What excites you most about your son/daughter going to college?
What are your worst fears or worries about your son/daughter going to college?
If you could let your child know only one thing about your feelings about him/her going to college it would be…
What excites you most about going to college?
What are your worst fears or worries about college life?
If you could let your parent/guardian know only one thing about your feelings about college it would be …
September
Check test dates for SAT I & SAT II exams and register
Narrow college list down
request catalogs & applications
make list of deadline dates for SATs, college apps and financial aid
begin asking teachers for letters of recommendation
October
Take SAT I exam
Come to PHHS
Senior College Night
Work on admissions essays
Visit colleges/attend open houses
Attend college fair
November
Take SAT I or II exam
Check on Financial
Aid/Scholarship applications
Begin preparation of college applications and check deadlines
December
Come to PHHS Financial
Aid Night
Dec 17 th - Pick up
FAFSA Worksheet and get PIN number (DO
NOT SUBMIT BEFORE
JANUARY 1)
Watch for Scholarship
Bulletins
January
Rank final list of colleges
Finish applications
Submit FAFSA form ASAP
Keep copies of FAFSA
& tax returns
February
Check to see if midyear grades have been sent
March
Look for Student Aid Report
(SAR) containing federal financial aid information
Submit tax forms to financial aid office if requested
April
Look for college acceptance and financial aid award letters
VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU ACCEPT
Make your final decision and send in deposit by deadline (May 1)
Notify schools you will not be attending
Watch for important deadlines
housing, financial aid, etc.
May/June
Finish High School
Finals
Relax and enjoy the summer!
Admission Requirements
Academics
Social Life
Population
College Setting
Cost
Financial Aid
Reach
A school that you may not get into based on SATs and grades, but would go to if accepted
Match
A school that matches your academic profile and you will “most likely” be accepted
Safety
A school that you are “guaranteed” to be accepted to
This may not be your first choice, but at least you will have a college to go to in the Fall
Financial Safety
A school that you can afford if you do not get financial aid
Early Decision
Have to commit to that school if you are accepted
Early Action
Will get early decision, but do not have to commit to that school until May 1 st
These options are good for students who know for sure where they want to go
Colleges will look for involvement in sports, activities, volunteer work, community service
(in and out of school), church activities, etc.
Be a good person – people will be needed to write recommendations based on your personality – colleges want well-rounded, responsible, students
Don’t spread yourself too thin – keep up your grades and attendance
Seniors take in the Fall/Winter
Cost is $45.00 – payable to The College
Board
School Code is 070093
Know your Social Security Number
Bring in Application & money – Guidance will check and send out – mistakes are common
2008 Fall Dates – January 24
Deadline for registration –Dec 26
Check ASAP with colleges to see if necessary and what tests are required
Usually taken in Fall of senior year
Individual achievement test usually relating to area of interest
Usually three taken at one sitting – each about 1 hour in length
Preparation is mainly through high school classes, but additional prep available in booklets, books and on the web
Available at College Fairs, guidance, call, email, write
Many will be sent through SAT Test & College
Fair signups
Many are available on the web can be printed and sent
Use Common Application if possible
www.commonapp.org
Type on computer if possible or print neatly
Don’t forget your Social Security Number
PROOF READ
Most colleges have Open
House/Campus Days in Sept – Nov – usually on weekends
Call before visiting – tours are available
Ask questions
talk to students (not your tour guide)
“Why did you choose this school?” “What do you like about it?”
DO NOT ACCEPT TO A SCHOOL YOU
HAVE NOT VISITED!
One is usually written in senior English classes
Be creative – this is not a resume
Guidance has info available on writing essays
Brainstorm a topic, select a topic that is interesting and personal, answer the question , be original, be yourself
PROOF READ!
Students should fill out recommendation questionnaires from guidance
Make copies for counselor and teachers
Ask at least two weeks before needing it
List on questionnaire – schools applying to and date needed
Follow-up with teachers at deadline
Divisions 1 & 2 must register for NCAA
Clearinghouse
Division 3 does not need to register, but should talk to coach
There are many rules/regulations
See Ms. Gallant with questions and to register for Clearinghouse
ROTC
Available at many colleges – requires commitment after college – college usually free
National Guard
Tuition reimbursement available
Regular military
Must serve after high school graduation – tuition reimbursement available during and after service
Military Academies
Process starts early – Very competitive admissions – requires commitment after graduation from academy
Remember that a recruiter’s job is to sign you up – Investigate/Read carefully – This is your life
You can send your application electronically
(sometimes no application fee) but remember to send transcript, essay, recommendations, etc.
Use PHHS Application Checklist to send transcript and other material
It is best to send all material under one package – so nothing is lost
Give your counselors at least two weeks to send out your transcript and other material – at least talk to them if you can’t so they know what your plan is
Watch out for senior slump – colleges do get midterm grades and final grades – they have the right to deny or rescind admission
Also, keep in mind that 20 or more absences from a class can result in loss of credit for that class. 3 absences less that 5 minutes equals an absence. A tardy of more that 5 minutes is considered an absence.
PHHS will have Financial Aid Night in
December to help with FAFSA Form and information
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) is the main form, which is sent to all colleges and is primary source of financial aid
PROFILE – An additional financial aid form required by some colleges – Available in
September of Senior Year – Need to pay for each college and must send for applications – can file at www.collegeboard.com
Some colleges have their own financial aid form
Scholarship Bulletins will be published and distributed to all seniors 4-5 times throughout senior year – Also will be available on the
PHHS website at www.parishhill.org
Scholarship searches available through
CHOICES at PHHS and on the web.
DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
SEARCH
www.petersons.com
• www.bestschoolusa.com
www.princetonreview.com
• www.campustours.com
www.allaboutcollege.com
• www.collegeboard.com
www.campustours.com
• www.collegenet.com
www.commonapp.org
–
Common Application
• www.collegelink.com
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu
• www.collegeprofiles.com
www.ctmentor.org
– for CT
Colleges & Universities
• www.embark.com
www.massmentor.edu
– for MA
Colleges & Universities
• www.collegeview.com
www.wiredscholar.com
• www.collegexpress.com
www.xap.com
www.cslf.com
www.petersons.com
www.salliemae.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegeview.com
www.finaid.org
www.freschinfo.com
www.ed.gov/finaid.html
www.fastweb.com