Seniors

Applying to College 101

What should my college list look like?

✓ The number of schools on your list may vary depending on your personal situation and the competitiveness of the schools you choose.  In general, it is true that students apply to more colleges than they used to because of competition for space.

✓ Balance is the key.  Students can divide the colleges on their lists into three categories: Likely schools, Probable schools, and Reach schools.

✓ Likely schools are colleges to which you will almost certainly be admitted.  A likely school for one student may not be a likely school for another.  If your scores, GPA, academic record, etc. all compare very favorably with the school’s averages, then it may be a likely school for you.  Ideally, your likely school has a high rate of acceptance or is a regional school that doesn’t have strict limits on the number of students they can accept (like Savannah State, Georgia Southern, etc.).  You should have one likely school on your list, and it is essential that it be someplace that you like and would be happy to attend.

✓ Probable schools are generally colleges for which your scores, GPA, and academic record are somewhere in that school’s average range or slightly higher.  Be sure to check the acceptance rate to see if it is favorable.  Again, a probable school for you may be someone else’s likely or reach.

✓ Reach schools are colleges at which you meet all of the basic criteria, but your scores, GPA, and academic record are below average when compared to the school’s statistics.  This may be a dream school that you really like.  Many students have one of these on their lists, but it is not necessary.  Also, be sure to realize that if you are accepted to a reach school, you will likely find the work to be very challenging and will have to work very hard to be successful, so be prepared.

✓ Students who apply early may not need as many schools on their lists.  For example, if you apply early action and are notified in December that you have been accepted to a school that you know well, have visited, and really want to attend, then you may not find it necessary to apply to your likely schools.

✓ You might also need to have a financial safety school, which is a college that you know you can afford in case your financial needs are not met.

What if the college is too expensive?

✓ Don’t be scared too much by sticker prices.  If you really like a particular school, you should apply.  Just be sure to have an affordable backup school.

✓ Explore the financial aid and scholarships that are available at private schools.  You may qualify for enough merit and/or need based aid to make a private school affordable.

✓ Many well-endowed schools provide free tuition for students whose family incomes fall below certain thresholds.  Other colleges have instituted programs in which they commit to meet 100% of “need” (as determined through the FAFSA process) through grants and/or scholarships.

When do I apply to college?

✓ Most students will be submitting the majority of their applications between mid-October and late December.

✓ Many schools will have separate deadlines for scholarship consideration and financial aid. Deadlines for scholarships (merit based awards through the admissions office) and financial aid (need based aid through the financial aid office) may be earlier than the final admissions deadline.

✓ It is extremely important that you read all instructions and check all deadlines for each of your schools and be careful to note whether the school is on rolling admissions (see next page).  If you see an admission deadline that is fairly late in the year (March or later), then there’s a good chance that the school has rolling admission.

✓ The vast majority of the college crisis situations with which we have assisted would have been avoided if the students had read all application instructions carefully.  The instructions may include important information about testing requirements, financial aid deadlines, or other vital requirements.

How do I send my transcript; and what about sending SAT/ACT scores?

✓ If you apply through Common App or a similar method and add your counselor to your application, your counselor will upload your transcript and other required materials.  For Georgia schools not on Common App (public and private), log into www.gafutures.org and send the transcript yourself.  All senior transcripts are loaded into GA Futures in August and are ready to go at that point.  For everything else, email Sandra.cope@sccpss.com to request your transcript be sent. For good measure, copy your counselor on the email to Ms. Cope.

✓ If a student requests that a counselor write a letter of recommendation or complete a form, that letter/form might reference or contain any of the following: GPA, rank, SAT/ACT scores, and specific course grades. Visit the seniors page at saacounseling.weebly.com and locate the counselor recommendation interview form, which will help your counselor write a good recommendation for you.

✓ Discuss with your counselor any special circumstances that should be explained in a recommendation.

✓ It is not unusual for two to three weeks to pass before a college receives and processes transcripts, so please be patient and try not to panic if the transcript isn’t processed immediately.

✓ Colleges generally require that you submit official copies of your SAT/ACT scores, which is done directly through the College Board or ACT.  Your SAT/ACT scores are not part of your transcript.

Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling, Regular, What does it all mean?

✓ The glossary of admissions terms grows each year, but the information below should help.  Note, though, that these are only guidelines.  Many variations exist, which is why it is essential to read application instructions carefully and note the official procedure and deadlines.

✓ The regular, old-fashioned admissions deadline structure is fairly straightforward.  Students apply by a certain date (usually sometime between January 1 and February 15).  All admissions decisions are sent to applicants at approximately the same time (usually March 15-April 1).

✓ Early Action generally refers to a process in which students can apply by an early deadline (usually somewhere between October 15 and December 1) and receive an admissions decision early (usually mid to late December).  Students will either be admitted, denied, or deferred (meaning that the college will wait and consider you with the regular pool).  Applying early may not be recommended for students whose GPA, scores, and overall academic records do not compare favorably with the college’s averages.

✓ Early Decision is typically a binding agreement in which the student commits to attend that college and withdraw any other applications if accepted.  This is obviously a serious decision, and students (and parents/guardians) must be certain about their choice.  You may only apply to one school through early decision.

✓ Rolling Admission has become a very common alternative to the old-fashioned procedure.  The college chooses a date on which they will begin making admissions decisions and sending notifications (usually on or, more likely, before January 1).  From that time on, they will review applications as they are received and will send out decisions as they are made.  Many of these schools will list a final deadline, but it is best to apply closer to or even before the start date before any programs become full.

What do I need to do to be considered for scholarships from colleges?

✓ As always, check with your colleges before you apply.  In most cases, students will automatically be considered for scholarships by the admissions office.  Sometimes you must apply by a certain date in order to be considered for scholarships.  When in doubt, talk to an admissions representative.

✓ Some colleges will require students to submit an extra form requesting to be considered for scholarships. Most scholarship money that students receive comes from the college they attend, so it is essential that you check all deadlines and procedures.

Do I apply for financial aid when I send in my admissions application?

✓ Financial aid is a completely separate process that is handled by a different office.  Generally, the financial aid process will begin after you have applied for admission.  Financial aid procedures are very different than admissions procedures and have different deadlines, so you must be sure to read the procedures for each college and do so early.

✓ You apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  This form can not be completed until October 1 or later and should be done online.  Priority deadlines for financial aid can vary, so it is advisable to complete the FAFSA as early as possible.

✓ Some colleges will require students to complete the CSS/Profile form through the College Board, usually at the time of admission for students who are applying early.  This process (which is used mostly by private schools, only a few of which are in Georgia) must be completed online at www.collegeboard.org and is only available through early December.  When you are preparing to apply to a college, be sure to read the financial aid information and all instructions on their website.  

Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________

Please be sure to give good answers.  The purpose of this is to help us write a comprehensive, detailed recommendation for you.  For example, when we ask what is your favorite subject and why, please do not respond, “Biology because it’s interesting.”  That may be true, but it provides no insight into you as a person or a student and doesn’t help us write a better recommendation for you. We provide you the opportunity to answer these questions in writing instead of in person so that you can give thoughtful, reflective answers.  Also think about the message you’re sending to your counselor when you spend very little time or effort on your recommendation information.  How would your recommendation be if your counselor put the same amount of effort into writing it as you put into answering your interview questions?

1. What is your favorite subject?  Why?

2. What is your least favorite subject?  Why?

3. What are the highlights of your high school experience?

4. Which activity was most important to you?  Why?

5. In or out of school, which awards and honors have you received?

6. How have you changed, developed, and grown since freshman year?

7. What sorts of leadership roles have you taken during your life?

8. What do you like to do outside of school?

9. Which book(s) have had the greatest impact on you?  Why?

10. Describe the academic accomplishment (major paper, science experiment, artistic project, etc.) you are most proud of and tell why you take pride in it.

11. What kind of learner are you?  Which academic setting or assignments make you thrive?  What interests you?

12. What would someone need to know about you in order to understand who you are? 13. Are there any unusual grades on your transcript that should be explained?

