KICK-OFF TO COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS
Class of 2012
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
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)
Applications
• Applications available online at school websites
• Common Application used by over 400 colleges;
create an account at www.commonapp.org
– Large FAQ section website (use it!)
– Most schools have a supplement which must also
be submitted
– Common Application Workshop September 7 &
8 during lunch periods
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.
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 VERY rare!
Counselor Recommendations
• Student and Parent Questionnaires may be
completed on-line through Naviance.
• Parents must sign on to Naviance with parent
account information.
• Parent Questionnaire is found under ABOUT
ME.
• If unsure of parents’ username for the log-in,
or if you have never registered a parent
account, contact Ms. G-S and she will assist you.
• Parents may also complete the Parent
Questionnaire in paper form, available in the
CRC or on the Counseling Website.
Essays
• Essay Writing Workshop in English
classes on Friday, September 2 in A342.
• 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 Wednesday, Sept 14 at 2:00 pm
in the CRC
• Application available September 1
• Postmarked priority deadline of November 1
• No recommendations will be considered with the
application
• Most students will receive a decision on Friday,
December 16
• Applying during this period may give a student an
advantage when space is limited
UIUC and Self-Reported
Academic Record
• Beginning in Fall 2011 UIUC no longer requires an
official transcript be sent at time of application
• Students will complete a Self-Reported Academic
Record
• Students should have a current transcript on hand
when completing the record. Transcripts are
currently available through the parent portal on
Infinite Campus
• If you need assistance logging into Infinite Campus,
contact the Counseling Dept.
Naviance/Family Connection
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Students MUST have an active account.
Parents should have a separate account.
Update both student and parent emails.
Forgot password? Go to tcci.naviance.com/hphs to
request new password.
• Forgot username? Never registered? Email Ms.
Giulietti- Schmitt for assistance.
• Parents with multiple HPHS students can link
accounts. Contact Ms. Giulietti-Schmitt for
assistance.
Naviance/Family Connection
• Add colleges of interest to My Colleges.
• Can track if counselor recommendations
and SSR forms for non Common
Application schools were submitted.
• Great way for students to determine
chances for admission by examining stats
from previous years.
• Comprehensive scholarship list located
under COLLEGES section.
PARCHMENT
SECURE
TRANSCRIPT
www.parchment.com
Make sure to choose the correct Highland
Park High School!
Sign by clicking
on your mouse
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
Common App Schools
• There is no need to request a
transcript for a Common App School
• Counselors will upload transcripts
into student accounts once they have
received an invite from the student
• The Common App process will be
covered in detail with students
tomorrow during their meeting
Parchment Secure
Transcript
• E-mails upon order, upload, and download – Utilize!
Colleges will have different processes for
inputting transcripts into their systems
• As of August 25th charges will be: free for
electronic transcripts to IL schools and some
others in Midwest; $2.55-$4.25 for others in U.S.
depending on electronic vs. paper
• 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.
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
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 10 at 7:00 p.m.
at HPHS
Net price calculators
• All colleges are required to have a net price
calculator on their website by October 31.
• Uses student’s academic and family financial
information to determine what price a family is
“likely” to pay.
• Keep in mind the figure is an estimate.
• Concept is new – there will be glitches!
COLLEGE REP VISITS
• Date and time of college visits is listed in
Naviance.
• A weekly schedule is posted on the
Counseling bulletin board outside the CRC
• Must sign up in advance via Naviance
• Clear with teacher prior to visit – exercise
good judgment when missing class.
College Counselors
• College Counselors have walk-in hours
only August 24, 25 and 26.
• Scheduled appointments with College
Counselors begin August 29.
• 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
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.
Mandatory Senior Meeting with
Counselors
• Thursday, August 25th 3rd period
• Locations:
Alvarez – CRC
McCord - Auditorium
Cannon – A217
Siegel - Commons
Eder – E113
Skiba – A343
Ginopolis – A342
Grindel – E117
Margetis – Library (Glass Classroom)
Calendar of Upcoming HPHS
College Programs
• Senior Meetings with Counselor
Thursday, August 25th – 3rd period
• Essay Writing Workshop
Friday, September 2nd during English classes
• Common Application Workshops
Tuesday, September 7th 2A, 2B, 2C Tech Labs A & C
Wednesday, September 8th 3A, 3B, 3C Tech Labs A & C
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Forms & Financial Need
Tuesday, January 10 at 7 pm, HPHS Auditorium
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