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ Identify schools who participate Access applications for non-participating schools directly Register online (write down login info, requirements and deadlines!!) Set up login and password for each Verify what documents are needed GHS sends transcripts and recommendations online to the CommonApp and the Coalition (UMD-CP) via Naviance as well as to all colleges and universities that accept electronic documents.

Application Reminders Step 15 - It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!! Application Reminders Accurate email address that you check! Email in CommonApp, Coalition and Naviance all need to be the same! Update Your Counselor Check for errors!! Spel checque iz knot enuf Proofread Sign and date forms in blue or black ink (best handwriting!) No pencil! Express Your Voice, Not Someone Else’s Let your counselor know where you are applying. Talk with teachers and counselors about your choices. They may have valuable insight into the colleges and universities or technical programs you are considering. Schools know when your essay is not your own!

Step 16 - Teacher Recommendations It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!! Essays Personal Essays: - Choose Topic Wisely - English Teacher Feedback Special note: Even though some colleges do not require you to complete an essay, we would encourage you to do so! Reason to compete an essay: it demonstrates a greater interest and gives colleges more information about you that could be helpful in their evaluation of your application. Step 16 - Teacher Recommendations Topics Take the word OPTIONAL out of your vocabulary until the application process is over. If an application says the extra state is optional, they know if you do not complete it, you really do not care about attending that school. Activities: please do not list things where you came in 9th out of 12. List items really important to you. Be able to explain an activity in 1-2 sentences. In your essay be specific! If the name of another school can be substituted into your essay and the essay still works, it is a bad essay. Find specific programs, places, professors, projects to talk about in the Why This College essay. Seek recommendation from academic teachers ASK IN PERSON Provide teachers with written information about your experience in the classroom or other information requested by them. Your resume could also be helpful. Ask teachers if they would like the information before the summer break.

It’s Time to Apply: Almost Done!!! Transcript Requests Turn in At Least 3 weeks in Advance of Application Deadline. Separate request for each school you are applying to including Montgomery College. Complete all questions Forms are online College Institute Transcript Request Go to your MyMC account Select Transcripts Print out an unofficial CREDIT Transcript Give 1 copy to Counseling Office

Naviance Task to complete BRAG SHEET

Time to Get Busy! Conclusion Start Now Meet your counselor Summer Fun Schedule Tests SAT/ACT Look at Schools Finish Brag Sheets Summer Fun Visit Schools Make Your List Start Applications Chart Deadlines and Requirements Please turn in your authorization to release records, brag sheets, and parent brag sheets to Counseling! Provide feedback forms to teachers before the last week of school.