The College Application
Process
Prepared by Mr. Pérez, Counselor and
Ms. Pinesett, Talent Search Counselor
For students in the Class of 2011
Information You Will Need
1. Your social security number
2. Family information
– Mother & Father’s address, date of birth and occupation
– Mother & Father’s college, degree, date of graduation
– Siblings, ages and college's attended
3. Your transcript
– Courses taken
– Grade Point Average
– Class Rank
– Test Scores
4. Extracurricular activities (prioritized in order by importance)
5. Honors and awards
6.School Information
– CEEB/334630
– Mr. Pérez’s phone (845)-451-4910
– fax number (845)451-4923
– Email fperez@poughkeepsieschools.org
The College Search
Defining Your Search
• The College’s Admission requirements
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Majors/Academic programs available
Location
Population/Setting
Social Clubs/Sports
Start your Search in your Junior year or as
soon as possible
• www.collegeboard.com
Key Terms
• Associate’s Degree – degree given by a twoyear college
• Bachelor’s Degree- degree given by a fouryear college
• Types of Schools
– Universities– degrees in various fields
– Schools of Technology – degrees in science,
technology and engineering
– Community Colleges—Local colleges that offer
two-year degrees
Key Websites
• www.suny.edu/student
– Public colleges throughout New York State
• www.cuny.edu
– Public colleges within New York City
• www.commonapp.org
– Public and Private colleges throughout the
U.S.
What Colleges Consider
• Transcripts (Coursework, grades and
accomplishments throughout grades 912)
• Test scores (SAT/ACT)
• High school courses taken
• Difficulty of courses taken
Parts of the College Application
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General application
Supplemental application
College Essay
Letters of recommendation
Transcripts
SAT/ACT test scores
Application Fee
2011 Seniors
Guidance Department
Transcript request Form
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Student name ___________________________
Student ID # ________
DOB _________
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Please check appropriate boxes
__ official copy
__ unofficial copy
Transcript Pick up
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Transcript mailed
1st Quarter
Mid- Year (FEB)
SAT or ACT included
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College/University _________________________________________
Mailing Address ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------(For Guidance Use only)
Processed by ________________________________ Date ____________________
Date Mailed _________________
Date Picked Up_______________
Key Terms
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Early decision – (binding)
Early Action
EOP/HEOP
Rolling Admissions
On Campus housing
Off Campus Housing
Methods of Applying
• Paper Applications
– Download from college’s website
– Request a copy through the mail
• On-line Applications
– www.suny.edu
– www.cuny.edu
– www.commonapp.org
Helpful Tips
• Complete the supplemental application
even if it is optional
• Type your application
• Make a copy of each application for your
records
• Follow up with colleges
• Make sure that you list each college you
intend to apply to on your SAT or Act
registration form
Top10 College
Application Mistakes
• Misspellings and
grammatical errors
• Applying online, but the
application isn’t actually
submitted
• Forgotten signatures
• Not reading carefully
• Listing extracurricular
activities that aren’t
• Not telling Mr. Pérez, your
school counselor, where
you applied
• Writing illegibly - #$%^@
• Using an email address
your friends might laugh
about, but colleges won’t
hotbigdaddyflavorflaverman
@yahoo.com
• Not checking your e-mail
regularly
• Letting mom and dad
help you fill out your
application
Questions to ask Admissions
Representatives
• What kinds of students is the college
looking for (athletes, musicians, artists)?
• What are the three most popular majors at
your school?
• What research are faculty members
involved in and what opportunities do
undergraduates have to participate in this
research?
Questions to ask Admissions
Representatives
• Do graduate students teach most freshman
classes?
• If a student has a learning disability what support
is available to that student?
• What courses would a student take their first
year in a particular major (for example: Business
Administration)?
• If a student is undecided about a major, what
services and support are available to help them
explore various majors? Advisor, counselor,
support center?
Questions to ask Admissions
Representatives
• What is the retention rate for students at your
school after freshman year?
• What is the percentage of students that graduate
in four years?
• What are some of the extracurricular activities
available on campus?
• What percentage of students receive financial
aid?
• How long does it take to become an In-state
student?
