January 9, 2020

Introduction

College Search Factors, Lists and Visits,

Student/Counselor Responsibilities, College Admission

Tests

Deadlines, Recommendations, Common Application,

Coalition Application

College Essay, Factors in Admissions, Calendar,

Scholarships, RaiseMe

Financial Aid Information (FAFSA & CSS Profile),

NCAA Eligibility, Naviance

• Use WP’s timeline to guide you through the

process

• Not every student will be at the same point

in the process at the same time

• Concentrate on yourself, and do not get

caught up in what others are saying and

doing

• Research information and utilize reliable

sources

• When in doubt, ask your counselor

•Size

•Location

•Cost

•Available Majors

•Activities

•Student Life

•Be to schools

•Start with a larger list then narrow when it is time to apply

•Ideally apply to 7-10 schools

•2-3 Reach Schools

•3-4 Target Schools

•2-3 Safety Schools

•Consider academics and finances when developing your list

Research colleges using Naviance, College Board, or visiting individual college websites. You will gain access to:

•General Information

•Requirements

•Deadlines

Attend open houses and tours!

• Speak to current students

• Submitting the application/essay

•Requesting transcripts

• Self-reporting grades (if required)

•Requesting official score reports through College Board or ACT

• Some colleges allow students to self-report scores; students must confirm with prospective colleges about reporting requirements

• Submitting the transcript and secondary school report

• Submitting counselor and teacher recommendations

Please Note:

It is advised that students take at least two tests by the

end of junior year.

SAT & Subject TestsMarch 14*, May 2, June 6, & August 29

*No Subject Tests are given in March

ACT February 8, April 4, June 13, & July 18

www.actstudent.org

www.collegeboard.org

• Essay/Writing Test – optional but strongly

recommended

• Registration information is available on

the testing websites

• Some colleges request that official scores

be sent directly to them from the testing

agency – students are responsible for

requesting official scores

• Some colleges allow students to self-report

scores

• Students must confirm with colleges about

specific reporting requirements

• Binding through a contractual agreement

between the student and the college

• If the student is accepted, the student MUST

attend and withdraw all other applications

• Non-binding and non-contractual

• The student can apply to multiple colleges through

early action

• If the student is accepted, the student has the OPTION

to attend

• Specific deadlines are set by the college/university

As soon as your application and supporting

documents are received, schools will typically make a

decision on your acceptance within 8-12 weeks.

Some colleges may have “priority” deadlines within

rolling admissions that allow students to be

considered for scholarships and other opportunities.

TEACHER LETTERS

•Student asks two academic teachers and then completes the student request for teacher recommendations on Naviance

•Student should request letters by the end of junior year

COUNSELOR LETTER

• Student submits senior profile, activities sheet,

and parent/guardian brag sheet (available in

the spring)

• Once completed, all forms are due to the

student’s counselor no later than June 15th

• Provides an online admission application

that students may submit to multiple

colleges

• Some colleges exclusively work with the

Common Application

• Typically available starting AUGUST 1st

• An online application used by more than

140 colleges and universities

• Similar to the Common Application, some

colleges exclusively work with the Coalition

Application

• If the college or university does not use the

Common or Coalition Application, go to the

school’s website to apply online

• Create an account in order to start your

application

•What are typical essay questions?

•What are college admissions

counselors looking for in the

essay?

Research Begins

SAT/ACT prep & testing;

visit schools

Student/parent may schedule a

college conference with counselor; information

will be forthcoming via SignUpGenius.com

Research; submit senior forms and

request teacher recommendations; SAT/ACT

testing continues

• Create a Common App. account (after August

1st)

• Begin rough draft of essay

• Take the SAT/ACT, if needed

• Student meets with counselor prior to

submitting applications

• Attend Senior College Program - presented on

Back to School Night

• Narrow down college list

• Be aware of deadlines

• Attend District College Fair – October 7, 2020

• Offered to WP students by local businesses,

organizations, and individuals

• Applications will be distributed in the spring of

2021

• Scholarship bulletin can be found online via

the guidance website and Naviance

• Research additional scholarships on sites like

www.fastweb.com, www.collegeboard.org,

www.scholarships.com, or www.myscholly.com

• RaiseMe enables students to earn scholarships

throughout high school for doing all the things

that best prepare them to succeed

• Potential scholarships can increase with strong

grades, volunteering in the community, or

joining extracurricular activities

• There are more than 200 RaiseMe college

partners

• Create your account prior to the start of senior

year

• Need-based financial aid

• Grants vs. loans

• Encouraged to apply regardless of financial

status

• Start applying October 1st of senior year using

2019 taxes

• Financial Aid Presentation held for seniors and

parents on October 21, 2020

If you intend to

play Division I

or II sports, you

must register

with the

NCAA Eligibility

Center to check

eligibility.

• Web-based resource used for college and

career research and planning

• Gives access to statistics and graphs of

Whippany Park’s college acceptance

history

• Features informative inventories

including…

Personality Type

Cluster Finder

Career Interest Profiler

Learning Styles

• College search features available

• Look up information about colleges

• Save a college to a college list

• Link to resources for the college-bound

student

• Teacher recommendation letters will be

requested through Naviance

• Counselors use eDocs feature in Naviance to

submit transcripts and letters of

recommendation

• Information on Naviance is just a

GUIDE

• Acceptance into a specific college

varies from year to year, taking into

account your qualifications and the

applicants you are competing against

Please reach out to us

at any time with questions!

Department Phone Number: 973-887-4963

Scott Maciag, District Supervisor of Guidance

Sibila Dubac, Dept. Coordinator, Counselor & SAC

Vanessa Cordeiro, Counselor

Eric Shore, Counselor

Jennifer Weber, Counselor

Pamela Antoniello, Secretary