Approaching the
College Application
Process
Gaithersburg High School
Counseling Office
College/Career Information Center
Topics Covered
• Researching Colleges /
Making Your List
• Application Process
• Paperwork and Deadlines
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
Questions…
• Attend school near home or move away?
• In Maryland or out-of-state?
• State college or private?
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– State = less expensive, fewer scholarships
– Private = more expensive, more financial aid
Type of campus?
– City, suburban, rural
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
More Questions…
• Size of Campus
– Small = <3000 students
– Medium = between 3000 and 10,000 students
– Large = >10,000
• Other preferences / interests?
– Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual,
community, athletics
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
More To Consider…
• Community College
– Apply EARLY to Montgomery College
– Flexible, save money, transfer credits
– 2-year associate degrees available
• Athletes
– NCAA Clearinghouse
– www.eligibilitycenter.org
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
More To Consider…
• US Service Academies
– SAT in Spring Junior Year
– Pre-candidate Questionnaire
– Application Packets from Congressional
Reps & Senators
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
ASVAB
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Career Interest Survey
What Are You Good At?
Looks Like a Test
Explore Occupations
Figure Out What You Want to Study
in College or …
Do With Your Life!!
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
Gathering Information
Look at Schools Online
Will They Be Visiting the Area?
Are They Visiting GHS?
Speak with Counselor, CCIC, Teachers,
Parents
• College Fairs – April 24 – AT
FAIRGROUNDS
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Researching Colleges / Making Your List
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College Fair
Bus Service from GHS
200+ Colleges Represented
Register on-line and print ticket
Have a Plan – Know Which Schools
Focus on Financial Assistance Options
U of Md, Other Local Schools Popular
Details: Handouts, Website,
Announcements
REGISTER ONLINE for the COLLEGE FAIR
IN ADVANCE!!!
Go to: https://www.gotomyncf.com/
Click on: Montgomery County
Complete the required information and hit
“SUBMIT.”
PRINT your ticket with the barcode.
BRING THE TICKET with the barcode TO
THE FAIR!
No more interest cards to fill out by pen or pencil! College reps will be able to scan your barcode
and save your contact information to their “prospective students” list.
Get ready to receive lots of college information by email and/or postal mail!
NACAC National College Fairs
Student Registration
When you register for NACAC College Fair services through Technology Resource
Corp.(TRC), you are providing personal information. This information will be provided
exclusively to NACAC and those colleges and/or universities that you choose at the
College Fair. By allowing a college or university to record the electronic bar code on your
Barcode, the registrant agrees and gives permission that all personal information will be
shared with those colleges or universities
First Name*
Last Name*
Home Address 1*
Home Address 2
City*, State* Zip * ,
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
Other Resources
• Family Connection/Naviance (link on GHS
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home page)
www.Collegeboard.org
• www.PrincetonReview.com
• We Are Here To Help!
• College/Career Center
• Your Counselor
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
Consider What Colleges Are Looking For
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Quality/Rigor of Academic Program
Grade Point Average
SAT or ACT Scores
Extra Curricular/Leadership Activities
Volunteer / Community Service / Employment
Letters of Recommendation
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
SAT
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Highest score 2400
Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus
Reading
Multiple Choice
Essay
Penalty for wrong answers
Fee $49.00
www.CollegeBoard.org
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
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ACT
Highest Score 36
Math: Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus
Science
Reading
English
Multiple choice only $34.00
Optional writing exam $49.50
No penalty for wrong answers
www.actstudent.org
The Tests Are Not Created Equal…
• Accuplacer – free
•ESL Accuplacer - free
• TOEFL - $175*
* price subject to change
Researching Colleges / Making Your List
Make Your List
• Pick 6-9 Schools
– Target Schools
– Safety Schools
– Reach Schools
Application Process
Setting up the Applications
• www.CommonApp.org after August 1
• Identify schools who participate
• Log in to Family Connection/Naviance account, go
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to the “College” tab, click on “Colleges I’m
applying to. Sign the privacy notice.
It is highly recommended that you check off YES
and waive your right to access recommendations.
Next, check off the box authorizing the release
of your records. You will then need to enter the
commonapp username and password and “Submit”.
Non – Commonapp Applications
• Access applications for non-participating
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schools directly
Register online (write down
your login info (and save in a
safe place), requirements and deadlines!!)
– Set up login and password for each
– Verify what documents are needed
Application Process
Do The Applications
• Begin completing the applications online
• Double check applications for:
– Accuracy
– Completeness
– Spelling
– Grammar
• Print/Copy all pages prior to submitting
for your records
Application Process
Application Reminders
• Accurate email address that you check!
• Update Your Counselor
• Check for errors!!
– Spel checque iz knot enuf
– Proofread
• Sign and date forms (best handwriting!)
• Express Your Voice, Not Someone Else’s
Application Process
Essays and Resume
• Activity Statement - ~100 words
• Optional/or NOT!!
• 1 – 2 Personal Essays
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– Choose Topic Wisely
– English Teacher Feedback
Activities/Resume
– Organize by most important to you
Include Important Characteristic of
School, if Possible
Application Process
Letters of Recommendation
• Rules – sealed documents may not be
opened by anyone except the college
you are applying to.
• Teacher
– Resume and/or Brag Sheet
• Counselor
– Brag Sheets, Extra Curricular Checklist
– Teacher Feedback Forms
Paperwork and Deadlines
“Senior Packet”
• Paperwork Now ONLINE!
– Preferred Method
• GHS Website, College & Career Page
• Select:
– College-Bound Student Checklist
– Due to Counseling by June 13, 2012
Paperwork and Deadlines
Deadlines!!!
• Chart or List of Deadlines and
Requirements
– Spreadsheet?
– Sticky Notes?
– Find a System That Works For You
• Transcript Requests
– Allow At Least 15 School Days
Paperwork and Deadlines
More Deadlines!!!
• October 15 Deadline
– All Paperwork in By September 23
• Apply by Priority Deadline if Possible
• Scholarships
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Plan Ahead if Possible
YOU Know Your Requirements
Envelopes and Stamps
Website Good Resource
Conclusion
Time to Get Busy!
• Start Now
– Schedule Tests
– Look at Schools
• Summer Fun
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Visit Schools
Make Your List
Finish Brag Sheets/Resumes
Start Applications