Transcript College Application Process PowerPoint 

College Application Process
PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE
Gaithersburg High School
School Counseling Department
College and Career Center
March 2016
Agenda
We will cover the following topics:

Researching Colleges / Making Your List
 Tools and strategies to get you started

Application Process
 Key components of the application
 What makes a good, solid packet

Paperwork and Deadlines
 Significance and why they are important
Steps 1 through 3
College/University Search:
“Research and Make your list”
Research: Questions to Ask

Attend school near home or move away?
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In Maryland or out-of-state?
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State college or private?
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State = less expensive, fewer scholarships
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Private = more expensive, more financial aid
College Admission Type of campus?
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Size of Campus
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Small = <3000 students
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Medium = between 3000 and 15,000 students
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Large = >15,000 students
Other preferences / interests?
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City, suburban, rural
Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual, community, athletics
College admission requirements: Let’s take a look at some examples
on the next 2 slides.
Research: tools and resources
•
Search colleges on-line: using search tools located under Family
Connection “Colleges” Tab
•
Will They Be Visiting the Area?
•
Are They Visiting GHS: check Family Connection/Naviance Home
Page
•
Talk with your Counselor, College/Career Coordinator,
Teachers, Parents about recommendations
•
College Fair – April 19 – AT THE Montgomery County
FAIRGROUNDS
Research: special note

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Community College
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2-year associate degrees available
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Flexible, save money, transfer credits
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Apply EARLY to Montgomery College
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Montgomery Scholars
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Macklin Business Program
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Nursing Program
US Service Academies

SAT/ACT in Spring Junior Year (average score)
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Must complete Pre-candidate Questionnaire

Application Packets from Congressional Reps & Senators

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Get to know who your local representative is
Athletes: what you need to know about college sports eligibility

NCAA Clearinghouse

www.eligibilitycenter.org
Make your list: use Family
Connection/Naviance:
Make your list: use Family
Connections:
Pick
6-8 Schools
Target Schools
 Reach Schools
no more than 2

Steps 4 and 13
Register for Spring and Fall
standardized tests (SAT/ACT/Subject
Tests/TOEL)
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
SAT
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Highest score 1600
Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus
Reading -evidence based
Multiple Choice and Analysis Questions
No penalty for wrong answers
Essay is Optional
Fee - $43.00 and $54.50 w/ writing
www.CollegeBoard.org
Important note: Gaithersburg High School does not send out your
official test scores. Contact the test companies and arrange to have
your scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying!
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
ACT
Highest Score 36
• Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus
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Science
Reading
English
Multiple Choice Only $39.50
• With Optional Writing Exam $56.50
• No Penalty for Wrong Answers
• www.actstudent.org
•
Important note: Gaithersburg High School does not send out your
official test scores. Contact the test companies and arrange to have
your scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying!
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
•
Accuplacer
• TOEFL -
If you are applying to a 4-yr
college, you may have to take the TOEFL if
you have been in the US for less than 5-8
yrs. depending on the school.
Important note: Gaithersburg High School does not send out your
official test scores. Contact the test companies and arrange to have
your scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying!
Steps 5-10
Important documents we need from you!
Senior Packet Forms Now ONLINE at the
College Career Web Page!!!! Copies are also
available in Counseling Office!
Senior Packet Material
Steps 5-10

Student Brag Sheet and Activities page –Include:
- great DETAIL: the more information you provide, the more
information we have to share to colleges on your behalf!
- Include important characteristics of school
- if possible should demonstrate leadership
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Parent Brag Sheet
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Authorization to Release Records –bring
to Spring junior counselor conference
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3 Teacher Feedback Forms (not letters of recommendation)
Very, Very Important: Required Forms – due by 2nd
Semester Exam Week – June 13th through June 17th!!!
Counselors rely heavily on this information for
Letters of Recommendation!
Steps 11 -20
It’s Time to Apply: Completing the
College Application!!!
Steps 11 and 15
It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!!
Do The Applications

Begin completing the applications online
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Double check applications for:
 Accuracy
 Completeness

Print/Copy all pages prior to submitting for your
records
Step 11 - It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College
Application!!!
Setting up the Applications

www.CommonApp.org
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Identify schools who participate
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Access applications for non-participating schools directly
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Register online (write down login info, requirements and
deadlines!!)
 Set
up login and password for each
 Verify
what documents are needed
Step 15 - It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!!
Application Reminders
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Accurate email address that you check!
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Email in CommonApp and Naviance need to be the
same!
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Update Your Counselor

Check for errors!!
 Spel
checque iz knot enuf
 Proofread
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Sign and date forms in blue or black ink (best
handwriting!) No pencil!
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Express Your Voice, Not Someone Else’s
It’s Time to Apply: Completing the College Application!!!
Essays
Personal Essays:
- Choose Topic Wisely
- English Teacher Feedback
Special note: Even though some colleges do not require you to
complete an essay, we would encourage you to do so!
Reason to compete an essay: it demonstrates a greater interest and
gives colleges more information about you that could be helpful in their
evaluation of your application.
Step 16 - Teacher Recommendations
• Seek recommendation from academic teachers
• Provide teachers with written information about your
experience in the classroom or other information requested
by them. Your resume could also be helpful.
• Ask teachers if they would like the information before the
summer break.
Step 17 - It’s Time to Apply: Almost
Done!!!
Transcript Requests

Turn in At Least 3 weeks in Advance of
Application Deadline.

Separate request for each school you
are applying to including Montgomery
College.
Step 18 -

Complete all questions

Forms are online
College Institute Transcript Request

Go to your MyMC account

Select Transcripts

Print out an unofficial CREDIT Transcript

Give 1 copy to Counseling Office
Conclusion
Time to Get Busy!

Start Now

Meet your counselor

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Schedule Tests SAT/ACT

Look at Schools

Finish Brag Sheets
Summer Fun

Visit Schools

Make Your List

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Start Applications
Chart Deadlines and Requirements
It’s your future….make sure you are ready!