KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS
Class of 2011
Student’s Responsibilities in
the Application Process
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Deciding on final list of colleges
Getting the applications
Completing the applications
Procuring other pertinent
information
Parents’, Counselors’ and
College Counselors’
Responsibilities in the
Application Process
• Provide support
• Provide guidance
• Provide assistance
Deciding: Where to apply
• An on-going sorting and selecting process
• The best Final List must include
combination of:
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“reach” school
“possible” schools
“probable/likely admits”
“financial safety”
ALL OF WHICH YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO
ATTEND!
Terms for Prediction
• REACH
– “dream” schools where admission chances are
thought to be unlikely based on transcript and
test scores
– “toss up” schools that are a reach for anyone
(usually have admit rates between 7%-20%)
• POSSIBLE
– Closely meet the academic expectations, but
the college/university receives more qualified
applicants than they can admit.
Terms for Prediction
• PROBABLE/LIKELY ADMIT
– Chances for admissions are very strong
– A “safety” is so much harder to call today!
• FINANCIAL SAFETY (typically an IL state
university but not always)
– A place that parents can afford
…if, financial package is weak at all other
schools
…if, family financial situation changes:
economy, unemployment
Deciding: How many should I
apply to?
• It depends!
• Finding a “reasonable” number is
much harder these days
• If you are happy with the schools
where you stand the strongest
chances of admission, then the final
list can be a lower number
Admission Options
• Rolling Admission - apply in the fall/early winter
and receive decision 2-8 weeks after application
submitted
• Priority – apply in fall (occasionally early winter)
and receive a decision in winter. Applying by a
priority deadline can often give a student an
advantage when space is limited.
• Regular Admission - apply in fall/early winter and
receive decision on a specific date in the spring
Admission Options
• Early Action - apply in fall, receive decision in
early winter, student has until May 1 to deposit
• *Early Decision I - apply in fall, receive decision
in winter, binding commitment to attend if
admitted
• *Early Decision II – apply in winter, receive
decision in winter, binding commitment to attend
if admitted
• *Restrictive Early Action - apply in fall, be
admitted in early winter, student has until May 1
to deposit
» *Students may only submit 1 application
Early Decision or Restrictive Early Action.
Common Application
• Application used by over 415 colleges
• Students create an account at
www.commonapp.org
• Students complete one application and
submit it to multiple schools
• Large FAQ section website (use it!)
• Most schools have a supplement which must
also be submitted
Common Application
• Provides option for counselors and teachers
to complete and submit recommendations
on-line.
• Counselors will submit forms on-line.
• Talk with teachers individually to determine
their preferences.
What is needed for a
complete application?
• Application - on-line (preferred) or paper
- Essays (usually)
– Activities and honors information
– Arts Supplement (if applicable)
• Application fee (credit card, check or fee
waiver request)
• Student Signature (electronic or handwritten)
• Parent Signature (usually only for Early
Decision)
What else is needed for a
complete application?
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Official Transcript
Official Test Score Report
Teacher Letter of Recommendation (usually)
Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or
Secondary School Report Form (usually)
• Interview (optional)
• Audition/Portfolio (if applicable)
Transcript Requests
• Transcripts are requested on-line through
Docufide Secure Transcript
• Very exciting!
Test Scores
• ACT/SAT and SAT Subject Test scores
must be sent directly from the testing
agency. www.actstudent.org and
www.collegeboard.com
• In some cases it is advisable to send more
than one test score.
• A very small number of colleges, typically
those with highly selective admissions,
require that students submit scores from
all tests taken. Check the college’s website.
Test Scores
• It is strongly encouraged that you request
test scores now. It can often take 3-6 weeks
for scores to be received. Do not “RUSH”
scores.
• If taking an ACT this fall, consider sending
one score now if your current score falls
within their published range. In some cases
applications will not be considered complete
until a score is received.
Teacher Recommendations
• How many?
– 0,1,2
• Who?
– The one(s) who know you best as a learner in their
class
– Best if junior year
• Okay to have one sophomore year
• Cannot use senior year if applying early
– Visual and Performing Arts are usually
supplemental recommendations
– Language teachers are sometimes not permitted.
This is rare!
Teacher Recommendations
• Complete the Teacher Recommendation Request
Summary unless the teacher provides you with
his/her own summary form.
• This form clarifies to which school they are
sending a recommendation, which type of form
they should use and when it is due.
• Talk with teachers about the option of submitting
forms on-line (i.e. Common Application schools)
• If your teacher is submitting forms via US mail
you must give them a stamped, addressed
envelope for each recommendation. Do not put
your return address.
