WELCOME SENIOR
PARENTS!
The College Application Process
Lianne Musser, College Coordinator
Find and apply to a college
Right Fit for You!
Overview of Program
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What should have been done already?
What do I need to know before I apply?
How do I complete an application?
How do I get letters of recommendation?
How do I get a transcript?
What do I do after I have applied?
How do I keep track of everything?
Senior Meetings
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Power Point handout
Unofficial Transcript
College Handbook
College Corner
Group Guidance
week of Sept. 8th
LTHS College Handbook
Step-by-Step
READ YOUR HANDBOOK
CAREFULLY!
College Handbook Explains
• Post high school planning
• Sending test scores to
colleges
• Preparing the application
• Securing
recommendations
• Financial Aid information
• Explains types of
application deadlines
• Applying to U of I
• Colleges that accepted
LT students
• Transcript Request forms
• Common application tips
and More!
What should have been
done already?
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Researched colleges
Reviewed admissions requirements
Visited campuses
Talked to Admissions Representatives
Narrowed Search: Target, Safety, Reach
Looked at or started essay or personal
statement
Uh-Oh, what if I didn’t?
• Use Naviance and
other tools
• Update “Colleges I’m
thinking about” list
• Talk to Counselor or
visit College Center
• Use your handbook!
What should I do right now?
• Unofficial transcript: Review for accuracy. Turn in by
Monday for corrections.
• Official transcript will be available after Labor Day
• Credit/No Credit deadline-Sept. 12th
• ACT/SAT deadlines for retakes (Aug. 22 for Sept. ACT)
• College Visits: Sign up on Naviance and print out pass
for teacher approval
• Campus visits: Call AP office
What do I need to know
before I apply?
• Admissions terms
• Admissions and
foreign language
requirements
• Application deadlines
• Student Rights and
Responsibilities
Two Types of Applications
Institutional Application
Simple
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College’s own application
Sent directly to college
Essay requirement varies
Counselor evaluation may be
required
• May require teacher or
counselor recommendation
letter
Common Application
More Complicated
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Used by 500 colleges
Sent to Commonapp.org
650 word essay required
Counselor evaluation or
recommendation required
• May require one or more teacher
evaluations or recommendations
• May have a “supplement”
Extremely important
• Always use your Proper Name
• Use your LT Student email address on all college
applications and Common application account
• Use Correct High School CEEB code: 142-483
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (Some apps/FAFSA)
Flowchart of Process
Getting Started
Five R’s of Applying
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Retrieve
Review
Request
Record
Relax
RETRIEVE APPLICATION
• Online @ college website
(ends in .edu)
• Common application
www.commonapp.org
• Download a paper application
Review Application
• Read instructions
carefully
• Make a list of
requirements (essay,
recommendations)
• Note deadlines
• Select “admissions
plan”
Admission Plans
Terms you should know
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ROLLING ADMISSION – Start date
Applications are reviewed and admissions decisions made until full
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REGULAR DECISION – Defined Application Period (Sept. –March)
Apply and receive decisions by a specified date
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EARLY ACTION – Also called “Priority” (Priority by November 1)
Apply Early. Admitted Early (Dec). Best option for most applications.
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RESTRICTED EARLY ACTION - Single Choice Early Action
Apply early with some restrictions, but have until May 1 to confirm.
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EARLY DECISION – BINDING CONTRACT. Must attend if admitted.
Apply Early to ONE first choice school. Drop all applications if admitted.
Applications may require some
or all of the following:
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Counselor School Report (Evaluation)
Counselor Recommendation letter
Teacher Evaluation
Teacher Recommendation
Mid-Year Report (7th semester transcript)
Coach or other recommendation letter
Give them what they ask for
REQUEST
Teacher Recommendation
• Ask teachers in person.
• Select recommenders carefully
• Recommendation requests form in
College Center or Document Library in
Naviance
• Allow at least 10 school days to
complete recommendations
• Supply addressed and stamped
envelopes for mailed materials
• Mailed or transmitted? Ask!
