1. Counselors at RJR divide alphabetically according to your last name –Students A-BMrs. Beale –Students C-GDr. Williams –Students H-McMs. Lara –Students Md-SaMrs. McClain –Students Sb-ZMs. House (temp)

3. 1.) Choosing your list 2.) Know your chances of acceptance 3.) Research scholarships/financial aid 4.) Be idealistic and realistic in narrowing your college list 5.) Visit colleges on your list (you get one college visit day) 6.) Don’t miss a deadline! 7.) Know what is needed to apply 8.) Use Online Resources

4. For What are Colleges Looking ? o High School Achievement o Test Scores o Recommendations o Essay o Activities o Interview (if applicable)

5. Representatives from the following colleges will be on the RJR campus at the dates and times listed below. Please contact Mrs. Holbrook in Guidance, if you are planning to attend. All meetings are in Guidance unless otherwise noted. Parents are welcome to attend. All college visits with dates and times will be posted on the RJR website http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/ domain/1428

6. SATwww.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com ACTwww.act.orgwww.act.org Community College Placement Testing –ACCUPLACER/Computerized Placement Test @FTCC Most colleges/universities require the SAT or ACT Most colleges/universities will accept either the SAT or ACT Students may choose to take both the SAT and the ACT Some colleges/universities allow students to apply without SAT/ACT Some colleges/universities require SAT subject tests

7. Jane Doe Mrs. Beale, Thank you so much for agreeing to write my letters of recommendation. Please let me know if there is anything else that you need in order to write my letters and send my transcripts. UNC –Chapel HillNovember 1 st* Form Duke UniversityJanuary 1 st* Common App – online Wake Forest UniversityNovember 15 th* Common App – online N.C. State November 1 st* Letter only Appalachian StateNovember 1 st* Transcript only *Dates are for example only and do not reflect actual dates Jane Doe janedoe2013@gmail.com Resume attached

9. Non-Restrictive Applications Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1 st to consider their options and confirm enrollment Restrictive Applications Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions Regular Decision (Non-Restrictive Application) DEFINITION Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time. COMMITMENT: Non-Binding Rolling Admission (Non-Restrictive Application) DEFINITION Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. COMMITMENT: Non-Binding Early Action (EA) (Non-Restrictive Application) DEFINITION Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date. COMMITMENT: Non-Binding Early Decision (ED) (Restrictive Application) DEFINITION Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early COMMITMENT: Binding Restrictive Early (REA) Action (Restrictive Application) DEFINITION Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED, EA, or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment they have until May 1 to confirm. COMMITMENT: Non-Binding

11. Transcripts are sent directly to colleges and universities Each Student gets 2 free transcripts (Each Additional one is $5.00) Scholarship Transcripts are Free Transcript Card must be signed by student Please allow 2-3 weeks for mailing (longer if a letter is required) Common Application – online – please indicate this on your card Please bring counselor forms, etc. when requesting transcripts

12.  Associates Degree (2 year degree), complete certificate programs  Require school's placement test (will use ASSET scores or SAT scores in lieu of placement test)  Lower Cost Education  Offer College Transfer option to any school in US  Rolling Admissions

13. Need-Based Financial Aid –Grants –Loans –Work Study Merit-Based Financial Aid –Scholarships (scholastic, athletic, artistic ability & success) Some scholarship opportunities are both merit-based and need-based.

14. There will be an October District Financial Aid Presentation – we will put the date on the website as soon as it is scheduled. January & February: District Financial Aid Information meetings Get your PIN for the FAFSA now!

15. Make sure your email address is up-to-date in the Counseling Office for when we send out email Scholarship Updates! Look on the RJR Student Services Website for new updates Remember that the most money comes from the Colleges! Select opportunities that fit you best Be realistic about the number of applications you can complete Do not give up! Think about local resources i.e. WS Foundation Remember that the $$$ is usually the last piece of the puzzle

16.  NAVY  MARINES  ARMY  COAST GUARD  AIR FORCE Don’t forget to sign up for the ASVAB! Dates TBA