Actual Applications Overview Letters of Recommendation Filling Out the Actual Applications Record of College Application Submissions

Letters of Recommendation Not all schools require recommendation letters Check if you need them Determine whether the colleges you are applying to require specific forms to be used o If so, print them out now

Letters of Recommendation, con’t You need to ensure that you will have positive letters Ask early Give letter writers information about your academics and extracurricular activities

Letters of Recommendation, con’t How do you choose your references? o Recent teachers – 11 th grade AP and Honors courses Narrow down the list of possible references to 4 or 5 and rank them

List of Possible Letter Writers Name of Letter WriterName of ClassYear Class was TakenRanking (5 is Highest)

Script to Ask for Letters of Recommendation Make sure you: o Create an information packet for your writers o Provide all of the necessary paperwork filled out o Make sure you include postage o Follow up with a thank you note

Script to Ask for Letters of Recommendation o Say, “I am applying to several colleges and I was wondering if you know enough about me to write me a strong letter of recommendation?” o STOP TALKING o Observe the person closely o If they are enthusiastic, that is fantastic! o If they are reluctant, ask someone else o You need to make sure you have solid, positive letters

Information Packets for Letter Writers Contents of the information packet: o A copy of the worksheet: Information Packet for Letters of Recommendation o A copy of your most recent transcript o A copy of your Detailed Activity worksheet o Recommendation forms, with the top portion (and FERPA) completed by you o Stamped envelopes, addressed to where the letters should be sent, with the school’s address as the return address o A list of any specific accomplishments you had in their class (e.g., strong participation in a debate, an excellent science project, a fantastic paper) o A clear note indicating due dates

Information Packets for Letter Writers, con’t A note on the FERPA waiver o Privacy notice on the top of each evaluation form o The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows students to view these letters unless they give up their right to do so o You should waive these rights o It shows you trust your letter writer

Worksheet: Information Packet for Letters of Recommendation Contact Information: Student Name: Phone: GPA Information: GPA: Weighted GPA (if applicable): Test Scores: SAT: Date: Critical Reading: Math: Writing: ACT: Date: Verbal: Math: Science: Reading: Comp: SAT Subject Tests: Date: Subject: Score: Advanced Placement Tests: Date: Subject: Score: Language Skills: Do you speak more than one language? If so, indicate which ones and level of fluency. Family: General: Parents' marital status: _____ Never Married _____ Married _____ Widowed _____ Separated _____ Divorced (date_________) With whom do you live on a permanent basis? _____ Parent 1 _____ Parent 2 _____ Both _____ Legal Guardian _____ Ward of the State Will you be the first person in your family to attend college? _____ Yes _____ No Parent 1: _____ Mother _____ Father _____ Unknown Is parent living? _____ Yes _____ No Occupation:______________________________________ Employer:_______________________________________________________ College (if any):____________________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________ Graduate School (if any):______________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________ Parent 2: _____ Mother _____ Father _____ Unknown Is parent living? _____ Yes _____ No Occupation:______________________________________ Employer:_______________________________________________________ College (if any):____________________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________ Graduate School (if any):______________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________ Legal Guardian (if other than a parent): Relationship to you:_________________________________ Name:_________________________________________________________ Occupation:______________________________________ Employer:_______________________________________________________ College (if any):____________________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________ Graduate School (if any):______________________________ Degree:_________________________________________________________

Worksheet: Information Packet for Letters of Recommendation (continued) Family: (continued) Siblings: Name:___________________________ Age: ______ Grade:__________ College attended:_________________________ Degree earned / expected:___________________________ Date: ______________________ Name:___________________________ Age: ______ Grade:__________ College attended:_________________________ Degree earned / expected:___________________________ Date: ______________________ Name:___________________________ Age: ______ Grade:__________ College attended:_________________________ Degree earned / expected:___________________________ Date: ______________________ Name:___________________________ Age: ______ Grade:__________ College attended:_________________________ Degree earned / expected:___________________________ Date: ______________________ Disciplinary History: Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any school that you have attended since 9th grade, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in probation, suspension, or expulsion from the institution? If yes, please explain below. Include the date of incident, explain the circumstances, and indicate what you learned from the experience. College List: List the colleges to which you are applying and explain why you want to attend. College: Why I want to attend: College: Why I want to attend: College: Why I want to attend: College: Why I want to attend: College: Why I want to attend: College: Why I want to attend:

Filling Out the Actual Applications Most applications are filled out and submitted electronically o Look for typos or other errors o Parents should NOT fill them out o Carefully read the instructions and follow them exactly It is very important to fill out the applications now but do not submit yet!

Filling Out the Actual Applications, con’t Part 1: Contact Information o Make sure to use your legal name Part 2: Possible Major o Answer this question very carefully Impacted majors 2/3 of students change their major

Filling Out the Actual Applications, con’t Part 3: Race / Ethnicity o If you fall into a traditionally underrepresented racial group, you should check the box o Publicly funded schools in some states do not take race into account (CA, TX, FL) Part 4: Educational Information (GPA and Scores) o You will need to include your GPA and test scores, even though the college will be receiving a copy of your transcripts and official test scores

Filling Out the Actual Applications, con’t Part 5: Family o Make sure to answer all these questions as best as you can Part 6: Extracurricular Activities, Work Experience, and Community Service o Refer back to your Student Resume worksheet Part 7: Personal Statement o Copy and paste o Make sure there are no references to other colleges in your statement

Filling Out the Actual Applications, con’t Part 8: Additional Information o This could include special circumstances or qualifications not listed elsewhere Part 9: Disciplinary History o Many schools ask if you have ever had a serious disciplinary issue or if you have ever been convicted of a crime o It is important you are very honest here and remorseful in your explanation Part 10: Signature, Date, and Payment o Your signature indicates you have submitted a truthful application

Supplemental Application Forms Some colleges will require supplemental forms o Questions about your academics o Often require additional essay response or short essay o Sometimes for certain majors only

Record of College Application Submissions College Name Applications Date sent: College Application Copy of application in file folder Other: Date confirmed received by school Interviews Interview required? Date interview scheduled Interview preparation completed? Letters of Recommendation Reference #1: Date confirmed done Wrote thank you note Date confirmed by school Reference #2: Date confirmed done Wrote thank you note Date confirmed by school Reference #3: Date confirmed done Wrote thank you note Date confirmed by school Transcripts or Secondary School Reports Date gave form to counselor Date confirmed done Date confirmed received by school Midyear report required? Date confirmed done Date confirmed received by school Test Scores Date sent SAT Reasoning test Date confirmed received by school Date sent ACT test Date confirmed received by school Date sent SAT Subject tests Date confirmed received by school Date sent AP tests Date confirmed received by school Financial Aid Forms Date sent: FAFSA (after January 1) CSS Profile required? Date sent: CSS Profile Other form(s) required? Date sent: Other forms Results and Responses Result (accepted, Waitlisted, Deferred) Notified school of decision by 5/1 Mailed Housing / Other forms

Just Finish It Do not procrastinate! Some students freak out o Fear of failure o Fear of success o Fear finishing the application, as it is a big step and very stressful If you have followed the directions in this guide, you have a rock solid application You won’t get accepted unless you submit Hit the submit button and go relax!