SENIOR SEMINAR: How to Use your Red Folder?

1. WELCOME CLASS of 2013 SENIOR SEMINAR: How to Use your Red Folder? duPont Manual High School Marti Johnston, Manual Counselor (A-G) Christy Teague, Manual Counselor (H-O) Amy Medley, Manual Counselor (P-Z) Dennis Robinson, YPAS Counselor (A-Z)

2. Importance of Meeting Deadlines, Attention to Detail, & Neatness of your Red Folder • Approximately 135 seniors (Teague) • Each applies to 5 colleges • 675 = # of applications processed by Counselor • 482 seniors x 5 applications = 2410 processed applications (minimum) • Most requiring a Letter of Recommendation • 1st semester (Oct—Jan) • Not counting: • students who will apply to more than 5 colleges • scholarship applications • other Counselor responsibilities

3. RED FOLDERS • Counselor Red Folder • Teacher Red Folder What goes into the Red Folder? • All college/scholarship applications needed by counselor/teacher to complete • Only list what is actually ready to be processed that day, not all of the colleges you are applying to for the entire year • When you are ready to add more colleges/scholarships, you come get your Red Folder from your counselor • Give Red Folder to your teacher ONLY if you need a teacher recommendation • Resume • Letter to your counselor/teacher

4. COUNSELOR Red Folder Use the same Red Folder all year to request transcripts, college/scholarship forms to be completed by your counselor, and letters of recommendation by your counselor Red Folder must be given to Ms. Just in the Guidance Office at least 10 school days prior to the deadline—the earlier, the better Send your part of the application and fees on your own (online or mail). Do NOT submit money or checks to the Guidance Office.

5. COVER SHEET of COUNSELOR Red Folder Complete all info on the front & back of the Cover Sheet (print neatly) Student:_________________________________________ Magnet:___________# AP Courses (total):______________ Phone:__________________________________________ Email:___________________________________________ Date rec’d by Cns. Off. (office use only):______________________ Counselors need a minimum of 10 Schools Daysto ensure the college deadline is met.

6. INSTRUCTIONS for COUNSELOR Red Folder If you need… an Official Transcript ONLY • Fill out the cover sheet of your Red Folder (front & back) • Check the TRANSCRIPT ONLY column • Place an addressed regular-sized envelope for the college/scholarship on the Right Side of Red Folder (1-2 stamps) • We will complete the return address on the envelope with the school’s return address. Or, you may print or use a label with the school’s mailing address for the return address. • In the lower-left corner of envelope print: Application of: Your Name

7. Regular-sized Envelope used when mailing transcripts ONLY. 1-2 Stamps Return Address Western Kentucky University Undergraduate Admissions 1906 College Heights Blvd. Bowling Green, KY 42101 Application of: Christy Teague duPont Manual High School 120 W. Lee St. Louisville, KY 40208 College/ Scholarship Address Your Name

8. If you need… your Counselor to complete a FORM (hard-copy): • Fill out the cover sheet of Red Folder (front & back)—check the HARD-COPY Form column—check Letter of Rec column only if Letter of Rec is required. • Complete your personal info & any other school/counselor identifying info on the hard-copy FORM (see back). • Paper-clip the FORM to an addressed manila envelope (9x12) for the college/scholarship & place on the Right Side of Red Folder in order of College Due Date (see Due Date chart on back). (4-5 stamps/each) • In the lower left corner of envelope, print: Application of: Your Name • We will complete the school’s Return Address. Or, you can print/use label w/ the school’s mailing return address.

9. Large Envelope (9x12)—used for most of your applications 4-5 Stamps Western Kentucky University Undergraduate Admissions 1906 College Heights Blvd. Bowling Green, KY 42101 Application of: ChristyTeague duPont Manual High School 120 W. Lee St. Louisville, KY 40208 Return Address College/ Scholarship Address Your Name

10. If you need… your Counselor to complete an ONLINE application, including Common Application (CA) and any other ONLINE application: • Fill out the cover sheet of Red Folder (front & back)—check ONLINE column & Letter of Rec column if Letter of Rec is required (all CA require a Letter of Rec). • Make sure you indicate below which applications are to be completed ONLINE with their Due Dates (see Due Date chart on back). • Complete your portion of the ONLINE application & other school/counselor identifying info, then invite your counselor to complete the counselor’s portion ONLINE. (Secondary School Report—SSR) • Print out your ONLINE application & review it carefully before you hit the submit button. • Your counselor will receive an email to complete your application ONLINE once you submit your application.