14. Have there been any special difficulties or hardships that you have had to overcome?

15. List your three most distinguishing or most admirable qualities.  Explain each in several sentences.

16. Have you decided to pursue a particular major?  Which one?  Why?

17.  What do you hope to accomplish in college and after?  Consider your career goals and your broader goals. 

by College Board

As you develop a list of colleges that interest you, be sure you can answer these questions about them.

The Basics

•   Where is the college? Can you locate it on a map? Is it too close to home? Is it too far? ls it too cold or too hot there?

•   Have you taken the course work the college requires for admission?

•    What size is the college? How many students are undergraduates?

•   What is the college's selectivity ratio (what proportion of applicants were admitted last year)?

•   Does the college offer majors that interest you?

•   Is the college coed or single sex?

•   What percentage of students live off campus?

•   How many of the students graduate in four years? Five years? Six years?

•   How many first-year students return for their sophomore year?

•   How much does the program cost? What is the total per­ year expense?

•   What type of financial aid is available?

Where would you fit in?

•    What are the admission test scores at the colleges of interest to you? Where does that place you?

•    What were the high school GPAs of most of the freshmen last year?

•    Are freshmen guaranteed on-campus housing? If not. where do they live?

•   Are there extracurricular activities that interest you?

Visit their websites and read college guidebooks

•    What are the admission test scores at the colleges of interest to you? Where does that place you?

•    What were the high school GPAs of most of the freshmen last year?

•    Are freshmen guaranteed on-campus housing? If not, where do they live?

•   Are there extracurricular activities that interest you?

Admission Process

•   When are applications due?

•   What does the application contain? Are essays required?

•   Is an interview suggested or required? Is an interview available from staff or alumni?

•   When may you visit the college? What is its policy regarding campus visits?

•   What are the financial aid deadlines? What financial aid forms are required?

Now answer these questions

•   When are applications due?

•   What does the application contain? Are essays required?

•   Is an interview suggested or required? Is an interview available from staff or alumni?

•   When may you visit the college? What is its policy regarding campus visits?

•   What are the financial aid deadlines? What financial aid forms are required?

 

College Planner by U.S. News; a World Report

With all the details and dates to remember, applying to college can be a major organizational challenge. This planner can help. You can print this page and then fill one out for each school you’re considering. Your comments will allow you to compare characteristics of different schools and remind yourself of interesting facts down the line.

School: _______________________________________________________

 

Location	Comments
Region
Setting Urban/suburban/rural
Distance from home
Academics
Rigor of coursework
Choice of majors
Class size & students/faculty ratio
Academic facilities
Quality of professors
Access to professors
Campus Life
Size of student body
Diversity of student body
Student attitudes about the school
Social Life
Extracurricular activities
Housing options
Atmosphere
Costs
Affordability
Access to grants/aid
Career Preparation
Range of internships
Quality of career services
Other

 

Campus Visits: Questions to Ask

Once you’ve decided on a shortlist, it’s key to visit the campuses, if possible. You’ll be overwhelmed with information, but don’t forget to ask questions, too. Current students are one of the best candid sources of information. Talk to a few different ones, not just the tour guide. Consider these questions and add a few of your own.

School: _______________________________________________________

 

QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS:

• What do you like most about this college?
• What’s the worst thing about it?
• What do you wish you had known when you were making your own decision?
• What are the classes like?
• Lots of small discussion groups?
• Mostly large lectures?
• Do graduate students or professors teach introductory classes?
• How often in the last semester have you participated in class or met with a professor outside of class?
• Where do students study?
• Where do students hang out on campus? Off campus? On the weekend?
• How central are fraternities and sororities to campus social life?
• What about sports?

 

QUESTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS:

What percentage of students go on to graduate or professional schools?

What percentage of students graduate in four years?

What percentage of first-year students return for sophomore year?

What was the average tuition increase over the past five years?

When must you declare a major?

Can you design your own major? (If applicable)

Can you take classes at other schools in the area?

Who serves as a student’s adviser?

Do advisers change each year?

What are the living options on campus? Off campus?

What percentage of students study abroad at some point during their four years?

