Senior College Planning

The Final Steps

Topics

• Your List• Application Options• The Application To Do Lists• Financial Aid• Final Decisions

Finalizing your list

•Reviewing your criteria•Reviewing your research•Assessing your chances

Reach On Target Safety

Your List

Application Options

• Early Decision• Early Action• Traditional• Rolling

• On-Line Application

• Written Application

• On-site Application

• Common Application

Early Decision

• Only ONE Early Decision application allowed

• BINDING agreement, if accepted

• November 1 or 15 application deadline

Early Decision

• December notification re: admissions decision

• Top choice on your list• Considerations

– Strength of desire– your academic record – financial aid picture

Early Action

• Unlimited number of EA applications allowed

• Acceptance NOT binding

• Application deadline usually between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15

• Earlier notification of admission decision

• Considerations– Strength of

your record– Earlier response

deadline for your decision

– Financial aid picture

Other Application Options

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Priority Deadline:

December 1, 2009

Application Modes

On-line Preferred by many colleges Use standard English; this

is NOT an e-mail Must print out and mail

signature page with fee Check to see if any other

components of application need to be mailed

Print out copy of full application for your file

Written Use black ink or type

Application should be neat and legible

Be sure all sections are complete

Make a copy of completed application for your file

Application Modes On-Site

In-person meeting with admissions representative

Must present unofficial transcript at that time

Decision rendered immediately

Common Accepted by hundreds of

colleges

May be used in lieu of college’s own application

Application may be filled out once and sent to many

Check to see if any additional components are required

ApplicationStudent’s To Do List

• Complete all sections - use black ink or type• Prepare essays - proofread carefully• Include activities resume if appropriate• Include check for processing fee• Include a response card• Request in a TIMELY manner:

– Transcript from Counselor•Secondary School Report (if applicable)•Three stamps

ApplicationStudent’s To Do List

– Letters of Recommendation•Recommendation Forms•Stamped addressed envelope

– College Admission Test Scores•Sent directly from test agency

• Arrange Interview, if college provides opportunity

• Follow-up to insure receipt – approx. 3 week

ApplicationCounselor’s To Do List

• Prepare initial transcript– Assure accuracy of grades, courses, activities

and GPA– Write counselor statement– Complete Supplementary materials provided by

student– Mail directly to college

• Send Mid-year Reports or other information, if requested

• Send Final Transcript to college student will attend

Special Notes

• Athletes•NCAA Clearinghouse Form

• Visual Arts Major•Portfolio Review

• Performing Arts Majors•Audition

• Special Needs Students•Documentation of disability and accommodations

Financial Aid Types

• NEED-BASED AID

•Grants •Loans•Work Study

• SCHOLARSHIPS

•Academic Record

•Special Talent

•Special Criteria

Financial Aid ApplicationsCOLLEGE COST - FAMILY CONTRIBUTION = NEED

• CSS Profile– Required by SOME

colleges, usually privates

– Deadline determined by college

– Supplements FAFSA– Requests more

information than FAFSA

• FAFSA– Required by ALL

colleges– File as soon

AFTER January 1, 2010 as possible

– Used to determine Federal, State, and College aid

Scholarship Applications

• College-based• Agency or Company-based• Organization-sponsored• Locally-sponsored

– Scholarship monies awarded to students from any source usually become part of the student’s overall financial aid package.

Scholarship Applications

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT:

– WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009

– SBHS 7PM

College Fairs

Middlesex Community College

September 30, 2009 6:30-8:30 PM

Approximately 150 Colleges/Universities

Final DecisionsThe Colleges' Responses

• Accept• Defer: only

with Early Decision or Early Action

• Denied• Wait List

Final DecisionsThe Student’s Response

Deferred? Update your

application/transcript Send letter of strong

interest Accepted? Note deadline for response

and send in deposit If not interested, send

letter informing college

Not accepted? Review your list/make

sure you have options Wait Listed? Call and/or write

indicating STRONG interest

If not interested, inform college