1. College Applications & Essays
AP Language and Composition

2. Things to think about now...
What colleges do you want to apply to?
Safety, match, reach
The numbers
GPA, SAT/ACT/AP scores
Recommedations
Time
Have the names and contact information for coordinators of clubs/work supervisors
Applications and references
Both school-affiliated and not
You have plenty of time to prepare for college applications and to find the resources you will need for testing, recommendations, and essays so start early!
If you’re not certain of what you want to do for a career or even for school, that’s okay. There is plenty of time to figure things out and get to know yourself and your goals more. But don’t let that stop you from moving forward!

3. Numbers GPA requirements
Use collegeconfidential.com & others to get a profile of the average scores accepted at different schools
You have control over your scores
And you can always supplement weaker areas with quality essays, activity descriptions, and recommendations.
Use school resources!

4. The SAT and the ACT
Similarities and differences - a matter of personality
Check college requirements
Study and practice
Identify areas of strength and weaknesses
Take it twice
Send your scores directly
Find a resource that is engaging for you. Rely on learning strategies, not just information

5. Finding a College bigfuture.collegeboard.org Collegescorecard.ed.gov
Consider long-term programs
Factor in cost, location, and personality of schools (big/small, focus, reputation)
Possible formula: 5 schools - 1 reach, 3 match, 1 safety
Deciding
Financial aid offered
Visit
Intended major & Undergraduate requirements
Financial aid offered
Location, personality - visit!
Intended major (or if undecided, flexibility of major)
Undergraduate requirements

6. Application Process
Familiarize yourself with each school’s requirements early
ORGANIZE
Understand college websites
Activity log, recommendations, essays
Create a folder for each school including application forms, recommendation templates, essay prompts, drafts of what you will send them

7. Recommendations Strongly rely on academic recommendations
Non-academic recommendations
Coaches, work supervisors, club/organization coordinators
3-4 possible recommendation-writers
Let them know EARLY
Provide a current resume
teachers you have strong relationships with and/or teachers for classes in which you worked hard

8. Recommendations
Information to provide to people who you are asking to write you a letter of recommendation:
Your name
Due date (specific or estimate)
What is the letter for? (Which university are you applying for? What do you intend to study? What is the scholarship you’re applying for? Etc.)
3+ specifics about you to include – highlights from your resume
teachers you have strong relationships with and/or teachers for classes in which you worked hard

9. Personal Statements and Essays
Understand the prompt
Be honest
Try to avoid cliché topics
Sentence variation
PURPOSE
Sensory imagery, narrative “showing not telling”
Get different perspectives and revise
Be honest about aspirations, intentions, and interests
Be genuine about an experience, value, or activity that has been important to you

10. Resources http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ College application websites
Have conversations with friends, family, teachers
Pre-writing, journaling, researching narrative writing strategies
Find examples
College application websites often have pages about what they’re looking for

11. The Application Process
College application timeline
Organize due dates, your own personal application timeline, and college info
Spend enough time on each application
Tailor your application, essay, recommendations to the college’s requirements as much as possible
Find out what works for you!
3-5 weeks focusing on each.

12. Financial Aid FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA forecaster
Grants, loans, scholarships
Send FAFSA info to schools you apply to
As much as you can, seek out other sources of aid such as private scholarships

13. Scholarships Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation fastweb.com
School-specific scholarships
Check clubs, organizations, employers and parents’ employers, scholarships specific to your situation
Mrs. Dagan
Treat scholarship applications with the same rigor you go college apps and the return will be big!

14. Questions?