Transcript College Application Process

Lakeside High School
College Application Process
Fall 2010
Expectations
We expect all of you to apply to a post-high school program.
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Military: High school diploma or GED
Community College: High school diploma
or GED; AA or AS; placement tests
Tech Program: requirements vary; need to
contact particular program
4 Year College: High school diploma; above
and beyond high school graduation
requirements (e.g., 2+ years world language,
3+ years math, 3+ years science); SAT/ACT
Standardized Tests
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SAT Reasoning/ACT – either one or both are
accepted by most schools.
SAT Subject Tests - required by some universities.
It is YOUR responsibility to know which tests you
need to take and to register for the exams.
Register online: SAT – www.collegeboard.com ;
ACT - www.actstudent.org
Have your scores sent directly to the colleges.
SAT Test Dates & Deadlines
Test Date
October 9
November 6
December 4
January 22
Registration Deadline
September 10
October 8
November 5
December 23
ACT Test Dates & Deadlines
Test Date
October 23
December 11
February 12
Registration Deadline
September 17
November 5
January 7
Note: Although the ACT Writing section is
optional, we recommend you take it.
Finding College Info . . .
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www.collegeboard.com
www.actstudent.org
www.projectopportunity.net
Western Undergraduate Exchange:
www.wiche.edu
www.wois.org (SiteKey gws332 click a state)
Application Info
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Online Applications – used by most
colleges. Make sure to print off all additional
forms required.
Common Application – 414 member
schools (mostly private, some public);
remember to complete the required
Supplement! www.commonapp.org
Know whether your schools are:
• Early Action – Not legally binding
• Early Decision – Legally binding
• Early Action, Single Choice (Restrictive)– Non binding,
BUT you agree not to apply to any other early
action school.
Application Info, cont . . .
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NCAA Clearinghouse/Student Athletes
(ncaaclearinghouse.net) – Talk to your coach & Mrs.
Powers in the Student Office.
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You are responsible to know and meet all
your application deadlines. Many Application
Deadlines are earlier than last year.
Plan to have all your applications completed
by Thanksgiving.
The Essay
Remember the 3 P’s:
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Personality – What makes you unique?
Pride – What have you done that’s
special?
Personal Story – Tell your story. If you
have experienced difficulties, tell how
you’ve faced and overcome them.
Tips
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Your email address - make sure it is appropriate and
check the account regularly.
Create an email account specifically for
colleges/scholarships – hotmail, gmail, etc.
Use your legal name – on all your applications.
Visit the schools – if you can – if not, online!
Eighth semester grades – do count!
Keep a calendar – with all your deadlines.
Keep copies – of all application materials and
communications.
This is YOUR application – complete it yourself.
Financial Aid
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FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – FREE
PIN for FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov) – get PIN now
Cannot submit FAFSA until January 1st; best to submit
by February 1st
CSS Profile – required by some colleges. Get through
www.collegeboard.com
College Goal Sunday – Winter 2010 Sunday, January
23rd at SFCC in one of their computer labs
Scholarship Searches
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Be aware of scams!
Individual Colleges – have their own list of
scholarships.
www.fastweb.com
www.wiredscholar.com
www.brokescholar.com
www.finaid.org
www.meritaid.com
Community resources
Employers
www.thewashboard.org
Remember . . .
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You still need to graduate from high
school!
Need at least 28 credits, complete
Culminating Project, High School and
Beyond Plan, pass HSPE (or state
approved alternative).
An offer of admission and/or scholarship
CAN be rescinded.
Finish strong!