GRADE 12
HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGE??
□ STEP 1:
Apply! Set up an account at the college
website and apply online (colleges prefer it). Keep user
names & passwords stored in a safe place; you will access
it frequently.
- Pay any application fees by credit card or send directly to
the college.
- Know your deadlines and admissions requirements!
- Free or Reduced Lunch? Talk with your counselor
about application waivers
- Check your email often—colleges expect it!
□ STEP 2:
Add school in Family Connection (COLLEGES tab)
Colleges I’m Applying To
-Add all colleges to which you have applied or plan to
apply in the fall.
-Be sure to check the box, I have submitted my application.
-At the end of the year, you will update your application
results based on this list.
Know your Family Connection User Name & Password!
FAMILY CONNECTION link is at top of RHS Website:
1) USER NAME? Student ID
2) PASSWORD? Student ID
□ STEP 3:
Transcripts
– Order official transcripts by completing a Transcript
Request Form in the Counseling Office ($5/per college
includes sending a final year transcript).
- Mid-Year Transcripts must be requested, in addition to
the initial transcript, with grades posted from Trimester
One.
- Final Transcripts are sent in July as designated by
students on the Senior Survey students take in May.
□ STEP 4:
Your official ACT/SAT Scores need
to be sent directly from ACT/SAT to the colleges you are
applying. Contact the web pages (see below) to order and
send official college entrance exams.
ACT (www.actstudent.org) or
CollegeBoard (SAT) (www.collegeboard.org)
KNOW YOUR APPLICATION DEADLINES!
COLLEGE APPLICATION FAQ’s:
What is The Common Application? – Only some seniors will
use this application. A COUNSELOR APPOINTMENT IS
REQUIRED. Please schedule one as soon as possible. Pick up a
Common Application bookmark/instructions in Counseling or
download on Family Connection.
What is a High School Counselor Report Form (very few
colleges requires this.) If required, please attach it to your
Transcript Request Form with all personal information
completed.
Do I need a Recommendation Letter? Few colleges require
recommendations (some scholarships require one). Check with
each college for specific requirements. PLEASE do not ask a
teacher or counselor to write a letter on your behalf if the
colleges do not require it.
IF YOU NEED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, go to:
FAMILY CONNECTION >> ABOUT ME TAB
and complete a Teacher Recommendation Survey and/or
Counselor Recommendation Survey (one for each
recommender):
1) Answer all the questions and print a copy.
2) Pick up a Letter of Recommendation Request Form (blue)
from the counseling office & follow directions listed on form.
3) Meet with your teacher/counselor to request your letter. Hand
completed Teacher/Counselor Rec Survey with the Letter of Rec
Request Form to the teacher/counselor.
4) Allow two full weeks to process a recommendation.
When do I have to make a decision on what college to
attend? May 1st is the National Day of Intention when colleges
ask that you notify them of your decision. You will receive all
of your Financial Aid Award letters by this time.
Where do I find Scholarships? Searching for scholarships
takes time. Register with www.fastweb.com. Check out the
local, state, and national scholarship listings on Family
Connection. The local RHS Scholarship application will be
available by the end of January or sooner. Watch the
announcements!
How do I send my transcript to NCAA? Add NCAA in
Family Connection under the Colleges tab / Colleges I am
Applying to. List the NCAA on the Transcript Request Form
and turn into Counseling. Make sure you complete the NCAA
eligibility process through www.NCAA.org
When do we fill out the FAFSA? The FAFSA (Federal
Financial Aid form) goes “live” on January 1st, of each year. It is
strongly recommended to have your taxes completed prior to
filling out the FAFSA, but an estimate of taxes will work.
[www.fafsa.ed.gov ]
The CSS Profile is a supplemental financial aid form required at
some selective colleges only.