1. The College Application Process September 21, 2011
Welcome to College Night!
You are here because you have questions about getting into college, and you may want to know what you have to do in high school to prepare. You may wonder about standardized tests. You probably have questions about the applications process. Finally, you probably want information about financial aid. You probably feel overwhelmed by all this, but let’s take things one step at a time.

2. 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
Generally speaking, two of the most important considerations for college admissions and academic scholarships are grade point averages and ACT/SAT scores.
If you already have a high GPA, congratulations! You’ve made things a lot easier for yourself.
If you take AP or honors courses, many colleges will weight them—thus, getting a B+ in a difficult course will count for more than getting an A- in an easier course.
If you didn’t do as well in your freshman and sophomore years as you believe you could have, turning your GPA around in your junior and senior years will have an impact on your admission. Also, if you have a learning disability or something else in your life that has hurt your academics, you should mention it in your personal essay or have a counselor or other adult describe it in your letters of recommendation. Admissions officers don’t just look for someone who has a perfect GPA and perfect test scores. They want well-rounded individuals or people who have overcome some difficulties.
After you’ve won acceptance to a college, don’t slack off for the rest of your senior year! Many college acceptance letters are contingent on you maintaining your current GPA.

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

4. SAT Dates Test Date: Registration Deadline:
October 1, Late Registration (9/21)
November 5, October 7, 2011
*December 3, November 8, 2011
Check SAT Schedule to verify SAT Subject Test dates
*LVHS is not a testing site for the December 3rd exam.
Scores via web are available about 3 weeks after test date

5. 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.

6. ACT dates Test Date: Registration Deadline:
*October 22, Late Reg. Sept. 17th - 30th
*December 10, November 4, 2011
* LVHS is NOT a testing location for these dates.

7. School Codes High School CEEB Code: 332 882 Test Center Codes:
SAT Code:
ACT Code: 20006

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

9. 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
Deciding on a college can be tough; however, it can also be a lot of fun. Consider what each college has to offer. You might want to look at aspects such as:
Size: Do you want a larger university with a large, diverse population and mostly lecture-style classes? Or do you want a smaller school with more contact with professors?
Public or private: Private colleges and universities are generally more expensive than public schools and usually have a smaller student population as well.
Location: Is the school close to home? Is it in a large city or a small town?
Cost: How much is tuition? What about housing?
Majors: Do they have a program in your line of study?
Student Life: What’s the atmosphere like on campus? Is it a student-friendly and fun environment? What do students have to say about their school?

10. 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 25, 2011
12:00-3:00pm
SUNY Old Westbury
NACAC- National College Fair Sunday, October 2, :00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Nassau Coliseum
For more information refer to handouts and Guidance webpage
Weekly Updates through Naviance

11. 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
Read the essay question carefully and make sure you respond to exactly what the question asks for. The questions are usually very broad, but you should still make sure you don’t respond off-topic.
Make your essay a personal, engaging narrative. The essay should be about you and why you should be admitted to that particular college. Remember, admissions officers are people too—they like to read lively pieces of writing rather than dry essays.
If you’ve had an obstacle or challenge in your life that you feel affected your high school career, explain it in the essay—but only if it fits the topic. You shouldn’t use this obstacle or challenge as an excuse for subpar grades; instead, just explain how it affected you both personally and academically.
Proofread your essay, then have another person proofread it as well. You should also have someone critique the clarity of your essay.
This is the only part of the application that the student has total control over. This is the opportunity for the student to really shine, and give Colleges the insight to who they really are.

12. Letters of Recommendation
Two teacher letters from 11th grade core academic courses
Be sure to provide teacher with LV Teacher Rec Form
Be sure to follow-up with teachers asked last year
Counselor letter
Supplementary letters
(ie. Science Research, Athletics, Art, Music)
Provide teacher a list of colleges with deadlines.
Thank you note
Make sure that you can count on a positive letter of recommendation. If you aren’t sure, ask!
Give the person writing the letter at least two weeks notice before the mail date. Not only is it rude to ask for a letter of recommendation at the last minute, but most people will write a better letter if you give them more time.
Furnish the person writing the letter with a list of accomplishments, or provide them with a resume. [Note to presenter: a form for this purpose is provided.]
Send them a thank you note.
Save a copy of these recommendations for future use.

13. 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 and resume can be uploaded to the Common Application under the “Additional Information” Section.
***Please submit an updated resume to your counselor as soon as possible.
Keep counselor informed of updates.

14. Interviews/Auditions
May be required for specific programs or specific schools
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.
Most colleges do not require interviews. Those that do often have alumni conduct the interviews. Other colleges may ask you for an interview only if they think it is necessary.
In the interview, just relax and be yourself. Don’t treat it like a job interview; rather than focusing on your strengths and achievements, try to give the interviewer a sense of who you are as a person. Most applicants will have solid test scores and academic achievements—what makes you stand out from the crowd?
You can also use the interview to ask the alum questions about the school: What was it like when they were an undergraduate? What advice do they have to give?

15. Start Applying!
Once you have narrowed down your list down to about six schools, begin applying. Most applications can be found on the college Web sites.

16. Narrowing Down Your List
“target” schools
“reach” schools
“likely” schools
Your goal is to find a good match for you!
Your Guidance Counselor will be meeting with you individually to go over what would be your target schools, but from year to year the applicant pool can change therefore there is no guarantee on this process. Your counselor will help you choose schools that will be a good match.
Discuss Finding a good match.
While considering where to apply, narrow your choices down to about six schools. You want to give yourself a range of choices, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Apply to two “safe” schools: Currently enrolled students at these colleges should have lower average GPA and standardized test scores than you do. You should feel that you have a 75–90 percent chance of getting in.
Apply to two “reach” schools: These schools should be difficult for you to get into. Students enrolled should generally have higher GPAs and standardized test scores than you do. Often, these are extraordinarily difficult schools for anyone to get into.
Apply to two “good fit” schools: Students should have GPAs and test scores similar to yours. These should be schools that you would be happy to go to and where you have a good chance of getting in.

