1. Get Ready for College Applications!
Class of 2016
Get Ready for College Applications!

2. Today’s Agenda The College Application
Student’s Responsibilities
School’s Responsibilities
Process for Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts
Why use Naviance?
Financial Aid

3. How many colleges should I apply to?
We encourage you to apply to 5-7 colleges
to allow yourself several options.

4. Your College List (handout)
Reach Schools:
Reach School = colleges & universities whose admitted students may have a higher average GPA and SAT score
Don’t be afraid to apply to schools that may be a stretch
You never know what they are looking for when they select their freshman class
Consider applying to 1-2 reach schools
You will not know if they will accept you
unless you apply!

5. Your College List Target Schools:
Target School= colleges & universities whose admitted students’ average GPA & SAT are comparable to yours
You should feel comfortable with these, knowing that you have a good chance of getting accepted
Consider applying to at least 2 target schools

6. Safety/Backup Schools:
Your College List
Safety/Backup Schools:
Safety Schools = colleges & universities whose admitted students’ average GPA & SAT score are significantly lower than yours
Great confidence that you will be accepted – almost guaranteed acceptance
Ask yourself – Would you go here if it was the only college you were accepted to?
Consider applying to at least 1 safety school

7. You have your college list – now what?

8. Components of a College Application
Student Responsibilities:
Complete application (on college website)
Send Test Scores: SAT and/or ACT tests
Request Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts
Submit Supplemental Information to Colleges
Track Applications through Naviance
School Counseling Responsibilities:
Transcript
Secondary School Report
Counselor Letter of Recommendation

9. College Application Apply Online
Visit each college’s website for specific instructions on how to access the application
Remember your log-in information – keep it in a safe place for future reference
Make sure your address is appropriate
Encouraged to develop an for all college/scholarship info
Be sure to complete supplemental information for each college (see application requirements)
Common Application –
Handout
UVA Blog first-year-uva-application.html

10. College Application Most Applications Become Available July 1st, 2015
Common App – Aug 1st
Follow Instructions & Proofread!
Complete all required sections
Carefully follow all instructions
Proofread before you submit
Application Fee
Must be paid before the deadline or it’s considered incomplete
See us if you need an application fee waiver
Can ask on many applications

11. College Application Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!
Best to check individual college admission websites for the deadline
Must submit college applications before the deadline
Highly recommended to submit applications early, so that you have time to verify that the college has received all components of the application

13. Specifics on Deadlines
Early deadlines: transcript will show everything up through junior year and your senior year schedule
You can only apply to ONE school EARLY DECISION
You should be an ideal candidate for a school if you apply ED
There is not necessarily an admissions advantage to applying ED
You can apply to as many schools as you would like EARLY ACTION
You will hear from them by the end of December
If you are not accepted Early Action, MOST schools will defer you to the regular decision deadline
They want to see your first semester grades!
Generally speaking, the application requirements are the same for REGULAR DECISION
They will use your first semester grades to make a decision
No matter what you must make a decision by May 1st
Specific questions? Call or the school!

14. 2014-15 Virginia College Application Deadlines
College/ University
Early Decision
Early Action
Priority
Rolling
Regular
Common App
Bridgewater (Private)
Yes
Christopher Newport (Public)
15-Nov
1-Dec
1-Feb
Ferrum (Private)
George Mason (Public)
1-Nov
15-Jan
James Madison (Public)
Longwood (Public)
Lynchburg (Private)
15-Oct
Mary Washington (Public)
Marymount (Private)
Norfolk State (Public)
15-Mar
31-May
NOVA (Public)
Old Dominion (Public)
Radford (Public)
Randolph Macon (Private)
1-Mar
Richard Bland (Public)
1-Apr
1-Jul
Roanoke College (Private)
15-Sep
Shenandoah (Private)
Virginia Commonwealth (Public)
Virginia Military Institute (VMI) (Private)
Virginia State
31-Mar
1-May
Virginia Tech (Public)
Univ. of Virginia (Public)
1-Jan
Univ. of Virginia - Wise (Public)
William & Mary (Public)

15. Sample of Out of State College & University Deadlines 2014-15
Early Decision
Early Action
Priority
Rolling
Regular
Common App
Carnegie Mellon (Private)
1-Nov
1-Jan
Yes
Clemson (Public)
1-Dec
Coastal Carolina (Public)
Cornell (Private)
2-Jan
Drexel (Private)
15-Nov
1-Feb
Duke (Private)
East Carolina (Public)
15-Mar
George Washington (Private)
10-Nov
10-Jan
Georgetown (Private)
Harvard (Private)
Johns Hopkins (Private)
Univ. of Maryland (Public)
20-Jan
NYU (Private)
Univ. of North Carolina (Public)
15-Oct
5-Jan
Penn State (Public)
30-Nov
Shepherd (Public)
Univ. of S. Carolina (Public)
West Virginia Univ. (Public)

16. Standardized Tests
SAT and/or ACT required for admission to most 4-year colleges & universities
Encouraged to take by November
Register in August!
handout
Not all schools require tests
Please see the FAIRTEST information on the Career Center website
If NOVA or any community college is the plan, they will have their own test

