College Application Night

1. College Application Night The American School of Madrid September 10, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

2. Purpose • Review application process, step by step • Discuss the components of the application • Review testing dates and options • Briefly introduce financial support options for US and non-US citizens • Highlight deadlines • Answer questions

3. College Information Specialists • Ms. Kim Cullen, 10-12 Guidance Counselor • Guidance on college selection and application process, including counselor recommendations /secondary school reports, essay review, etc. • College admission network, scheduling of university visits • Ms. Anna Pointing, Guidance Secretary • Assists with guidance on UK universities/degree programs, and coordination of application process through UCAS. • Mr. Juan Ortiz, Director Técnico • Programa Oficial and Selectividad, Spanish universities

4. Step 1: college lists • Finalize college list together with parents and counselor • College lists should • Be well researched and realistic • Reflect schools that FIT who YOU are • Contain schools that cross the range of competitiveness (“safety” schools no longer exist!) • Contain an average of 8 schools, but no more than 10! A college isn’t a trophy, it’s a match. (USC Counselor Newsletter, Spring 2009)

5. Application plans • Early Decision and Early Action are programs which allow keenly interested and well-qualified students the opportunity to apply by early November and receive a decision before Christmas. • Early Decision: BINDING agreement. Students admitted under this program are obligated to attend and MUST withdraw all other applications. • The only circumstance under which a student may legitimately withdraw from an early acceptance is if that student has applied for financial aid and does not receive a package that would make attending the university possible (NACAC Statement of Principles, The College Board).

6. Application plans • Early Decision and Early Action are programs which allow keenly interested and well-qualified students the opportunity to apply by early November and receive a decision before Christmas. • Early Decision: BINDING agreement. Students admitted under this program are obligated to attend and MUST withdraw all other applications. • Early Action: This is a NON-binding plan, allows students to keep other applications active. • Variants of these include: ED I, ED II, EA I, EA II, EA Single Choice, etc. • Regular Decision: Traditional application deadline of January 1, 10 or 15, with a response in April.

7. Step 2: The Transcript Request • Complete one Transcript Request form for each university to which you plan to apply.

8. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

9. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

10. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

11. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

12. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

13. The Transcript Request • Indicate what you need the Guidance Office to send in support of your application.

14. Step 3: the application Locate the applications for each school on your list. E.g. • University/college admissions website • Common Application website • Texas Common App • Ontario common application Make note of application deadlines. • Download a copy of the application. • Read carefully and make note of the required materials (essays, teacher recommendations, etc.) • Complete a Transcript Request for each college/university, submit all to Guidance Office as soon as possible.

15. Note on the Common App • The common application saves time for students and counselors. • Some colleges and universities will require supplements in addition to the common application. • Colleges and universities will NOT discriminate in the admission process against applicants based on the particular form an applicant uses. www.commonapp.org

16. Canadian Universities • There are different procedures based on the province where university is located: • In Ontario you apply using the Ontario Universities’ Application Center on line application www.ouac.on.ca • Quebec province: apply directly to the schools • Other provinces: see university website for specifics

17. Steps 4 and 5: resume & recs Prepare a resume • Include activities and achievements, awards, hobbies. • You may want to take to interviews/alumni interviews. Ask 2 to 3 teachers for letters of recommendation • Keep in mind that English, math and science teachers are usually the most popular! • Provide each teacher a copy of your resume. • Give teachers the appropriate forms (included in application materials) • Inform the Guidance Office which teachers you are requesting recommendations from (this should be included on the accountability form).

18. Step 6: draft application • Begin completing the DRAFT application. • Have someone with a constructively critical eye review your application draft. • Modify as appropriate.

19. Step 7: the essay • Answer the question(s) asked. • Show who you are: • The essay is the best and sometimes only place to tell the college who you are and how you are different from everyone else. • We are all unique - what you think, how you feel, what you believe in – it is what makes you YOU. • Colleges want to know who you are, not just how well you write. • Avoid being trite and unoriginal: • Ask a teacher, friend or family member if they learned anything new about you or could anyone else have written this essay.

20. the essay (continued) • Avoid turning your essay into a resume, or another version of your school transcript. • Make it personal. • Plan your essay! • Don’t expect to quickly write a good essay • Start writing, put it away, come back to it • Try writing about 2 or 3 ideas. One will likely feel the best. • Yes, spelling counts: • Spelling, grammar, syntax and logic of the argument, creativity, and originality matter. • Ask for help. • Words of caution: • Too much input might take the personal touch out of your essay. • Colleges will not hesitate to submit essays to turnitin.com!

21. Four easy steps for your essay or personal statement Plan Draft Edit Revise Wednesday, October 14 – college essay and Selectividad workshops for seniors.

22. Step 8: secondary school report

23. SSR (continued) • SSR with counselor recommendation is required by most American colleges and universities • Tips for the students: • Make an appointment with the Guidance Counselor to talk about YOU. • Complete interest and activities questionnaire posted on Naviance as soon as possible – this is an important tool used by the counselor when writing your recommendations. • Keep the counselor informed of any updates or changes in your life experiences/plans.

24. Step 9: send test scores Request that test scores be sent to the colleges and universities • For SAT, contact www.collegeboard.com • For ACT, contact www.act.org • For TOEFL, contact www.ets.org/toefl • “Score Choice” or no? • From College Board: Score Choice gives you the option to choose which scores (by test date for the SAT and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests™) you send to colleges—in accordance with an institution's stated score-use practice. You can choose scores from one, several, or all SAT test dates.

