SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 2015
Senior Parent/Student
College Info Night
Hilary Recknor & Sara Williams
Servite Counseling
September 24,2014
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
College Admissions Process
•What’s in an application? Are they all the same?
•How do I get an application?
•When do I apply?
•Do I need an SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests?
•What about the College Essay?
•NAVIANCE: THE ONLY WAY TO…
• get School Reports
• get Teacher Recommendations
• order Transcripts
•What’s a FAFSA? CSS Profile?
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
What is in an Application?
Personal Data
Academic History
Essay/Personal Statement
Extra-curricular/Honors & Awards/Work Exp.
Secondary School Report (Counselor Rec)
Teacher Recommendation(s)
Peer Recommendation
Official High School Transcript
Mid-Year Report
Interview
CSS Profile/Financial Aid Forms
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Applying to CSU
Apply during Priority Filing Period
October 1st through November 30th
One SAT Code for all CSU Campuses
Code 3594
One fee to send SAT Scores to all 23 campuses
For ACT send to one campus
Send one, then scores can be given to multiple
campuses through ACT Scores Manager at no
additional cost
Look on www.csumentor.edu for
Deadlines for specific CSU campuses & majors
List of Impacted Majors
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
CSU Mentor
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The Application- University of California
Application Opened in August
Submit November 1 - November 30 ONLY
Minimum GPA is 3.0 in A-G coursework. An Eligibility
Calculator can be found on the UC site
Everything CSU Application PLUS:
Extra-curricular/Honors & Awards/Work Experience
 Essay/Personal Statement
2 essays – 1000 words total
 Additional Testing
SAT Subject Tests (OPTIONAL)
*Special Notes: CSID # not required
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Admission to UC: Exam Requirements
One of the following “core” examinations
SAT Reasoning Test --or-ACT Assessment with Writing
SAT Subject Tests Optional
May be required for certain majors at certain campuses
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/freshm
an/minimum-requirements/examination-requirement/satsubject-tests.html
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Where to Find an Application
CSU
Apply online at:
www.csumentor.edu
UC
Apply online at:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
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Common App and Private Schools
Everything in CSU/UC PLUS :
 Essay(s) – typically one of 650 words
 Short-Answer Questions/Additional Essay
 Secondary School Report – (Counselor)
 Letter(s) of Recommendation – (Teacher)
 Official High School Transcript
 Test Scores – Subjects? (Student sends)
 Mid-Year Report
 Peer Recommendation (some)
 Interview (some)
 CSS Profile – for Financial Aid (many)
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Where to find an Application: Private
School or a School in Another State
•Visit the college’s website
•More than 500 Colleges & Universities accept the
Common Application
•www.commonapp.org
•Be aware of Common App Supplements
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Types of Application Filing Periods
ÀFinite Filing Period (UC~Nov 1st thru Nov 30th only)
ÀPriority/Other Filing Period (Portland, USC)
ÀRolling Admission (Review begins when they receive
a complete application folder & notify student usually
within a short period of time)
ÀEarly Action (Notre Dame, LMU)
ÀRestricted Early Action (Stanford, Yale, BC)
ÀEarly Decision (Penn, Northwestern, NYU, CPSLO)
ÀRegular Decision (Most Privates)
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Early Action
An option at only certain schools - apply early
(typically Nov 1st/15th), receive response early.
Non-binding (have until May to decide)
Generally a higher acceptance rate for qualified
applicants in the EA pool.
Under early action, most schools do not restrict
your ability to apply to other early consideration
programs, but some do. Read Carefully!.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Early Decision
An option at only certain schools - generally highly
selective private schools.
Binding Agreement—If you are selected as an
Early Decision candidate, you must immediately
withdraw all other applications.
Statistics suggest generally a higher acceptance
rate for qualified applicants in the ED pool.
If you are considering applying ED, you must
make an appointment with your counselor.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
SAT Reasoning Test & ACT
•SAT Reasoning Test
-Critical Reading
-Math
-Writing (required)
•ACT
-English, Reading, Math, Science
-Optional writing (must take for UC & many
privates)
Complete all testing by December, 2014
Servite School Code: 050088
.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
SAT Subject Tests
•Test scores used for admission and/or placement
•Required for some selective private schools
•Choice of Major may dictate subject tests required
(i.e. Engineering – Math 2)
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Essay/Personal Statement
The application tells what you have done…
….The essay tells who you are!
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
The College Essay
•Openings are key
•Conclusions are important
•Topics ~ ANSWER THE QUESTION
-Memorable Moments
-Influences
-Points of View
-Lessons & Experience
-Molding Identity
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Do…
•Answer the question!
•Reflect before you write.
•Write about something that is important to you and about
which you will enjoy writing.
•Write in your own voice.
•Discuss circumstances that have held you back or
affected your academics.
•Be specific. Use concrete details and make them clear,
rich and meaningful.
• Be school specific - show why each school is a good fit. If
the school is your first choice, tell them!
•Strive to be as “real” as possible.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Don’t…
•Select a tiny or special font.
