Welcome Servite Class of 2014
SENIOR STUDENT/PARENT
COLLEGE INFO NIGHT
September 4, 2013
PRESENTED BY:
HILARY RECKNOR
&
SARA WILLIAMS
S E R V I T E C O U N S EL I N G
College Admission 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?
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
THE APPLICATION
Cal State University
Personal Data: (name, address, etc.)
Academic History:
 High School Attended
Servite School Code 050088
 Courses (Semester, not Block)
 Grades
 Test Scores
SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
Must have CollegeBoard or ACT send scores
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
CSU Mentor
THE APPLICATION
University of California
Application Opens October 1st
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
Admission to UC:
Examination Requirement
 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/
freshman/minimum-requirements/examinationrequirement/SAT%20Subject%20Tests.html
University of CA
Get a head start by downloading the quick-start guide…
Where to find an Application:
CSU
 Apply online at:
www.csumentor.edu
UC
 Apply online at:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
THE APPLICATION
Common App & 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)
Where to find an Application: Private
School or a School in Another State
 Visit the college’s website
 488 Colleges & Universities accept the
Common Application
 www.commonapp.org
 Be
aware of CommonApp Supplements
Types of Application Filing Periods
Finite Filing Period (UC~Nov 1st thru Nov 30th only)
Priority/Other Filing Period (Portland, USC)
Rolling Admission (Review begins when they receive
a complete application folder & notify student usually
within a short period of time)
Early Action (Notre Dame, LMU)
Restricted Early Action (Stanford, Yale, BC)
Early Decision (Penn, Northwestern, NYU, CPSLO)
Regular Decision (Most Privates)
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!.
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.
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, 2012
Servite School Code: 050088
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)
ESSAY/PERSONAL STATEMENT
The application tells what you have
done……
….The essay tells who you are!
THE COLLEGE ESSAY
 Openings are key
 Conclusions are important
 Topics ~ ANSWER THE QUESTION
 Memorable Moments
 Influences
 Points of View
 Lessons & Experience
 Molding Identity
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.
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.
OF COURSE…
Proofread!
Proofread!
Proofread!
Do not rely on spell check!
Seek the input of an Objective Reader
NAVIANCE
Family Connection
A comprehensive website with
software/database that all students
(& parents) will use as a tool in
planning for college.
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
NAVIANCE
Family Connection
 Search for Colleges
 Link to College Applications
 Build a Resume
 Schedule of Colleges Visiting Servite
 Check out Local Scholarships
 Free Online Test Prep
 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!
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

SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORTS
1.
2.
3.
Enter application list into Naviance
Request teacher recommendation(s) - LIMIT 2
Submit a transcript request for each School
Requests for Regular Admission School Reports
MUST be communicated to your Counselor by:
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 5th
Requests for EA/ED School Reports MUST be
communicated to Counselor by:
Wednesday, OCTOBER 2nd
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.
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
TRANSCRIPTS
 Must Request Transcripts in Naviance
 $3 each; $24 cap (fees to Counseling)
 No fee for Midyear or Final Transcripts
 Statement of fees will come in Spring
IMPORTANT
Initial TRANSCRIPTS are NOT Required for UC &
CSU unless specifically requested
COMMUNICATION & DEADLINES
Colleges use websites & email to
communicate w/you—Check regularly
Deadlines are absolute!
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•
•
•
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Housing application deadlines
Financial Aid deadlines
Scholarship deadlines
SIR – Student Intent to Register/Deposit
Placement Tests
Orientations
Additional forms/supplemental applications
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!
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
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 2011 Earnings
 www.fafsa.ed.gov (make sure you don’t go to .com!!)
 Filing Period:
• No Earlier than Jan 1, 2014
• No Later than March 2, 2014
 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
CSS PROFILE
REQUIRED BY MANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS
www.collegeboard.com/profile
COSTS:
CALIFORNIA:
Online Registration
$ 9 Initial Application
$16 for each School
USC, SANTA CLARA,
STANFORD,CLAREMONT MCKENNA,
OCCIDENTAL…..AND MORE
OUT-OF-STATE: BOSTON COLLEGE, BOSTON U,
HARVARD, PRINCETON, NOTRE DAME,
& More
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
 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!
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
Breath…
We understand that the college process can be
stressful.
Take charge of your application process, start
early, communicate, get support and ENJOY
this exciting time in your life!
Thank you for coming.