Class of 2015Senior Parent/Student

College Info Night

Hilary Recknor & Sara WilliamsServite CounselingSeptember 24,2014

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College Admissions Process

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•What’s in an application? Are they all the same?•How do I get an application?•When do I apply?•Do I need an SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests?•What about the College Essay?•NAVIANCE: THE ONLY WAY TO…

• get School Reports • get Teacher Recommendations • order Transcripts

•What’s a FAFSA? CSS Profile?

What is in an Application?

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Personal DataAcademic HistoryEssay/Personal StatementExtra-curricular/Honors & Awards/Work Exp.Secondary School Report (Counselor Rec)Teacher Recommendation(s)Peer RecommendationOfficial High School Transcript Mid-Year ReportInterviewCSS Profile/Financial Aid Forms

Applying to CSU

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Apply during Priority Filing PeriodOctober 1st through November 30th

One SAT Code for all CSU CampusesCode 3594One fee to send SAT Scores to all 23 campusesFor ACT send to one campusSend one, then scores can be given to multiple campuses through ACT Scores Manager at no additional costLook on www.csumentor.edu for

Deadlines for specific CSU campuses & majorsList of Impacted Majors

CSU Mentor

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The Application- University of California

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Application Opened in AugustSubmit November 1 - November 30 ONLY

Minimum GPA is 3.0 in A-G coursework. An Eligibility Calculator can be found on the UC site

Everything CSU Application PLUS:Extra-curricular/Honors & Awards/Work

Experience Essay/Personal Statement 2 essays – 1000 words total

Additional TestingSAT Subject Tests (OPTIONAL)

*Special Notes: CSID # not required

Admission to UC: Exam Requirements

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One of the following “core” examinationsSAT Reasoning Test --or--

ACT Assessment with Writing

SAT Subject Tests OptionalMay be required for certain majors at certain

campuses http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/freshman/minimum-requirements/examination-requirement/sat-subject-tests.html

Where to Find an Application

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CSUApply online at:

www.csumentor.edu

UCApply online at:

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

Common App and Private Schools

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Everything in CSU/UC PLUS : Essay(s) – typically one of 650 words Short-Answer Questions/Additional Essay Secondary School Report – (Counselor) Letter(s) of Recommendation – (Teacher) Official High School Transcript Test Scores – Subjects? (Student sends) Mid-Year Report Peer Recommendation (some) Interview (some) CSS Profile – for Financial Aid (many)

Where to find an Application: Private School or a School in

Another State

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•Visit the college’s website

•More than 500 Colleges & Universities accept the Common Application

•www.commonapp.org•Be aware of Common App Supplements

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Types of Application Filing Periods

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Finite Filing Period (UC~Nov 1st thru Nov 30th

only)Priority/Other Filing Period (Portland, USC)Rolling Admission (Review begins when they receive a complete application folder & notify student usually within a short period of time)Early Action (Notre Dame, LMU)Restricted Early Action (Stanford, Yale, BC)Early Decision (Penn, Northwestern, NYU, CPSLO)Regular Decision (Most Privates)

Early Action

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An option at only certain schools - apply early (typically Nov 1st/15th), receive response early.

Non-binding (have until May to decide)Generally a higher acceptance rate for

qualified applicants in the EA pool.Under early action, most schools do not

restrict your ability to apply to other early consideration programs, but some do. Read Carefully!.

Early Decision

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An option at only certain schools - generally highly selective private schools.

Binding Agreement—If you are selected as an Early Decision candidate, you must immediately withdraw all other applications.

Statistics suggest generally a higher acceptance rate for qualified applicants in the ED pool.

If you are considering applying ED, you must make an appointment with your counselor.

SAT Reasoning Test & ACT

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•SAT Reasoning Test-Critical Reading-Math -Writing (required)

•ACT -English, Reading, Math, Science-Optional writing (must take for UC & many privates)

Complete all testing by December, 2014Servite School Code: 050088

.

SAT Subject Tests

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•Test scores used for admission and/or placement

•Required for some selective private schools

•Choice of Major may dictate subject tests required (i.e. Engineering – Math 2)

Essay/Personal Statement

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The application tells what you have done…

….The essay tells who you are!

The College Essay

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•Openings are key•Conclusions are important•Topics ~ ANSWER THE QUESTION

-Memorable Moments-Influences-Points of View-Lessons & Experience-Molding Identity

Do…

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•Answer the question!•Reflect before you write.•Write about something that is important to you and about which you will enjoy writing.•Write in your own voice.•Discuss circumstances that have held you back or affected your academics.•Be specific. Use concrete details and make them clear, rich and meaningful.•Be school specific - show why each school is a good fit. If the school is your first choice, tell them!•Strive to be as “real” as possible.

