2. Approaching the College Application Process Gaithersburg High School Counseling Office College and Career Center

3. Topics Covered Researching Colleges / Making Your List Researching Colleges / Making Your List Application Process Application Process Paperwork and Deadlines Paperwork and Deadlines

4. Questions… Attend school near home or move away? Attend school near home or move away? In Maryland or out-of-state? In Maryland or out-of-state? State college or private? State college or private? – State = less expensive, fewer scholarships – Private = more expensive, more financial aid Type of campus? Type of campus? – City, suburban, rural Researching Colleges / Making Your List

5. More Questions… Size of Campus Size of Campus – Small = <3000 students – Medium = between 3000 and 10,000 students – Large = >10,000 Other preferences / interests? Other preferences / interests? – Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual, community, athletics Researching Colleges / Making Your List

6. More To Consider… Community College Community College – Apply EARLY to Montgomery College – Flexible, save money, transfer credits – 2-year associate degrees available Athletes Athletes – NCAA Clearinghouse – www.eligibilitycenter.org Researching Colleges / Making Your List

7. More To Consider… US Service Academies US Service Academies – SAT in Spring Junior Year – Pre-candidate Questionnaire – Application Packets from Congressional Reps & Senators Researching Colleges / Making Your List

8. ASVAB April 4 Career Interest Survey Career Interest Survey What Are You Good At? What Are You Good At? Looks Like a Test Looks Like a Test Explore Occupations Explore Occupations Figure Out What You Want to Study in College or … Figure Out What You Want to Study in College or … Do With Your Life!! Do With Your Life!! Researching Colleges / Making Your L Researching Colleges / Making Your List

9. Gathering Information Look at Schools Online Look at Schools Online Will They Be Visiting the Area? Will They Be Visiting the Area? Are They Visiting at GHS? Are They Visiting at GHS? Counselor, CCIC, Teachers, Parents Counselor, CCIC, Teachers, Parents College Fairs – April 9 – AT FAIRGROUNDS College Fairs – April 9 – AT FAIRGROUNDS Researching Colleges / Making Your List

10. College Fair April 9 and 10 Bus Service from GHS Bus Service from GHS 200+ Colleges Represented 200+ Colleges Represented Have a Plan – Know Which Schools Have a Plan – Know Which Schools Focus on Financial Assistance Options Focus on Financial Assistance Options U of Md, Other Local Schools Popular U of Md, Other Local Schools Popular Details: Handouts, Website, Announcements Details: Handouts, Website, Announcements Researching Colleges / Making Your List

11. Other Resources www.Collegeboard.org www.Collegeboard.org www.Collegeboard.o www.PrincetonReview.com www.PrincetonReview.com www.PrincetonReview.com Naviance/Family Connection (link on GHS home page) Naviance/Family Connection (link on GHS home page) We Are Here To Help! We Are Here To Help! College/Career Center College/Career Center Your Counselor Your Counselor Researching Colleges / Making Your List

12. Consider What Colleges Are Looking For Quality of Academic Program Quality of Academic Program Grade Point Average Grade Point Average SAT or ACT Scores SAT or ACT Scores Extra Curricular Activities Extra Curricular Activities Volunteer / Community Service / Employment Volunteer / Community Service / Employment Letters of Recommendation Letters of Recommendation Researching Colleges / Making Your List

13. SAT Highest score 2400 Highest score 2400 Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus Reading Reading Multiple Choice Multiple Choice Essay Essay Penalty for wrong answers Penalty for wrong answers Fee $51.00 Fee $51.00 www.CollegeBoard.org www.CollegeBoard.org www.CollegeBoard.org The Tests Are Not Created Equal…

14. ACT Highest Score 36 Highest Score 36 Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus Science Science Reading Reading English English Multiple Choice Only $36.50 Multiple Choice Only $36.50 With Optional Writing Exam $52.50 With Optional Writing Exam $52.50 No Penalty for Wrong Answers No Penalty for Wrong Answers www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org The Tests Are Not Created Equal…

15. Accuplacer TOEFL TOEFL

16. Make Your List Pick 6-9 Schools Pick 6-9 Schools – Target Schools – Reach Schools – no more 2 Researching Colleges / Making Your List

17. Setting up the Applications www.CommonApp.org after August 1 www.CommonApp.org after August 1 www.CommonApp.org Identify schools who participate Identify schools who participate Access applications for non-participating schools directly Access applications for non-participating schools directly Register online (write down login info, requirements and deadlines!!) Register online (write down login info, requirements and deadlines!!) – Set up login and password for each – Verify what documents are needed Application Process

18. Do The Applications Begin completing the applications online Begin completing the applications online Double check applications for: Double check applications for: – Accuracy – Completeness Print/Copy all pages prior to submitting for your records Print/Copy all pages prior to submitting for your records Application Process

19. Application Reminders Accurate email address that you check! Accurate email address that you check! Email in CommonApp and Naviance need to be the same! Email in CommonApp and Naviance need to be the same! Update Your Counselor Update Your Counselor Check for errors!! Check for errors!! – Spel checque iz knot enuf – Proofread Sign and date forms (best handwriting!) Sign and date forms (best handwriting!) Express Your Voice, Not Someone Else’s Express Your Voice, Not Someone Else’s Application Process

20. Essays and Resume Activity Statement - ~100 words Activity Statement - ~100 words Optional/or NOT!! Optional/or NOT!! 1 – 2 Personal Essays 1 – 2 Personal Essays – Choose Topic Wisely – English Teacher Feedback Activities/Resume Activities/Resume – Organize by most important to you Include Important Characteristics of Include Important Characteristics of School, if Possible Application Process

21. Letters of Recommendation TeacherTeacher – Brag Sheet and / or Resume CounselorCounselor – Brag Sheets, Extra Curricular Checklist – Teacher Feedback Forms Application Process

22. “Senior Packet” Paperwork Now ONLINE! Paperwork Now ONLINE! – Preferred Method GHS Website, College & Career Page GHS Website, College & Career Page Select: Select: – College-Bound Student Checklist Paperwork and Deadlines

23. Deadlines!!! Chart or List of Deadlines and Requirements Chart or List of Deadlines and Requirements – Spreadsheet? – Sticky Notes? – Find a System That Works For You Transcript Requests Transcript Requests – Allow At Least 15 School Days Paperwork and Deadlines

24. More Deadlines!!! November 1 Deadline November 1 Deadline – All Paperwork in By October 10 Apply by Priority Deadline if Possible Apply by Priority Deadline if Possible Scholarships Scholarships – Plan Ahead if Possible – YOU Know Your Requirements – Website Good Resource Paperwork and Deadlines

25. Time to Get Busy! Start Now Start Now – Schedule Tests – Look at Schools – Finish Brag Sheets Summer Fun Summer Fun – Visit Schools – Make Your List – Start Applications Conclusion