Class of 2013

1. Class of 2013 Sink or Swim? Get Ready for College Applications!

2. Today’s Agenda • Creating Your College List • The College Application • Student’s Responsibilities • School’s Responsibilities • Process for Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts • Why use Naviance?

3. Your College List: Research • College & university websites • College visits to the Career Center • College Open Houses scheduled in local area • Visit the college campus • Discuss college options & costs

4. Your College List: Finding the Right “Fit” • Location • Size • Career goals • Academic majors • Financial aid • H.S. course requirements and recommendations • Academic profile of • admitted students • Student life • Diversity of student body • Appearance of facilities • Athletic programs • Extracurricular interests • Study abroad programs • ROTC • Dorms/residence halls • Available support services • The “feel” of campus • Cost (don’t rule out private • or out-of-state colleges)

5. How many colleges should I apply to? We encourage you to apply to 5-7 colleges to allow yourself several options.

6. NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2008

7. Your College List Reach Schools: • Reach School = colleges & universities whose admitted students may have a higher average GPA and SAT score • Don’t be afraid to apply to schools that may be a stretch • You never know what they are looking for when they select their freshman class • Consider applying to 1-2 reach schools • You will not know if they will accept you unless you apply!

8. Your College List Target Schools: • Target School= colleges & universities whose admitted students’ average GPA & SAT are comparable to yours • You should feel comfortable with these, knowing that you have a good chance of getting accepted • Consider applying to at least 2 target schools

9. Your College List Safety/Backup Schools: • Safety Schools = colleges & universities whose admitted students’ average GPA & SAT score are significantly lower than yours • Great confidence that you will be accepted – almost guaranteed acceptance • Ask yourself – Would you go here if it was the only college you were accepted to? • Consider applying to at least 1 safety school

10. You have your college list – now what?

11. Components of a College Application Student’s Responsibilities: • Complete application (on college website) • Sending Test Scores: SAT and/or ACT tests • Requesting Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts • Submitting Supplemental Information to Colleges Guidance’s Responsibilities: • Transcript • Secondary School Report • Counselor Letter of Recommendation

12. College Application Apply Online!!! • Visit each college’s website for specific instructions on how to access the application • Remember your log-in information – keep it in a safe place for future reference • Make sure your e-mail address is appropriate • Encouraged to develop a e-mail for all college/scholarship info • Be sure to complete supplemental information for each college (see application requirements) • Common Application – www.commonapp.org

13. College Application Follow Instructions & Proofread! • Complete all required sections • Carefully follow all instructions • Proofread before you submit Application Fee • Must be paid before the deadline or it’s considered incomplete • See us if you need an application fee waiver

14. College Application Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines! • Best to check individual college admission websites for the deadline • Must submit college applications before the deadline • Highly recommended to submit applications early, so that you have time to verify that the college has received all components of the application

18. Standardized Tests • SAT and/or ACT required for admission to most 4-year colleges & universities • Encouraged to take by November • Upcoming test dates: SAT: Register at www.collegeboard.org ACT: Register at www.actstudent.org

20. Standardized Tests • You must send your official score reports to each colleges directly from College Board or ACT • Select score report recipients when you register online (4 free) • Must pay a fee per score report if you request to send to college after you take the test • Send to NCAA (9999) if you want to play NCAA sports in college

21. College Essays & Personal Statements • Your chance to “speak” to the admissions committee • Lets them know you’re more than a number • It’s worth your time, thought, & energy • See it as an opportunity! • Be sure to address the specific question/prompt if a college provides one

22. What is the purpose of college essays? Allows the college admissions committee to: • Assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing – clarity of thought, organization & creativity • Learn about you as a person • Attitudes, values, & opinions • Personal story & background • Approach to life & challenges • Goals & aspirations

23. So, what do I write about for a general personal statement?

24. Things to think about… • What makes you unique & different? • What’s important to you, and why? • Can you think of a story or example that really captures your personality?

25. Tips for Writing a Great Essay • Think small. Try to narrow your topic down so that you can be very specific & illustrative – share a “moment in time” • Give examples & share stories to bring your essay to life. Rely on the senses to transport your reader to a place and time. • Write in your own voice. Use language, vocabulary, and a style that feels comfortable to you. Think of yourself as a narrator – as if you were speaking or telling a story. • Avoid using flowery or pretentious language – be authentic. • Show that you are self-aware . Be confident & honest but not boastful. • Avoid writing what you think they want to read or a canned response. • The topic, regardless of the question asked, is “you”. It’s not about the stuff you have done, but who you are. • Be clear and concise. You often only have 200-500 words – use that space wisely. • Be careful with humor & slang. • Check your spelling & grammar!