Teacher Recommendations
• If applying via the Common Application and your
teachers will NOT be submitting the forms on-line,
you only need to give the teacher 1 copy of the
recommendation form and he/she will make copies.
You must provide a stamped envelope addressed to
each school.
• Remember to complete the student information
part of the form and waive your right to access
the letter.
• Only use the gold HPHS Request for
Recommendation if the college does not provide a
form. All Common App schools have a form!
Teacher Recommendations
• Students must ask teachers at least 15 school
days ahead of deadline
• Inform teachers of ACCURATE deadlines for
each college/university
• Be clear with actual needs and do not ask 3
teachers for a recommendation if only 1 is
necessary
• Many teachers only do a limited number – ask
early and follow up with a thank you letter to
the teacher.
• Student should call the schools to confirm
letter was received
Counselor Recommendations
• Recommendations are not required by all
colleges.
• Student must meet with counselor to discuss
content before recommendation will be written.
• It is the student’s responsibility to inform the
counselor of things he/she would like
highlighted in the recommendation
• Student and Parent Questionnaire forms should
be turned in before or at the meeting.
• Appointment must be scheduled a minimum of 15
school days prior to the first application
deadline.
Counselor Recommendations
• What I Need (W.I.N.) form must accompany
all counselor recommendation requests.
• Recommendation requests for schools NOT on
the Common Application must also include a
stamped envelope addressed to the Office of
Admission. HPHS should be used as the return
address. Do not use student name and home
address.
Sample Envelope
___________________________________________________________________
Highland Park High School
STAMP
433 Vine Ave
GOES
Highland Park, IL 60035
HERE
North Shore University
Office of Admission
1234 College Street
College town, UT
60134
__________________________________________________________
Secondary School Report (SSR)
Forms for schools NOT on the
Common Application
• Not all schools have an SSR or a counselor
signature page.
• Complete the student information part of the
form (including senior year classes, if
required) and waive your right to access.
• Forms must be submitted to your counselor
with a stamped, addressed envelope.
Secondary School Report (SSR)
Forms for schools NOT on the
Common Application
• Forms must be submitted no less than 15
school days prior to the application deadline.
• Forms are to be turned in directly to the
counselor during a scheduled appointment or
walk-in times
• Forms cannot be dropped off with Mrs.
Gomez or Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt
Secondary School Report (SSR) Forms
for schools ON the Common Application
• Students must have an active Common App account
• Complete (at a minimum) the Applicant and Current
Year Course Information
• Sign Release Authorization
• Invite your guidance counselor to be a recommender
by inputting his/her name and email address
• SSR form cannot be submitted until transcript has
been requested from Docufide.
• Can track when SSR and recommendation were
submitted
Critical Deadlines
Deadlines for Requesting Counselor
Recommendations and submitting SSR
Forms:
• October 8 for November 1 deadlines
• October 22 for November 15 deadlines
• November 23 for January 1 deadlines
• December 17 for January 15 deadlines
Essays
• Essay Writing Workshop in English
classes on Friday, September 3.
• Sample essays available in the CRC.
• Mr. Morrison, Ms. Gilbert and Ms.
Giulietti-Schmitt are happy to review
essays
• Utilize the Writing Lab and English
teachers
Fee Waivers
• Families for whom the application
fees are a hardship may be eligible
for fee waivers.
• Forms are available from your
counselor.
• Students should talk with the
counselor to discuss eligibility.
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
• Visiting HPHS on Thursday, Sept 2 at 2:00 pm in
the CRC
• Postmarked priority deadline of November 1
• All HPHS students should submit applications by
the priority deadline
• No recommendations will be considered with the
application
• Most students will receive a decision on Friday,
December 17
• Applying during this period may give a student an
advantage when space is limited
Naviance/Family Connection
• Students MUST have an active account
with Naviance
• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges
• Can track if counselor recommendations
and SSR forms for non Common
Application schools were mailed from
HPHS.
• Great way for students to determine
chances for admission by examining stats
from previous years.
Naviance/Family Connection
• Important that students update their email
addresses so we can contact them.
• Forgot password? Go to tcci.naviance.com/hphs
to request new password.
• Forgot username? Email Ms. Giulietti- Schmitt.
