KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

Class of 2012Class of 2012

Student’s Responsibilities in the

Application Process

• Deciding on final list of colleges• Getting the applications• Completing the applications• Procuring other pertinent

information

Parents’, Counselors’ and College Counselors’

Responsibilities in the Application Process

• Provide support• Provide guidance• Provide assistance

Deciding: Where to apply

• An on-going sorting and selecting process

• The best Final List must include combination of:– “reach” school– “possible” schools– “probable/likely admits”– “financial safety”– ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO

ATTEND!

Terms for Prediction• REACH

– “dream” schools where admission chances are thought to be unlikely based on transcript and test scores

– “toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone (usually have admit rates between 7%-20%)

• POSSIBLE– Closely meet the academic expectations,

but the college/university receives more qualified applicants than they can admit.

Terms for Prediction

• PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT – Chances for admissions are very strong– A “safety” is so much harder to call today!

• FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically an IL state university but not always)– A place that parents can afford

…if, financial package is weak at all other schools…if, family financial situation changes: economy, unemployment

Deciding: How many should I apply to?

• It depends!• Finding a “reasonable” number is much

harder these days• If you are happy with the schools where

you stand the strongest chances of admission, then the final list can be a lower number

Admission Options• Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early

winter and receive decision 2-8 weeks after application submitted

• Priority – apply in fall (occasionally early winter) and receive a decision in winter. Applying by a priority deadline can often give a student an advantage when space is limited.

• Regular Admission - apply in fall/early winter and receive decision on a specific date in the spring

Admission Options• Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in

early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit• *Early Decision I - apply in fall, receive

decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted

• *Early Decision II – apply in winter, receive decision in winter, binding commitment to attend if admitted

• *Restrictive Early Action - apply in fall, be admitted in early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit

*Students may only submit 1 application Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action

What is needed for a complete application?

• Application - on-line (preferred) or paper- Essays (usually)– Activities and honors information– Arts Supplement (if applicable)

• Application fee (credit card, check or fee waiver request)

• Student Signature (electronic or handwritten)• Parent Signature (usually only for Early

Decision)

What else is needed for a complete application?

• Official Transcript• Official Test Score Report• Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually)• Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or

Secondary School Report Form (usually)• Interview (optional)• Audition/Portfolio (if applicable)

Applications• Applications available online at school

websites• Common Application used by over 400

colleges; create an account at www.commonapp.org– Large FAQ section website (use it!)– Most schools have a supplement which must

also be submitted– Common Application Workshop September 7 &

8 during lunch periods

Test Scores• ACT/SAT and SAT Subject Test scores

must be sent directly from the testing agency. www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com

• In some cases it is advisable to send more than one test score.

• A very small number of colleges, typically those with highly selective admissions, require that students submit scores from all tests taken. Check the college’s website.

Teacher Recommendations

• How many?– 0,1,2

• Who?– The one(s) who know you best as a learner in their

class– Best if junior year

• Okay to have one sophomore year • Cannot use senior year if applying early

– Visual and Performing Arts are usually supplemental recommendations

– Language teachers are sometimes not permitted. This is VERY rare!

Counselor Recommendations

• Student and Parent Questionnaires may be completed on-line through Naviance.

• Parents must sign on to Naviance with parent account information.

• Parent Questionnaire is found under ABOUT ME.

• If unsure of parents’ username for the log-in, or if you have never registered a parent account, contact Ms. G-S and she will assist you.

• Parents may also complete the Parent Questionnaire in paper form, available in the CRC or on the Counseling Website.

Essays• Essay Writing Workshop in English

classes on Friday, September 2 in A342.

• Sample essays available in the CRC.• Mr. Morrison, Ms. Gilbert and Ms.

Giulietti-Schmitt are happy to review essays

• Utilize the Writing Lab and English teachers

Fee Waivers

• Families for whom the application fees are a hardship may be eligible for fee waivers.

• Forms are available from your counselor.

• Students should talk with the counselor to discuss eligibility.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Visiting HPHS on Wednesday, Sept 14 at 2:00 pm in the CRC

• Application available September 1• Postmarked priority deadline of November 1• No recommendations will be considered with

the application• Most students will receive a decision on

Friday, December 16• Applying during this period may give a

student an advantage when space is limited

UIUC and Self-Reported Academic Record

• Beginning in Fall 2011 UIUC no longer requires an official transcript be sent at time of application

• Students will complete a Self-Reported Academic Record

• Students should have a current transcript on hand when completing the record. Transcripts are currently available through the parent portal on Infinite Campus

• If you need assistance logging into Infinite Campus, contact the Counseling Dept.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Students MUST have an active account.• Parents should have a separate account. • Update both student and parent emails.• Forgot password? Go to

tcci.naviance.com/hphs to request new password.

• Forgot username? Never registered? Email Ms. Giulietti- Schmitt for assistance.

• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link accounts. Contact Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt for assistance.

Naviance/Family Connection

• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges.• Can track if counselor

recommendations and SSR forms for non Common Application schools were submitted.

