College Application Guide: Tips and Deadlines

1. What you need to knowSeptember 14, 2017 The College Application Process

2. Today, you will.. • Learn more about the QO procedures for the college application process • Learn how to request your transcripts • Create a Common App account • Match Naviance with Common App • Learn how to send recommendation letters • Learn more about the Coalition Application

3. Finalize List of Colleges Safety vs. Target vs. Reach SAFETY TARGET REACH Less likely acceptance based on matching some, but not all criteria Pick 1 or 2 Little chance of rejection but would be happy to attend Pick 1 or 2 Likely accepted based on matching qualifications Pick 3 or 4

4. When Should I Apply?

5. What Factors are important for the Admissions Process? SAT/ACT/SAT II Interview Rigorous Schedule (12th grade counts!) Extracurricular activities Grade Point Average Essay Letters of Recommendation Colleges look at the WHOLE person!

6. SAT/SAT II/ACT • You should have taken an SAT/ACT by now • If not, you still have time to register for an October test: • SAT – Late Registration Deadline is September 27th • ACT – Registration Deadline is September 22nd • FARMS students receive two fee waivers for each test • Scores must be sent directly to the college from SAT/ACT website. QO does not send them. • Check with your schools if they require SAT Subject Test • Some institutions are now test optional

7. Teacher Letter of Recommendation • Talk to the teacher first! • Then request through Naviance College Application • Figure out which application you need to use (Common App, Coalition App, or school’s online application) • Complete all essays and supplemental questions • Pay application fees (FARMS receive waiver) • Transcript Request • Pick up form at registrar’s office and submit three weeks before first deadline • QO sends your transcript, school profile and all recommendations through Naviance What are you responsible for? • SAT/ACT Scores • Your responsible to send • SAT/ACT scores three weeks before deadline via: • Collegeboard.org • ACT.org Resume Some colleges require a resume. If so, make sure to attach one to your application

8. UsingFamily Connections/Naviance: College Search and Application Program • Web based: access from home or school! • Scattergrams: students compare performance vs. acceptance rate based on QOHS graduates • Seniors have received a password. Go to the Career Center for password help. • Naviance used by MCPS for electronic submission of transcripts, school profiles, and LOR’s

10. Registering for College Visits

13. College list changes everyday. Check Naviance daily.

14. Meet with the Registrar at least three weeks prior to the college deadline • Bring the yellow “Transcript Request /Authorization to Release Pupil Records Form” to Ms. Gregg in the registrar’s office • List each school you will apply to on the form • No transcript fees

15. Transcript Request FormFill out completely, including signatures. Something to keep in mind… • Each institution listed on this form must also be added to “colleges I’m applying to” in Naviance • For each school that doesn’t accept electronic documents, you must provide… • An 8x11 postage paid envelope addressed to the institution for the registrar • A postage paid envelope addressed to the institution given to each recommender

16. QO Deadlines DEADLINE TO RETURN TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORMS To ensure that your applications are sent by the institutional deadline, follow the schedule below (there will be no exception to the dates listed)

17. Submit applications online by the institutional deadline • It is the student’s responsibility to get the application in on time! (electronically, or by mail)

18. IMPORTANT

19. Matching Common App with Naviance: Step 1 Go ahead and Login or Create an account

20. Matching Common App with Naviance: Step 2 Next we are going to add a Common App School to your application

21. Matching Common App with Naviance: Step 3 Go ahead and add a Common App school (etc. UMBC)

22. Matching Common App with Naviance: Step 4 Next we are going to fill out the education section

23. Matching Common App with Naviance: Step 4 Make sure you answer every question in this section

24. School Counselor Information • Ms. Amy Elza - Amy_M_Elza@mcpsmd.org • Ms. Nancy Jimenez - Nancy_Jimenez@mcpsmd.org • Ms. Nancy Rossini - Nancy_J_Rossini@mcpsmd.org • Mr. John Favazzo- John_A_Favazzo@mcpsmd.org • Mr. Mullaney - David_D_Mullaney@mcpsmd.org • Ms. Jennifer Gaston - Jennifer_L_Gaston@mcpsmd.org • Ms. Victoria Lyon - Victoria_Lyon@mcpsmd.org • Mr. Doug Rivera - Douglas_A_Rivera@mcpsmd.org

25. Now we are going to sign the FERPA agreement Under the “My Colleges Tab”, click on Recommenders and FERPA

26. Signing FERPA Agreement Read… and select that you have read the statement

27. Signing FERPA Agreement It is highly encouraged that you WAIVE YOUR RIGHT. You cannot undo this later.

28. Matching your Naviance with Common App Log on to your Naviance Account. Then, click on “colleges I’m applying to” under the Colleges tab.

29. Matching your Naviance with Common App • You must add the same Common App school to this list. • The email that you used to create your Naviance account should be the same with your Common App.

30. Matching your Naviance with Common App Once you have completed everything, press Match. Your page should look like this..

31. Requesting Teacher Recommendations First you are going to go to Letter of Recommendations under the Colleges Tab

32. Requesting Teacher Recommendations Click on Add a Request and select your teacher on the next page

33. Requesting Teacher Recommendations Be specific if you would like for your teacher to send your recommendations to all your schools or to specific ones

34. Requesting Teacher Recommendations Always Thank your recommenders! And also remind them of your earliest deadline.  When your finished, hit submit and your teachers will receive a notification shortly

35. Request recommendations from teachers minimum 3 weeks prior to the deadline Students should speak to their teachers prior to submitting an electronic request for a recommendation For colleges that do not use Naviance, students must give their teachers stamped, addressed envelopes

36. Coalition App Similar to Common App, you will create an account through their website: www.mycoalition.org

37. Coalition APP • Complete all the sections listed. • You will need a copy of your transcript to fill out the 9th-12th grade Coursework

38. Coalition Once you finish your profile, you can start your application after you add them to your list

39. Important note about Letter of Recommendations through Coalition There will be a section that will ask for you to fill out your Recommenders information. You can skip this part.

40. Important note about Letter of Recommendations through Coalition Just make sure you Check off this box when you get to the “Official Documents” section in your College Applications process

41. Common App vs Coalition App • If your school offers the option for you to choose between Common Application and Coalition, please choose COMMON APPfor electronic documents to be sent without delay.

42. Montgomery College • A few thoughts on MC.. • MC is an open enrollment school, students only need to submit an application • Application is free between October 1st-March 1st • Accuplacer is often required • If you’re interested in learning more about the MC Scholars programs, please contact Ms. Johnston at the Career Center. • To be eligible, students should have a 3.0 or better gpa • SAT/ACT scores, essays, and recommendations are required for this process • Deadline: • Transfer Agreements: • MC has articulation agreements with all of the Maryland Public colleges/universities as well as a variety of other schools

43. THANK YOU!