17. Application Deadlines
Early Decision/Early Decision 2
Early Action/Single Choice/Restricted
Regular Admission
Rolling Admission
Priority Deadlines
Look for application deadlines and apply early. Colleges usually begin accepting applications after the first quarter of your senior year. Check with individual colleges.
If you definitely know where you would like to go to college, you may apply using early decision or early action. Both of these options involve applying early in your senior year. You will receive notification from the college in December, January, or February. Do keep in mind, however, that early decision is binding. In other words, if the college accepts you and offers you an adequate financial aid package, you must go there.
Early action is not binding. You may still apply to other colleges as part of regular admissions; however, many schools won’t allow you to apply to other schools as part of early action.

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

19. *New* Application Procedure
Create an account with the common application at Please create this account even if you are not applying to any colleges on the common application.
Complete the FERPA Privacy Notice Agreement in the “Colleges I’m Applying to” section of your Naviance: Family Connection account. Counselors will be unable to submit transcripts electronically unless this is complete.
List all the schools you will be applying to under the “Colleges I am Applying To” tab of your Naviance: Family Connection account. Please make sure you list all the schools you will apply to even if they are not on the common application.
Please make an appointment with your counselor to hand in Transcript and Records Release Forms. Submission of this form DOES NOT MEAN your application has been submitted. You are still responsible for submitting your actual application electronically.
Please be aware of deadlines: Allow 10 days for the school records to be sent
Make an appointment (at least 2 weeks prior to deadlines) ** Plan ahead DO NOT wait until the last minute.

20. Guidance Office will send…
Official transcripts
Teacher letters of recommendation with teacher evaluation forms. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure these forms have been submitted to teachers.
Students must confirm with Ms. Morley that teacher letters are on file.
Secondary school report with counselor recommendation
School profile

21. Our goal is for all students to apply by
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
Friday, December 2nd.

22. 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
Thursday October 13th, 2011

23. Financing your education
Financial Aid Workshop on Tuesday, November 15th, FAFSA: File after January 1st of Senior year at CSS Profile: This form applies to some colleges; please check with colleges for details and deadline; available on - New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.”

24. Merit Based Academic Departments Talent Athletic Outside
SCHOLARSHIPS
Merit Based Academic Departments Talent Athletic Outside
Make time to apply for scholarships. Keep your eyes open for scholarship opportunities for which you might be a good candidate. There are three types of scholarships: Academic, Departmental, and Private.
Colleges commonly award money to students based on grades and test scores. Schools also frequently consider community service and extracurricular involvement. They like to see that you have the potential to contribute both academically and socially. Look for ways to get involved in school and in your community that will show colleges you are a well-rounded individual.
If you have a particular talent or know exactly what you want to study in college, contact people in those departments in the schools which you apply. Once again, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. Let them know who you are and how you can contribute to their department.
Many large companies offer help to children of their employees. Ask your parents to find out if their employers have any programs for which you may be eligible. These programs are usually not need-based or merit-based.
Local businesses may offer scholarships to high school students in the area. If a company has supported the school through ads in the student newspaper or yearbook, they may have scholarships available.
Philanthropists, charitable organizations, religious groups, and other groups also offer scholarships. Look into local opportunities, and if you’re not sure if a particular organization offers a scholarship, don’t be afraid to ask.

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

26. Senior Checklist
___1. Be sure to update college list on Naviance/Family Connection. Make sure you add the schools you will be applying to under the “Schools I am applying to” Tab. If you haven’t registered please see your counselor.
____2.Create an account with the common application even if you are not using this application for college. You MUST sign the FERPA Privacy Notice Agreement once you register. Please write down your username and password and keep it in a safe place.
____3.Send official scores for SAT and/or ACT to colleges.
Most colleges do not want you to rush the scores. Check the college websites.
____4.Attend meetings with college representatives in the Guidance office. Make sure that your classroom teacher signs the college visitation pass before you come. You should also visit colleges and attend college fairs or local college information sessions.
____5.Update activities resume. Keep counselor informed of all updates.
____6.College essays: do not procrastinate. Speak to your English teacher for
help editing and revising your essay.
LVHS
Visit your school counselor. Talk to teachers. Research on the Internet. Take things one step at a time and ask questions. Visit the counseling office if you have any questions.

27. ____7. Applications: begin with schools that have rolling admissions, keep
deadlines in mind.
____8.Speak to your teachers about your letters of recommendations. Give your
teachers a teacher evaluation form; only one form per teacher is necessary. Forms are available in Guidance and on the LVCSD website. Teachers will drop off letters of recommendation in Guidance.
____9. Give teachers a list of colleges and deadlines. Check with Ms. Morley
in Guidance to see if your letters are on file
____10.Schedule an appointment with your counselor to complete a records release form for EACH individual school you are applying. All forms should be submitted at least 10 days before the due date. Do not leave these forms with the secretaries in Guidance. PARENTS MUST SIGN THIS FORM.
____11. Find out which financial aid forms and/or scholarship forms are required by each college and complete them in a timely fashion. The FAFSA cannot be completed until January 1st, 2012.
____12. Keep your grades strong- senior grades count and are sent to the colleges!
____13. Check the Locust Valley HS website for new information and scholarship
opportunities on a regular basis.
____14.MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR- YOU ARE NOT ALONE!