Transcript The Best Laid Plans….

September
Spend some time in the HUB using the college catalogs, and
other materials available.
Listen regularly to Pulse announcements and subscribe to the
guidance i-cal for important information about testing, college
visits, and the like.
Check the bulletin boards in the Student Common Area and the
cafeteria for upcoming college visitations in the HUB, local
college fairs and college open houses
HIgh School Guidance Web Page
October
Taking the PSAT’s again in the junior year allows students to practice test
taking skills in preparation for the SAT and to enter the competition for
scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This test is
administered only one time per year and you must sign sign up for it in the
Hub – not online
Attend college fairs! We will advertise these regularly!
Listen for Pulse Announcements concerning visiting college representatives.
See Mrs. Coxe or Mrs. Berman in the Hub for a pass for that period.
Junior Conferences begin; letters will be sent to parents.
November
Get a copy of the booklet, "Taking the SAT" from
the HUB. It contains a practice test.
Take this test and score it.
Create an account on collegeboard.com
Subscribe to the guidance I-cal!
Schedule your Junior Conference!
December
PSAT scores are received. Be sure to pick up the
test booklet from the guidance office so that you
can review the questions.
Determine the timing for the SAT you want to
take based on how you did on the PSAT.
Determine a study plan!
January
Course selections for your senior year are made
at this time. Be sure that you have completed all
the required courses. Listen for information
regarding Financial Aid Night.
See your counselor with any questions about
scheduling!
February
AP tests are given in May. Listen for sign-up
details.
If you haven’t already, make sure to be
investigating colleges online in order to determine
which schools you may want to visit in the spring
or summer.
March
Check the college catalogs to see if the college
you wish to attend requires any achievement tests
or call the admissions office.
Plan college visits. Spring Break is a great time to
schedule college tours.
April
Campus visitations are an important part of the
college selection process. It is important to visit
colleges when they are in session. Call or write to
the college to schedule a visit for next year.
Juniors are allowed two approved college
visitations. Check the student handbook for more
details. Mr. Enters will also be coordinating visits
to local colleges.
May
"ESL students and students who use another language in
their home should consider taking the TOEFL test in
addition to the SAT. See Ms. Wolset for details and
registration information."
AP tests are given in May. Watch for details.
Fall is a busy time for seniors, so avoid the rush and
request letters of recommendation from the teachers who
know you well. Be sure to give your teachers ample time to
write a recommendation so that it can be sent with your
college application package in the fall. A “Thank You” note is
always appreciated by the teacher who has written a letter for
you.
June
It is important that college applications are sent from
the Guidance department as a complete package. Be sure
to read carefully the college application directions and
requirements. Most packages include the following:
application, transcript, essay, activity list and
appropriate letters of recommendation. If applying “online”, be sure to submit a completed “Transcript Request
Form” to Mr. Enters along with the remaining required
items allowing enough time for processing and mailing.
If you are an athlete and plan to play Division I or
Division II school, visit
https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/
Get Your Letters of Recommendation Early!
Ask 2 or 3 teachers with whom you’ve had a good
working relationship if they would be willing to
write you a letter of recommendation. If so,
make sure to give them a completed
“Letter of Recommendation Request Form”
Available on the guidance website
Register ASAP for the SAT
and/or the ACT!
If you are applying to top tier
schools, you may need to register
for at least 2 SAT II subject tests!
Registering for Tests
UM CEEB CODE: 392015
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.actstudent.org
TIPS FOR PARENTS
This process can be long and difficult and you can be of great
assistance to your son or daughter during this time. Here are
some tips which may help you
Begin by discussing your role in the selection process with your
son or daughter. If you have an understanding from the
beginning, it will save you headaches later. Be realistic!
Encourage your child to begin this process EARLY.
Encourage them to seek the assistance of their guidance
counselor.
Accompany them on interviews and college visits whenever
possible.
Preparing for a College Visit
Consult your guidance counselor and the materials available in the guidance office. Select a
number of colleges which appear to fit your needs and interests.
Write or telephone the Admissions Office in advance (2-3 weeks at least) to arrange a visit.
Read the college catalog and related materials before your visit.
Inform the college of your interest areas. This will allow the college to respond with
information related to your particular interests.
Bring along an unofficial transcript - obtainable through Ms. Berman in the Hub
Dress neatly. Be punctual. Evidence sincere interest in the college you are visiting.
Allow plenty of time for your visit. You may wish to include all of the following in your visit:
Sitting in on a class
Eating a meal in the dining hall
A campus tour and informal conversation with students attending that college
Meeting with a faculty member in your interest area
Take your camera and a notebook to record your impressions.
WHAT THE COLLEGE INTERVIEWER MAY ASK OR LOOK FOR:
•
Appropriate attire and grooming
•
Your interest , sincerity and maturity
•
Manner of speech, habits, manners and posture.
•
Your enthusiasm for attending college. Also, your degree of enthusiasm for that particular
college. Have you done your research? Is it clear that you know what you want?
•
Your academic record (strengths and weaknesses).
•
Your initiative and capacity to solve problems independently.
•
Your ability to work with others (extracurricular record).
•
Your reading habits, hobbies , special abilities, and interests.