• Never registered? See Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt
• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link
accounts! Contact Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt
Financial Aid
Information
• In addition to the FAFSA many private
universities require the CSS Profile which can
be submitted in the fall.
www.collegeboard.com
• Most early decision candidates who are
applying for financial aid will be required to
complete a CSS Profile BY the early decision
deadline
• Financial Aid Night – January 12 at 7:00 p.m.
at HPHS
Financial Aid Information
• All schools require the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is
available on-line in December. File the
FAFSA between January 1 and February 15.
www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Families can complete an estimator now to
determine eligibility
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
COLLEGE REP VISITS
• Date and time of a college’s visit is listed
in Naviance
• A weekly schedule is posted on the
Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC
and on the Counseling Department website
• Must sign up in advance via Naviance
• Clear with teacher prior to visit
College Counselors
• College Counselors have walk-in hours
only August 25, 26 and 27.
• Scheduled appointments with College
Counselors begin August 30.
• Students must meet with the same
counselor they met with last Spring.
Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt
(aka Ms. G-S)
With a background in Admissions there are
many things she can help with:
• Mock interviews
• Essay review
• Utilizing Naviance
• Application completion
• FAFSA completion
• Scholarship searches
DOCUFIDE
SECURE
TRANSCRIPT
Docufide Secure
Transcript
1. Register at www.docufide.com
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Select the correct Highland Park HS
Input Student ID (not SS#)
Use your proper name (as it would appear in
student records)
DO NOT use your school e-mail
Docufide Secure
Transcript
2. Request a Transcript to a nonCommon App school
• Follow the steps, e-mail confirmation when
properly completed, failure e-mail if not
Request a Transcript to a
non-Common App school
Important:
• Search for your college using the proper
name (Univ. of Wisconsin, not “Madison”)
• “Current Transcript” vs. “Next Grading
Period”
• “Save” & add more schools or “Save &
Continue” to finish
Docufide Secure
Transcript
3. Request a Transcript to a Common
App School
• Create an account at www.commonapp.org
• Search for your college as before, the “C” in
front of it indicates a Common App school
• Submit your Docufide request, transcript is sent
to Common App, good for all of your Common App
schools (same for Mid-Year Grades)
Docufide Secure
Transcript
4. Request a Transcript to something
other than a college/university
• Choose your destination
• Input the pertinent info (type of org., address,
etc.)
• Delivery method- paper vs. electronic
• Complete the Transcript Authorization Form
(TAF) after checkout and send to Docufide
Docufide Secure
Transcript
• Confirmation e-mails upon order, upload, and
download – utilize these, colleges will have
different time frames for inputting received
transcripts into their systems
• Notification e-mail if request was not completed
• $5 per transcript including mid-years and finals
payable directly to Docufide
• See Ms. G-S if you are having troubles or do not
have a credit card and need to pay with cash
Students with Special
Needs and the
College Application Process
• It is crucial that students have an
understanding of the type of
documentation is required and where it
should be sent.
• In most cases documentation should be
sent to the office that handles disability
services NOT to admissions.
Students with Special
Needs and the
College Application Process
• Some colleges may require specific types
of testing for evaluation but all want it to
be recent (w/in 3 years).
• Students must make arrangements with
the Department of Special Education for
this information to be released, it will not
automatically be sent.
CONSENT FORM
1.
2.
3.
4.
Obtain a white Consent Form from the Special
Education Department. This form authorizes
HPHS to send documentation to third parties
for educational and college planning.
If the student is 18 years of age he/she may
sign, if not, a parent signature is required.
The completed form should be returned to
A102.
Students need only complete one Consent Form.
RELEASE FORM
5. Students fill out a separate green
Release Form for EACH of the colleges
requiring documentation.
6. Forms are available in the Special Ed
Dept. and the CRC
7. Completed forms are submitted to A102
DOCUMENTATION
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Once all of the proper paperwork has
been submitted, the Special Ed Dept
sends the documentation to the
appropriate place.
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Documentation includes: cover letter,
current testing, copy of the student’s
IEP and case studies, psych and
educational evaluations, social
development study if appropriate.
SENIORITIS
• Senior year courses and grades matter!
• Many schools defer decisions until the end
of 7th semester.
• All offers of admissions are conditional
upon successful completion of coursework.
• Offers of admissions can and will be
revoked for a decline in grades.
Important numbers and
email addresses
Mr. Bill Morrison, College Counselor
224/765-2056 - wmorrison@dist113.org
Ms. Aliza Gilbert, College Counselor
224/765-2055 - agilbert@dist113.org
Ms. Allegra Giulietti-Schmitt, College Counseling Assistant
(224) 765-2057 – aschmitt@dist113.org
Mrs. Pam Helke, Secretary, Special Ed Department
(224) 765-2333 – phelke@dist113.org