Essential Steps for College & Job Preparation

2. Things You Should Be Doing Now • Discussing your plans with your parents! • If you are college bound… • Researching Colleges, Majors, and Requirements • Narrowing down your list of schools to 3-5 • Researching all requirements for each school • Requesting letters of recommendation

3. Employment • Come and see me about a resume! • Civil Service Jobs • Working for the Town, City, State, Government, ect. • Some require college (Environmental Scientist, Social Workers, Doctors) some do not ( Highway Dept employees, Corrections, Clerical) • To get a Civil Service job you need to take a Civil Service test- these are available on the Town, City, State, Government websites

4. Armed Service • Check out the ROTC Programs • Army - www.goarmy.com/rotc • Navy -www.nrotc.navy.mil/scholarships_application.cfm • Air Force - www.afrotc.com/scholarships/ • Check out the Academies • Military Academy at West Point – http://admissions.usma.edu/ • Naval Academy at Annapolis – http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/ • Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs – http://academyadmissions.com/ • Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point – http://www.usmma.edu/ • Coast Guard Academy at New London – http://www.cga.edu/ • Get in touch with a recruiter

5. Where Do I Find College Applications? • SUNY Website • If you plan to apply to only SUNY schools, use the SUNY APP (not for community colleges) • Common Application Website • You will be able to apply to 99% of the colleges you are interested in on the Common App • Community College = Websites

6. SUNY Website • www.suny.edu/attend/ In order to apply you need to complete the following: • Create an account • Add colleges you are interested in • Supplemental Application w/essay..not every SUNY school requires this • Any specific institutional requirements (Letters of rec, pre financial aid forms, other forms) • No spot to add teachers for letters of rec- have your teachers send them to me and I will upload them • Be sure to attach our school code so I have access to your application- 330235

7. Common Application • www.commonapp.org • In order to apply you need to complete the following: • Create an account • Complete entire application • Attach your counselor’s email for recommendation and transcript • Attach teacher’s email for recommendations • Complete essay questions

8. Community Colleges • Go to the College’s Website. • Community Colleges generally have a free application • We will also have “instant admit” day for GCC on 11/22

9. Early Decision vs. Early Action • These are different options that SOME schools use. • Early Decision – You apply to a school and request that they accept you earlier than with the regular enrollment. You do this having the school know that you will commit to that school. THIS IS BINDING! You cannot back out and you cannot use this option for more than 1 school. You can and should apply to other schools but if this school accepts you you must withdraw your applications from the other schools you applied to. • Early Action – Same as Early Decision just not binding. You can use for multiple schools. • Deadlines are typically early November

10. Final Info on Applications • Educate yourself on the requirements. Each school is different • Request teacher recommendation letters in advance • Don’t get sloppy or lazy. Commit and take the time to produce your best application. • DO NOT SUBMIT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS • If you have questions ask!

11. Financial Aid • ATTEND FINANCIAL AID NIGHT!!!! • The FAFSA can now be completed October 1st! • Applications are completed online. www.fafsa.ed.gov • BOTH you & your parent must create an FSA ID. https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htmDO NOT LOSE THIS! • No matter who you are, you should fill out the FAFSA. • Not just free money, the FAFSA is how you get student loans!

12. Financial Aid Night is scheduled for: • Thursday, October 17th at 6:00 pm in the AUD • GCC in Batavia hosts a financial aid day on November 23rd starting @ 9:00am- register online at www.engage.suny.edu

13. Scholarships • #1 source for scholarship information should be from the actual schools you apply to. You have to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible. • #2 source is from private organizations and other 3rd parties. Access the Attica Counseling Website. • You can start applying anytime!

14. FAQS I took the SAT/ACT and I did not like my score. I registered to retake the exam but it’s not until November. Should I hold off on applying? NNOOO. Apply and submit a letter stating that you are not satisfied with your scores and you are currently registered to retake the exam on that date. Once you obtain the scores bring them to the counseling office and we will put them on your transcript or add the schools when registering and have the scores sent directly.

15. FAQS One of the schools I applied to will not accept my SAT/ACT off of my transcript what do I do? When registering, the CollegeBoard and ACT allow you to submit your scores to 4 free schools. If you did not OR forgot you must log into your account and pay to have them sent out to the schools.

16. Let’s chat... You will need to schedule a time to meet with me to review your transcript, graduation requirements, diploma status, and plans for after high school. Sign ups can be done with Mrs. Becker (Kozlowski) in the Counseling office. Parents are welcome to attend as well!

17. FAQS What is the SAT Subject test and is it required? A small amount of colleges will require you to submit SAT Subject tests. These are tests offered during the regular testing dates that will test you in a specific academic area. Research the schools you are interested in.

18. FAQS The college asks me to “waive my right” to view letters of recommendation submitted, what do I do? Waive your right. This shows the college you trust the adult you asked to write the letter for you. Also why would you ask someone to write a letter for you that you do not believe will do a good job? Pick someone you have a good relationship with and waive it.