•
Employment and summer experiences.
•
Your college and career plans (how realistic are you?).
•
Your questions – are they thoughtful, to the point and insightful?
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER YOUR VISIT
Write a brief and legible “thank you” note to your interviewer and others as
appropriate.
Recheck your literature and notes taken to determine the appropriateness of
the colleges for you. Is it a good match, in your view?
Review your impressions and evaluations with your counselor and parents.
Keep the college and the counselor informed as you solidify your plans.
Familiarize yourself with the NACAC Statement on Students’ Rights and
Responsibilities in the College Admissions Process: www.nacacnet.org
WRITING YOUR ESSAY
Quantity is not quality. Clear, concise writing is much better than volumes of mediocrity
Leave plenty of time to revise, reword and rewrite. You can improve on your presentation
Read the directions carefully. You will want to answer the question as directly as possible, and you’ll
want to follow word limits exactly.
Be honest about yourself. The admissions committee is anonymous to you; you are completely
unknown to them
Focus on an aspect of yourself that will show your best side. You might have overcome some
adversity, worked through a difficult project or profited from a specific incident. A narrow focus is
more interesting than are broad based generalizations. Make your point with examples
Be creative. Find an original way to express yourself. Catching and maintaining the interest of the
reader can be very influential
Feel comfortable in expressing anxieties or weaknesses. Everybody has them, and it’s good to
know that an applicant can see them and face them
Speak positively and emphasize your greatest assets and achievements.
See good examples at:
www.c o lle geboard.com/student/apply/e ssa y-skills/9408.htmwww.c o lle geboard.com/student/apply/e ssa y-skills/9408.
College Board Sample Essays
SPECIFIC AND PERSONALIZED INFORMATION
Definitely DO IT! Even if it is optional. Keep in mind that “not required” and
RECOMMENDED are two different things. Go the extra mile and do it.
TYPE IT!
Proofread for errors.
Relevant to the topic provided
Focus on uniqueness, not just a regurgitation of the academic record
Why did you choose this college?
Why this major?
Any major-related experience? (Especially if you are choosing a
competitive major)
Bottom Line: Let them get to know you.
Mistakes to Avoid!
Do not hand write your essay
If you are sending the same essay to many schools,
PLEASE ensure that the correct college is named on
the essay. Make sure the correct essay goes in the
correct envelope
Retelling them what they’ve read on your
transcript/application or not answering the question
asked.
No direction or flow to the essay
A thesaurus-ized or plagiarized essay .
TIPS FOR FILING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Filling out the application:
Mr. Enters, the College Counselor, will be processing all college applications. His office is in the
Hub. If you need to reach him, you may do so by phone, email, or making an appointment
through Ms. Berman or Ms. Coxe.
Read the entire application before you begin to fill it out. Think about what information goes in
each space. Check application deadlines carefully and allow a minimum of ten (10) school days
for Ms. Jackson to process your completed application.
Print or type the application. If printing, use dark blue or black ink. Do not use a felt tipped
pen. Neatness is of the utmost importance.
Follow all directions of the application. If you need to attach the application fee (check or
money order), do so in the proper space. If no space is specified, attach the check to the front
page of the application.
Some colleges require essays. Follow the instructions for these carefully. If you are using a
separate page for the essay, be sure to include your name and social security number on each
page.
If applying online, print any supplemental forms (if applicable) and bring them to Mr. Enters
Remember to sign and date the application!
Requesting Teacher and/or Counselor
Recommendations:
Some colleges require teacher and guidance
counselor recommendations. Ask the teachers who
know you well if he/she would write a
recommendation for you. Be sure to include the
name of the college(s), including the form if
applicable, your major and a date to have the
recommendation letter returned to your counselor.
Be sure to give teachers 10-14 school days to
complete a letter.
Check with Enters a few days before the deadline
date to ensure that she has received the letters of
recommendation.
After you have completed
your application….
Transcript Request Form.pdf
This is form that you must complete for each and
every college to which you apply. It gives us
permission to mail your school records.
Submitting the Application:
Submit the completed application package including: application, essay, activity resume
and recommendatins to Mr. Enters. Be sure you and your parent(s) have signed where
needed and that you have included the application fee (check or money order), if
applicable. Do not submit any applications that are not complete
When applying online, be sure to let r. Enters know to which colleges you have applied.
Transcripts, recommendation letters and supplemental forms will be sent together from
the Guidance Office
Mr. Enters will review the application and attached pages with you. She will also
complete any sections which need official verification, class rank, GPA, counselor
information, etc
The entire application package will be mailed together with an official copy of your
transcript. A confirmation post card is also included to assure us that the college has
received this package. We provide the postage. Do not put postage on the envelopes.
Mr. Enters needs a minimum of ten (10) school days to process an application. Please
check deadline dates carefully.
Attention potential college athletes!
You have an additional step in the college application process. If you hope to play at a
Division I or Division II school, you MUST register with the National Collegiate Athletic
Association. Visit https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common
Finding the Right College
There are numerous search engines that you can
use to find schools that might be appropriate for
you, but your best bet is College Matchmaker
found on collegeboard.com
Or for more links, see, the guidance website or
Ms. Greenstein's Website