KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Class of 2012

Student’s Responsibilities in the Application Process

• Deciding on final list of colleges • Getting the applications • Completing the applications • Procuring other pertinent information

Parents’, Counselors’ and College Counselors’ Responsibilities in the Application Process

• Provide support • Provide guidance • Provide assistance

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!

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.

Terms for Prediction

• PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT – Chances for admissions are very strong – A “safety” is so much harder to call today!

• FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically an IL 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

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

Admission Options

• Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early winter and receive decision 2-8 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

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

What is needed for a complete application?

• Application - on-line (preferred) or paper - Essays (usually) – Activities and honors information – Arts Supplement (if applicable) • Application fee (credit card, check or fee waiver request) • Student Signature (electronic or handwritten) • Parent Signature (usually only for Early Decision)

What else is needed for a complete application?

• Official Transcript • Official Test Score Report • Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually) • Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or Secondary School Report Form (usually) • Interview (optional) • Audition/Portfolio (if applicable)

Applications

• Applications available online at school websites • Common Application used by over 400 colleges; create an account at be submitted www.commonapp.org

– Large FAQ section website (use it!) – Most schools have a supplement which must also – Common Application Workshop September 7 & 8 during lunch periods

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 all tests taken. Check the college’s website.

Teacher Recommendations

• How many?

– 0,1,2 • Who?

– The one(s) who know you best as a learner in their class – Best if junior year • Okay to have one sophomore year • Cannot use senior year if applying early – Visual and Performing Arts are usually supplemental recommendations – Language teachers are sometimes not permitted.

This is VERY rare!

Counselor Recommendations

• Student and Parent Questionnaires may be completed on-line through Naviance.

• Parents must sign on to Naviance with parent account information.

• Parent Questionnaire is found under ABOUT ME.

• If unsure of parents’ username for the log-in, or if you have never registered a parent account, contact Ms. G-S and she will assist you.

• Parents may also complete the Parent Questionnaire in paper form, available in the CRC or on the Counseling Website.

Essays

• Essay Writing Workshop in English classes on Friday, September 2 in A342.

• Sample essays available in the CRC.

• Mr. Morrison, Ms. Gilbert and Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt are happy to review essays • Utilize the Writing Lab and English teachers

Fee Waivers

• Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may be eligible for fee waivers.

• Forms are available from your counselor.

• Students should talk with the counselor to discuss eligibility.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Visiting HPHS on Wednesday, Sept 14 at 2:00 pm in the CRC • Application available September 1 • Postmarked priority deadline of November 1 • No recommendations will be considered with the application • Most students will receive a decision on Friday, December 16 • Applying during this period may give a student an advantage when space is limited

UIUC and Self-Reported Academic Record

• Beginning in Fall 2011 UIUC no longer requires an official transcript be sent at time of application • Students will complete a Self-Reported Academic Record • Students should have a current transcript on hand when completing the record. Transcripts are currently available through the parent portal on Infinite Campus • If you need assistance logging into Infinite Campus, contact the Counseling Dept.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Students MUST have an active account.

• Parents should have a separate account. • Update both student and parent emails.

• Forgot password? Go to tcci.naviance.com/hphs to request new password. • Forgot username? Never registered? Email Ms. Giulietti- Schmitt for assistance.

• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link accounts. Contact Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt for assistance.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges.

• Can track if counselor recommendations and SSR forms for non Common Application schools were submitted.

• Great way for students to determine chances for admission by examining stats from previous years.

• Comprehensive scholarship list located under COLLEGES section.

PARCHMENT SECURE TRANSCRIP

T www.parchment.com

Make sure to choose the correct Highland Park High School!

Sign by clicking on your mouse

Request a Transcript to a non-Common App school

Important: • Search for your college using the proper name (Univ. of Wisconsin, not “Madison”) • “Current Transcript” vs. “Next Grading Period” • “Save” & add more schools or “Save & Continue” to finish

Common App Schools

• There is no need to request a transcript for a Common App School • Counselors will upload transcripts into student accounts once they have received an invite from the student • The Common App process will be covered in detail with students tomorrow during their meeting

Parchment Secure Transcript

• E-mails upon order, upload, and download – Utilize! Colleges will have different processes for inputting transcripts into their systems • As of August 25 th charges will be: free for electronic transcripts to IL schools and some others in Midwest; $2.55-$4.25 for others in U.S. depending on electronic vs. paper • See Ms. G-S if you are having troubles or do not have a credit card and need to pay with cash

Students with Special Needs and the College Application Process

• It is crucial that students have an understanding of the type of documentation is required and where it should be sent. • In most cases documentation should be sent to the office that handles disability services NOT to admissions.

Students with Special Needs and the College Application Process

• Some colleges may require specific types of testing for evaluation but all want it to be recent (w/in 3 years). • Students must make arrangements with the Department of Special Education for this information to be released, it will not automatically be sent.

CONSENT FORM

1. Obtain a white Consent Form from the Special Education Department. This form authorizes HPHS to send documentation to third parties for educational and college planning. 2. If the student is 18 years of age he/she may sign, if not, a parent signature is required. 3. The completed form should be returned to A102. 4. Students need only complete one Consent Form.

RELEASE FORM

5. Students fill out a separate green Release Form for EACH of the colleges requiring documentation.

6. Forms are available in the Special Ed Dept. and the CRC 7. Completed forms are submitted to A102

DOCUMENTATION

• • been submitted, the Special Ed Dept appropriate place. Documentation includes: cover letter, current testing, copy of the student’s educational evaluations, social development study if appropriate.

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

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 • Financial Aid Night – January 10 at 7:00 p.m. at HPHS

Net price calculators

• All colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website by October 31.

• Uses student’s academic and family financial information to determine what price a family is “likely” to pay.

• Keep in mind the figure is an estimate.

• Concept is new – there will be glitches!

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Date and time of college visits is listed in • A weekly schedule is posted on the Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC • Must sign up in advance via Naviance good judgment when missing class.

College Counselors

• College Counselors have walk-in hours • Scheduled appointments with College Counselors begin August 29.

counselor they met with last Spring.

Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt (aka Ms. G-S)

With a background in Admissions there are many things she can help with: • Mock interviews • Essay review • Utilizing Naviance • Application completion • FAFSA completion • Scholarship searches

SENIORITIS

• Senior year courses and grades matter!

• Many schools defer decisions until the end of 7 th 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.

Mandatory Senior Meeting with Counselors

• Thursday, August 25 th • Locations: Alvarez – CRC 3 rd period McCord - Auditorium Cannon – A217 Eder – E113 Siegel - Commons Skiba – A343 Ginopolis – A342 Grindel – E117 Margetis – Library (Glass Classroom)

Calendar of Upcoming HPHS College Programs

• Senior Meetings with Counselor Thursday, August 25 th – 3 rd period • Essay Writing Workshop Friday, September 2 nd • Common Application Workshops Tuesday, September 7 during English classes th 2A, 2B, 2C Tech Labs A & C Wednesday, September 8 th 3A, 3B, 3C Tech Labs A & C • Financial Aid: FAFSA, Forms & Financial Need Tuesday, January 10 at 7 pm, HPHS Auditorium

Important numbers and email addresses

Mr. Bill Morrison, College Counselor 224/765-2056 [email protected]

Ms. Aliza Gilbert, College Counselor 224/765-2055 [email protected]

Ms. Allegra Giulietti-Schmitt, College Counseling Assistant (224) 765-2057 – [email protected]

Mrs. Pam Helke, Secretary, Special Ed Department (224) 765-2333 – [email protected]