Questions to ask Admissions
Representatives
What kinds of activities and events are there
in the area around the school? Is it safe in
the community? Are there things to do on
weekends on campus?
What opportunities are available for
internships?
What is the average financial aid package
(excluding loans) for an Out-of-State
student?
Should I test again?
• You should definitely consider retesting if
you had any problems during testing, such
as misunderstanding the directions,
running out of time, or not feeling well.
Many students test twice, once as a junior
and again as a senior.
Should I test again?
• You may also want to consider retesting if
you don't believe that your scores
accurately represent your abilities,
especially if you see a discrepancy
between your SAT or ACT scores and your
high school grades, or if you have
completed coursework or an intensive
review in the subject areas included in the
SAT or ACT since you tested.
FREE SAT PREP
• Do you need to get ready for the SAT’s?
• Do you want to improve your scores?
Free SAT prep class - PHS summer school
Reading & Writing Taught by. Mrs. Laffin
Math -TBA
See Mrs. Laffin or Ms. Pizer for information
Let’s Get Ready SAT Prep
Sign up for the SAT Prep program called
• Lets Get Ready
• Class begins in September
• Applications will be available in August
Questions to ask Admissions
Representatives
• Research shows that of the students who took
the ACT more than once:
• 55% increased their Composite score on the
retest
• 22% had no change in their Composite score on
the retest
• How will you do on a retest?
• 23% decreased their Composite score on the
retest
• If you test more than once, you determine which
set of scores are sent to colleges or scholarship
programs. ACT reports only one test date per
report.
Apply to "Choice" Colleges
• A prerequisite is a course that must be taken before
enrollment in another related course. (Example: French
1 is a prerequisite for French 2.)
• A transcript is the official record of high school or
college courses and grades, generally required as part of
the college application.
• Before you start applying to schools, find out the
application deadline and fees for each school you are
considering.
• The application process at each school is unique. You'll
find different requirements, prerequisites, and levels of
selectivity. Some things remain consistent though, and
we have advice to help you through the application
process.
Apply to "Choice" Colleges
• Start early.
• It takes time to get ACT scores tabulated
and sent, and it takes time for school
counselors and others providing
references to gather information.
• Follow the instructions and proofread.
• The application form is often an admission
committee's first contact with a
prospective student. Make a good
impression with a neat application free of
spelling and grammatical errors.
Apply to "Choice" Colleges
• Work with your high school to send
transcripts & test scores.
• Go to your school guidance office for help
getting all necessary transcripts, records,
test scores, and applications sent to
prospective schools. If you decide to apply
to schools that have not already received
your ACT scores, you can ask ACT to
send your scores to that college.
Apply to "Choice" Colleges
Make the most of personal references.
Ask people who know you and can support
the recommendation well.
Prepare a neat and legible reference form.
Give your references plenty of time—a
school counselor isn't likely to write glowing
recommendations for last-minute requests!
Allow at least two weeks before application
deadlines.
Senior Profile
Poughkeepsie High School
Senior Profile Class of 2011
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Student Name
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ID #
The following self assessment assists your counselor and teachers write an informative and
important letter of recommendation. The more specific details you can give us, the more thorough
your recommendation will be. You may attach a separate sheet of responses or a resume, if you
prefer. Don’t me modest! You may add any personal comments or anecdotes that will help your
counselor/teacher in writing your recommendation. Be Honest!
I plan on majoring in
_______________________________________________________________
I am applying to the following colleges:
______________________________________________________________________________
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Name the people who have helped shape your character (parent, teacher/counselor, relative,
friend, etc.) How have they influenced you?
______________________________________________________________________________
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Senior Profile
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Describe how your family life and or situation have contributed to the person you are today
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List your interests and or hobbies. Include any summer activities/volunteer service and employment experiences
related to these interests.
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I am involved in the following activities in the community:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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List all the school activities you have participated in, the number of years, and the amount of time per week you
spent, and what you have gained or learned from each activity. Consider artistic, athletic, leadership, service.
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Which activity was most important to you? Why?
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Senior Profile
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What experiences in high school (both positive and negative) have affected you?
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Describe any academic accomplishments (major paper, term project, artistic project) you are most proud of, and
tell why you take pride in it.
