KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

1. KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Class of 2012

2. Student’s Responsibilities in the Application Process • Deciding on final list of colleges • Getting the applications • Completing the applications • Procuring other pertinent information

3. Parents’ and Counselors’ Responsibilities in the Application Process • Provide support • Provide guidance • Provide assistance

4. Deciding: Where to apply • An on-going sorting and selecting process • The best Final List must include combination of: • “reach” school • “possible” schools • “probable/likely admits” • “financial safety” • ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO ATTEND!

5. Terms for Prediction • REACH • “dream” schools where admission chances are thought to be unlikely based on transcript and test scores • “toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone (usually have admit rates between 7%-20%) • POSSIBLE • Closely meet the academic expectations, but the college/university receives more qualified applicants than they can admit.

6. Terms for Prediction • PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT • Chances for admissions are very strong • A “safety” is so much harder to call today! • FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically a WI state university but not always) • A place that parents can afford …if, financial package is weak at all other schools …if, family financial situation changes: economy, unemployment

7. Deciding: How many should I apply to? • It depends! • Finding a “reasonable” number is much harder these days • If you are happy with the schools where you stand the strongest chances of admission, then the final list can be a lower number

8. Admission Options • Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early winter and receive decision 6-8 weeks after application submitted • Priority – apply in fall (occasionally early winter) and receive a decision in winter. Applying by a priority deadline can often give a student an advantage when space is limited. • Regular Admission - apply in fall/early winter and receive decision on a specific date in the spring

9. Admission Options • Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit • *Early Decision I - apply in fall, receive decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted • *Early Decision II – apply in winter, receive decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted • *Restrictive Early Action - apply in fall, be admitted in early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit • *Students may only submit 1 application Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action. • NOT ALL SCHOOLS OFFER ALL ADMISSIOS OPTIONS

10. What is needed for a complete application? • Application - on-line (preferred) or paper - Essays (usually for private schools) • Activities and honors information • Arts Supplement (if applicable) - Demographic information • Application fee (credit card, check or fee waiver request) • Student Signature (electronic or handwritten) • Parent Signature (usually only for Early Decision offered at a few private schools)

11. Essays Books on how to write great essays are available for check out in the Career Resource Center, CRC. Utilize the Writing Lab and English teachers to help with your essays! Bottom line- schools are trying to find out, “Who are you?” “Why do you want to go there?”

12. Fee Waivers Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may be eligible for fee waivers. Waivers are generally available for students who have already received ACT/SAT fee waivers or, have received one from the college. Students should talk with their counselor to discuss eligibility.

13. What else is needed for a complete application? • Official Transcript, sent from counseling office. (Rank not included unless requested). • Official Test Score Report from testing co. • Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually private schools) • Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or Secondary School Report Form (private schools) • Interview (optional, but generally for private schools) • Audition/Portfolio (if applicable) • Counselor Application Checklist

14. Transcript requests All schools require an Official Transcript! Complete a Current Student Transcript Request form including names of schools you want transcripts sent. Sign the form. (Parent signature also required for students under 18 years old.) Forms must be submitted to your counselor with 2 stamps and envelope for each transcript requested. Two transcripts are free. Each additional cost $1.00

15. Transcript Request Forms Forms must be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the application deadline. Forms are to be turned in directly to the counselor during a scheduled appointment or walk-in times Forms cannot be dropped off with a secretary. Transcripts for private school applications must be accompanied by the Secondary School Report or Mid Year Form.

18. Sample Envelope ___________________________________________________________________ West High School 2 STAMPS 30 Ash Street GO HERE Madison, WI 53726 University of Wisconsin, Madison Office of Admission 702 West Johnson St., Suite 1101 Madison, WI 53715-1007 __________________________________________________________

19. Test Scores • ACT/SAT and SAT Subject Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com • In some cases it is advisable to send more than one test score. • A very small number of colleges, typically those with highly selective admissions, require that students submit scores from SAT Subject tests as well as SAT and ACT scores. Check the college’s website.

20. Test Scores • It is strongly encouraged that you request test scores now. It can often take 4-6 weeks for scores to be received. Do not “RUSH” scores. It is expensive!!! • If taking an ACT this fall, consider sending one score now if your current score falls within their published range. In some cases applications will not be considered complete until a score is received.

22. Common Application Application used by over 415 colleges Students create an account at www.commonapp.org Students complete one application and submit it to multiple schools Large FAQ section website (use it!) Most schools have a supplement which must also be submitted

23. Common Application Provides option for counselors and teachers to complete and submit recommendations on-line. Counselors can not submit forms on-line at this time. You will need to print out any Counselor Page or Secondary School Report and give to your Counselor. Talk with teachers individually to determine their preferences.