11. Items to place INSIDECOUNSELOR Red Folder RIGHT-side • College/Scholarship Form paper-clipped to an addressed envelope for each college/scholarship— 4-5 stamps for 9x12 (large) envelope; 1-2 stamps for regular-sized envelope • Place in order of College Due Date (earliest to latest—refer to Due Date chart on back) LEFT-side • Resume • Letter to your Counselor

12. Parts of your Resume Name Indentifying Information Magnet # AP courses (total taken) Career Goal Academic Achievements Extracurricular Activities Leadership Community Service

13. *A Letter of Rec is only sent when the College/Scholarship requires this—do not check the Letter of Rec column unless one is required. Special Instructions to your Counselor:

14. Turn the back of Cover Sheet…Your Schedule: Quick reference to find where you are during the school day—in case we need to talk with you

15. College Deadlines: • Use this chart to identify • The COLLEGE DUE DATE in the table on the front of your Red Folder • Look on the College Website under “Admissions” for the College Deadline • Write down the College Due Date on the front of your Red Folder that best coincides to the college deadline on the chart on the left • Examples: • most College Deadlines will fall on the 1st or the 15th of each month • if it is different, you use the chart to help you (back up the date to the earlier date on chart)

16. College Deadline  College Deadline from chart  Due Date to Counselor from chart Oct 12 Oct 1Friday, Sept 14 Nov 3 Nov 1Friday, Oct 19 Feb 25 Feb 15Friday, Feb 1

17. School Indentifying Info: Manual & YPAS (different) Please print this information for your counselor in the appropriate areas on your application Counselor Indentifying Info:Each counselor is listed.Please print this information for your counselor in the appropriate areas on your application

18. Red Folder:COMMON APPLICATIONS • Make sure you indicate which schools need the common application by checking “ONLINE CA” or “Hard-Copy FORM” column on cover sheet • https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx • CA asks whether you want to waive your right to see the Counselor’s recommendation—you make “yes” or “no” and sign this agreement. • When you finish filling out your portion of the Common Application online, there should be a feature that allows you to send an invitation to your counselor to submit the Secondary School Report (SSR) online. • Your counselor will receive an email from you at this point which requests him/her to fill out the Secondary School Report online.

19. Mid-Year Reports & Final Transcripts • Some colleges (and all that use the common application) require a Mid-Year Report (MYR) and all colleges require a Final Transcript • These forms do NOT go into your Red Folder until January 2013 • MYRs are not sent automatically - you must remind your counselor during the 2nd week in January to send a MRY if your college requires it • Come get your Red Folder from you counselor • Fill out the MYR of the common application and give it to Mrs. Just in the Guidance Office • We will send Final Transcripts two weeks after school is out in June to the one school you tell us you will be attending for 2013

20. Stamps - Official Transcripts - School Profile • Make sure you provide stamps for anything that has to be mailed • Place stamps in a zip-lock bag and staple to the inside of your folder (left-side) • All transcripts sent to colleges are OFFICIAL - inside a sealed envelope with the principal’s signature and official school seal • Unless you are sending a transcript only, we will send a school profile with your transcript • The school profile highlights the school’s grading scale and important statistics about our academic curriculum, test scores, and student body • This is why you need a large envelope (9x12), since the school profile should not be folded

21. COUNSELOR Recommendation • Counselors use your Resume & your Letter to the Counselor to write your Letter of Rec. • The stronger your letter is to your counselor, the stronger your Letter of Rec to the college/scholarship will be. • Our letters can be only one page. Therefore, your letter to your counselor needs to be no longer than 1 ½ pages. • Recaps your resume, but includes additional info not on your resume. • What is unique about you? • Strengths & weaknesses? • Hardships you have overcome? • How will the college benefit from you? • Greatest influence in your life? • What is your passion?

