1. The College Application Process HUGH CUMMINGS HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

2. How to be ready Pursue a challenging curriculum: Honors and AP courses Maintain your GPA Audit your transcript yearly Develop strong study habits Learn time management skills Know your career interests Volunteer VISIT THE COUNSELING OFFICE

3. The right college Think about where you want to be, the state, climate.. Decide whether you want a large or small school Talk with people you know Look for colleges with your possible majors Determine if the school matches your personality Speak with current students Learn about the campus environment

4. Visit the campus or virtual tour Take a campus tour, you and parents-it’s a TEST DRIVE Meet with an Admissions Counselor Attend a class Eat a meal on campus Stay overnight Meet with a coach or professor Pick up a student newspaper Visit again once you’ve narrowed things down

5. Always consider…. Environment - location, size, etc. Admission Requirements Academics College Expenses & Financial Aid Housing Facilities Activities Colleges, like people, are different in many ways so choose carefully

6. The application Review all deadlines; Apply as early as possible Note special admission processes such as Early Action or Early Decision Proofread your essays, personal statement, resume, addresses…everything! Check to see if they offer fee waivers Give your recommendation writers at least 2 weeks notice Don’t apply to more than 5-7 schools KEEP up with PASSWORDS and USERNAMES No gimmicks-follow directions

7. Early Decision, Early Action Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college; usually requires a non-refundable deposit at time of application Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. Discuss with your counselors to make sure that you understand the difference between the two plans

8. Admissions criteria High School Grades/Rank (GPA) ACT/SAT Scores High School Coursework School/Community Involvement Leadership Opportunities Family Connections Letters of Recommendation Personal Statement Resume

9. SAT vs. ACT SAT vs. ACT General Reasoning /Problem solving test - reflects content used in all strong college preparatory courses Test Time- 3 hours, 45 minutes, including an unscored 25 minute experimental section. Ten Sections: 3 Critical Reading 3 Math 3 Writing 1 Experimental (masked to look like a regular section) Curriculum-based Test that measure achievement in core content areas Test Time- 2 hours, 55 minutes, including an optional 30- minute Writing Section Five Sections: English Math Reading Science Optional: Writing (required by most) 1 Experimental section (only added to certain test dates) All colleges will accept either test. The ACT with writing is often accepted by schools who require SAT I & II. Hundreds of colleges require neither.. Students must send scores to colleges/universities directly from the College Board.

10. SAT and ACT future dates: SAT here: November 3, 2012/Register by Oct 4 March 9, 2013/Register by Feb 8 May 4, 2013/ Register by April 5 ACT here: December 8, 2012/ Register by November 2 April 13, 2013/ Register by March 8

11. TIMELINES… Now – Spring: Visit, visit, visit; Juniors use your summer September – December: Submit applications and visit September - November: Apply Early January – February: Submit FAFSA and other scholarship applications; apply for campus housing Mid-march usually deadline for FAFSA most schools March – April: Review options and visit again; campus housing May 1: Decision Day May – August: Register for classes, receive housing assignment, participate in orientation

12. Family affair and … Make college visits a time to see a new place and do a little sight-seeing Make it an outing for the whole family Show off your accomplishments Celebrate the transition Share with your younger family members Take a buddy: you can share cost of gas for visits and share ideas

13. Helpful sites/links http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/appli cations/early http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/appli cations/early http://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/admissi ons_deadlines.pdf CFNC.org Collegeboard.org Act.org Sat.collegeboard.org Fafsa.ed.gov http://www.usnews.com/education Fastweb.com Your school counselor’s office