26. Teacher Letters of Recommendation • Check with each college to see if teacher letters are required or recommended • Think carefully about who you ask: • Try to select a core academic teacher who knows you well and who you feel can write you a strong letter of recommendation • Consider asking a coach, sponsor, or another teacher who may know you in a different context • What is their process?? • Ask early – at least 2-3 week prior notice • Write a thank you note to the teacher once the letter is sent & inform them of whether you were accepted

27. What should I give to teachers? • List of colleges to which you’re applying & the deadlines • Any school-specific or Common App forms that the teacher needs to complete along with his/her letter • Any documents the teacher requests, such as your resume and/or personal statement • Envelopes (addressed & stamped if appropriate) • Instructions on how each letter needs to be submitted to the college….

28. Option 1: Teacher Mails Letter Directly to College Student Name Street Address City, State Zip College Name Office of Undergraduate AdmissionStreet Address and/or Box City, State Zip

29. Option 2:Teacher Submits Letter Online • Many colleges ask students to list the teacher’s name and e-mail address when the student completes the online application • Inform teacher how to submit letter online • Will they receive an e-mail from the college or Common App with specific instructions?

30. Option 3:Teacher’s Letter Mailed with Transcript from Guidance Office • Provide teacher with an envelope for each college with the name of the college & your name printed on the front • Ask teacher to seal envelope & sign across the seal • Collect sealed letters from teacher • Attach letter to each pink transcript request form when you give it to Guidance Office • Teacher letters of recommendation must be attached to pink transcript release formif you want it mailed with your transcript

31. Official Transcript • Guidance sends your official transcript to each college: • At the time you apply (to all colleges you request) • Mid-year sent with 1st semester grades (to all colleges – no need to submit another transcript request – we automatically send) • At the end of the year – final transcript is sent to the college you plan to attend

33. PINK Transcript Request Form • Print legibly • Be specific! • Do not use abbreviations for the college name • List the city/state in which the college is located • List the specific deadline (ASAP and “Rolling” are NOT acceptable deadlines – exact dates please!) • Check off which documents you want us to send • Attach teacher letter(s) of recommendation if you want the letter(s) sent with your transcript • Student & parent must sign each request form

35. CounselorLetter of Recommendation • Minimum of 3 weeks notice • Encouraged to complete Student AND Parent Insight Sheet • Counselor letter will be mailed with your Transcript and Secondary School Report (SSR) • Be sure to check off that you would like a Counselor Letter of Recommendation on your pink transcript request form. If you don’t check that you want a counselor letter sent, I won’t send it.

36. College Application Process Student Applies to College Student Submits Pink Form to Guidance Student Submits Supplemental Information Student Requests Letters of Recommendation Ms. Picado Prints Transcript Student Sends SAT and/or ACT Scores to Colleges Provide Teacher With Deadlines, Instructions, Resume, & Envelopes Mrs. Smith Completes SSR Student Submits Required Financial & Residency Information Msr. Khattar Writes Letter of Rec Teacher Mails To College, Submits Online, or Gives to Student to Submit with Pink Form Ms. Picado Mails Transcript Student Completes & Submits Essays, Portfolios, Auditions, etc. Mrs. Smith Updates Naviance

37. https://succeed.naviance.com/signin.php • Update your e-mail address so that you receive important college & scholarship info • Create a resume • Sign up for college visits during Titan Time (print out confirmation as your pass) • Scholarship searches • Check status of transcript requests

38. CheckYour E-mail Frequently! Why? • Updates on colleges visiting DHS • Information on scholarships, honors, recognitions, special programs (some with short notice) • COLLEGES USE E-MAIL AS THEIR PRIMARY FORM OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOU RE: YOUR APPLICATION!

39. Overwhelmed? Still confused? • Breathe! • Develop an action plan & timeline to meet your goals and the deadlines • Don’t procrastinate! • Meet with Ms. Tucker, Mr. Terry, or Mrs. Smith – we’re happy to help!

40. Questions