Request
Test Scores
• LT does NOT send test scores
• Test scores do NOT appear on transcript
• Student sends test scores to each college directly from
the testing agency (ACT or SAT)
• www.actstudent.org for ACT scores
• www.collegeboard.com for SAT and AP
• Students should always send scores when they are
registering for an ACT exam.
• NOTE: Some colleges require ACT with writing.
Request
Transcript Request Form
• Every college application
requires a transcript
request form (including
Iowa, Iowa State,
Kansas, California)
• Self-Reported Academic
Record for the University
of Illinois @ UrbanaChampaign
Transcript Request Form
REGULAR APPLICATION
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Transcript
Application Completed Online
School Report Form (Counselor)
Letter of Recommendation
(Counselor)
Fee Waiver (Form required)
Other Documents (Please name
COMMON APPLICATION
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Transcript
Application Completed Online
School Report Form (Counselor)
Letter of Recommendation
(Counselor)
Fee Waiver (Completed online)
Early Decision Agreement
(Completed online)
Transcript Request Forms
• Complete college application
or Common application
• Print out copy of application
• Find transcript request forms in
Naviance, Counseling Office,
College Center, handbook
• Use for ALL applications, even
those that say they do not
need one!
• Add to Common App school
list if using Common app
• Complete form
• Request appointment with
counselor
• Bring copy of application and
completed request form to
meeting
• Request will be processed in
10 school days
• Watch deadlines and leave
sufficient time for counselor to
write a letter, if needed.
Request
Counselor Appointment
• Make an appointment
• Complete Transcript
request form
• Bring all other forms
except Common app
• “Proof of submission”
• Attach required fees or
essays for mailing only
• Walk-ins before or after
school
Allow at least
10 School DAYS
• LT will submit your transcript
and supporting documents to
the college listed on the
Transcript Request form
• We guarantee that it will arrive
by the application deadline
only if you have allowed 10
school days for processing
Observe Deadlines
Application Deadline
• November 1
• November 15
• December 19 – Jan 16
To Counselor
• October 17
• November 1
• December 5
How Do I keep track of
everything?
• Keep a Record of your work (copy
of application, teacher requests,
deadlines)
• Use application checklist on back
of Handbook
• Get an accordion file for recordkeeping
• Check progress on Naviance
• Do your own work!
RELAX
• Receive admissions decision
• Respond to college no later than May 1st
• Turn in copy of all admissions decision letters
and scholarship offers to the College Center as
soon as you receive them. They are included in
the graduation program.
Additional Information
NCAA Eligibility Center
• Register at www.eligibilitycenter.org
• Review application to make sure information matches
Naviance
• Use correct CEEB Code
• Indicate that you attended North Campus for 9th and 10th
• Request a transcript
• Request test scores
• Attend NCAA night
Upcoming Events and
Programs In College Corner
University of Illinois @
Urbana-Champaign Visit
Timmi Turley
SRAR application process
Tuesday, September 23rd
1:30 pm
Sign up on Naviance
Financial Aid and Scholarship
Information Night
• Frank Palmasani
“Financial Fit”
November 6th
Vaughan Gym
7:00 pm
NCAA INFORMATION PROGRAM
November 19th
Room 140
6:00 pm
• Eligibility
• All Divisions
College Fairs
• National College Fair @ Navy Pier
Saturday, September 27th. 11 – 3 pm
Register online @ www.gotomyncf.com
• Visual and Performing Arts Fair
DePaul University Theatre School
Sunday, September 21st – 1-3:30 pm
• National Portfolio Review Day
School of the Art Institute, October 19, 10 – 2 pm
• College of DuPage Fair, Tuesday, October 21, 6-8 pm
How Can We Help?
• COLLEGE CORNER online or in College Center
• COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS. Sign up
on Naviance
• COLLEGE/CAREER CENTER 7:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Senior Counselors
Ms. Ziroli (A-G)
Ms. Elliot (H-O)
Mr. Torres (P-Z)
Ms. Strickland
nziroli@lths.net
kelliot@lths.net
etorres@lths.net
astrickland@lths.net
COLLEGE COORDINATOR
Ms. Musser
lmusser@lths.net
Questions?