North Babylon High School Guidance Department

1. North Babylon High School Guidance Department The Senior Class of 2010 The College Application Process “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” - William Jennings Bryan

2. Guidance Counselors • Mrs. Kristin Loeffler A – Cg • Mrs. Lucy Savarese Ch-Fz • Mrs. Milagros McCauley Ga-Kh ELL • Mrs. Jessica Babino Ki-Mz (Mrs. Patricia Mirando) • Mrs. Kelley Bowman Na-Sb Alt. School • Mrs. Mary Krimitsos Sc – Z

3. New for 2009-2010 • Web-based computer program which will streamline communication between counselors, students, and parents • College application information will be recorded electronically for easy reference • Up-to-date database of national scholarships with direct links to websites/applications • College/career search engines

4. Where are you in the process? As a senior, you should be ready to jump right into the application process. You should already have: • Taken at least one SAT/ACT • Researched colleges • Visited several campuses • Turned in your student profile and activity sheet to your counselor • Requested letters of recommendation from teachers

5. What colleges consider • Transcripts • Course Selections • GPA - Academic Grades • Tests – SAT I, SAT II and ACT • Extracurricular Activities • Teacher Recommendations • The College Essay • The Interview • Class rank

6. College Admissions Testing • SAT I – Scholastic Aptitude Test • Is a measure of critical thinking skills and assesses • how well you analyze and solve problems. • Should have been taken at least once during junior year • Students should attempt at least one SAT during their senior year, as colleges will look for the best combination of scores • New “Score Choice” option allows you to select which scores to send. • SAT II – Subject Exams • Required by some of the more competitive colleges • Should be taken after completion of related course • Register atwww.collegeboard.com

7. College Admissions Testing ACT – American College Testing • Measures academic achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning • Students should attempt at least one ACT • Colleges consider SAT/ACT scores to be comparable Register at www.actstudent.org ****IMPORTANT**** You are responsible for sending your own scores from the appropriate testing agency. The Guidance Office will not send colleges SAT/ACT scores.

8. Testing Accommodations • Students with a 504 accommodation or an IEP are eligible for accommodations on their SAT/ACT. • Students must obtain the eligibility form from the Guidance Office. *** If you are planning to take an SAT/ACT this fall, and are seeking accommodations, eligibility forms must be submitted IMMEDIATELY!!!

9. Admissions Programs • Early Decision • Binding Agreement • Student applies to their first-choice college early in the fall usually by Nov.1st. • Accepted students are notified by early December. • Students that are not accepted may be deferred for admission later in the senior year. • Early Action • Non-Binding Agreement • Similar application / notification timetable as Early Decision • Accepted candidates have until May 1st to accept or decline the offer of admission. • Applicants that are denied admission outright are not automatically deferred for later consideration. • Regular Admissions - Please be mindful of specific application deadlines. • Rolling Admissions - College applications are accepted until enrollment is met. Students must notify their counselor as early as possible if they are applying for Early Decision or Early Action.

10. Student Profile • Used by your Guidance Counselor to write your letter of recommendation • Please provide detailed and thorough answers • Be honest Activity Sheet • Include all 9-12 Grade achievements, extracurricular activities, community service, work experiences, honors and awards. • Must be neat, typed, and organized, and include your name and social security number. A copy will get sent with each of your applications! Due to your counselor immediately!!

11. Recommendations • 3 letters of recommendation will be submitted with your college applications • 2 Teacher • 1 Guidance Counselor • Please provide recommendation form and activity sheet to your teachers early, if you have not done so already. • Teachers will forward recommendation letters to Guidance Office. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the guidance office has received their recommendations by October 15th.

12. Application Procedure • Every application must be processed through the guidance office, whether you complete it on paper or online. • For EVERY application you complete, you must complete an “Application Processing Form.” This form tells your counselor specific information about your application, ensures that we are aware of the school’s deadline, and acts as a record that we have received the application. This form also tells us exactly what you wish us to send with your application packet (eg: letters of recommendation, essay) • If you are submitting a paper application, the Application Processing form must be submitted at the same time.

