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Approaching theCollege ApplicationProcessGaithersburg High SchoolCounseling OfficeCollege and Career Center

Topics CoveredResearching Colleges / Making Your List

Application Process

Paperwork and Deadlines

QuestionsAttend school near home or move away?In Maryland or out-of-state?State college or private?State = less expensive, fewer scholarshipsPrivate = more expensive, more financial aidType of campus?City, suburban, rural

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListAdditional questions: How far away from home do you want to be? How far away will your family allow you to go?City schools: not sure what the building next do is. Suburban: no more than 45 min. from a major metropolitan area with public transportation available to the city. Rural: somewhat isolated, rely totally on the campus for things to do.3More QuestionsSize of CampusSmall = 10,000Other preferences / interests?Climate, shopping, entertainment, spiritual, community, athletics

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListAnother question: Does the college or university have all of the major disciplines you are interested in.What do you need to make you happy at school? Movies? Jazz Clubs? Rock climbing? Skiing? The beach?4More To ConsiderCommunity CollegeApply EARLY to Montgomery CollegeFlexible, save money, transfer credits2-year associate degrees availableAthletesNCAA Clearinghousewww.eligibilitycenter.org

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListIn the past, application fees to MC have been waived if students apply by March 1. All students should consider completing an application to MC as the admission to MC is good for summer school courses after you begin college. Any student attending MC should complete an associates degree in the first two years if you are contemplating transfer to a four-year college or university. The colleges and universities must accept all of your credits from MC is you have a degree.NCAA Clearinghouse applications should be made during the junior year. It is online and can be accessed from the GHS website.5More To ConsiderUS Service AcademiesSAT in Spring Junior YearPre-candidate QuestionnaireApplication Packets from Congressional Reps & Senators

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListCongressman Van Hollen usually holds an information session in the spring. This year it will be held in April 2014 in Rockville. During the summer prior to senior year it is a good idea to consider attending a summer seminar.6ASVABApril 4Career Interest SurveyWhat Are You Good At?Looks Like a TestExplore OccupationsFigure Out What You Want to Study in College or Do With Your Life!!Researching Colleges / Making Your ListGHS offers the ASVAB exam twice each year. It is being offered April 4 at 7:30am. Permission slips and information sheets are available in the College Career Center or from your counselor. This test does not allow for accommodations.7Gathering InformationLook at Schools OnlineWill They Be Visiting the Area?Are They Visiting at GHS?Counselor, CCIC, Teachers, ParentsCollege Fairs April 9 AT FAIRGROUNDSResearching Colleges / Making Your ListPermission slips for the College Fair will be available in March. The cost is $3.00 per person. All students should make an effort to attend the College Fair. Buses from GHS will be provided.8College FairApril 9 and 10Bus Service from GHS200+ Colleges RepresentedHave a Plan Know Which SchoolsFocus on Financial Assistance OptionsU of Md, Other Local Schools PopularDetails: Handouts, Website, AnnouncementsResearching Colleges / Making Your ListU of MD long lines, go there first right off the busTry to get something done (not a social event!)Obtain business cards for a contact person. Send thank you notes after you return from the fair letting them know how interested you are in the college or university.9Other Resourceswww.Collegeboard.org

www.PrincetonReview.com

Naviance/Family Connection (link on GHS home page)

We Are Here To Help!

College/Career Center Your Counselor

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListNaviance/Family Connection has resources for past admissions history of GHS students, ability to conduct a college search based on your specific needs and much more.10Consider What Colleges Are Looking ForQuality of Academic Program Grade Point Average SAT or ACT Scores Extra Curricular Activities Volunteer / Community Service / Employment Letters of Recommendation

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListYou must take a full academic load (at least 4 academic courses) your senior year. Try to take a leadership position if possible in your extra curricular activities or volunteer/community service. Letters of recommendation are different from teacher feedback forms.11SAT Highestscore2400Math:Geometry,AlgebraII,andPrecalculusReadingMultipleChoiceEssayPenaltyforwronganswersFee$51.00www.CollegeBoard.org

The Tests Are Not Created EqualACTHighest Score 36 Math:Geometry,AlgebraII,andPrecalculusScienceReadingEnglishMultipleChoiceOnly$36.50With OptionalWritingExam$52.50NoPenaltyforWrongAnswerswww.actstudent.org