25. Teacher Recommendations • How many? • 0,1,2 • Who? • Academic teachers) who know you best as a learner in their class. • Best if junior year • Typically one from Eng. Or Social Studies, one from Math or Science teacher. • Can not use senior year if applying EA or ED • Visual and Performing Arts are usually supplemental recommendations

26. Teacher Recommendations • If the teacher does not know you well, complete a “Teacher Brag Sheet”. Do not give them the “Counselor Brag Sheet”. • Talk with teachers about the option of submitting forms on-line (i.e. Common Application schools) • If your teacher is submitting forms via US mail you must give them a stamped, addressed envelope for each recommendation. Do not put your return address on envelope. • You may have to print out the Teacher Recommendation form for each teacher writing you a recommendation if they are not completing it online.

27. Teacher Recommendations • If applying via the Common Application and your teachers will NOT be submitting the forms on-line, you only need to give the teacher 1 copy of the recommendation form and he/she will make copies. • You must provide the teacher with stamped envelopes addressed to each school that you are applying. • Remember to complete the student information part of the form and waive your right to access the letter.

28. Teacher Recommendations • Inform teachers of ACCURATE deadlines for each college/university • Be clear with actual needs and do not ask 3 teachers for a recommendation if only 1 is necessary • Many teachers only do a limited number – ask early and follow up with a thank you letter to the teacher. • Student should email the schools to confirm letter was received, or check their website for updates.

31. Secondary School Report (SSR) Forms for schools ON the Common Application Students must have an active Common App account Complete (at a minimum) the Applicant and Current Year Course Information Sign Release Authorization Invite your guidance counselor to be a recommender by inputting his/her name and email address SSR form cannot be submitted until transcript has been requested. Can track when SSR and recommendation were submitted

32. Counselor Recommendations • Counselor Recommendations are not required by all colleges. Generally it is the private schools that require recommendations. • Students must meet with their Counselor early in the fall to obtain a “brag sheet” in order for the Counselor to write a recommendation. • Do not wait. Your Counselor can start writing your recommendation even before you complete your applications. • Generally it takes an average of two weeks from the time you turn in your brag sheet and application until it goes to the registrar to process. It can take an additional two weeks after registrar receives completed application to be sent out.

33. Counselor Recommendations • Completed brag sheet must accompany all counselor recommendation requests! • Recommendation requests for schools NOT on the Common Application must also include a two stamped envelope addressed to the Office of Admission. Do not put a return address on envelopes. We will stamp “West High” return address.

34. Sample Envelope ___________________________________________________________________ West High School 2 STAMPS 30 Ash Street GO HERE Madison, WI 53726 University of Wisconsin, Madison Office of Admission 702 West Johnson St., Suite 1101 Madison, WI 53715-1007 __________________________________________________________

35. Critical Deadlines Deadlines for Requesting Counselor Recommendations and submitting SSR Forms: • October 1 for November 1 deadlines • October 15 for November 15 deadlines • December 1 for January 1-15 deadlines

38. University of Wisconsin Madison Visiting West High on 10/20/11 6:45 Aud. Priority Deadlines: applications received at UW by November 1, 2011 will receive decisions by end of January 2012 Applying during this period may give a student an advantage when space is limited Applications received after November 1, but by February 1, 2012 will receive decisions by the end of March 2012. February 1, 2012 is the last day to apply for fall 2012. Application fee is $45.00 (fee waivers are available to qualified students)

39. University of Minnesota-TwinCities • December 15th is the Priority Deadline for fall 2012 admission applications. • Applications that are postmarked or completed online after Dec. 15 are considered on a space available basis. • After Dec. 15 space is limited and admission is more competitive. • Application fee is $55.00 (fee waivers are available for qualified students).

40. Financial Aid Information • In addition to the FAFSA many private universities require the CSS Profile which can be submitted in the fall. www.collegeboard.com • Most early decision candidates who are applying for financial aid will be required to complete a CSS Profile by the early decision deadline • Parent Financial Aid Meeting- Monday, December 5, 2012, 7PM Auditorium

41. Financial Aid Information • All schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available on-line in December. File the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15. www.fafsa.ed.gov • Families can complete an estimator now to determine eligibility www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

42. COLLEGE REP VISITS • Date and time of a college’s visit is listed on the West Web, Counseling page. • A weekly schedule is also posted on the Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC and on the Counseling Department website • Must obtain a pass in advance from counseling office. • Clear with teacher prior to visit • Good way to hear about individual schools.

43. SENIORITIS • Senior year courses and grades matter! • Many schools defer decisions until the end of 7th semester. • All offers of admissions are conditional upon successful completion of coursework. • Offers of admissions can and will be revoked for a decline in grades.

44. Important numbers and email addresses Counseling Secretary: Cindy Ramsfield (608) 204-3073 – cramsfield@madison.k12.wi.us Monday-Friday 7:45- 4PM Registrar: Amy Keleny (608) 204-3064 – akeleny@madison.k12.wi.us Monday-Thursday 7:45-12:30PM ACT www.actstudent.org SAT www.collegeboard.org Common Application www.commonapp.org University of Wisconsin www.admissions.wisc.edu University of Minnesota www.admissions.tc.umn.edu West High School Code: 501-165 West High Web: http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us

45. Finale’ • We hope you have found this information to be valuable! • You may see the entire power point presentation on line at: • http://westweb.madison.k12.wi.us • Have a good evening!