The Mechanics of the College Application Process

1. The Mechanics of the College Application Process Brett Levine-Director of Guidance Nancy O’Brien-School Counselor September 15, 2008

2. Top schools Where Students Matriculated: Class of 2008 • 1: CCM (28) • 2: Rutgers (11) • 3: University of Delaware (4) • 4: Montclair State (4) • 5. RPI, TCNJ, U of ILL, Susquehana (3)

3. Where the Class of 2008 Applied 1. Rutgers (45) 2. CCM (35) 3. U of Delaware(22) 4. Boston U (14) 5. Penn State (13) 6. Monmouth (12) 7. TCNJ (12) 8. Villanova, U Conn, Fordham (11)

4. Upcoming Events • Senior conferences • Senior group guidance • College Fair @ CCM (10/5) • College athletic information night (12/1) • Financial Aid Night (1/8) • Conversations w/ Counselors (11/11) • CCM Instant Admissions day (4/8)

5. In School College Visits • Sign up on Family Connections • Student is responsible for getting permission from teacher, and making up work. • Code of conduct • Person visiting is often the application reader. • (Off campus visit-Get a note from college)

6. Admissions Terms • Early Decision. For this admissions program, applications are normally due by November 1st-15th of your senior year, and decisions are usually made by mid-December.  Binding and can only apply to one ED school. • Early Action. Similar to early decision in that applying early will get you an early answer. Early action programs are not binding. Deadlines and notification dates are similar to ED. However, you usually do not have to make your final decision until May 1st of your senior year. • Regular Decision. For regular admission, application deadlines are usually in January or February of your senior year. Decision letters are generally sent out at the end of March or early April. • Rolling Admission. With the rolling admission program, there are no application deadlines. As soon as applications arrive at a college, the admissions office starts reviewing them and making decisions. If you apply to schools that utilize rolling admission, then you should hear back from them within six to eight weeks. 

7. Decisions • Accept • Accepted for Spring term • Reject • Deferred: (EA or ED) • Supplemental Information • Waitlisted (Notified Mid May-August) • Supplemental Information

8. Making the Final Decision • May 1st-Deposit date • Can only deposit to one college. (exception, wait list) • Navigating the wait list. • Courtesy to notify non-attending colleges where you are going. • Let guidance know of all decisions. • Guidance will automatically send final transcript to matriculating college.

9. WHAT THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING… • Sending in the application (on-line or paper). • Don’t change e-mail address in the middle of the year. • Colleges prefer on-line filing: Saves time & money, faster responses. • Common application, Universal Application, College Application • Sending in the application fee. • Often waived if applying on-line. • Fee waivers available to those who qualify. • Sending in the essay (should be reviewed by an English teacher). • Sending in any supplemental application materials. (i.e. portfolio, graded paper, supplement to the common application) • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)

10. What Madison High School Sends.. • Transcript w/ GPA, senior yr schedule, class rank (optional). Any change in schedule, an updated transcript will be sent. • High School profile • Secondary school report form/ counselor recommendation. • Mid year and final transcripts. (1st MP report card optional) • Teacher recommendations (often two), if available.

11. What We Need From the Student in Order to Send Our Materials • Record release form • Transcript request form • Secondary School report form • Envelopes

12. Prepare a manila envelope for each college your child is applying to: • On a manila envelope, write the name and address of the college • Put three stamps on each envelope • Write Madison High School’s return address Madison High School170 Ridgedale AvenueMadison, NJ 07940

13. Prepare an envelope for each college your child is applying to for the MID-YEAR GRADES: • On a standard size envelope, write the name and address of the colleges • Put one stamp on each envelope • Write MID-YEAR GRADES on the bottom • Write Madison High School’s Return Address Madison High School170 Ridgedale AvenueMadison, NJ 07940

14. Please Keep In Mind… • Responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores. Not sent by HS. • OK for colleges to receive things in stages. • 10 Day Rule • Overlap between letters and data entry. • HS sends out return receipt post cards. • Check FC for status • Responsible for registering for selective service • Responsible for registering for NCAA Eligibility Center

15. SCHOLARSHIPS • Posted on Family Connections. • Different categories: National, State, Local, College. • College merit scholarships are usually not posted on FC. (Exception: WUSL, Davidson, UVA, Emory) • Scholarship notice sent out, announcing local scholarships, in March. • Let us know of any scholarships awarded. (Including college merit awards) • Similar procedure as college application (envelope, transcript request form). • Student should write thank you note.

16. Counselor Recommendation • Composite overview of a student (personal, academic, extracurricular) • Answers the question, “what can this person bring to the community?” • Tells the story of the transcript. (i.e. global marketing, gaps in performance) • Discuss content w/ counselor. (Confidential) • Sent with HS packet.

17. Teacher Recommendations • Some colleges require 2, some 1, some 0. • Senior group guidance discuss protocol for asking. • Teachers set own policies on recommendations (i.e. deadlines, submit a bio.) • Teachers fill out a generic teacher recommendation form (available in guidance) along with their narrative. • Students should provide teachers a synopsis of their work. Generally speaking if 2 are required, 2 different disciplines • February 6, 2009: “Thank your teacher for writing your college recommendation day.”

18. Quick Family Connections Demonstration

19. Final Thoughts • Guidance has resources on non-college options. • Clean up digital dirt (i.e.. Face book, My Space) • Use Scattergrams on Family Connections. • Colleges review final transcripts and can rescind admissions decisions. • May 20th is Senior transition day. • We are here to help!