13. Application Processing Form Student's Name: Student's Name: Counselor: Counselor: Student's Name: Student's Name: Counselor: Counselor: Intended Major: Intended Major: Social Security #: Social Security #: Intended Major: Intended Major: Social Security #: Social Security #: OR OR College/University Name: College/University Name: SUNY/CUNY Colleges: SUNY/CUNY Colleges: OR OR College/University Name: College/University Name: SUNY/CUNY Colleges: SUNY/CUNY Colleges: ___________________ ________________ ___________________ ________________ ___________________ ________________ ___________________ ________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ ________________ __________________ ________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ ________________ __________________ ________________ PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: YES YES NO NO PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: YES YES NO NO 1. I have applied using the COMMON APPLICATION 1. I have applied using the COMMON APPLICATION 1. I have applied using the COMMON APPLICATION 1. I have applied using the COMMON APPLICATION attached is the Transcript Request Form. attached is the Transcript Request Form. 2. I have applied online & 2. I have applied online & attached is the Transcript Request Form. attached is the Transcript Request Form. 2. I have applied online & 2. I have applied online & 3. I have signed the application. 3. I have signed the application. 3. I have signed the application. 3. I have signed the application. 4. Early Decision/Action application ? (Deadline ____________ 4. Early Decision/Action application ? (Deadline ____________ ____). ____). 4. Early Decision/Action application ? (Deadline ____________ 4. Early Decision/Action application ? (Deadline ____________ ____). ____). You must inform your counselor. You must inform your counselor. You must inform your counselor. You must inform your counselor. 5. Standard application (Deadline __________________). 5. Standard application (Deadline __________________). 5. Standard application (Deadline __________________). 5. Standard application (Deadline __________________). 6. The application fee is attached. (My name & Social Securit 6. The application fee is attached. (My name & Social Securit y # are on y # are on 6. The application fee is attached. (My name & Social Securit 6. The application fee is attached. (My name & Social Securit y # are on y # are on the check.) the check.) the check.) the check.) 7. Essay is attached, if applicable. 7. Essay is attached, if applicable. 7. Essay is attached, if applicable. 7. Essay is attached, if applicable. . I have had my SAT/ACT test scores sent directly from the . I have had my SAT/ACT test scores sent directly from the 8 8 . I have had my SAT/ACT test scores sent directly from the . I have had my SAT/ACT test scores sent directly from the 8 8 College Board / ACT Test Center to the above noted insti College Board / ACT Test Center to the above noted insti tutions tutions College Board / ACT Test Center to the above noted insti College Board / ACT Test Center to the above noted insti tutions tutions . . . . 9. Activity Sheet (Resume) is ON FILE. 9. Activity Sheet (Resume) is ON FILE. 9. Activity Sheet (Resume) is ON FILE. 9. Activity Sheet (Resume) is ON FILE. 10. Is the college's mid 10. Is the college's mid - - year report form being submitted with the year report form being submitted with the 10. Is the college's mid 10. Is the college's mid - - year report form being submitted with the year report form being submitted with the application? application? application? application? 10. Teacher Recommendations are ON FILE. Yes________ No _____ 10. Teacher Recommendations are ON FILE. Yes________ No _____ ___ ___ 10. Teacher Recommendations are ON FILE. Yes________ No _____ 10. Teacher Recommendations are ON FILE. Yes________ No _____ ___ ___ 1. ______________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ___ 1. ______________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ___ ________________ ________________ 1. ______________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ___ 1. ______________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ___ ________________ ________________

14. Application procedure • If you apply online, you will complete the bulk of your application at home, and then bring us your completed “Application Processing Form.” • Since you don’t have a paper application to turn in, you will submit an “Online Transcript Request” form in its place. • Many schools will waive the application fee if your submit your application online. However, if you are required to pay a fee, and you did not submit it online, you must bring it to guidance with the remainder of your paperwork.

