The College Application Process September 21, 2010

GPA &Transcript  Academic growth, strength of program, grades -Senior course selection - Mid-year Grades  New weighting policy  GPA is computed for all high school courses through the Junior year  LVHS does not rank  Be sure to review transcripts

SAT/ACT TO REGISTER & SEND SCORES     *Be aware that students are responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores

SAT Dates Test Date: Registration Deadline: October 9, 2010 Late Registration (9/24) October 9, 2010 Late Registration (9/24) November 6, 2010 October 8, 2010 December 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 December 4, 2010 November 5, 2010 Check SAT Schedule to verify SAT Subject Test dates Check SAT Schedule to verify SAT Subject Test dates LVHS is a testing site for all SAT dates Scores via web are available about 3 weeks after test date

SAT Score Choice  Students can send scores by test date for the SAT and individual tests for the Subject Tests  Score Choice is optional but must be selected when sending scores to colleges  Super Score  Some colleges may require that all scores be submitted. Check individual college websites for specific policies regarding score choice.  If you are utilizing Score Choice please take that into consideration when completing applications.

ACT dates Test Date: Registration Deadline: *October 23, 2010 Late Reg. October 1 st December 11, 2010 November 5, 2010 *Test offered at LVHS

School Codes  High School CEEB Code: Test Center Codes:  SAT Code:  ACT Code: 20006

Testing for Students with Accommodations Please contact M.J. Mulstay, Special Testing Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns

BEFORE YOU APPLY…

Naviance: Family Connection   To sign up go to: or link also available on guidance webpage   If you haven’t registered please see your counselor.   When registering include an address that you use. blasts about college visits, scholarship information and deadlines will be sent to you.   Please make sure you have an appropriate address!

Naviance: Family Connection   College Search   College Statistics and scattergrams   Resume   Weekly s to keep you informed   Update college list

College Visits College Visits  Make an appointment with admissions  What to do on your visit: –Meet with representatives –Take a campus tour –Speak with the students on campus –Eat in the dining hall – taste the food! –Check-out the surrounding community –Pick up the school newspaper

COLLEGE FAIRS & INFO SESSIONS   Locust Valley High School will be hosting mini-college fairs and individual college visits in Guidance   Local College Info Sessions- Please check college websites   Nassau Counselors’ Association College Expo Sunday September 26 th, 12pm-3pm SUNY Old Westbury   NACAC- National College Fair Sunday October 3 rd, 11am-4pm Nassau Coliseum   For more information refer to handouts and Guidance webpage   Weekly Updates through Naviance

Narrow It Down  “target” schools  “reach” schools  “likely” schools Your goal is to find a good match for you!

Letters of Recommendation   Two teacher letters   Students need to follow up with any teachers asked last year   Teachers will drop off letters in Guidance. Students can check with Ms. Morley to see if their letters are on file.   Ask teachers who know you well (preferably Junior teachers)   Supplementary letters (ie. Science Research, Athletics, Art, Music)   Teacher/Counselor Evaluation Forms – Available in Guidance and on school website. One form per teacher.   Provide teacher a list of colleges with deadlines.   Thank you note

Resume  Leadership  Accomplishments  Honors and Awards  Extracurricular activities  Clubs, Sports  Community Service  Out of school activities  Summer programs & Internships  Work experience ***Activities should be included on the application. ***Please submit an updated resume to your counselor as soon as possible. Keep counselor informed of updates.

Interviews  May be required  Alumni interviews  Informational  Relax and be yourself  Be prepared  Research your school - Ask questions - Bring resume - Dress appropriately - Arrive on time *Be aware of deadlines for interview sign-up.

College Essay… there may be more than one!  Represents student  Answers question  Engaging  Presentation counts  Be original and be yourself  Revise and proofread  Seek feedback

Application Deadlines  Early Decision/Early Decision 2  Early Action/Single Choice/Restricted  Regular Admission  Rolling Admission  Priority Deadlines

Application Process  Create an online account on the website for each school to which you apply.  Common, SUNY, CUNY, Individual  NCAA Clearinghouse  Financial aid Be aware of deadlines!!

Common Application  Main application -future plans -applicant – personal information -demographic information -family information -family information -education -academic -activities -writing  Supplements

SUNY/CUNY Application  Many SUNY schools on Common Application.   All CUNY applicants must apply online. 

Submitting Application Materials to Your Counselor  Make an appointment (at least 2 weeks prior to deadlines)  Review transcript for accuracy and return signed release form  Complete records release form for each individual school you are applying. Parents must sign this form. Form available in Guidance and on school website.  Please make sure that a copy of student resume is attached to each form if resume not submitted electronically.  Hand in electronic application receipt to counselor  Complete and give your Secondary School Report to your counselor. Only one report per student is needed.  Additional materials (i.e. outside letters of recommendation, writing samples/graded papers, photos, news articles, cd’s)

Counselor Will Add…  Official transcripts  Teacher letters of recommendation with teacher recommendation forms. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure these forms have been submitted to teachers.  Secondary school report with counselor recommendation  School profile

Deadline Dates   Plan ahead- there is a minimum of 10 schools days to process your application once a records release form is received. Schedule an appointment to hand in your records release form to counselor.   Be aware of deadlines for portfolios/auditions.   Also be aware of scholarship deadlines. Our goal is for all students to apply by December 3 rd. For applications due by January 15, December 3 rd is the deadline to submit your records release form.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)  Division I & II college-bound athletes should register with NCAA  Submit forms online and hand in records release form to Guidance  Be in touch with HS & college coaches Join us for NCAA night on October 13 th, 2010 at 7:00pm

Financial Aid Workshop on Tuesday November 16, 2010 at LVHS at 7:00 PM FAFSA: File after January 1 st of Senior year at - CSS Profile: This form applies to some colleges; please check with school for details and deadline - New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Merit Based Academic Departments Talent Athletic Outside

Scholarship Websites     Scholarship Newsletter will be coming out in October and every month thereafter. Updated scholarship information will be posted on our webpage.  Please be aware of deadlines and materials needed for scholarship applications. A records release form may be needed to complete application.

Senior Checklist  Update college list on Naviance: Family Connection  Send official SAT/ACT scores  APPLY: research college websites  Drop off resume with counselor  Follow up on with teachers for letters of recommendation  College essays  Make appointment to see counselor  College fairs/ info sessions/ visit with college representatives  Financial Aid/ Scholarships/ CSS Profile  Keep grades strong  Check LV Guidance webpage for new information and scholarships opportunities