1. Class of 2017 Students/Parents… are you ready?
College Application Process
for Seniors

2. Hand Outs Senior Seminar 2017-2018 Time Line Choosing the Best College
Middle-Skills Jobs
SAT – ACT dates / whish is right for you
Listing your High School activities
Getting Letters of Recommendation
Financial Aid
College Essay
Your College Search, SUNY view book available

3. You may be feeling…. You’re not alone! Excited Confused
Anxious, Overwhelmed
Stressed
You’re not alone!

4. What can help... Start early Stay organized Take charge of the process
Call Admissions Reps. when you have questions
Look for the “right match” for you

5. SENIOR MEETING Starting Soon!
This is an individual meeting designed to check your credits, diploma type etc. and to allow Seniors to tell me how I can help them and provide them with individual guidance.
These meetings start as early in the year as possible in September or the first week in October.

6. Transcripts Review for corrections
Check all items – GPA, course credits, exam scores
Correct it and return to your counselor
Take note of regents scores
SAT/ACT scores should all be listed
Activities and clubs are no longer listed on the transcript

7. 3 EASY steps to apply to college / tech school
KNOW where you want to apply
APPLY
TELL me you Applied

8. What is your Academic Profile? GPA+SAT/ACT +other = Academic profile
Step1. Know where to APPLY find schools that have the program of study you are interested in.
You are recommended to apply to 3 to 6 schools
(PLEASE APPLY TO AT LEAST 3)
Likely Schools – (Probable Admission)Your academic profile is above the average requirements.
Good Match – (Competitive) Your academic profile matches the average requirements.
Reach Schools – (Highly Competitive) Your academic profile is below their average requirements
What is your Academic Profile?
GPA+SAT/ACT +other = Academic profile

9. Sample - Average GPA of students entering SUNY colleges
GCC
Morrisville
Alfred State
Buffalo State
Fredonia UB

10. Step 2 – APPLY!! www.commonapp.org
Common Application
Over 300 schools accept this application
Located online
Note the counselor section on line- you have to add my
Syd Houseknecht

11. You have to add my e-mail… SHouseknecht@keshequa.org
APPLY (Cont.)
SUNY Application
You can apply online at
Use this for all SUNY schools you apply to, this includes Community Colleges
GCC application is free
You have to add my …

12. Admissions types:
Regular Decision- specific deadline to complete, SCHOOL sends decisions after certain deadline
Rolling Admissions- review as they ARE received and send decisions when made.

13. Early Action Early Decision
You will receive a decision well in advance of regular decision
You are not committed
Deadline - depends on the college
“A well-researched first choice”
If admitted, you are committed!
Use this option if you are 100% sure you want to go there
Deadlines usually in early November; depends on the college
Wait list- does not offer or deny admissions- students should be given an indication of when they will be notified either way.

14. Tours & Interviews Set them up ASAP! (call admissions)
Ask if there is anything you might do to enhance your application
Before you leave an interview - find out how you stand as a potential applicant
Check your Senior Calendar!

15. SAT/ACT’s TAKE THEM!! Pay attention to deadlines – See senior calendar
SAT - taken Spring of Junior year and Fall of Senior year.
ACT – Tests your knowledge on Math/ Reading/ Science/ Social studies
Prep courses
See Mr. Houseknecht if you think you may qualify for a fee waiver
Not required for most 2 year schools unless you are entering a 4 year program
SAT/ACT’s TAKE THEM!!

16. Letters of Recommendation
Minimum of 3 letters:
Counselor
2 teachers - those who know you the best - ask them ASAP; let them know your deadlines.
Don’t forget to give teachers any additional information about yourself - including a…..
RESUME!

17. STEP 3 – TELL ME YOU APPLIED!
Use e mail if you would like -
Ask the Counseling department for a TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
and drop it off in the high school counseling center

18. Deadline for College Applications
DECEMBER 1st

19. Financial Aid Documents
FAFSA
All students must file a FAFSA
The first filing date is in October – Financial Aid meeting is will be in October in the evening.
Get online now to get your PIN, both you and your parents need to have one to file electronically go to:
FAFSA4caster
Financial Aid Documents

20. Financial Aid meeting
We will have a financial aid meeting in October, time and date tbd
You will be notified

21. Scholarship Information
A database of all the scholarship information we receive as well as several links to scholarship searches is on the guidance website
Good sites –
Fastweb.com
Studentaid.edu.gov

22. Scholarships (cont.)
This will take a lot of work on your part – many scholarships are never awarded – because no one applies for them!
I can help you, but I can’t do it for you.

23. Excelsior scholarship
Last dollar – only applies to tuition, not room and board
Resident of NYS
Enroll in suny 2 or 4 year program
Take 30 credits per calendar year – college credits you earn in high school are applied to your first year credit amount
Plan to live in new York the amount of time you participate in the excelsior program
There are income restrictions
If you do not adhere to any of these requirements it becomes a loan

24. Rylie McEvoy, Liam Costello, Serena Blackburn
Student presenters
Rylie McEvoy, Liam Costello, Serena Blackburn

25. *Success in the new economy 9:36 4 Skills & 4 Steps to a Successful Career 7:20

26. QUESTIONS?
Contact info: Mr. Houseknecht MS/HS Counselor ext. 2010