The College Application Process

For State College High School

Class of 2012

September 2011

Mrs Devecka - Mrs Lyke – Mrs Wolanski

Have you taken the SAT or ACT?Do you have a list of schools?Have you visited some of the schools?Have you looked at the websites &

researched application procedures?Have you registered with NCAA

Clearinghouse if you plan to play sports?If you are completely overwhelmed by

these questions, then read your College Planning Booklet and start with 1 application.

Where are you now?

How to Apply to College Three main types of applications

Penn State/Schreyer Honors College Common Application Other applications (on-line and paper)

Goal For This Meeting

Complete on-line applicationBring in the School Report form---Mrs. WolanskiSign a Transcript Request form--- Mrs. WolanskiMust choose a school and a major or DUSFall admission vs. summer admissionsCampus ChoiceCollege Prep Math 1-3= (Alg. 1, Alg. 2, & Geometry)Trig. / Business, Engineering, Science, ISTForeign Language requirement Complete application by Oct. 31st to be safe.SAT & ACT scores: YOU NEED to have them sent directly

from College Board. It takes 2-3 weeks. PSU will not process your application without SAT scores.

Points to Remember for the Regular PSU Application

Complete regular PSU application on-lineIndicate that you want to complete the

Schreyer on-line application. Complete Transcript Request form w/ Mrs.

Dodson in the Counseling Office.Reminder: Have your counselor’s and

teachers’ emails handy for requesting recommendations.

Recommendations need to be requested 3 working weeks before due date—Green Sheet must be complete at that time for recommendation to be written by counselor.

Schreyer Honors College

Go to each College Website before applying and check for supplements. The info is on the Common Application website as well.

Read all directions regarding Common Application.Get teachers’ permission before submitting their

names as recommenders.Waiving your right-to-privacy is strongly

recommended.Print out a hard copy for your records.Complete a Transcript Request for each Common

Application School – See Mrs Wolanski.Complete Green Sheet information for counselors

—must be into Counseling office 3 working weeks before due.

Points to Remember - Common Application

Can be on-line or paper. If there is a choice we recommend the on-line version.

Make sure you print out all forms for teachers and counselors and give them to the appropriate people.

Each application is a bit different, follow the directions and take your time.

If you bring in your entire application to be mailed you need to bring in a large envelope with 4 stamps and addressed.

Sign a Transcript Request form for each college.

Other Applications

Many colleges require an essay.Seek help from your English teacher.Read the College Planning Book about the

essay on pages 15-19 or go to educationplanner.org or collegeboard.com or use resources in counseling office.

Schreyer Honors College of PSU requires three essays - begin them now!

Have at least one person proof your essay. Make sure that you are coming across the way you intended.

Application Essay

PSU does not require recommendations, with the exception of Schreyer Honors College.

Teacher recommendation—any 9th through 12th grade teacher may write a recommendation.

Some colleges will require specific subject teachers.

Counselor recommendation –Mrs Devecka/Mrs Lyke/Mrs. Campbell/ Mrs. Donovan/Ms Herrmann, or any counselor you have been working with.

If you need a letter of recommendation you will need to fill out the Green Sheet packet and have 4 teachers fill out white evaluation sheets.

Recommendations

Some colleges want to receive all recommendations and transcripts together. If this is what the college requires, then all documents must be sent from the counseling office.

Other colleges that require recommendations state that teachers and counselors may mail recommendations separately.

Waive your right to read the recommendation.

Recommendations continued…..

Recommendation Packet (Pick these up in Counseling)

If you need a counselor recommendation for any college you are applying to, make sure that you have completed these forms at least 3 weeks before the recommendation is due

CollegeApplication

To-DoList Information

ForLetter

Of Recommendation

In – HouseEvaluationForms (4)

Apply online if possible.Apply to at least one “safety” school that

is both academically and financially safe.Try to limit your applications to 5 or 6

colleges. The average application fee is $50 per application.

Apply as early as possible to get maximum consideration.

Make a detailed checklist for each college application.

Application Process

Mrs. Wolanski & Mrs. Dodson

Wonderful People

* Treat them well *

Transcript Request Form

You must complete a transcript request form for each college with Mrs. Wolanski in the North Counseling Office in order to have your transcript submitted.

Make sure your request is in at least 3 weeks before it is due.

Transcript Request Form

Early Decision AgreementMid Year ReportCollege Specific Financial Aid Forms FAFSA—January 1st, 2012Athletic SupplementArts SupplementFinal Report/Transcript

Additional Forms

Paper Applications 9x12 envelope, addressed with 4

stamps

Transcript only/Mid Year Report Regular legal size envelope, addressed with 1

stamp

Envelopes and Stamps

Rolling admissionEarly decisionEarly actionRegular decisionNote: For both transcript and

recommendations, make sure that you give the counseling office and your counselor at least 3 weeks notice. Example, if the deadline is December 1st have all your requests in by November 9th. Look at the bottom of your purple sheet to see our deadlines.

Application Deadlines

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) soon after Jan 1st, 2012.

Fill Out CSS Financial Aid Profile if required by the college.

Become familiar with the financial aid process.Read the financial aid section in the College

Planning Book - pages 23-31.Visit http://www.finaid.org/ for a preliminary

financial aid estimate.Attend financial aid nights:

- PHEAA – December 7th, 2011- Penn State Financial Aid – January 4th, 2012

Financial Aid

Comprehensive Scholarship Information - www.fastweb.com

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency - www.pheaa.org

State High Senior Scholarship Book – late Feb 2012

Resources in North Counseling OfficeEmployment/religious affiliations/militaryMany colleges give out hefty merit financial

aid

Scholarship Search

www.collegeboard.comwww.educationplanner.

orgHigh school counseling office – Admissions Rep’s visits to school.

Individual college websites

Searching Colleges

Grades in college prep courses Standardized test scores Grades in all courses Essay Counselor recommendation Teacher recommendation Special talents and abilities Work/extracurricular activities Interview Alumni relations Subject tests Demonstrated interest Ethnicity Ability to pay State of residence

How Colleges Evaluate You

You apply to a college and never come to the counseling office to request your transcript to be sent from our HS to the college.

You apply to a college and forget to send your SAT/ACT scores to the college.

You apply to college and forget to download all the necessary forms.

You miss a deadline.

You forget to ask for teacher and counselor recommendations.

You forget to hit the submit button.

Common Mistakes On College Applications

QUESTIONS ????