15. Online transcript request form Transcript Request Form FOR ONLINE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS Name: _______________________________ Date: _________________ Due Date: _____________ Please send my: _____ Transcript _____ SATs/ACTs _____ Recommendations _____ Mid-year grades _____ Report Card _____ NBHS Profile _____Essay _____ Activity Sheet To: Name of College/Organization: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ** Please return to your Guidance Counselor

16. The Application Packet • Once your counselor has received the appropriate paperwork from you (application processing form, and either a paper application or an online transcript request form), we can begin to process your application. • Since your counselor will review everything for accuracy, please allow three weeks for processing. Keep this in mind, as we don’t want you to miss any deadlines!!! • The Guidance Staff will create an organized application packet, which will include: • Application (if not already submitted online) • Fees • Transcript (including courses in progress) • Activity Sheet • 1st Quarter Grades • College Essays • Recommendation Letters • School Profile • Since the Guidance Office is submitting everything together in a neat and organized packet, the college admissions office will receive a packet which is ready for an admissions counselor to review. • Please remember you MUST contact the appropriate testing agency to have your SAT and/or ACT scores sent directly to each college!

17. Scholarships • The scholarship newsletter is available bi-weekly in the guidance office. This publication lists the requirements for a variety of scholarship applications, which are available in the Guidance Office. • Once you have access to Naviance, you will be able to access their scholarship database. • Students can always look for scholarships on their own, through the internet or publications available in the library. Many students have found www.fastweb.com to be helpful. • Scholarship applications that require a fee are not legitimate! Don’t ever pay to receive a scholarship!!! • The application for North Babylon community scholarships will be mailed out in mid-January. You MUST return it by the deadline on the packet or your application will NOT be considered.

18. Financial aid • The “Free Application for Student Aid” (FAFSA) must be completed online in order to begin the financial aid process. This cannot be done until after January 1st. At the end of the application, you will be directed to the “TAP” (Tuition Assistance Program) application, which is available only to New York State residents. • You can print out a FAFSA worksheet at anytime, handwrite the information, and enter it on the website after January 1st. • The FAFSA4caster is now available online. This tool allows you to complete a mock version of the FAFSA now, and will give you an estimate of your “Estimated Family Contribution” (EFC), which is the amount you will be expected to pay out of pocket. • Beginning January 1st, students who have completed the FAFSA4caster will be prompted to complete the actual FAFSA online. Many fields will be pre-populated with the information provided on the 4caster, and the FAFSA will take you less time to complete. • Once the FAFSA is submitted, the information provided, as well as your family’s “EFC” is sent to the schools you have chosen. From there, schools can build you a personalized financial aid package.

19. NCAA Eligibility The NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the “Clearinghouse”) standardizes the initial eligibility requirements for all prospective Division I and Division II student athletes based upon: - high school “core curriculum” - grade-point average - SAT / ACT scores Division I Division II Division III • Utilizes a sliding scale - Does not utilize sliding scale Does not require GPA/SAT/ACT scores - Must have minimum of 2.0 GPA, and registration through the either an SAT score of 820 (critical Eligibility Center reading and math sections only), or a sum score of 68 on the ACT You must register on the website! Please visit web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter

20. The Timeline For College Admission Grade 12 Fall - Submit completed applications to your counselor no later than November 6th - Early Action/Early Decision applications must be in the Guidance Office three weeks before the deadline - Check for scholarship information periodically in the Guidance Office and online - Take the ACT October 24th - Take the SAT November 7th Winter- Complete FAFSA4caster - FAFSA must be submitted after January 1st - Return the North Babylon High School scholarship application by the deadline

21. Important Dates • September 30th and October 1st: Counselors speak to senior groups • October 4th: Long Island National College Fair 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Nassau Coliseum • October 7th : NBHS College Fair for students 12:00–1:30 pm • October 22nd: WSCA Fall College Fair 6:00 – 8:30 pm at Suffolk Community College (Ammerman Campus, Selden) • October 24th : ACT: Late registration deadline – October 2nd • November 7th: SAT: Registration deadline – October 1st • November 6th: College applications are due in the Guidance Office • November 19th: Hispanic College Fair • December 5th:SAT: Registration deadline – October 30th • January 1st : FAFSA can be submitted online

22. Use the computer to help your college search • Please visit the “Guidance Info” link for a comprehensive list of online resources, updates, and downloads at: www.northbabylonschools.net

23. Best wishes for a successful and rewarding senior year!