17. Testing Specifics Use the free prep course we gave you!!
See Mr. Grzeda if you can’t find the link/code
We have fee waivers! See Mrs. Allder
SAT Subject tests???
Only for certain schools
Generally speaking, AP exam scores are used for PLACEMENT purposes, while SAT Subject test scores are used for ADMISSIONS purposes

18. Standardized Tests
You must send your official score reports to each college directly from College Board or ACT
Select score report recipients when you register online (4 free)
Must pay a fee per score report if you request to send to college after you take the test
Send to NCAA (9999) if you want to play NCAA sports in college

19. College Essays & Personal Statements
Your chance to “speak” to the admissions committee
Lets them know you’re more than a number
It’s worth your time, thought, & energy
See it as an opportunity!
Be sure to address the specific question/prompt if a college provides one

20. What is the purpose of college essays?
Allows the college admissions committee to:
Assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing – clarity of thought, organization & creativity
Learn about you as a person
Attitudes, values, & opinions
Personal story & background
Approach to life & challenges
Goals & aspirations

21. Tips for Writing a Great Essay
Think small. Try to narrow your topic down so that you can be very specific & illustrative – share a “moment in time”
Give examples & share stories to bring your essay to life. Rely on the senses to transport your reader to a place and time.
Write in your own voice. Use language, vocabulary, and a style that feels comfortable to you. Think of yourself as a narrator – as if you were speaking or telling a story.
Avoid using flowery or pretentious language – be authentic.
Show that you are self-aware . Be confident & honest but not boastful.
Avoid writing what you think they want to read or a canned response.
The topic, regardless of the question asked, is “you”. It’s not about the stuff you have done, but who you are.
Be clear and concise. You often only have words – use that space wisely.
Be careful with humor & slang.
Check your spelling & grammar!

22. Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Check with each college to see if teacher letters are required or recommended
Think carefully about who you ask:
Try to select a core academic teacher who knows you well and who you feel can write you a strong letter of recommendation
What is their process??
Can be a previous teacher if they know you well
Ask early – at least 2-3 week prior notice
You can ask them now!
Write a thank you note to the teacher once the letter is sent & inform them of whether you were accepted

23. What should I give to teachers?
List of colleges to which you’re applying & the deadlines
Any school-specific or Common App forms that the teacher needs to complete along with his/her letter
Any documents the teacher requests, such as your resume and/or personal statement
Instructions on how each letter needs to be submitted to the college….
We will use Naviance for this

24. Official Transcript
School Counseling (Mrs. Sanabria) sends your official transcript to each college:
At the time you apply (to all colleges you request)
Mid-year sent with 1st semester grades (to all colleges – no need to submit another transcript request – we automatically send)
At the end of the year – final transcript is sent to the college you plan to attend

27. PINK Transcript Request Form
Print legibly
Be specific!
Do not use abbreviations for the college name
List the city/state in which the college is located
List the specific deadline (ASAP and “Rolling” are NOT acceptable deadlines – exact dates please!)
Check off which documents you want us to send
Student & parent must sign each request form
Cost per transcript is $3.00
transcript release.docx

28. Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Minimum of 3 weeks notice
Encouraged to complete Student AND Parent Insight Sheet
Will receive immediately in Fall, likely via
Counselor letter will be sent with your Transcript and Secondary School Report (SSR)
Be sure to check off that you would like a Counselor Letter of Recommendation on your pink transcript request form. If you don’t check that you want a counselor letter sent, I won’t send it
FERPA and waiving your rights
nID=984&hitOffset= &docID=3393

29. College Application Process
Student Applies to College
Student Submits Pink Form to School Counseling
Student Submits Supplemental Information
Student Requests Letters of Recommendation
Mrs. Sanabria prepares Transcript
Student Sends SAT and/or ACT Scores to Colleges
Provide Teacher With Deadlines, Instructions, Resume Etc.
Mrs. Bush Completes SSR
Student Submits Required Financial & Residency Information
Mrs. Bush Writes Letter of Rec
Teacher Writes Letter and uploads to Naviance or Gives to School Counseling
Mrs. Sanabria sends everything through Naviance
Student Completes & Submits Essays, Portfolios, Auditions, etc.
Mrs. Sanabria Updates Naviance

30. Can access from School Counseling page
User name and password is student’s id number unless changed
Will change in August to student id number and birthday
Update your address so that you receive important college & scholarship info
Create a resume
Sign up for college visits during Rock Block/Lunch Shifts (print out confirmation as your pass)
Scholarship searches
Check status of transcript requests
Other helpful websites…
handout

31. Financial Aid First, a little humor…
Yes, your child will likely be done applying for college before the process even starts!
Keep options open
Don’t throw out private schools because of the scary pricetag!
December and January
Info nights
Handouts and Mrs. Allder

32. Check Your E-mail Frequently!
Why?
Updates on colleges visiting RRHS
Information on scholarships, honors, recognitions, special programs (some with short notice)
COLLEGES USE AS THEIR PRIMARY FORM OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOU RE: YOUR APPLICATION!

33. People Who Can Help Mrs. Allder – College and Career Center Specialist
Will handle most scholarships and financial aid
Can answer everything related to Naviance
Mrs. Sanabria – Administrative Professional and Registrar
Will handle all transcript requests and tracking applications
Mr. Terry – our director, he knows everything 
If you can’t track me down, please feel free to reach out to these individuals!

34. Questions