•Manufacture hardship. Also, do not whine!
•List your accomplishments. This is another
part of the application.
•Include irrelevant background info.
•Don’t explain your science project. Explain
your curiosity.
•Try to sound impressive
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Of Course…
Proofread!
Proofread!
Proofread!
Do not rely on spell check!
Seek the input of an Objective Reader
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Naviance Family Connection
A comprehensive website with
software/database that all students
(& parents) will use as a tool in
planning for college.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Naviance Family Connection
• Counselors will use Naviance to assist
students in managing the college
application process & generate/submit
School Reports
• Teachers will use Naviance for their
recommendations
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Naviance Family Connection
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Search for Colleges
Link to College Applications
Build a Resume
Schedule of Colleges Visiting Servite
Check out Local Scholarships
Order Transcripts and Teacher Recs
Access Naviance Family Connection Log In from
Servite website (near bottom of list under
“Academics” tab)
Students Must use Servite email address
(firstname.lastname@servitehs.org w/password)
Communication with Counselor is essential!
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Secondary School Reports
Required by many private colleges and universities as
part of an application so that they may obtain a record of
your high school experience.
School Report typically includes:
School Report Form
Counselor Recommendation
High School Transcript
School Profile
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Secondary School Reports
1.Enter application list into Naviance
2.Request teacher recommendation(s) - LIMIT 2
3.Submit a transcript request for each School
Requests for Regular Admission School Reports MUST be
communicated to your Counselor by:
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 15th
Requests for EA/ED School Reports MUST be
communicated to Counselor by:
Wednesday, OCTOBER 15th
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Recommendations
Choose a teacher who knows you & your work
First ask the teacher face-to-face
Then go to Naviance to formally request teacher to
prepare the recommendation
Provide:
Plenty of lead-time
Complete the Resume section in Naviance
Note: Recommendations are NOT required for UC &
CSU Applications. Follow all application instructions
carefully.
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Transcripts
• Most Private colleges & universities require
transcript at time of application
• Almost 100% of transcripts sent electronically—
through Naviance w/School Report
• “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance
MUST be current & accurate
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Transcripts
• Must Request Transcripts in Naviance
• Fee’s included in Senior Fees
• No fee for Midyear or Final Transcripts
IMPORTANT
Initial TRANSCRIPTS are NOT Required for UC & CSU
unless specifically requested
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Communication and Deadlines
Colleges use websites & email to communicate w/you—
Check regularly
Deadlines are absolute!
•Housing application deadlines
•Financial Aid deadlines
•Scholarship deadlines
•SIR – Student Intent to Register/Deposit
•Placement Tests
•Orientations
•Additional forms/supplemental applications
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Remember…
• All acceptances are conditional and are based upon
receipt of your final transcript.
• You must notify the school in writing of changes or if
you receive a semester grade of D or F.
• Keep your grades up.
• Many colleges no longer allow deficiencies to be made
up after high school graduation.
Offers of Admission can be rescinded!
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Types of Financial Aid
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS (….FREE MONEY!!!)
MERIT-BASED, NEED-BASED
1-Cal Grant - awards for merit and need
2-GPA’s will be submitted by Servite with your permission
3-Family files FAFSA (not Servite)
LOANS…
SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED
Work/Study
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
FAFSA
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
•REQUIRED For Consideration For Financial Aid at Any College or
University in U.S.
•Some Colleges Require FAFSA for Merit Aid.
•Based on 2014 Earnings
•www.fafsa.ed.gov (make sure you don’t go to .com!!)
•Filing Period:
-No Earlier than Jan 1, 2015
-No Later than March 2, 2015
•Submit BY DEADLINE INDICATED BY SCHOOLS
•PAPER OR ELECTRONIC FILING
-Electronic Filing Requires both Parent & Student to have PIN #’s
Note: You must re-apply every year
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
CSS Profile
REQUIRED BY MANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS
www.collegeboard.com/profile
COSTS:
CALIFORNIA:
OUT-OF-STATE:
Online Registration
$ 9 Initial Application
$16 for each School
USC, SANTA CLARA,
STANFORD,CLAREMONT MCKENNA,
OCCIDENTAL…..AND MORE
BOSTON COLLEGE, BOSTON U,
HARVARD, PRINCETON, NOTRE DAME
& More
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Scholarship Search
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www.fastweb.com
www.meritaid.com
www.collegetoolkit.com
www.scholarships.com
Check scholarships tab in Naviance for scholarships that
come through our office
• Check local community/parents’ work
*Beware of Scholarship Scams!
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
College Application Strategy
• Consider the Middle 50% ranges for GPA and SAT
• Use Scattergrams
• Apply Broadly: a “healthy” list includes:
Foundation School(s)
Good Match/Target Schools
Reach Schools
SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
Breath in… Breath out
• We understand that the college process can be stressful
and we are here to support you.
• Take charge of your application process, start early,
communicate, get support and ENJOY this exciting time
in your life!
Thank you for coming