22. TEACHER Recommendations • Teachers use your Resume & Letter to the Teacher to write your Letter of Rec. • Your letter to your teacher should be different from your letter to your counselor. • It should describe your contributions in the classroom and what kind of student you are. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • Find teacher who are familiar with your goals and aspirations and can write about you in vivid detail • You will not be able to see the recommendation before it is sent, so choose carefully • Most selective colleges require one recommendation from a teacher - pick one who has taught you in your junior or senior year, who respects you as a person, and who can testify to some of your deeper and less obvious qualities • In general, do not send more recommendations than the application calls for—they only want what they ask for • October 1st is the deadline to ask teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you

23. Teacher Recommendations • Most applications only request one teacher recommendation • Ask teachers early - the deadline to ask teachers is October 1st • Some teachers limit the number of letters they write • We have given you the TEACHER Red Folder to give to your teacher • If the teacher is mailing your application, they should mail their recommendations separately - do not give those to the counselor to mail • Remember to give your teacher their TEACHER Red Folder to complete your application at least 10 school days prior to the deadline • Everything that you provide in your COUNSELOR Red Folder you also provide in your TEACHER Red Folder • Your Teacher’s Red Folder should be as neat and organized as your Counselor’s Red Folder.

24. TEACHER Red Folder Complete all info on the front & back of the Cover Sheet (print neatly) Student:______________________________________________ Magnet:___________# AP Courses (total)___________________ Phone:_______________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________ Date rec’d by Teacher (teacher use only):_______________________ Teachers need a minimum of 10 Schools Daysto ensure the college deadline is met.

25. INSTRUCTIONS for TEACHER Red Folder If you need… your TEACHER to complete a FORM (hard-copy): • Fill out the cover sheet of Red Folder (front & back)—check the HARD-COPY Form column—check Letter of Rec column only if Letter of Rec is required. • Complete your personal info & any other school/teacher identifying info on the hard-copy FORM (see back). • Paper-clip the FORM to an addressed manila envelope (9x12) for the college/scholarship & place on the Right Side of Red Folder in order of College Due Date (see Due Date chart on back). (4-5 stamps/each) • Provide the school’s return mailing address on your envelope • In the lower left corner of envelope, print: Application of: Your Name

26. If you need… • your TEACHER to complete an ONLINE application, including Common Application (CA) and any other ONLINE application: • Fill out the cover sheet of Red Folder (front & back)—check • ONLINE column & Letter of Rec column if a letter is required (all CA require a Letter of Rec) • Make sure indicate below which applications are to be completed ONLINE with their Due Dates (see Due Date chart on back) • Complete your portion of the ONLINE application & other school/teacher identifying info, then invite your teacher to complete the teacher’s portion ONLINE. • Print out your ONLINE application & review it carefully • before you hit the submit button. • Your teacher will receive an email to complete your application ONLINE once you submit your application.

27. Items to place INSIDETEACHER Red Folder LEFT-side • Resume • Letter to your Teacher RIGHT-side • College/Scholarship Form paper-clipped to addressed envelope for each college/scholarship • (4-5 stamps for 9x12 envelope; 1-2 stamps for regular-sized envelope) • Place in order of College Due Date (earliest to latest—refer to Due Date Chart on back)

28. *A Letter of Rec is only sent when the College/Scholarship requires this—do not check the Letter of Rec column unless one is required. Special Instructions to your Teacher:

29. Turn the back of Cover Sheet…Your Schedule: Quick reference to find where you are during the school day—in case we need to talk with you VERY IMPORTANT TEACHERS HAVE THIS INFORMATION!!!

30. College Deadlines: • Use this chart to identify • The COLLEGE DUE DATE in the table on the front of your Red Folder • Look on the College Website under “Admissions” for the College Deadline • Write down the College Due Date on the front of your Red Folder that best coincides to the college deadline on the chart on the left • Examples: • most College Deadlines will fall on the 1st or the 15th of each month • if it is different, you use the chart to help you (back up the date to the earlier date on chart)

31. College Deadline  College Deadline from chart  Due Date to TEACHERfrom chart Oct 12 Oct 1Friday, Sept 14 Nov 3 Nov 1Friday, Oct 19

32. School Indentifying Info: Manual & YPAS (different) Please print this information for your teacher in the appropriate areas on your application Teacher Indentifying Info:Get this information from your teacher when you a ask him/her to do your recommendation—fill this portion of application out for them

33. First Impression Matters! • The appearance of your application is very important. • Completing ONLINE—make sure you print out a copy to review before hitting the submit button. • Completing Hard-copy FORM—type the application or print it very neatly in black ink. • Make sure all components of the application are in the correct order • Mailing the application—make sure the envelope is addressed in a professional manner. Typed address labels look great!

