Abington Heights High School The College Application Process

1. Abington Heights High SchoolThe College Application Process

2. Guidance Counselors • Mrs. McCreary A – F • Mr. McHale G – Mc • Mrs. Klingman Me – S • Mr. Smith T – Z • Mrs. Spangenberg Career Tech • Ms. Corwin Intervention Counselor

3. Purpose • To review the senior year timeline and to give parents information on the college application process.

4. Topics • Reviewed Topics – College Seminar Night Self-Evaluation/Profile/Major of Interest Senior Schedule – challenging/competitive Standardized Tests (SAT’s, ACT’s) College Search College Admissions • Focus – The College Application Process • Application Timeline • Application Process & Procedures • Student/Parent Responsibilities

5. Senior Year • Individual and small group meetings. • College representatives visiting AH. • Common Application workshops. • Ahsd.org website – bulletins, sample resumes, testing information, transcript release form etc.

6. What Colleges Consider: • The first part of planning for college is understanding what factors colleges consider when looking at a student profile. • Primary Factors: - Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses - Academic Performance/Grades - Test Scores (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP etc.) Additional Factors: - Extracurricular Activities/Special Talents - Essay(s) - Letters of Recommendation - Demonstrated Interest

7. Emphasis: “Trophy” Vs “Best Fit” Trophy School – Get into best school, based on reputation, World News & Report Rankings Best Fit – Know will be comfortable & happy

8. Student Responsibilities • Share information with parents – senior bulletins • Register for SAT’s, ACT’s, Subject tests • Complete College Applications • Write and type essay • Communicate with admissions staff • Stay organized • Know all Deadline dates !

9. What is your Game Plan? • Narrow your list of colleges. • Complete campus tours. • Update your resume. • Request letters of recommendation. • Start college applications now, especially public or state institutions.

10. How many schools should I apply to ? • Most students apply to 6-8 colleges. • Reach, Target , Safety or Back-up “Research the profiles of colleges of interest.” • Make sure your list is spread out to have schools in appropriate categories (3-4 in each category).

11. Types of Admission • Rolling • Regular • Early Action (Nov 1, Nov 15 deadline) • Early Decision ( I and II ) • Majors and Deadlines – ex: Physical Therapy, Nursing (No two schools operate the same way. Make sure to discuss questions with admissions and financial aid officers. This is especially important for early decision candidates. )

12. A Look at the College Application • Neatness, Accuracy, Deadlines • Application Length varies • Application Fee • Activities Resume • Essays/Writing Sample • Teacher Recommendations/Forms • Secondary School Report/Counselor Recommendation • High School Transcript/School profile • Portfolio/Auditions/Interview • Supplemental Forms

13. Application Process • Ways to apply for admission: 1. Paper application 2. Electronic or on-line application (98%)

14. STEP 1: Complete Application • The student/parent are responsible for completing and submitting the application. • Know what materials are needed !!! • (teacher recommendation/forms – how many, counselor recommendation/forms, common application supplement form, essays, fees etc.) MAKE SURE TO REVIEW THE ENTIRE APPLICATION BEFORE YOU CLICK SUBMIT !

15. Application Process • Paper Application: Complete application and bring to the guidance office with fee and essays. • On- Line Application: Make sure to send the completed application electronically. Send application fee as requested. • Make sure to submit a student activities resume with each application or along with the transcript request form. • Fill out the Blue AH Transcript Request Form, with student and parent signatures and return to the guidance office. Indicate if you are excluding or including test scores. • Make sure to indicate what recommendations need to be sent along with the transcript and/or paper application.

16. Application Process (Con’t) • Indicate any deadline dates on the TRF: Early decision, early action, academic major deadlines. • Official High SchoolTranscript is up-dated and printed. • Counselor reviews TRF, completes appropriate forms, adding teacher recommendations (off line) as requested. • Counselor mails requested information on TRF.

17. Teacher Recommendation Process • Student asks teacher for recommendation in the fall of senior year. Allow 2 weeks for the teacher to complete and/or send to the guidance office. • Student gives the teacher an envelope with a list of activities/resume and appropriate teacher recommendation forms, if applicable. • Guidance counselor receives recommendation from the teacher and keeps in the students college file. • Guidance Counselor tracks when the TRF is received and when information is sent through the guidance office.

18. The Common Applicationwww.commonapp.org • 2011 - 463 member institutions ! • 1/3 of the colleges are exclusive users. • Saves time and duplication of information. • Workshops offered during the school day !

19. Common Application Process • 1. Student sets-up account on-line. • 2. Read & Follow Directions. • 3. Complete entire application ! (make sure to submit all forms) * You will need to know recommending teachers and counselor e-mail addresses, as well as counselor phone number and school address.

20. Common App (Con’t) • AH Counselors will be accepting student invites and completing/submitting all necessary forms on-line. • Teachers will have a choice to Accept or Decline student invite. • If Invite accepted, the teacher will complete/submit recommendation on-line. • If Declined, the student will print out the teacher recommendation form, place in envelope and give to the teacher. The teacher will complete the paper form and return to guidance counselor.

21. Common Application (Con’t) • Make sure your counselor has a copy of your student resume and a completed senior background sheet. • It is essential for the counselor to have this information to write a comprehensive recommendation. • The student is responsible for requesting and tracking recommendations.

22. Know How to Get Information • AH Senior Bulletins - college and financial aid timelines, application process and procedures • College Web-sites - Undergraduate admission application virtual tours, academic programs • College Handbooks - Majors, scholarships, costs and financial aid • Guidance Department - Applications, catalogues, college and occupational handbooks • Local College Fairs - Marywood University September 19th • College Representatives – visit in the fall

23. Important Web-sites • Access to all senior bulletins: www.ahsd.org - go to Our Schools – Academic departments – Guidance Page – Click on Seniors www.visitcollege.com – (Virtual college tours) www.collegeboard.org – SAT registration, college search, EFC calculator www.act.org – Act registration www.collegeview.org - college search www.finaid.org/calculators - college cost, EFC calculators

24. Additional Web-sites • www.commonapp.org – over 400 schools are members • www.PASSHE.edu. PA State System of Higher Education Website

25. Thank you for attending tonight’s program!