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Get a comprehensive overview of the college admissions process, including admissions requirements, college visits, application process, transcripts and school forms, resumes, letters of recommendation, timelines, and paying for college.
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Class of 2020September 2012 College Admissions Overview Marlborough High School Guidance September 2019
College Admissions Topics • Admissions requirements • College visits • College application process • Transcripts and school forms • Resumes • Letters of Recommendation • Timelines • Paying for college
Applying to College: Finding the Right Fit What do you want to do after graduating from high school? Does the college offer the majors you might be interested in? Do you meet the admissions standards?
Apply to: 4 to 8 Range of Selectivity: • Safety Schools • Probable/Target Schools • Reach Schools Range of Price Public (in-state or out-of-state) and private Major Make sure major is offered
Do you meet the admission requirements? • Every college sets their own requirements • Rigor of transcript • Grade Point Average (GPA) • Standardized tests • SAT • SAT Subject tests • ACT
Standardized Admission Tests • ACT www.actstudent.org • SAT • SAT Subject tests (if required) www.collegeboard.org • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) www.ets.org/toefl Fee waivers available for eligible students for SAT & ACT
Fall Testing Dates – 2019 SAT ACT
College Visits • On campus visits • Virtual tours • Attend college rep visits at MHS
College ApplicationsInstitutional versus Common Application Definitions: • Institutional Application is the college-specific application • Common Application is one application that can be used for many (but NOT all) colleges if they participate. www.commonapp.org
Application Options • Rolling Admission • Early Action • Early Decision (binding)* • Deferred Admission • Regular Decision Whatever option you choose, you MUST submit the application by the deadline. *For Early Decision you must complete financial aid forms as well by the deadline
FERPA: Why do we recommend that you waive your rights? College representatives tell us that most students (90% +) waive their rights. It’s unusual for a student to not waive their rights and right or not, raises a question in their mind. • When the student does not waive their right, the accompanying recommendations may have been influenced by this and thus they may not truly be representative of the student’s abilities and talents. • You should choose your references carefully so that you know they are going to give you a good recommendation. If you have done this, there is no need to see the recommendation once you are admitted. • If you don’t waive your right, schools may not take the letters of recommendation seriously, because it may look like you have something to hide. If you can’t trust the people you asked to write you a letter of recommendation, maybe you asked the wrong people!
Common Mistakes #1 – Student does not complete FERPA form. #2 – Student enters an incorrect Common Application email address on Naviance #3 – Student does not list all colleges they are applying to in their Common Application account. #4- Student does not match Common Application account with Naviance
Application Tips for Success • Start now • Complete application and supplements • Proofread • Pay for the application • Tell your counselor once you’ve applied so we can send your transcripts & other docs! • Check the submission status • Check your email frequently
Letters of Recommendation • Not all colleges require them • Some colleges: • Require 1 teacher recommendation only • Require 2 teacher recommendations and a guidance counselor recommendation
Senior Year Timeline What do you need to do and when do you need to do it?
For Seniors: October • Finalize your list of colleges where you plan to apply • Complete the college applications • Some deadlines may be as early as mid-October • Send standardized tests scores (if required) in time to make the application deadline • ACT or SAT • SAT Subject Tests if required • Request letters of recommendation if required
Paying for College • FAFSA (available October 1 at 12:01 a.m.) www.fafsa.ed.gov • CSS Profile at www.collegeboard.com • College financial aid forms • Make sure you meet the Financial Aid Priority Deadline set by the college
Need help filing for Financial Aid? Attend our MEFA College Financing Seminar on October 16th at 6pm in the Little Theater
Scholarships • www.fastweb.com • www.finaid.org • Scholarships are all available on Naviance beginning in February • MHS website • Check with your employer, clubs and organizations you belong to – do they offer scholarships?
Questions? House Orange Mrs. Erika Johnson ejohnson@mps-edu.org x7385 Ms. Amy Wayman awayman@mps-edu.org x7510 House Black Ms. Joanne Hanson jhanson@mps-edu.org x7386 Mr. Carrick Rogerscrogers@mps-edu.org x7384 Early College High School Counselor Mrs. Elizabeth DeHoratiusedehoratius@mps-edu.org x7110 (508) 460-3500 Stay connected: MarlboroughHigh Guidance @MHSPantherGuide