34. Get It In Early • Keep on top of deadlines—different deadlines for each college/scholarship • Scholarship deadline for a college may NOT be the same as the admissions deadline (usually earlier) • Some deadlines are as early as Oct 1 • Applying early shows the college that you are very interested and stronger applicants tend to apply early Manual’s Deadlines: Oct 1, 2012  Ask for Teacher Recommendation Nov 20, 2012  Recommended Deadline to have all of your applications to your Counselor (before Thanksgiving)

35. Most College Applications Are Completed ONLINE • Students access the application through the college website, usually under “admissions” • Generally, you will have a username and password for your account that will allow you to save your work from multiple sessions—save often • The final copy is either transmitted through the Web or printed and mailed—be prepared to pay the application fee with a credit card online or check/money order by mail

36. Early Decision vs. Early Action • Both require students to apply by an early deadline—usually between Oct 15-Dec 1 • Decisions are usually rendered between Dec 15-Feb 1 • Borderline students are usually deferred & considered with the regular applicant pool at a later date

37. Early Decision • BINDING decision to enroll if accepted—you have to attend that school regardless of other offers & without knowing any financial aid package info • You may only apply to ONE school through Early Decision and if accepted, you must withdraw your applications to all other schools • Offers a slight advantage of acceptance • Good option for borderline students with LOW financial need who have a clear first choice school—others should be VERY CAUTIOUS!!!

38. Early Action • No commitment to enroll and therefore offers little advantage for admission • Often 1st in line for merit scholarships and housing • Competition in Early Action pools at highly selective schools is generally tougher than in the regular pool • Some Early Action colleges now ask that students apply early only to their school, however, you may still apply regular decision to any other school

39. Common Application (CA) • Available online at www.commonapp.org • Approximately 300 colleges accept the Common Application • Use the college’s own application form if they have one—but many have adopted the Common Application as their own • Remember, if you are using the CA, you will need a letter of rec from your counselor & teacher

40. The school does NOT send any test scores to colleges. • This is the student’s responsibility. • This gives student a choice of which test scores to send, rather than sending all test scores provided to the school. How to Send Your Test Scores ?

41. To send AP scores: • Go towww.collegeboard.com • Click on “AP” at top of page • Click on “For Students” at top of page • Scroll to middle-right of page—click on “Send Your Scores” • To send SAT scores: • Go towww.collegeboard.com • Scroll down to bottom of page • Click on SAT • On the right side of the page, click on the “Send Scores” box • To send ACT scores: • Go to www.ACT.org • Scroll down to bottom of page • Click on “Send Your Scores”

42. Take Precautions!!! • Online applications can have a timed out feature—save your work often • Resist the temptation to impulsively hit the “send” button until you have thoroughly proofread your application • Also, ask one other person to review it • It is advised that you compose essays and short answer questions offline and transfer them to your application after you have refined those responses • Reviewa printed copy of your work whenever possible before sending & keep a copy for your records with the date you sent it

43. Take Precautions!!! (con’t) • Electronic filers should receive an acknowledgement that your application has been submitted (save this) • Don’t forget you may need to print and mail a signature page with a check for the application fee • Other parts of the application must be given to your teacher/counselor/community person via an electronic email notification or print out hard-copy form

44. Some Thoughts for Parents • Communicate - be available to talk • Set Financial Parameters - as a family, set an understanding early on about how much you can pay out of pocket • Be Realistic - know the college’s standards and expectations and your own qualifications • Think Broadly - some of the best colleges may be ones neither of you has ever heard of • Let the Student Take Center Stage - don’t try to manipulate the system - let them stand on their own merits • Don’t Live Through Your Child - allow them to follow his or her own dreams instead of your own dreams • Be Supportive - remind them they will be accepted to a good school - one where they will make friends, have fun, be challenged, and get the education they deserve • Redouble your efforts - when the rejection (thin envelope) and acceptance letters (thick envelope) arrive, be there for them

45. This PowerPoint and other important information will be posted on Manual’s website under the Counselor Tab. Check it out!!! Counselors will be around after this session to answer questions. Thank you for attending!