Working Together: Creating A Winning College Application September 5, 2019

1. Working Together:Creating A Winning College ApplicationSeptember 5, 2019 Student Support Services Department Counselors: Rachel Ford Jennifer John Sheri Courteau website: www.iroquoiscsd.org

2. Creating a Winning College Application • Introduction • The “Five P’s” • Preparation • Process • Putting it All Together • Paying • Pay-Off!!

3. Preparing for the College Application Process • Researching Majors • College Search • NCAA Clearinghouse • Tests/SAT/SAT2/ACT’s • Transcripts/Resumes • Requesting Letters of Recommendation • Inviting Letter Writers • Demonstrated Interest

4. Web Watch College Search & Preparation • https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/(NCAA Clearinghouse) • www.collegeboard.org • www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org • www.youvisit.com • www.careercruising.com (username-Iroquois; password-chiefs) • www.mymajors.com • www.wnycollegeconnection.com • https://www.wnyccda.org/college-contacts.html - for students with IEP’s or special needs

5. Khan Academy http://khanacademy.org You only need to know one thing: You can learn anything • Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, college admissions, SAT prep and more

6. Student Support Services Resources • Visiting College and Military Representatives • College Board Software/Career Cruising • College Internet Sites and Career Guides • WNY Consortium of Colleges- Friday, 10/9/19 - 11:30-12:15 • College Night for Students with Disabilities – Hilbert College October 23, 2019 • College Fairs- National –March 18 and 19 • Experienced School Counselors • Teachers and staff members

7. Senior Appointments • Counselors will be meeting with seniors reviewing transcripts, grad requirements, college majors, and sharing the college app process • A group presentation in the aud for seniors will be held by the counselors on Sept. 12th to review the application process and procedures • Yellow pass prior to appointment. Microsoft Teams alert will be sent • Students are asked to let us know if they are unable to make the appt. and we will reschedule.

8. More Preparation.... Register for Tests

9. SAT Testing Dates2019-20 SAT Reasoning and Subjects Tests at Iroquois Online registration for SAT- sat.org/register • November 2nd-Registration Deadline Date- October 3rd • Juniors- Spring Date at Iroquois- March 14th • Registration Deadline Date- Feb. 14th, 2020 • SAT Subject tests may be required by a particular college or university- best to research those colleges that you are interested in. • SAT2’s can enhance your transcript. • SAT Reasoning and Subject tests can not be taken on the same day.

10. SAT/ACT Preparation • Contact information for these test prep providers can be found on our Student Support Services link: • Iroquois Community Education • All Pro Tutoring and Test Preparation • Atlas Test Prep • East Aurora Community Education • Huntington Learning Center • Jantzi Test Prep • Kaplan • Khan Academy- https://www.khanacademy.org/sat • Princeton Review • M & M Fast Track Learning- 870-4392 • Southtowns Test Prep • Sylvan Learning Center • Shaw Academic Institute- 508-0063

11. What are SAT 2- Subject Tests? • One hour long tests that give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and achievement in a specific subjects area. • Juniors enrolled in AP US, AP Language or AP Sciences may want to consider taking SAT 2’s in June. • SAT Subject tests may be required by a particular college or university – it is best to research the colleges that you are interested in • Note: SAT Reasoning and Subject tests can NOT be taken on the same day. • SAT Subjects can enhance your transcript!!

12. ACT Testing2019-20 Register Online at www.actstudent.org • September 14, 2019 at Iroquois Registration deadline – August 16th Late Registration - August 30th • Next Testing Date- October 26th Registration deadline – September 20th Late Registration – October 4th Juniors: April 4, 2020 at Iroquois Deadline date- February 28th • The requirement of the writing component varies by college, please check college admissions websites for specifics.

13. 2019 PSAT Testing • Information mailed to juniors and sophomores • Test date - Saturday, October 19th - 7:30-12:00 • College Board determines testing date(s) • Sign up in the Bookstore- further details to follow • Scores are available in December online

14. PSAT Prep Online Resources: Before the test: www.collegeboard.org/psat for sample questions and practice test answer explanations Students registering for the PSAT will receive a practice book at the time of payment.