The Tests Are Not Created EqualThe Tests Are Not Created Equal Accuplacer

TOEFL

Accuplacer is given daily at Montgomery College as well as once in the spring at GHS.The ESL Accuplacer, for students with less than 10 years in MCPS, is given only at MC by appointment. Students attending Montgomery College who score less than 550 on both the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or less than a 24 on the English and Math sections of the ACT MUST take the Accuplacer.TOEFL exam is for any student applying to a four year college or university who has been in the US less than 7 years. Sometimes students are required to take the TOEFL if English was not their first language.14Make Your ListPick 6-9 Schools Target Schools Reach Schools no more 2

Researching Colleges / Making Your ListNo more than 2 reach schools are recommended. Remember there is more than one right school for each student.Dont forget to make certain the schools have the major you are thinking about.15Setting up the Applicationswww.CommonApp.org after August 1Identify schools who participateAccess applications for non-participating schools directlyRegister online (write down login info, requirements and deadlines!!)Set up login and password for eachVerify what documents are neededApplication ProcessGHS sends transcripts and recommendations online through the CommonApp via Naviance. 16Do The ApplicationsBegin completing the applications onlineDouble check applications for:AccuracyCompletenessPrint/Copy all pages prior to submitting for your records

Application ProcessAnswer all questions on every application. If you have no answer, write not applicable. Unfortunately things happen. Papers go missing once they arrive at the colleges or university. You should always be able to provide a copy of documents if needed. We receive electronic receipts for documents sent through Naviance, SENDEDU, the CommonApp and other electronic means.17Application RemindersAccurate email address that you check!Email in CommonApp and Naviance need to be the same!Update Your CounselorCheck for errors!!Spel checque iz knot enufProofreadSign and date forms (best handwriting!)Express Your Voice, Not Someone Elses

Application ProcessLet your counselor know where you are applying. Talk with teachers and counselors about your choices. They may have valuable insight into the colleges and universities or technical programs you are considering.Schools know when your essay is not your own!18Essays and ResumeActivity Statement - ~100 wordsOptional/or NOT!!1 2 Personal EssaysChoose Topic WiselyEnglish Teacher FeedbackActivities/ResumeOrganize by most important to youInclude Important Characteristics ofSchool, if Possible

Application ProcessTopicsTake the word OPTIONAL out of your vocabulary until the application process is over. If an application says the extra state is optional, they know if you do not complete it, you really do not care about attending that school.Activities: please do not list things where you came in 9th out of 12. List items really important to you. Be able to explain an activity in 1-2 sentences.In your essay be specific! If the name of another school can be substituted into your essay and the essay still works, it is a bad essay. Find specific programs, places, professors, projects to talk about in the Why This College essay.19Letters of RecommendationTeacherBrag Sheet and / or Resume

Counselor Brag Sheets, Extra Curricular ChecklistTeacher Feedback Forms

Application ProcessTeachers need information about you to write a good personal letter of recommendation. Counselors use teacher feedback forms to write their recommendations. Teacher feedback forms from the packet are NOT letters of recommendation.20Senior PacketPaperwork Now ONLINE!Preferred MethodGHS Website, College & Career PageSelect: College-Bound Student ChecklistPaperwork and Deadlines21Deadlines!!!Chart or List of Deadlines and RequirementsSpreadsheet?Sticky Notes?Find a System That Works For YouTranscript Requests Allow At Least 15 School Days Paperwork and DeadlinesExplain why 15 days for the first counselor letter22More Deadlines!!!November 1 DeadlineAll Paperwork in By October 10

Apply by Priority Deadline if Possible

Scholarships Plan Ahead if Possible YOU Know Your Requirements Website Good Resource

Paperwork and DeadlinesExplain percentage acceptance at CP and UMBC.More than 95% of acceptances at UMD-CP and UMBC come from the priority/early action deadlines.23Time to Get Busy!Start NowSchedule TestsLook at SchoolsFinish Brag Sheets

Summer Fun Visit Schools Make Your ListStart Applications

Conclusion

Please turn in your authorization to release records, brag sheets, parent brag sheets, and provide feedback forms to teachers before final exam week to your English teacher!!! These forms will be a graded English homework assignment!24