1. College Application Process
The College & Scholarship Application Process
Presented by
South Point High School Department of School Counseling Melissa Hambright, Wanda Love Rauch, and Laurie Whiteside September 17, 2015

2. Today’s Program Graduation Information Evaluating Your Options
Components of College Applications
The Application Process
Choosing The Right College For You
SPHS Senior Information
Scholarships

3. Graduation Information
Caps and Gowns
All students must have a cap/gown in order to participate in our graduation ceremony
If you have not yet ordered yours, Mr. Roper will be on campus during lunches on Oct. 21.
You may borrow a cap/gown from someone else, however you will still need to purchase a tassel.
If you need financial assistance, please see your school counselor

4. Graduation Information
Graduation Announcements
Graduation announcements are not required, however many of our seniors order them.
Formal graduation announcements are ordered through Campus Recognition in the fall – more information to follow – around $1 per announcement – watch for s and school announcements
Many students are starting to create their own announcements – can be more creative and less expensive

5. Graduation Information
Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 9:00am
Mandatory practice on Friday, June 10th at 8:00am
Each senior usually given 10 tickets for the stadium and 2 tickets for the auditorium (in case of inclement weather) – more information closer to the time

6. Evaluating Your Options
Where Should You Apply?
Most students apply to 3 or 4 schools. You can apply to as many schools as you want just be aware that college applications fees can be expensive. Most application fees are around $40 – $60 with some costing as much as $80.
When applying to colleges, make sure you have one college that you are sure you will be admitted to and one you can afford.

7. Evaluating Your Options
Use school profiles (ex. Average SAT/ACT scores and GPA) to help determine students chances of being admitted. Many schools provide this on their website.

8. Evaluating Your Options (continued)
University
Average SAT (M+CR)
Average GPA
Appalachian State
1179
3.94
East Carolina
1080
3.45
North Carolina State
1251
4.44
UNC Asheville
1175
3.99
UNC Chapel Hill
1302
UNC Charlotte
1060
3.4 – 4.0
UNC Greensboro
1100
3.6
UNC Pembroke
950
3.2
UNC Wilmington
1166
3.8
Western Carolina
1040
3.38
Duke
1370 – 1560
4.4+
Wake Forest
1280 – 1400
4.0+

9. How to Access Applications
Includes information for all colleges in North Carolina and applications for most colleges in North Carolina
Enter information one time and it will be populated into other applications
Use CFNC to apply to all community colleges and most 4 year colleges (unless otherwise indicated)

10. How to Access Applications
CommonApp is similar to CFNC in that students enter information one time and it is populated to all applications
It is used across the country by both public and private institutions
Popular schools in our area that use the CommonApp are: NCSU, UNC Asheville UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, Wake Forest, Davidson, Duke, Furman, High Point, Wofford, Meredith, Salem, University of Tennessee, & Warren Wilson

11. How to Access Applications
Other Colleges….
UNC Charlotte requires students with a fee waiver to apply through their website – NOT CFNC
Public universities in South Carolina have their own application system – apply through each school’s website
Appalachian requires you to start your application on CFNC, you can then add additional info (resume and essay) through your “MyApp” account on their website

12. Importance of Deadlines
Students need to visit the website at each school they are interested in to find out about their application process, their scholarship process, and DEADLINES! (post-marked or received by?)

13. Importance of Deadlines
UNC Chapel Hill - Early Action 10/15
NCSU - Early Action 10/15
UNCC - Priority 11/1
UNCW - Early Action 11/1
USC - Early Action 10/15
ASU - Early Action 11/15
Do not wait till the last minute!
Colleges allow teachers and counselors two additional weeks to submit letters of recommendation.

14. Breaking Down The College Application
Components of the Application
Transcript – shows course selections and grades
Test Scores – SAT/ACT, sometimes SAT II Subject
Tests and AP Exams
Letters of Recommendation
Essays
Extra-curricular Activities
Fees

15. Transcripts
Transcripts show your entire high school academic record – the classes you took (and are planning to take), as well as the grades you made in each class
Students will send transcripts electronically for every college in NC through – you must create an account and have listed your Student Id # (Lunch #)
If you apply through your counselor will upload a copy of your transcript. (The common app asks for your counselor’s address).
For other Out of State colleges, complete a “Request for Transcript” form in the Counseling Office and return in 2 days to pick them up and mail them.

16. Transcript Request Form

17. Transcripts
University of South Carolina and Georgia Tech are examples of two schools that require students to upload their transcript themselves
Schools that use SendEdu - Wingate and Western Carolina are two examples - will also ask for a counselor’s address so we can send your transcript electronically

18. Transcript/Counselor Form
Many schools require a counselor’s form (sometimes called a Secondary School Report) to go with the transcript. This form helps the college better understand your transcript and SPHS in general.
It is the student’s responsibility to add the counselor form to the student’s transcript request form (if it is not electronically, i.e. Common App). It often requires your signature so we can not send it without your consent.

19. Testing / SAT & ACT
Students have to take one or both of these tests for admission to a 4-year college. Colleges look at them the same and will take the highest scores.
Both tests have a writing section. Students have the option not to take the writing portion of the ACT, however most colleges require a writing score.
Visit for all the details about the ACT and to register online.
Visit for all the details about the SAT and to register online.

