Deconstructing the College Application Process Ms. Alamilla and Ms. Voss [email_address] [email_address] (801) 517-2140

Our Philosophy All students have choices. Not where you go, but what you do when you get there that counts. Everyone’s path will be unique; try not to compare Organizing process into steps can reduce stress. Develop good decision-making skills. Our role in the process = advising, support

All students have choices.

Not where you go, but what you do when you get there that counts.

Everyone’s path will be unique; try not to compare

Organizing process into steps can reduce stress.

Develop good decision-making skills.

Our role in the process = advising, support

Suggestions For Seniors: Examine yourself Do the research Own the process Communicate with advisors Meet deadlines! For Parents: Maintain perspective Be realistic Communicate with your student (list, financial aid) Expect “the balancing act”

For Seniors:

Examine yourself

Do the research

Own the process

Communicate with advisors

Meet deadlines!

For Parents:

Maintain perspective

Be realistic

Communicate with your student (list, financial aid)

Expect “the balancing act”

Overview of Application Process

Where to begin? Where is everyone right now? Figure out testing schedule www.judgememorial.com/academics/college Figure out where to apply Chart deadlines and requirements Meet with Ms. A or Ms. V Meet with college reps visiting Judge Open lab evenings w/ Ms. Voss (10/12)

Where is everyone right now?

Figure out testing schedule

www.judgememorial.com/academics/college

Figure out where to apply

Chart deadlines and requirements

Meet with Ms. A or Ms. V

Meet with college reps visiting Judge

Open lab evenings w/ Ms. Voss (10/12)

Step 1: Figuring out test schedule Check on tests required by schools (ACT, SAT Reasoning, Subject) If applying early, be finished by November 1 (or check websites for guidelines) Find out if have to take subject tests and how many Reporting scores School code = 450375

Check on tests required by schools (ACT, SAT Reasoning, Subject)

If applying early, be finished by November 1 (or check websites for guidelines)

Find out if have to take subject tests and how many

Reporting scores

School code = 450375

Step 2: Deciding where to apply Explore colleges (websites, narrative guides, campus visits) Campus visits tips on JM website College Fair, college rep visits www.judgememorial.com/academics/college/ Meet with Ms. Alamilla or Ms. Voss: finalize list (reaches/possibles/likelies and financial safeties)

Explore colleges (websites, narrative guides, campus visits)

Campus visits tips on JM website

College Fair, college rep visits

www.judgememorial.com/academics/college/

Meet with Ms. Alamilla or Ms. Voss: finalize list (reaches/possibles/likelies and financial safeties)

Comparing/Contrasting (Helpful Internet Resources) http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings.htm www.collegeconfidential.com Family Connection College Search www.ecampustours.com www.admissionadvice.com (blog) Links on JM College Counseling page www.judgememorial.com/academics/college/

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings.htm

www.collegeconfidential.com

Family Connection College Search

www.ecampustours.com

www.admissionadvice.com (blog)

Links on JM College Counseling page

www.judgememorial.com/academics/college/

Step 3: Chart deadlines and application requirements Application deadline/type (rolling/ED/EA/REA/regular) Test Scores (required tests) Transcripts (date ordered w/ Ms. Scholl) Letters of Recommendation (#) Essays/auditions/portfolios/interviews Financial Aid (FAFSA, Profile, Inst.) Scholarships Check college websites

Application deadline/type (rolling/ED/EA/REA/regular)

Test Scores (required tests)

Transcripts (date ordered w/ Ms. Scholl)

Letters of Recommendation (#)

Essays/auditions/portfolios/interviews

Financial Aid (FAFSA, Profile, Inst.)