Additional questions? 

Contact information (names, phone numbers, E-mail addresses) for students and administrators I  met?

 

Senior year is a whirlwind of activities. This is a big year for your child as he or she balances schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the college application process. Use the suggestions below to help you and your child successfully navigate this important time.

Summer

• Visit colleges together. If you haven't already, make plans to check out the campuses of colleges in which your child is interested. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences.
• Ask how you can help your senior finalize a college list. You can help him or her choose which colleges to apply to by weighing how well each college meets his or her needs, for example. Find out more about how to finalize a college list.
• Find out a college's actual cost. Once your 12th-grader has a list of a few colleges he or she is interested in,
• use the Net Price Calculator together to determine the potential for financial aid and the true out-of-pocket cost - or net price - of each college.
• Encourage your child to get started on applications. He or she can get the easy stuff out of the way now by filling in as much required information on college applications as possible. Read about how to get started on applications.
• Help your child decide about applying early. If your senior is set on going to a certain college, he or she should think about whether applying early is a good option. Now is the time to decide because early applications are usually due in November. Read about the pros and cons of applying early.
• Gather financial documents. To apply for most financial aid, your child will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAJ. You'll need your most recent tax returns and an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA, which opens Oct. 1.

Fall

• Encourage your child to meet with the school counselor. This year, he or she will work with the counselor to complete and submit college applications. Learn more about the counselor's role in applying to college.
• Create a calendar with your child. This should include application deadlines and other important dates. Your child can find specific colleges' deadlines in College Search. If your child saves colleges to a list there, he or she can get a custom online calendar that shows those colleges' deadlines.
• Help your child prepare for college admission tests. Many seniors retake college admission tests, such as the SAr, in the fall. Learn more about helping your 12th-grader prepare for admission tests.
• Help your child find and apply for scholarships. He or she can find out about scholarship opportunities from the school counselor. Your high school student will need to request and complete scholarship appflcations and submit them on time. Learn more about scholarships.

• Offer to look over your senior's college applications. But remember that this is your child's work so remain in the role of adviser and proofreader and respect his or hervolce.

• Fill out the FAFSA to apply for aid beginning Oct. 1. The govemment and many colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to award aid. Now it's easier than ever to fill out this form because you can automatically transfer your tax information online from the IRS to the FAFSA. Read How to Complete the FAFSA to learn more.

• Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILc, if required. If your child needs to submit the PROFILE to a college or scholarship program, be sure to find out the priority deadline and submit it by that date. Read How to Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

• Encourage your child to set up college Interviews. An interview is a great way for your child to learn more about a college and for a college to learn more about your child. Get an overview of the interview process.

 Winter

• Work together to apply for financial aid. Have your child contact the financial aid offices at the colleges in which he or she is interested to find out what forms students must submit to apply for aid. Make sure he or she applies for aid by or before any stated deadlines. Funds are limited, so the earlier you apply, the better.
• Learn about college loan options together. Borrowing money for college can be a smart choice - especially if your high school student gets a low-interest federal loan. Learn more about the parent's role in borrowing money.
• Encourage your senior to take SAT Subject Tests"'.
• These tests can showcase your child's interests and achievements- and many colleges require or
• recommend that applicants take one or more Subject Tests. Read more about SAT Subject Tests.
• Encourage your chlJd to take AP• Exams. If your 12th-grader takes AP or other advanced classes, have him or her talk with teachers now about taking these tests in May. Read more about the AP Program.

 

Spring

 

• Help your child process college responses. Once your child starts hearing back from colleges about admission and financial aid, he or she will need your support to decide what to do. Read about how to choose a college.
• Review financial aid offers together. Your 12th-grader will need your help to read through financial aid award letters and figure out which package works best. Be sure your child pays attention to and meets any deadlinesfor acceptance. Get more information on financial aid awards.
• Help your child complete the paperwork to accept a college's offer of admittance. Once your child has decided which college to attend, he or she will need to review the offer, accept that college's offer, mail a tuition deposit. and submit other required paperwork. Learn more about your high school senior's next steps.

 

 Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org for more information and to access these resources