20. Testing/SAT & ACT
Reporting Scores – students must request that scores be sent directly to the college from the testing website – SPHS can NOT do this for you…even ACT scores from the test you took last spring
October and November test scores will still be used for college admission – even if you apply by early deadlines!
To compare ACT and SAT scores, visit readiness/compare-act-sat/

21. Testing / SAT & ACT Which one should you take?
Take a practice test to determine which one is right for you.
What’s the main difference?
The ACT has less math & has science. All schools accept the ACT. It doesn’t penalize you for guessing.
How many times should you take them?
2 to 3 times is the average number of times most students take the SAT or ACT. All tests should be taken by November of Senior year!
Most colleges take the highest score from each section of all tests taken to form a student’s final score.
Test
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
Total – (CR + M)
SAT # 1
400
450
500
1350 – (850)
SAT # 2
550
1450 – (1000)
SAT # 3
1450 – (1050)
MY SAT
1600 – (1100)

22. Testing SAT II’s
Some colleges require students to take SAT II subject tests for admission and placement purposes. Check the college website to see if they are required. (i.e.. Duke) Go to to register.

23. Letters of Recommendation
Needed for some colleges and scholarships from both a teacher and a counselor
It is OK (and preferred) to ask the same teacher(s) to write multiple letters for both college and scholarships – they will save these and “tweak” them for each individual application
your Activity Sheet and Brag Sheet to all recommenders
Give at LEAST two weeks notice and use request form

25. College Application Essays
Some colleges require essays….PLEASE do not wait to the last minute to write these!
Even if a college says an essay is optional – it is not….
Always have someone else read over your essays before you submit them.
Do not send essays if the college does not ask for them

26. Application Fees
Most 4 year colleges require an application fee – usually between $40-80 per application
If you receive free or reduced lunch, you can receive fee waivers for the SAT, ACT, and college applications –
You can download four college application fee waivers from your collegeboard account as long as you have used a waiver to pay for the SAT in the past
Common App will ask your counselor to complete the fee waiver request electronically (we are automatically contacted if you have entered our address on the application )

27. College Application Week
November 10-14
Many private colleges in NC will waive their application fee for all students during this week if they apply through CFNC
Most of these schools have “rolling admissions” which means there is no specific application deadline
Students will have opportunity to apply at school, but can also apply at home during this week.

28. College Application Tips
Create an Activity Sheet
This will help you complete the Extra-Curricular and Honors sections of your applications
Students should include everything they have been involved in from 9th - 12th grade. 
Examples include - Community service, volunteer experience, work experience, honors & awards, clubs, sports, church involvement, special programs attended, certifications, leadership positions, etc...
Make sure you a copy to your counselor!

29. SPHS Information CEEB/SAT/ACT code: 340-295
238 students in SPHS’s Class of 2016
Our GPA is on a 4.0 scale
Unless specified, list the student’s weighted GPA on applications
We offer 15 AP courses and 30 Honors courses
SPHS Profile is on the School Counseling Webpage

30. Making the Right Choice
Students should compare colleges by visiting in person and by their websites.
Look for things that are most important to you.
The best time to visit a college is when the student body is there. You should take an official tour and then take your own tour. Visit dorms to see what the rooms are like, and eat in the cafeteria. Many schools have VIP/Open House days. Teacher workdays and during breaks are great times to visit. Above all, please VISIT!
In order to visit a college during the school week and receive an excused absence, you will need to bring back a note from the college on college letterhead that states you were there that day.

31. Making the Most of College Visits
Make a plan in advance
Ask questions
Take a tour
Dine on campus
Visit bookstore
Read student newspaper and bulletin boards
Stop by Financial Aid and/or other important offices (ex. Students with Disabilities, Academic Departments, Athletics)
Attend a performance or sporting event
Take Pictures – Have fun!

32. SPHS Senior Information
Ways to Receive Information
Sign up for the SPHS Senior group – these s come from Mrs. Rauch and cover everything from college and scholarship information to school news and graduation information
Check the SPHS Website
TEXT to
Get to know your school counselor:
Alpha A-G – Ms. Hambright –
Alpha H-O – Mrs. Whiteside –
Alpha P-Z – Mrs. Rauch –

33. Paying for College Scholarships Financial Aid Savings
There are three ways to pay for college:
Scholarships
Financial Aid
Savings

34. Paying For College / Scholarships
Scholarships are advertised through Mrs. Rauch’s senior group, Remind TXT, Senior Scholarship Newsletters, school announcements, and on our website.
The Senior Scholarship Newsletter contains every scholarship of which counselors are aware and are posted each month on the website and in the Senior Group .

35. Scholarships (continued)
Gaston County has a scholarship website. This is where most of our scholarship information comes from. You can search by school, by deadline, and by subject. Visit
Students should also use online scholarship searches. They can create a profile and do a search just for them! is one of the best!

36. Gastoncountyscholarships.com

37. Financial Aid Presentation
Tuesday, December 9th at 6pm - South Point cafeteria
Presented by Ms. Tameka Ruffin, CFNC representative

38. Counselor Cafe in September and October during all 4 lunches.
Want Extra Assistance?
Counselors available in the computer lab from 3-4pm on:
Wednesday, September 30th
Thursday, October 1st
Wednesday, October 7th
Thursday, October 14th
Counselor Cafe in September and October during all 4 lunches.

39. Questions?