1. Countdown to College Things that you should know about the college application process

2. Junior Year Timeline ~ Student (Spring/Summer)  Continue rigorous courses and maintain high grades  Begin serious research of colleges and universities using data packet (see Edmodo)  Become familiar with potential scholarships  Create resume/ beef up leadership profile  Begin/continue admissions testing and test prep  Explore college majors  Complete “Senior Data Packet”  Line up teachers for recommendation letters  Create final list of colleges/universities to which you’ll apply

3. Junior Year Timeline ~ Parent (Spring/Summer)  Gather tax returns/income/assets information  Find out your EFC  http://bigfuture.org http://bigfuture.org  Become familiar with FAFSA  http://studentaid.ed.gov http://studentaid.ed.gov  Have frank conversations about college affordability

4. Things to Know “Let the Games Begin!”  Most applications will be available online in late summer, so you’ll need to know:  Final list of schools (6-10)  2-3 colleges with a high likelihood of admission (credentials above highest point in range)  3-4 colleges with a good likelihood of admission (credentials fall within the range)  1-2 colleges with a low likelihood of admission (credentials at bottom of range)  Which application to use  College application or Common Application  Admission Decision Plans & Deadlines  Early Decision, Early Action, Regular

5. Things to Know “There’s an App for That”  Common Application  Not as common as it seems  Different colleges add questions to the application, have specific supplements and restrictions, and can require additional materials  Only 3 colleges in Alabama use the Common App  College Specific Application  Apply directly and separately to the college or university for every school  Create an application account

6. Things to Know “Decisions, Decisions…”  Early Decision (I / II)  Contractually binding  Can’t apply ED to another college/university  Must attend college/university if admitted  Deadline typically between mid-October and mid-November  Admissions notification typically early December  Early Action Decision  Non-binding  Can apply EA to other colleges/universities  Deadline typically between mid-October and early November  Admissions notification typically late December  Regular Decision  No limit to number of colleges/universities to which you can apply  Deadlines typically by early January or early February  ALWAYS CHECK EACH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOR ITS DECISION POLICY AND GUIDELINES

7. Things to Know “The Honor of Your Presence is Requested…”  Honors Colleges  A part of the university system  Smaller colleges/universities might have Honors Programs  Require a separate application  Higher admissions qualifications than the university proper  Graduation requirements (minimum GPA, minimum hours of honors courses, etc.)  Provide small, rigorous learning environment with designated classes across other schools and colleges (College of Business, Arts and Sciences, etc.)  Typically provide separate housing  Many perks  priority registration  individualized advisement  assistance with prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and internships  separate facilities  special events  ALWAYS CHECK THE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOR ITS POLICIES

8. Things to Know “To AP or Not to AP”  Check with college/university for its policy on credit for AP classes (see Catalog)  What score is required  General Curriculum  Honors College/Program  How is credit awarded  Actual credit hours  Pre-requisite for higher level courses  Consider potential danger in skipping that college course

9. Things to Know “Hard Deadlines.”  Application  Depends on choice of admission decision  Housing  Must apply for housing by deadline  Must pay deposit by deadline  Financial Aid  Complete FAFSA by college/university deadline  Scholarships  Institution  Private  KEEP A CONSOLIDATED CALENDAR FOR DATES AND DEADLINES

10. Things to Know “Show Me the Money!”  Scholarships  Check college/university for opportunities  Check for departmental scholarships  Complete a profile on a national scholarship match service (bigfuture, fastweb, college prowler, cappex, & meritaid); Google search for specialty scholarships  Comprehensive list of local scholarships in my office  Check local businesses, employers, professional/social organizations, church  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  FREE of charge  Complete as soon after January 1, 2015 as possible  Must be completed to be considered for federal aid: grants, work study, loans  Many colleges will require the FAFSA to be completed in order to calculate award packages and/or to be considered for scholarships (need-based)  CSS Profile  College Board form used to determine financial need  Opens October 1  Fee $25 first school; $16 additional forms  Typically used by selective colleges/universities

11. Things To Know “I’ll Gladly Pay You on Tuesday…”  Application Fees  Enrollment Deposits  Housing Deposits  Cost of Attendance  Net Price Calculators  Every college/university has a calculator on its site  Provides an estimate of what your cost of attendance would be for that school

12. Resources  http://www.thecollegesolution.com http://www.thecollegesolution.com  http://www.diycollegerankings.com http://www.diycollegerankings.com  http://www.usnews.com/education http://www.usnews.com/education  http://www.princetonreview.com http://www.princetonreview.com  How to Prepare a Standout College Application  By Alison Cooper Chisolm & Anna Ivey