Westwood Guidance Department Senior College Program

Monday September 23, 2013

Stressed about college applications?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH64DV3vwgQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-OLlJUXwKU

Important Reminders

     Make certain that your academic preparation is adequate for admission Establish a range of schools in which to apply Keep up with your studies Attend meetings with college representatives Consult college references for information     Plan for campus visits Register for standardized testing, if appropriate Review applications Become familiar with college admissions terms

“

Demonstration of Interest

”

An important factor!

 Interview if available  Visit college campuses  Visit college websites  Attend college rep visits

How many applications?

 Reach Schools  Match Schools  Safety Schools

Types of Admissions Patterns

 Traditional  Rolling  Early Decision  Early Action  Please check for Individual College Deadlines

Early Admits

 Applying early shows that you really want that school. Therefore the college may dip deeper into the early admit pool. Colleges want to lock up quality applicants.

 Important – You must be in the required range for your match or safety school

Four “ musts ” in filling out an application     Start / plan early Follow directions Watch deadlines Allow enough time for writing and revising (Last minute submissions do not show your best side)

Simple but Crucial…

      Complete application(s) Organize the applications by deadline dates (financial aid deadline may be different) Type or print a clear, neat, clean final form Check for errors!

Ask your parents to review the application Provide ample time for processing the application

Guidance has Gone Green !

We now use Edocs through Naviance Family Connection for transcripts and recommendation letters. This ensures that materials arrive in the college admissions offices in the timeliest manner possible. http://connection.naviance.com/westwo odrhs

STUDENT CHECK LIST…

 Check in with teachers about their letters of recommendation after asking for them in person and through Naviance    Return the Student Information Sheet to your counselor Return Parent Brag Sheet to your counselor Return the “ Authorization to Release Educational Records ” form to your counselor

Continued:  Send official SAT and/or ACT scores directly to colleges via www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org.  Official scores can only be sent this way.

Upcoming Test Dates

 SAT (register at www.collegeboard.com) October 5 th November 2 nd December 7 th (offered at Westwood) January 25 th , 2014  ACT (register at www.actstudent.org) October 26 th (offered at Westwood) December 14 th

To Do List…

Everyone MUST register for a Common Application account at www.commonapp.org – this is essential as a link to our Naviance system

Common Application

Complete college applications online through

www.commonapp.org.

Guidance Senior Checklist Use “Westwood Guidance Department College Application Process” checklist form to ensure that all steps have been taken and deadlines followed for application process.

Who

’

s responsible for what?

The STUDENT is responsible for:  Submitting applications  Requesting SAT or ACT to forward the test scores  Requesting letters of recommendation from teachers both in person and in Naviance  Completing transcript request in Naviance and on paper

WHS is responsible for:

  Transcript School counselor letter  Teacher Recommendations  School Profile

ABC’s of College Planning

Financial Aid Program December 16

th

at 7 pm

College Fair at FDU!

   Chance to meet college counselors at Fairleigh Dickinson University  Thursday September 26 center.

th , 2013 at the Rothman The college fair will be from 6-9pm.

Introduce yourself and find out some valuable information.

The Admissions Game

 An interactive college information program.

 Monday October 21, 2013 7-9 in Campbell Auditorium

Don’t Double Deposit!!

Prevents other students from being taken off a wait list and prevents colleges from predicting accurate enrollment VS.

Need to wait for other possible acceptances and continue negotiating financial aid with several colleges.

DEADLINES!

Guidance Deadline  September 30       October 1 November 1 November 11 November 29 December 6 January 10 College Application Deadline October 15 November 1 November 15 December 1 December 15 January 1 February 1 *** Student checklist must be completed by guidance deadline in order to meet corresponding college application deadline.

  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Go to the Guidance Department Website for links!

Questions?

 Please feel free to ask questions now or contact your school counselor… Ms. Debrody araceli.debrody

@wwrsd.org

or x2069    Mrs. Lyons brenda.lyons @wwrsd.org

or x2055 Mrs. Gadaleta jennifer.gadaleta

@wwrsd.org

or x2071 Mr. Aiello vincent.aiello

@wwrsd.org

or x2063

We hope you feel less stressed!