• Great way for students to determine chances for admission by examining stats from previous years.

• Comprehensive scholarship list located under COLLEGES section.

PARCHMENTSECURE

TRANSCRIPT

www.parchment.com

Make sure to choose the correct Highland Park High School!

Sign by clicking on your mouse

Request a Transcript to a non-Common App

schoolImportant:• Search for your college using the proper

name (Univ. of Wisconsin, not “Madison”)

• “Current Transcript” vs. “Next Grading Period”

• “Save” & add more schools or “Save & Continue” to finish

Common App Schools• There is no need to request a transcript

for a Common App School• Counselors will upload transcripts into

student accounts once they have received an invite from the student

• The Common App process will be covered in detail with students tomorrow during their meeting

Parchment Secure Transcript

• E-mails upon order, upload, and download – Utilize! Colleges will have different processes for inputting transcripts into their systems

• As of August 25th charges will be: free for electronic transcripts to IL schools and some others in Midwest; $2.55-$4.25 for others in U.S. depending on electronic vs. paper

• See Ms. G-S if you are having troubles or do not have a credit card and need to pay with cash

Students with Special Needs and the

College Application Process

• It is crucial that students have an understanding of the type of documentation is required and where it should be sent.

• In most cases documentation should be sent to the office that handles disability services NOT to admissions.

Students with Special Needs and the

College Application Process

• Some colleges may require specific types of testing for evaluation but all want it to be recent (w/in 3 years).

• Students must make arrangements with the Department of Special Education for this information to be released, it will not automatically be sent.

CONSENT FORM1. Obtain a white Consent Form from the Special

Education Department. This form authorizes HPHS to send documentation to third parties for educational and college planning.

2. If the student is 18 years of age he/she may sign, if not, a parent signature is required.

3. The completed form should be returned to A102.

4. Students need only complete one Consent Form.

RELEASE FORM

5. Students fill out a separate green Release Form for EACH of the colleges requiring documentation.

6. Forms are available in the Special Ed Dept. and the CRC

7. Completed forms are submitted to A102

DOCUMENTATION• Once all of the proper paperwork has

been submitted, the Special Ed Dept sends the documentation to the appropriate place.

• Documentation includes: cover letter, current testing, copy of the student’s IEP and case studies, psych and educational evaluations, social development study if appropriate.

Financial Aid Information

• All schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available on-line in December. File the FAFSA between January 1 and February 15. www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Families can complete an estimator now to determine eligibility www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

Financial Aid Information

• In addition to the FAFSA many private universities require the CSS Profile which can be submitted in the fall. www.collegeboard.com

• Most early decision candidates who are applying for financial aid will be required to complete a CSS Profile BY the early decision deadline

• Financial Aid Night – January 10 at 7:00 p.m. at HPHS

Net price calculators• All colleges are required to have a net price

calculator on their website by October 31.• Uses student’s academic and family financial

information to determine what price a family is “likely” to pay.

• Keep in mind the figure is an estimate.• Concept is new – there will be glitches!

COLLEGE REP VISITS

• Date and time of college visits is listed in Naviance.

• A weekly schedule is posted on the Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC

• Must sign up in advance via Naviance• Clear with teacher prior to visit –

exercise good judgment when missing class.

College Counselors

• College Counselors have walk-in hours only August 24, 25 and 26.

• Scheduled appointments with College Counselors begin August 29.

• Students must meet with the same counselor they met with last Spring.

Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt (aka Ms. G-S)

With a background in Admissions there aremany things she can help with:• Mock interviews• Essay review• Utilizing Naviance• Application completion• FAFSA completion• Scholarship searches

SENIORITIS• Senior year courses and grades matter!• Many schools defer decisions until the

end of 7th semester.• All offers of admissions are conditional

upon successful completion of coursework.

• Offers of admissions can and will be revoked for a decline in grades.

Mandatory Senior Meeting with Counselors

• Thursday, August 25th 3rd period• Locations:

Alvarez – CRC McCord - AuditoriumCannon – A217 Siegel - CommonsEder – E113 Skiba – A343Ginopolis – A342Grindel – E117Margetis – Library (Glass Classroom)

Calendar of Upcoming HPHS College Programs

• Senior Meetings with CounselorThursday, August 25th – 3rd period

• Essay Writing WorkshopFriday, September 2nd during English classes

• Common Application WorkshopsTuesday, September 7th 2A, 2B, 2C Tech Labs A &

C Wednesday, September 8th 3A, 3B, 3C Tech Labs A & C

• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Forms & Financial NeedTuesday, January 10 at 7 pm, HPHS Auditorium

Important numbers and email addresses

Mr. Bill Morrison, College Counselor224/765-2056 - wmorrison@dist113.org

Ms. Aliza Gilbert, College Counselor224/765-2055 - agilbert@dist113.org

Ms. Allegra Giulietti-Schmitt, College Counseling Assistant(224) 765-2057 – aschmitt@dist113.org

Mrs. Pam Helke, Secretary, Special Ed Department(224) 765-2333 – phelke@dist113.org