College Applications Carla Deckelmann Haynes Professional School Counselor College Adviser JPPSS College Fair at Grace King High School October 3, 2013

What are colleges looking for? Rigor, Rigor, Rigor Scores on standardized tests. A slightly lower GPA in academically rigorous courses (honors and advanced placement) is preferred to a higher GPA in basic studies. A high school curriculum that challenges the student Passionate involvement in extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative quality of involvement always supersedes quantity of activities. Being part of an academic honor society is a plus! Community service--school and community Letters of recommendation—teacher, counselor, coach, religious Essays—go to “College Planning” tabwww.haynesacademyguidance Work or out of school experiences (including summer activities) Anything special that makes the student stand out from the rest of the applicants. This includes honors, awards, evidence of unusual talent or experience, or anything else that makes the student unique. Overall, colleges are seeking students who will be active contributing members of the student body. Not just bright students who only attend class!

College Resume’ Will aid in completing the application Go to for a sample on the College Planning tab under “College Resume & Essay” tabwww.haynesacademyguidance.com Beginning with 9 th grade and adding each year to: Education Leadership Employment Community Service Special Skills

College Requirements (They vary so do your homework and work hard to meet those requirements for admissions by fall of Senior year and keep them until officially admitted in spring of Senior year!) (Some require out-of-state fees!) Louisiana State University Incoming freshman must have at least a 3.0 academic GPA calculated from academic core courses. Students must also have completed at least 19 units of college- preparatory courses—TOPS Core Applicants must have a minimum of SAT score (critical reading and math) of 1030 or at least a composite ACT score of 22. University of New Orleans Minimum score of 19 Math in the ACT (460 SAT) and Minimum score of 18 English in the ACT (450 SAT) And ACT composite score of 23 or greater (SAT 1060) or High school core GPA of 2.5 or greater

College Requirements and Stats Rice University Early Decision – Applicants = 1298 Admitted = 322 Admission Rate = 25% Regular Decision Applicants – 14,117 Admitted = 2,261 Admission Rate = 16% Loyola University ACT Score SAT Critical Reading = Math = Interview required

Basic Steps for Applying to College ORGANIZATION IS THE KEY ! Research is also the key! DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES The single most important aspect of admissions applications and scholarships Common Application apply to multiple colleges using one application LA Schools: Dillard, Centenary, Loyola, UNO, Xavier Go to college’s “perspective student” or “admissions” tab Apply directly on line. College may direct you to let your counselor know your Pin no. to submit records and letter of recommendation through Scholarship deadline vs. application deadlines vary Example: Tulane: Nov. 15 vs. Jan. 15 Scholarship apps may be separate or part of original app Example: UL Lafayette (separate); UNO (original); Tulane (separate)

The BIG ? : Affordability Opportunity Vanderbilt: Affordability and Access 63% of all undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance 2012/13 Average financial aid package $43,794 (Award Letter issued in Spring) Estimated cost of attendance, 2013/14 (calculator found on college website) Tuition $41,928 Housing 9,208 Meals 4,886 Books and Supplies 1,370 Activities Fee/Rec Center 1,050 Personal Expenses 2,670 Travel Allowance, Near & Far Varies First-Year Experience Fee 690 New Student Transcript Fee 30 Estimated Total $61,832 (Out of State Fees and International Student Fees may be extra)

Financial Aid FAFSA—Federal Assistance for Financial Student Aid will open on January 1, Families may NOW begin to set up an account on line and begin collecting personal financial data and add it to you online account. Go to: NEVER USE.COM—IT IS NOT A FREE SERVICE!! FAFSA is where TOPS money is applied for—applying only through the TOPS application without applying to FAFSA, leaves one out if financial short fall of federal and state monies CSS Profile—Is required by some colleges To find info on financial, go to individual college websites, “Financial Aid” and “Scholarship” tabs at Financial aid information to be continued in November 2013 at an additional presentation

Making the Right College Choice Rep Networking and Campus Visits Start the Process Early—9 th Grade! College campus visits narrow down to 3 by late winter and visit them: Decision by 5/1 Contact the college representative personally on their campus, on our campus (lunch visits), s, by phone Haynes campus visits are posted on bulletin board, announced, on Haynes Academy Guidance web site and Haynes web site calendar Mini College Camp Southern Association of College Counselors will hold a FREE workshop on the Loyola University campus on September 28, 2013, from 8 am until 12:45 pm. Register at Topics include college search and application process, scholarships and financial aid process, standardized test options. College Fairs NACAC Fair October 1 from 9-12 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the New Orleans Convention Center. Same huge fair as last year sponsored by National Association for College Admission Counseling.

What College is right for you? Have options—apply to 3 to 5 Use these forms to research colleges: College Contact Tracking Log and College Comparison Log found on the “Forms” tab at Reach for the Stars Schools –-these are the colleges you really want to attend but you have reservations due to cost, distance, or criteria to be accepted. Target (Bulls eye) Schools –-these are the colleges that you pretty much know you can get into and don’t have worries about cost, distance, criteria, etc. and you do want to attend. Safety (No Sweat) Schools –-these are the colleges that you can get accepted with your eyes closed and hands tied behind your back.

ACT/SAT ACT Recognized by most colleges but do your research SAT Recognized by many private and Ivy League colleges Brown UniversityBrown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Yale UniversityColumbia UniversityCornell UniversityDartmouth CollegeHarvard UniversityPrinceton UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaYale University –Jr. and Sr. students on free/reduced lunch may take the SAT/ACT two times each for free during the two years. –You MUST reapply to the lunch program each year. –Request a copy of your test questions and answers: Dec, April & June testing for $19 –To qualify for TOPS, last test dates SAT is March and ACT is April –Check out this site:

TOPS Awards Last test dates to qualify March (SAT) & April (ACT) Opportunity Award Requirement –Core GPA 2.50 –20 ACT or 940 SAT ( Reading & Math) –Core GPA 3.00 –23 ACT or 1050 SAT (Reading & Math) Honors Award Requirements + $800 –Core GPA 3.00 –27 ACT or 1210 SAT (Reading & Math)

Counseling Department Website –Go directly and bookmark or place on your desktop –Also linked from Haynes web page under “Mrs. Deckelmann’s Wiki” –Active college web site links, scholarships, financial aid, resources

Cool Tools Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOFSA) Where TOPS lives! FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid Prepare for College, Types of Aid, Apply to TOPS, Who gets aid, apply for aid, repay your loans (do not use “.com”—not free!) Fast Web Cappex The High Five Scholarship Site

Cool Resources Excellent, comprehensive, college & career, scholarship resource sites: