Preparing for College Senior Year

Timeline September: –Register for ACT, SAT®, And/Or SAT® Subject Tests –Prep for Exams –Download / Request College Applications –Complete Rough Draft Applications –Finalize “My List of Colleges” –Update Resumes

Timeline October: –Review & Revise Personal Statements –Calculate GPA for Applications –Prepare for Letters of Recommendation –Request Letters of Recommendation –Determine Possible College Majors –Start Application Process – Public Schools November: –Register Online for FAFSA PIN –Start Application Process – Private Schools December & January: –Attend Financial Aid Workshops with Parent/Guardian –Scholarship Applications

Timeline Spring: –March 2 nd (or earlier) FAFSA & Supplemental Forms –Respond to College Requests for Additional Information –Decide on College of Choice & File Letter of Intent –Placement Exams –Correspondence with College: housing, financial aid, etc. June/End of School Year: –Identify Support Services & Extra Curricular Activities –Request Final Transcript Be Sent to College of Choice

Registering for Tests

Test Waivers The SAT Program Fee-Waiver Service is designed to help students for whom test fees represent obstacles on the road to college. High school juniors and seniors who cannot afford to pay the test fees can request fee waivers through their school counselors. The waivers cover the basic test fees for SAT or Subject Tests. A fee waiver may qualify you for application fee waivers at many colleges. See a counselor for more information.

Test Waiver Eligibility An American citizen or a foreign national testing in the United States, Puerto Rico, or United States territories Participate in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch/National School Lunch Program Or, meet the financial eligibility guidelines for fee waivers. Your guidance counselor will share these guidelines with you.

Registration with Fee Waiver Online Registration: You will be asked to enter: Fee waiver identification number School’s six-digit code Fee waiver identification number School counselor will provide you with the identification numbers Mail Registration Obtain an SAT® Registration Bulletin along with a fee waiver card from your counselor. Mail the fee-waiver card along with a completed registration form by the regular registration deadline. Send in the entire card or your registration will not be processed.

Test Results & Admissions Testing Again If you are satisfied with your score, congratulations! However, don’t despair if the score should be higher. Most students take the SAT® more than once, and even three times! Use the information in the score report to help understand strengths and weaknesses in order to hone preparation. Admission Requirements: Not all schools are using the SAT/ACT in the same way. Elite schools that have traditionally required the SAT Test are indicating they will require the SAT scores for admissions. Other schools may look at them, but not give them much consideration. Be sure to find out what select schools require.

Letters of Recommendation 1.Ask teachers, counselors, administrators who know you well and who will write you a personalized, glowingly positive letter of recommendation. If this person is a teacher, it is preferable that you are currently in his or her class or were a student of theirs last year. 2.Make your request at least three weeks before the letter is due. Explain any extenuating circumstances to the potential letter writer.

Letters of Recommendation 3. Provide a photocopy of any information you have about the school or organization requesting the recommendation. Be sure that you provide the exact name of the organization or college and the person whose name should appear in the salutation (Dear ___________). 4. Provide a photocopy of your AVID information sheet and/or résumé. Keep the original for future requests. 5. Provide an up-to-date copy of your unofficial transcript.

Letters of Recommendation 6. Supply a stamped envelope addressed to the college or organization. If possible, provide two sheets of school letterhead and any forms provided by the college or organization. 7. Place all of the above in a file folder. On the front of the folder, clip a note with the following information: “Letter of recommendation for (your name). Due (due date). Mail directly or return to (your name).” 8. Mark on your calendar the date you need to give a “friendly reminder” to the letter writer. (About 1 week before it’s due)

Letters of Recommendation 9. Important: After you have received the letter of recommendation, or the letter has been mailed, send the writer a thank-you note. He/she will appreciate it, and chances are you will need to request another letter later in the year. 10. If the letter is given to you directly and you have not waived your right to see it, photocopy the letter before putting it in the mail.

College Sweatshirt 2. Design logo of what you want out of college. 3. Academic Strength 4. Personal Quality 5. Post-college goal 6. Plan to achieve your goal