Don’t…

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•Select a tiny or special font.•Manufacture hardship. Also, do not whine!•List your accomplishments. This is another part of the application.•Include irrelevant background info.•Don’t explain your science project. Explain your curiosity.•Try to sound impressive

Of Course…

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Proofread!Proofread!

Proofread!

Do not rely on spell check!Seek the input of an Objective Reader

Naviance Family Connection

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A comprehensive website with software/database that all students (& parents) will use as a tool in

planning for college.

Naviance Family Connection

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• Counselors will use Naviance to assist students in managing the college application process & generate/submit School Reports

• Teachers will use Naviance for their recommendations

Naviance Family Connection

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• Search for Colleges• Link to College Applications• Build a Resume• Schedule of Colleges Visiting Servite• Check out Local Scholarships• Order Transcripts and Teacher Recs

Access Naviance Family Connection Log In from Servite website (near bottom of list

under “Academics” tab) Students Must use Servite email address

(firstname.lastname@servitehs.org w/password)

Communication with Counselor is essential!

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Secondary School Reports

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Required by many private colleges and universities as part of an application so that they may obtain a record of your high school experience.

School Report typically includes:School Report FormCounselor RecommendationHigh School TranscriptSchool Profile

Secondary School Reports

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1.Enter application list into Naviance2.Request teacher recommendation(s) -

LIMIT 2 3.Submit a transcript request for each

School

Requests for Regular Admission School Reports MUST be communicated to your Counselor by: Wednesday, NOVEMBER 15th

Requests for EA/ED School Reports MUST be communicated to Counselor by:

Wednesday, OCTOBER 15th

Recommendations

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Choose a teacher who knows you & your workFirst ask the teacher face-to-faceThen go to Naviance to formally request teacher to prepare the recommendationProvide:

Plenty of lead-timeComplete the Resume section in Naviance

Note: Recommendations are NOT required for UC & CSU Applications. Follow all application instructions carefully.

Transcripts

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• Most Private colleges & universities require transcript at time of application

• Almost 100% of transcripts sent electronically— through Naviance w/School Report

• “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance MUST be current & accurate

Transcripts

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• Must Request Transcripts in Naviance• Fee’s included in Senior Fees• No fee for Midyear or Final Transcripts

IMPORTANTInitial TRANSCRIPTS are NOT Required for UC &

CSU unless specifically requested

Communication and Deadlines

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Colleges use websites & email to communicate w/you—Check regularlyDeadlines are absolute!

•Housing application deadlines•Financial Aid deadlines•Scholarship deadlines•SIR – Student Intent to Register/Deposit•Placement Tests•Orientations•Additional forms/supplemental applications

Remember…

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• All acceptances are conditional and are based upon receipt of your final transcript.

• You must notify the school in writing of changes or if you receive a semester grade of D or F.

• Keep your grades up.• Many colleges no longer allow deficiencies to be

made up after high school graduation.

Offers of Admission can be rescinded!

Types of Financial Aid

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SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS (….FREE MONEY!!!)MERIT-BASED, NEED-BASED

1-Cal Grant - awards for merit and need2-GPA’s will be submitted by Servite with your permission3-Family files FAFSA (not Servite)

LOANS…SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED

Work/Study

FAFSA

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FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID•REQUIRED For Consideration For Financial Aid at Any College or University in U.S. •Some Colleges Require FAFSA for Merit Aid.•Based on 2014 Earnings•www.fafsa.ed.gov (make sure you don’t go to .com!!)•Filing Period: -No Earlier than Jan 1, 2015 -No Later than March 2, 2015•Submit BY DEADLINE INDICATED BY SCHOOLS•PAPER OR ELECTRONIC FILING -Electronic Filing Requires both Parent & Student to have PIN #’s

Note: You must re-apply every year

CSS Profile

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REQUIRED BY MANY PRIVATE SCHOOLSwww.collegeboard.com/profile

COSTS: Online Registration $ 9 Initial Application $16 for each School

CALIFORNIA: USC, SANTA CLARA, STANFORD,CLAREMONT MCKENNA,

OCCIDENTAL…..AND MORE

OUT-OF-STATE: BOSTON COLLEGE, BOSTON U, HARVARD, PRINCETON, NOTRE DAME & More

Scholarship Search

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• www.fastweb.com• www.meritaid.com • www.collegetoolkit.com • www.scholarships.com• Check scholarships tab in Naviance for

scholarships that come through our office• Check local community/parents’ work

*Beware of Scholarship Scams!

College Application Strategy

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• Consider the Middle 50% ranges for GPA and SAT

• Use Scattergrams

• Apply Broadly: a “healthy” list includes:Foundation School(s) Good Match/Target SchoolsReach Schools

Breath in… Breath out

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• We understand that the college process can be stressful and we are here to support you.

• Take charge of your application process, start early, communicate, get support and ENJOY this exciting time in your life!

Thank you for coming