Scholarships

Check college websites

Sample Spreadsheet

Step 4: Get applications Download from website Request by phone or email (not as common) Generic Apps www.commonapp.org www.universalcollegeapp.com Forms, supplements Folder for each Submit piece by piece

Download from website

Request by phone or email (not as common)

Generic Apps

www.commonapp.org

www.universalcollegeapp.com

Forms, supplements

Folder for each

Submit piece by piece

Step 5: Request Recs Ask teachers first (now); give them forms ONE MONTH ahead of time Buckley amendment/FERPA waiver If need 2 recs, show breadth w/ diff core areas (1 science, 1 English) Follow up/thank yous SSR/Counselor Reports from Common App or college’s app (senior survey, parent questionnaire)

Ask teachers first (now); give them forms ONE MONTH ahead of time

Buckley amendment/FERPA waiver

If need 2 recs, show breadth w/ diff core areas (1 science, 1 English)

Follow up/thank yous

SSR/Counselor Reports from Common App or college’s app (senior survey, parent questionnaire)

In-House Request Forms Names of schools Deadlines Full name, address, email, phone # Copy of resume Stamped addressed JM envelope for each letter Teacher rec forms or letter only Available in my office or can download from website

Names of schools

Deadlines

Full name, address, email, phone #

Copy of resume

Stamped addressed JM envelope for each letter

Teacher rec forms or letter only

Available in my office or can download from website

Step 6: Order transcripts “ Official” Sent in 5-7 days unless goes with SSR $5 each Order from Ms. Scholl Check status on Family Connection “ Flow” of a transcript JM Profile

“ Official”

Sent in 5-7 days unless goes with SSR

$5 each

Order from Ms. Scholl

Check status on Family Connection

“ Flow” of a transcript

JM Profile

Step 7: Fill out applications Gather info in one place (folder) Unofficial transcript Resume Communicate snapshots Focus/match Submit ON TIME! Helpful hints: http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/counselors/polish-your-application.html Fee waiver incentives for applying online Read directions carefully Take time/care as with paper app Proofread Check deadlines! Use appropriate email

Gather info in one place (folder)

Unofficial transcript

Resume

Communicate snapshots

Focus/match

Submit ON TIME!

Helpful hints: http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/counselors/polish-your-application.html

Fee waiver incentives for applying online

Read directions carefully

Take time/care as with paper app

Proofread

Check deadlines!

Use appropriate email

Step 8: Essay/Statement Recommended: puts a face on app Show FIT and STAND OUT 1) Know questions 2) Take time to reflect 3) Narrow topic 4) Brainstorm 5) Write first draft (English class) 6) Review/ rewrite Does it convey who you are? Get college perspective: www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html

Recommended: puts a face on app

Show FIT and STAND OUT

1) Know questions

2) Take time to reflect

3) Narrow topic

4) Brainstorm

5) Write first draft (English class)

6) Review/ rewrite

Does it convey who you are?

Get college perspective: www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html

Step 9: Apply for Financial Aid? How much does a college education cost? Tuition Fees Room and Board Books Supplies Transportation Miscellaneous

How much does a college education cost?

Tuition

Fees

Room and Board

Books

Supplies

Transportation

Miscellaneous

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form used to collect demographic/financial info on family Used to calculate the EFC Filing begins January 1 st (available in English and Spanish) Recommend applying online www.fafsa.ed.gov Colleges may set FAFSA deadlines

Form used to collect demographic/financial info on family

Used to calculate the EFC

Filing begins January 1 st (available in English and Spanish)

Recommend applying online

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Colleges may set FAFSA deadlines

Applying for Need-based Aid Check each college’s/university’s policy on financial aid or admissions websites Need-based: FAFSA available in Dec, complete online AFTER January 1 (based on 2009 income) (12/2 mtg) Can set up PIN now at www.fafsa.ed.gov and access FAFSA forecaster. EFC Calculator websites: www.fafsa.ed.gov , www.studentaid.ed.gov , www.finaid.org , www.collegeboard.com CSS Profile: apply through College Board Institutional form

Check each college’s/university’s policy on financial aid or admissions websites

Need-based: FAFSA available in Dec, complete online AFTER January 1 (based on 2009 income) (12/2 mtg)

Can set up PIN now at www.fafsa.ed.gov and access FAFSA forecaster.