15. The Application Process Iroquois High School Code-331810 • SUNY Application • www.suny.edu/applysuny • Common Application (over 900 members- including SUNY Schools) • www.commonapp.org • Types of Applications • Paper (rare) vs. online • Community Colleges- No application fees • Some colleges may waive the application fee if the application is completed online or if a student has visited the campus

17. www.commonapp.org

20. Submitting Applications • When- ASAP- November 1st recommended • Watch- Early Decision Dates/Specific Program due dates- PA, PT, Nursing • Online Application- Preferred or required by most Colleges; can save money • Complete Transcript Request Form in our office, form is also online • How many- 3-6, 1- safety school • Where- Bring info to SSS; give us 2 weeks to process • Note: Applications in SSS by December 6th guaranteed to get out before holiday break

21. Deadline Dates for Early Decision (ED) November 1st & November 15th • In our office October 18th Postmark/Upload by November 1st • In our office November 1st Postmark/Upload by November 15th • Early Action (EA)-Non- Binding agreement- Notification earlier Thank you for adhering to due dates, which allows us time to process and upload your documents.

23. We will submit: • Paper Application (rarely available) • Transcript, Activity Form/Resume • Letters of Recommendation(2-3), when necessary • Upload for Common Application • 2020 Iroquois HS Profile-uploaded • 10 week report card, if available • Iroquois Test Score Opt out – signed only if you do not want scores on the transcript • Many colleges need test scores directly from College Board/ACT- do your research

24. Remember these Pieces • Submitting transcript request form or paper applications to our office • Deadlines Dates-Prior to November 1st or earlier • Applications will take approximately 10 days to process • Be mindful of holidays and days when school is not in session!!

25. Paying for your College Education • Paying and Early Decision • Iroquois Scholarship Directory through Iroquois website • Scholarships through employers • Scholarship Scams • FAFSA/CSS Profile • University/College Scholarships • Financial Aid Nights • Financial Aid- 9/26/19 • Deposits-May 1, 2020

26. The following websites are great sources of information, offering not only scholarship search websites, but also a wealth of financial aid information for students and parents, college research databases, online FAFSA guides, details on Federal and private school loans and grants.  • www.scholarships.com • www.cappex.com • www.fastweb.com • www.petersons.com • www.collegescholarships.com • www.niche.com • www.scholarshipguidance.com

27. Types of Scholarships • Local- employers, community organizations, IFA, churches, local unions • Merit Based- Class Rank, GPA, Test Scores • Special Talents/needs; community service • Athletics - Division I, II, or III • NCAA Clearinghouse

28. FAFSA4casterhttps://fafsa.ed.gov/spa/fafsa4c • Provides families with an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. • A great tool to estimate financial aid • Information will populate your FAFSA on the web application • Provides an option to apply for your Fed Student Aid PIN. • NPC- Net Price Calculator on college websites- all colleges must provide

30. Successful Scholarship Winners: • Check Directory weekly for new additions • Check for eligibility; if in doubt- apply!! • Create an inventory list, much like a resume • Strive for reusability • Scan or type all scholarship applications • Be aware and check all deadline dates • Keep copies

31. Scam Warnings • Fees • Credit card or bank information requested • Guaranteed • No work involved • No contact information • Unsolicited scholarships • Pressure tactics • Exclusive Scholarships

32. Very Important Information • BE SURE TO BRING US COPIES OF ALL SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS RECEIVED • Even if you are not planning on attending that specific college, we would like the information • Why? • We need this information to recognize all of your hard work and successes at Senior Class Day in June and in the Graduation Program • Feel free to fax us at 995-2445

34. The Pay-Off !!! You’ve been acceptedBe sure to share the good news.

35. School Counselor Contact Information: 652-3000 • Jennifer John Ext.7870 • jjohn@iroquoiscsd.org • Sheri Courteau Ext.- 7873 • scourteau@iroquoiscsd.org • Rachel Ford- Ext. 7871 • rford@iroquoiscsd.org

36. Questions & Answers