The Mechanics of the College Application Process

1. The Mechanics of the College Application Process Brett Levine, Director of Guidance Brooke Mascia, Counselor Gretchen Conway, Intern 9-10-2015

2. MHS Guidance Department • Director: Brett Levine • Counselors: Sarah Mazak, Nancy O’Brien, Brooke Mascia, Phyllis Levy, Gina Klemm • Intern: Gretchen Conway • Support Staff: Carolyn White, Clare McAloon

3. Tonight’s Program • 60-75 Minutes • Posted on MHS Guidance Web site. • Practical Information. • Reinforce information presented in summer mailing and Jr. parent night. • Students will get a very condensed version of this presentation during group guidance. Date TBA

4. Agenda • Guidance Facts and Figures • In School College Visits • Admissions Cycle • Application Process • Family Connections (FC) Demonstration • Scholarships • Key Reminders • Closing Thoughts

5. Where the Class of 2015 Applied • 18 to University of Vermont • 19 to Loyola University • 20 to Scranton, Villanova, Northeastern • 21 to Montclair State University • 23 to Rutgers University • 23 to CCM • 28 to Fordham *

6. Top schools where students from the Class of 2015 Matriculated: • 3 to Cornell, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Moravian, NJIT, NYU, Scranton, Boston College, Quinnipiac, College of Charleston, University of Connecticut • 4 to Lehigh, Villanova, Penn State, Rider, Rutgers • 5 to Montclair State, University of Delaware • 21 to CCM

7. Upcoming Events (For Seniors and/or their parents) • Senior conferences (Starting now) • Senior group guidance (TBA) • College Fair @ CCM (9/20/15) • Financial Aid Night (12/10) • CCM Admissions Processing Day/Field Trip (TBA) • In-School College Visits (on-going) • Common App Sessions (Tuesdays & Wednesdays starting 9/16)

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

9. Admissions Cycle

10. Application types (these are a sample - there are many more) • Early Decision • Early Action • Regular Decision • Rolling Admission • Priority Deadline

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

12. Making the Final Decision • May 1st-Deposit date • Can only deposit to one college. (exception, waitlist) • 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.

13. Nuts and Bolts • How things get done • What you send • What we send

14. WHAT THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING… • Application/Application Fee 2. Essays/Personal Statements 3. Supplemental Materials • Portfolio, graded papers, letters of recommendation from non-faculty member, Early Decision Agreement, anything else the college wants that we don’t send. 4. SAT/ACT scores 5. NCAA Info

15. What Madison High School Sends.. • Transcript w/ GPA, senior year schedule, class rank (optional). If there is a change in student’s schedule, an updated transcript will be sent. • High School profile • Secondary school report form/ counselor recommendation. Mid year grades and final transcripts. (1st MP report card optional) • Teacher recommendations (often two).

16. HOW WILL WE (MHS) SEND MATERIALS? • Electronically

17. Transcript Request form (Key Points, let’s take a look) • I have registered with common application • I have entered my common app username (e-mail) and DOB on FC • Colleges I’m thinking about in FC and CA. • ICONS • Common lunch is the only time to submit this form • Kids need to know application/delivery method

19. Steps for teacher recommendations • Ask teacher • Submit request via family connections. • Provide teacher with any information they want. • Provide them w/ envelope if college does not receive materials electronically (rare) • Check to see if college received it. • On FC, On Common app, on college account.

20. Quick Family Connections Demonstration • Overlaps • College Match • Scattergrams • Colleges I’m thinking about • Colleges I’m applying to • Upcoming college visits • Teacher Recommendations • Scholarships

21. IMPORTANT TAKE-AWAYS • ICONS • Remember to register for Common Application (commonapp.org) • Remember to fill out FERPA on CA • Remember on-line teacher letters of recommendation

22. 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 • Let us know of any scholarships awarded • Including college merit awards • Be neat - type them up • Apply apply apply • Similar procedure as college application • envelope, transcript request form • Student should write thank you note • A word about the awards ceremony

23. Please Keep In Mind… • Responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores. Not sent by HS. You manage the processs • OK for colleges to receive things in stages. • 10 Day Rule • Overlap between us sending it out and colleges recording it. • Rutgers. Self reporting. (Many larger schools are) • Transcript request during common lunch only. • Check FC for status • Responsible for registering for selective service • Responsible for registering for NCAA Eligibility Center

24. How parents can supportthrough the process • Make sure student schedule a Senior Conference • Remind: Important Dates • Remind: College visits • Keep ‘em on track • Keep us in the loop • Honest conversations with students about $$

25. Final Thoughts • Guidance has resources on non-college options • Clean up digital dirt (i.e.. Facebook, Twitter) • Use Scattergrams on Family Connections. • Colleges review final transcripts and can rescind admissions decisions • We are here to help!