EFC Calculator websites: www.fafsa.ed.gov , www.studentaid.ed.gov , www.finaid.org , www.collegeboard.com

CSS Profile: apply through College Board

Institutional form

Two Methods of Assessing Aid FM: (FAFSA) adjusted gross income (= total income - deductions Does not take into consideration home equity or retirement plans. IM: (CSS Profile) Income + home equity + assets held in names of other children, private school tuition, Divorce- takes both parents income, excessive medical expenses

FM: (FAFSA) adjusted gross income (= total income - deductions

Does not take into consideration home equity or retirement plans.

IM: (CSS Profile) Income + home equity + assets held in names of other children, private school tuition, Divorce- takes both parents income, excessive medical expenses

Expected Family Contribution Amount a family can reasonably be expected to contribute NOT what the family can pay for college. EFC is the same regardless what school a student attends Parent Contribution Student Contribution Calculated using FAFSA

Amount a family can reasonably be expected to contribute NOT what the family can pay for college.

EFC is the same regardless what school a student attends

Parent Contribution

Student Contribution

Calculated using FAFSA

How can (I) my child afford to pay for college? Financial Aid Grants Scholarships Loans Employment

Financial Aid

Grants

Scholarships

Loans

Employment

Financial Aid: Grants Money that does not have to be repaid and is awarded on the basis of financial need Calculated through FAFSA (or PROFILE)

Money that does not have to be repaid and is awarded on the basis of financial need

Calculated through FAFSA (or PROFILE)

Financial Aid: Scholarships Free money!! Awarded on the basis of merit, skill or unique characteristics Available through universities, high schools, community organizations, religious organizations, athletic organizations, etc. Employers Also: www.collegeboard.com www.fastweb.com www.scholarship.com

Free money!!

Awarded on the basis of merit, skill or unique characteristics

Available through universities, high schools, community organizations, religious organizations, athletic organizations, etc.

Employers

Also:

www.collegeboard.com

www.fastweb.com

www.scholarship.com

Scholarships Search Check for scholarships within institutions first Check private scholarships (Scholarship List on Family Connection) Check www.fastweb. com Be wary of scholarship scams Proportion time and energy

Check for scholarships within institutions first

Check private scholarships (Scholarship List on Family Connection)

Check www.fastweb. com

Be wary of scholarship scams

Proportion time and energy

Comparing Offers What is average tuition increase and when is one next expected? How do current students feel about advising system? How much money in loans will you owe after 4 years of their financial aid pkg? Campus safety comparisons Dining hall food options

What is average tuition increase and when is one next expected?

How do current students feel about advising system?

How much money in loans will you owe after 4 years of their financial aid pkg?

Campus safety comparisons

Dining hall food options

What Happens Next? Will hear back by March/April Will get offer with financial aid package--time to compare Must reply by May 1--DON’T double deposit! Watch mail

Will hear back by March/April

Will get offer with financial aid package--time to compare

Must reply by May 1--DON’T double deposit!

Watch mail

In a Nutshell…what should you be doing now? Being here is the first step Have the college discussion with your student Put “College Apps” folder by computer w/ all info needed to apply Check on deadlines/requirements for applying, financial aid, scholarships Visit schools, either virtually or in person

Being here is the first step

Have the college discussion with your student

Put “College Apps” folder by computer w/ all info needed to apply

Check on deadlines/requirements for applying, financial aid, scholarships

Visit schools, either virtually or in person

Q & A Questions? Thank you for coming! Presentation on applying in-state, October 26, 7pm, Judge Library Parent to Parent Forum, November 9, 7pm, Judge Library Financial Aid Night with UHEAA, December 2, 7pm, Judge Library

Questions?

Thank you for coming!

Presentation on applying in-state, October 26, 7pm, Judge Library

Parent to Parent Forum, November 9, 7pm, Judge Library

Financial Aid Night with UHEAA, December 2, 7pm, Judge Library