25. Reporting test scores

26. Testing Dates • SAT • Offered in October 10, November 7 & December 5 • Also January 23, May 1 and June 5 (for later applications) • Students may take either the Reasoning test or the Subject tests on a given test date. • SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) • SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) • Literature, Math Level 1 or 2 – common tests • An additional 3rd is available (Language with Listening only offered in November) • ACT (with or w/o Writing) • December 12 • April 10 • TOEFL* • (monthly)

27. *TOEFL • Many colleges and universities will require the TOEFL of students for whom English is not their native language. • Even for students who have been studying in US/international schools for a long time • Even if students are taking a full IB diploma program, with English A1 HL. • Register with www.ets.org as soon as possible as dates fill up very quickly.

28. A Note on Financial Aid: US Citizens • Financial Aid is available to U.S. Citizens and green card holders. The important forms are: • FASFA (Free form for Federal Student Aid) • CSS/Profile – Available October 1, 2009 Both are available on-line • The Guidance Office has several copies of the CSS/Profile. • FAFSA applications become available January 1. • U.S. Federal Tax return (1040) is required for financial aid.

29. A Note on Financial Aid: non-US citizens • International students must demonstrate their ability to pay all tuition, fees and living expenses for the first year of study. • Colleges will ask for a financial statement or certificate of finances. • Most colleges will have a form the bank can fill out. (Otherwise, you can obtain a sample letter from Ms. Cullen) • Families applying for need-based aid must submit all of the requested documentation. Most colleges will require full disclosure, and without that, they cannot grant aid. • Once all paperwork is submitted, student will obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20), which must be presented when applying for a student visa.

30. Financial Aid – cont’d • Financial Aid comes in the form of loans, work agreements, and grants. • There are many colleges and universities have that scholarship (gift) money available to students on the basis of academic merit or talent. • In general, if you need financial support for college and are not a US citizen, go where the money is. Tailor your college list to meet your needs.

31. An Application Consists of: • Student-originated items: • The Application • The Essay(s) • Supplements • Application fee • Test scores • Financial aid forms • Guidance-originated items: • Counselor Recommendation • School Profile • Transcripts • Secondary School Report • Teacher-originated items: • English recommendation • Math recommendation • Other recommendations, if applicable

32. Important U.S. Deadlines Early Decision/Action College deadline: November 1 ASM deadline: October 5 Regular Decision: College deadline: January 1, 10 or 15 ASM deadline: November 23 (Monday before Thanksgiving) University of California deadline: November 30 ASM deadline: November 9

33. UCAS • UCAS is the Universities and Colleges Admission Service for the United Kingdom. • The British university and college application process is VERY explicit and precise. • You may apply to up to 5 programs/universities on one application. • You may apply to either Oxford or Cambridge, but not to both. • You MUST follow all steps carefully. www.ucas.com

34. UCAS Personal Statement Similar to the US college essay in that it aims to present a picture of you that is not otherwise visible in the application. Different in that the personal statement is meant to be a more direct position statement about why you are applying to the UK, for that particular program, and what makes you a good candidate.

35. UCAS Process • UCAS sends a copy of the submitted application to each university. The copy only shows the course(s) applied for at that particular university or college. • Processing time varies, and some universities require admissions tests and/or interviews. • Decisions go to UCAS, who then notifies the applicant of the decisions. Applicants can also use Track at www.ucas.com to find out the latest position on their choices. • UCAS will send a letter explaining how to reply to offers. • Conditional versus unconditional offers • Firm Acceptance versus Insurance

36. Important British Deadlines • Oxford & Cambridge Universities • Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine October 15 ASM deadline isOctober 5 All other completed UK applications are due in the Guidance Office by November 30

37. UCAS Notification deadlines • The date by which an applicant must reply to their offers depends on when UCAS receives the last decision from those universities and colleges chosen by the applicant. There is no single date for all applicants.

38. A Note on Application Ethics From The College Board: • Do not fabricate or exaggerate activities and accomplishments • Do not have someone else write or substantially rewrite your essay • Do not hide disciplinary infractions if asked about them directly on an application (if in doubt, as the counselor) • Do not tell more than one college it’s your first choice • Do not mislead a college about your intended major just because you think it might be easier to get in • Do not fail to notify other colleges you applied to when you accept an offer • Do not apply early decision to more than one college • Do not make deposits are more than one school unless you are wait-listed at your first choice school and accepted at another. • DO remember that colleges reserve the right to rescind admission.

39. Application Review: • Pay attention to deadlines!!! • Complete forms fully • Pay all application fees • Make copies of everything • Secure your letters of recommendation • Focus on your essay

40. Step 10: The waiting game • Breathe… try to relax… stay focused! • Beware of “missing pieces” of the application… • Mid-year reports • AVOID SENIORITIS • Colleges continue to care about second semester grades, and many will revisit admissions offers when grades drop significantly. • Send thank you notes to those universities whose offers you decide not to accept. • Keep the Guidance Office informed of answers, and let us know where you will finally attend.

41. Remember… • University admission isn’t a judgment on your life. • University admission isn’t a judgment on your parents or your upbringing. • There is going to be some sort of rejection in all of this. • Successful university admission is about ending up with a choice… and about being happy a year from now. • You have all the information and guidance that’s available; take charge, believe in yourself, and trust the process.

42. Questions?