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What books have had the greatest impact on you? Why?
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List honors, awards, and extra curricular involvement during your four years in high school.
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List your three most distinguishing or most admirable qualities. Explain each in several sentences
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Please list any other information that your would like your recommender to know about you that could be shared in
your letter of recommendation.
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Apply to "Choice" Colleges
• Write an outstanding essay.
• Most college applications require an essay, so spend
time crafting a good one. A great essay probably won't
get you into college if you don't meet the other academic
requirements, but if a student is a "possible admit"— one
of the "maybes" the college may admit—it can move him
or her higher up on the list.
• Be ready to interview, audition, or submit a portfolio.
• Some colleges also require a personal interview or
examples of work in special areas such as art or music.
• Keep a copy of all your application materials.
Senior Time-Line
September
Begin a challenging Senior
year!
• Meet with college
representatives who visit
Poughkeepsie HS
• Register for SATI/ACT or SAT
II Tests. Have your scores
sent to colleges.
• Continue to make
appointments for college
interviews and/or tours.
• Visit colleges
Senior Time-Line
• Narrow down choices as a result of visits
and other research
• Make decision whether to apply to a specific
college on an Early Decision Plan
• Request college application forms. Send
follow-up letter if necessary
• Update your filing system to keep track of
college information
• Ask staff to write a letter of recommendation
Senior Time Line
October
Meet with Mr. Pérez, counselor for Senior Interview
Attend any college mini-fairs that may be held locally
Attend College Fair at PHS, DCC, and Marist
Attend Open House at colleges
Register for December SATII
Meet with college representatives who visit PHS
Begin to work on applications
Discuss essays with English teacher, parents and
others
AVOID SENIOR SLUMP- Keep Your Grades Up!
Senior Time Line
November
• Meet with Mr. Pérez for your Senior Interview
• Take SAT or SAT II tests at PHS
• Meet Early Decision deadline if applicable
• Continue to make college visits
• Talk with college friends home for the holidays
• Finalize college choices and continue to work on
applications. Proofread everything you send
• Have someone else proofread completed essays and
applications
• Submit transcript requests to guidance office (if you haven’t
done so already) with applications
• Notify Mr. Pérez of any online applications
Senior Time Line
December
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Take SAT or SAT II tests if required
Re-check for college application deadlines
Register for January SATI or SAT II tests if needed
Ask staff to write letters of recommendation
Attend financial aid workshop at PHS or area school
Pick up financial aid form (FAFSA) in guidance office
Keep track of scholarships in the Guidance office
January
• Applications should be submitted
• Keep track of deadlines
• Take SATI/ACT or SAT II if necessary
• File financial aid form (by end of month if possible--use the previous
year’s tax return)
Senior Time-Line
February
• Request in Guidance that mid-year grades be sent to colleges
• Register for March SAT if needed
• Begin to explore opportunities for summer employment
• Pick-up applications for local scholarships
• Note early deadline on some
March
• Take SAT, if needed
• Apply for local scholarships
• National Merit Scholarship winners notified
• Begin hearing from colleges about acceptance
Senior Time Line
April
• College notification
continues
• Review your financial aid
package with college
financial aid office (you can
appeal a preliminary aid
package)
• If you are accepted by a
college, you must:
• Make an enrollment decision
• Decide whether or not to
accept the financial aid
offered
Senior Time Line
• If you are accepted by a college and plan to
attend, follow through with: Deposits,
Housing request, other correspondence
• If you decline admission and/or financial aid,
you must:
• Notify college to give others a chance
• Notify financial aid office
• Notify Mr. Pérez of all college decisions and
scholarships received
Senior Time Line
May
If a College accepts you, you must
• If selecting a New York State
College, mail in completed TAP
form even if the FAFSA was not
completed.
• Make an enrollment decision
• Decide whether or not to accept
the financial aid offered
• Take Advanced Placement tests,
if desired
The Final Stretch!!!
June
• Notify Mr. Pérez of
any scholarships
received
• Return Senior
Survey to counselor
• ENJOY
GRADUATION!!
• CONGRATULATIONS!!
• Stay in touch with
Mr. Pérez