The College Process
 Starting
on the College Process
 The Application
 Financial Aid
The College Process
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Getting Started
 Now is the time
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Online College Search(Do not worry about price at this stage)
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www.collegeboard.org
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Private or Public
4 year or 2 year
Location
Major
Percent accepted, SAT and ACT scores, hobbies, interests, etc..
School websites
www.ctcl.com Colleges That Change Lives
http://www.ucan-network.org/ UCAN (Private Colleges)
http://www.collegeportraits.org/ College Portraits 300
Public Colleges and Universities.
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ College Navigator
Create a list
The College Process
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Schools of Interest
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Average GPA of admitted students
SAT/ACT of Middle 50% of First-Year Students
Pros and Cons of each campus visited/researched
Don’t worry about price
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SAT and/or ACT
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Make an appointment with Gordy Waite:
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ask questions, get more ideas for schools of interest,
differences in schools, explore personal interests, discuss
majors, etc.
Brainstorm personal interests.
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(May/June)
What might be a focus of study for you?
Remember: Nothing is set in stone
The College Process
Pick a variety of campuses to visit
What type of campus feels right to you?
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Campus Visits
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Sign up for scheduled tours
Attend information sessions
Have prepared questions
Visit with an admissions
counselor
Visit with a department
head
Sit in on a class
Visit with a coach
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What do you like/dislike
about the campus?
What are the students like?
Ask students questions
Do you see yourself fitting in
with this student body?
Keep notes/pick up a
brochure/newspaper
Have lunch on campus
The College Process
Remainder of Junior Year
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Web Search
Explore each “college of interest” website in depth
Plan a trip to visit campuses
Take SAT and/or ACT (May and/or June)
Review and continue to build resume
Study for SAT/ACT retake
Sign up for rigorous senior year classes
Use lists to solidify choices
 Rank your “schools of interest”
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Reach Schools (2-3)
Solid Choice (2-3)
Safety (2-3)
Application Process
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Summer after Junior Year/Fall of Senior Year
 Solidify your choices to 6-8 schools
 Are you an athlete? NCAA?
Make Spreadsheet
 Include:
 Application deadline
 Financial aid deadline
 Recommendations needed
 Is an interview required?
 Resume
 Essay
Application Process
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Apply on-line Fall of Senior Year
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Do not make mistakes
Make or print check-off sheet
Know deadlines!!
The Application – 3 Parts
1. Academic Section
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Transcripts
SAT/ACT Scores (order early from testing
agency)
Senior Class Schedule
Application Process
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2. Personal Section
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Essay (This is important)
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This is all about you
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Who are you?
What helped you become you?
How do you think?
Are you a good writer?
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Be Specific – Narrow Focus
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Brainstorm, Write, Proof, Correct, Rewrite
Ask for help every step of the way
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Application Process
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2. Personal Section
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Recommendations
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Teachers
 Math or Science
 English or Social
Studies
Ask Early
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Two week notice
(minimum)
Ask politely (Don’t
assume)
Be prepared with resume
Ask if an addressed
envelope will be useful
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Counselor
 Choosing a College (can
fill out junior year)
 Parent Input Form
 Resume
Application Process
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3. Supplemental Section
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CD
Writing
Sports Resume/Highlight film
Highlight DVD of Drama Production
Talent
Other recommendations
Academic, Personal, Supplemental paints
a picture of the whole student!
Application Process
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Solidify Choices
Make Spreadsheet
Know Deadlines
Three Part Application
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Academic
Personal
Supplemental
Financial Aid
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File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) You do not have to pay for this it is FREE
Submit the FAFSA early (after January 1 of senior year)
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Know college financial aid deadlines
Required for federal and state aid
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Used by public and private colleges
Online FAFSA — www.fafsa.ed.gov/
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www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/ (Start now)
Faster and easier
Preferred method
Paper FAFSA
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Extremely limited
For use with special situations only
Financial Aid
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OK to estimate income
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FAFSA determines your expected family
contribution (EFC)
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Amount family expected to contribute toward
college costs
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Lower EFC more likely to receive gift aid
Money in students name
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Base on prior year’s tax information
Anyone can qualify for certain types of
financial aid
Financial Aid
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Types of Aid Available
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Gift aid
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Work-study
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Doesn’t have to be paid back
Earn while you learn
Loans
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Must be repaid, including interest
Financial Aid
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Gift Aid/Grants
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Federal Pell Grants
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
State grants
College Bound Scholarship
School grants may be available
Financial Aid
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Gift Aid/Scholarships
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Usually merit-based
Awarded for:
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Academic achievement
Talent or skill
Community service
Leadership/school activities
Parent affiliation with a club or organization
Financial need
Financial Aid
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Other Aid Forms
Institutional aid forms
CSS Financial Aid PROFILE®
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Non-federal aid
Considers other income and expenses
Required at some private colleges
Can be completed in the fall
Filing fees
Ask what the college requires
Financial Aid
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Finding Scholarships
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High school counselor
Community Scholarships (Spring)
College you plan to attend
Public library
Free online resources
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Fast Web: www.fastweb.com
College Board: www.collegeboard.com
Washboard.com; www.washboard.org
Financial Aid
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FAFSA – January 1 senior year
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FAFSA4caster (start now)
Gift Aid, Work-study, Loans
CSS Profile (Private Colleges)
Scholarships
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University
High School
Community (Spring)
On-line
The College Process
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What we know
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Visit Colleges
Start making lists
Know Deadlines
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Organize Applications
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Application
Financial Aid
Know what is needed for each application
Apply in fall of senior year
FAFSA (Open January 1) apply early
CSS Profile (Private Schools)
Community Scholarships
The College Process
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Websites of Interest
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http://www.collegeboard.org/
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
http://www.mymajors.com/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/
http://studentsreviews.com/
http://www.petersons.com/
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.washboard.org
Questions?