Senior MeetingClass of 2016

The College Application Process

What you need to know……

A – Cont Ms. Molly JangConway - Flint Ms. Denine GudnitzFlores - Khan Ms. Ruth RagsdaleKho – Nol Mrs. Katie SpicerNow - Scott Ms. Tara VaglicaSeal - Z Mr. Ravon Austin

Mrs. Donte Gassaway-Fields – RegistrarMrs. Heidi Garland – College/Career Infor. Coordinator

Mrs. Roxanne Plumber – Administrative Assistant

Counseling Department

College Application Process…

• Application

• Application fee

• Essay(s)(If required by the college)

• Transcripts

• Recommendation Letters(From academic teachers and counselor)

• Test Scores (SAT or ACT)

• Secondary School Report

(Form submitted by counselor)

Adhere to deadlines!

Components of the four year college application packet

Student Responsibilities Complete and submit the

application, essay, and application fee directly to the college through Family Connection.

Request recommendation letters from your teachers.

Request official transcript, school profile, secondary school report and counselor recommendation from Mrs. Gassaway-Fields. She will send all documents to the college.

Request SAT/ACT scores be sent to colleges by directly contacting the testing organization on-line.

Before Requesting Transcripts

1. Log into your Common App account. If you do not have an account, you'll need to create one. 2. Under the "Common App" tab, complete the entire “Education" section so that it has a green checkmark (This is necessary since the Common App must know the high school you attend). 3. Go to “My Colleges.” If no colleges are listed, go to "College Search" and add at least one college to which you'll be applying. 4. Click one of the colleges and then “Assign Recommenders." 5. Click the FERPA Release Authorization, giving Magruder permission to send your transcript. Follow the instructions and click these items:

• I authorize every school that I have attended to release all requested records… • I waive my right to review all recommendations and supporting documents… • I understand that my waiver or no waiver selection above pertains to all colleges….

How to Request Transcripts • Fill out the paper Transcript Request form and return

it to Mrs. Gassaway-Fields if your are submitting transcripts and recommendations by mail or online.

• Pay your transcript fee to Mrs. Gassaway-Fields. The first 3 transcripts are free; additional transcripts are $3 each.

NOTE: You must determine how each one of your colleges accepts documents that need to be submitted. You can find this information by looking at your Family Connection/Naviance account under the “Colleges I am applying to” tab.

How to Request Transcripts

If by mail: • Provide a 9X12 envelope; addressed to the college

admissions office or scholarship program, with simply your name in the return address space, along with 3- first class stamps (or equivalent postage = $1.32) affixed to the envelope. Do not put your own return address on the envelope.

If by eDoc or Common Application:• Submit the completed Transcript Request form to Mrs.

Gassaway-Fields.

How to Request Counselor Recommendation

• Complete “Senior Thinking About Yourself” form (found under the “About Me” tab on the left side of the screen).

How to Request Teacher Recommendations

• Speak to your teacher to confirm that they are willing to write your recommendation letter.

• In Family Connection/Naviance, add your teacher to the Teacher Recommendation list under the “Colleges I am Applying to” tab.

• For teachers not submitting recommendations electronically, provide college-addressed business size envelope with appropriate postage. Write your name only in the upper left corner and the college deadline in the lower left corner.• Send your teacher(s) and counselor(s) a

THANK YOU note or email!

College Application Processing Timeline

COUNSELORS HAVE 20 SCHOOL DAYS TO COMPLETE YOUR RECOMMENDATION LETTER FROM THE DAY THAT YOU SUBMIT ALL NECESSARY PAPERWORK TO THE REGISTRAR!...

COL. ZADOK MAGRUDER HIGH SCHOOLDonte Gassaway-Fields - Registrar

Registrar office hoursMonday - Friday (Before school, lunch & after school)

2015-2016 TIMELINE FOR REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTSCollege Deadline Magruder Deadline

November 1, 2015 October 5, 2015November 15, 2015 October 19, 2015December 1, 2015 November 3, 2015

December 15, 2015 November 17, 2015January 1, 2016 November 24, 2015

January 15, 2016 December 10, 2015February 1, 2016 January 4, 2016

Transcript fee (cash or checks made payable to Magruder H.S.) First 3 transcripts are free; each additional transcript request is $3 each.

Upcoming SAT and ACT testsSAT ACT

October 3 October 24November 7 December 12December 5

How To Register:• Go to www.collegeboard.org to register for the SAT.

The SAT test costs $54.50• Go to www.actstudent.org to register for the ACT.

Make sure you sign up for the test WITH WRITING. The total cost for the ACT is $54.50.

Accuplacer Test(For all two year community college bound students)• The purpose of the Accuplacer is to determine

placement in Math and English in college.• The Accuplacer is knowledge based and untimed.• See Mrs. Garland in the College & Career Center for

more information.

The College and Career CenterA great resource for:• Researching majors and colleges• Career exploration• Standardized Test Options• College Process • Scholarships• Financial Aid/FAFSA

College VisitsOver 75 Colleges and Universities nationwide send

Admissions Representatives to MHS annually

Visits are scheduled September-November, 2015

The College visit schedule is on the Career Center Website under Family ConnectionAll students are sent weekly visit updates through their Family Connection email accountVisits take place in the Career Center

Upcoming MHS Financial Aid & Scholarship Programs

• Financial Aid & Scholarship Lunch Seminars: November 20, December 4, January 8 @ 11:15 am - 12:00 in the MHS Career Center

• Financial Aid Opportunities at Montgomery College: November 6 @ 11:00-11:40 am in the MHS Career Center

FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid)• All students applying for Financial Aid MUST Complete FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov• FAFSA is NEED Based Only• Filing Dates: January 1 - March 1, 2016• Use 2014 Income Tax Returns• Tax information can be updated after filing

your taxes• UMCP Priority deadline for filing FAFSA is

February 15, 2016

Scholarships

• Make sure to apply for all available scholarships offered directly through the colleges

• Apply for FAFSA beginning January 1, 2016 through March 1, 2016 (MD State Deadline).

• Visit the College & Career Center Website and Visit the Career Center for additional Merit/Need Based Scholarships

• Negotiation for the best financial packages is Recommended and Encouraged after acceptance

Thank you for coming!Questions?