College Application Workshop

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College Application Workshop

• The journey to actually applying to college can
  now begin for WHS seniors.

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4 Major Players in the APPLICATION PROCESS

• Student
• Parent
• Teacher
• Counselor

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What Colleges Look At

• Main components to an application
• Grades
• Rigor of courses
• Test scores
• Extra-curriculars
• Recommendation
• Essay
• Your essay and the teacher/counselor
  recommendations shine a light on all components!

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The Common Application

• The site contains information about all 391
  colleges and universities that accept the Common
  Application.
• To learn about a college's application
  requirements, click on the college name in the
  left-hand column.
• The "Supplement" column indicates if a college
  requires additional supplementary material in
  addition to the Common Application.
• The next two columns identify if the particular
  college participates in Early Decision (ED)
  and/or Early Action (EA) programs.

www.commonapp.org as of 9/15/09
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Teacher Recommendation

• Procedure for Students
• Courteously ask the teacher.
• Provide the teacher with a folder that contains a
  cover sheet with names and deadlines and any
  necessary rec forms. You might provide a teacher
  brag sheet and an example of outstanding work
  done in class.
• Be sure to fill out the personal student
  information section at the top of the form.
• Sign waiver form for secondary school report and
  letters of recommendation

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Teachers are Happy to Help

• Organize the forms in a timely manner.
• Provide stamped, addressed envelopes
• Remember teachers send out recommendations on
  their own.
• Always thank teachers for taking the time to
  write. Keep them informed. They are interested
  in your success!

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Sending and Releasing SAT/ACT Scores Important!

• It is your responsibility to release and send
  your scores!
• You can do this by phone or online (Go to
  www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com )
• Just have school codes ready to go!
• Our code 311585
• Be sure to save the confirmation for your
  records.
• Score Choice for SATs ACTs
• Keep all records and copies of reports in one
  place.

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NCAA Clearinghouse

• REMEMBER Register online with the NCAA
  (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net )
• You will need a credit card number.
• Bring transcript release forms to the Counseling
  Office.

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BRAG SHEETS

• Submit student brag sheet.
• Submit parent brag sheet.
• Submit activity sheet or a resume.
• Turn in directly to your counselor now.

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WHS Counseling Department

• You must work with the Counseling Office in order
  to complete 1 Transcript Request Form for each
  school to which you are applying.
• Transcript request forms are due 15 school days
  prior to the deadline.
• Forms and deadlines are critical.

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Attached to Each Transcript Request Form

• Paper clip four stamps.
• Attach to each the Counselor Recommendation/
• School Report Form.
• Fill out the student section of these forms.

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Transcript Procedures

• The transcript request form can go to either the
  secretaries or your school counselor.
• Do not give the secretaries
• Any envelopes
• Any checks

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ELECTRONIC LOGIN

• The secretaries will log in your transcript
  request along with the application deadline.
• Your request will be reflected on Naviance.

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Overview of Deadlines/Terms

• Rolling Admissions
• Priority deadline--may also exist for PART I of
  an application
• Early Action or Early Decision (2 different
  meanings!)
• Caution! Some schools might have combinations
  of all three types of admission deadlines

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DeadlinesSeriously

• Be aware of deadlines.
• You must allow 15 school days to process your
  transcripts after the release form is turned in.
• Be aware of necessary supplements to the common
  application form or to the colleges application.
  
• Be sure to set up appointments with your
  counselors to discuss your application process,
  essays and recommendations. Stop by the office
  if you need help! We love to see you!

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Deadlines for State Universities

• Even though they may be posted as being later,
  try to submit by November 1st if you would like
  to get on the main campus of big state
  universities!
• Michigan Priority Deadline is now 10/31 for Early
  Notification.

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ED 1 and ED 2 Combo

• Some schools have two early decision periods
• 11/1-11/15 for ED 1
• 1/1 for ED 2
• Regular Decision is often close to the ED 2 date.

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REGULAR DECISION

• Often 1/1 or 1/15
• Do not forget to include any required supplements
  if you are using the Common Application!

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ESSAY ESSAY ESSAY

• This is the part of the application that should
  demonstrate your personality, talents and
  creativity.
• It is a reflection about who you arebe honest
  and interesting!
• Show a scene or share a story that tells
  something unique about yourself. Show a side of
  yourself that your application doesnt reveal.

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WriteWrite...and Rewrite.

• Give your essay to your counselor. Exchange ideas
  and get feedback.
• Run these by the English teachers or other
  respected personnel for suggestions.

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Need help with your essay?

• The Counseling Department is pleased to present
  
• College Essay Workshop!
• September 30th, all day. Choose time slots.
• Sign-up sheet in the Counseling Office.
• (Sign-up Deadline September 25th)
• The Essay
• Expert counselors and faculty members will assist
  you with your college essays.
• Get feedback, writing tips and editing assistance.

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Contact with the Colleges Make yourself known!
Show your interest!
See and talk to the college reps at

• Class Period Meetings
• Evening Sessions Held at Hotels.
• Mini-Fairs sponsored by groups of schools.

• Campus Visits (be certain to take an official
  tour through the Admissions Offices).
• Follow-up with e-mails and thank you notes
  (simple courtesies give mileage).

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Missing School for Off Campus Visits

• Follow the school procedures for informing
  personnel, mainly teachers, about visits.
• Remember too much school missed bad grades
  poor admission chances ?

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Naviance Your Old Friend

• All students should be enrolled in Naviance,
  which will enable you to
• Find information about colleges and deadlines.
• Compare colleges.
• See the schedule of college rep visits.
• Sign up for college rep visits.
• Track your many applicationscheck on
  completeness, if they have been sent, due dates,
  etc.
• Log In at http//connection.naviance.com/westfie
  ld.

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NAVIANCE puts it into perspective!
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College Rep Visits

• You will receive emails from Naviance about
  dates/times of college rep visits. (See calendar
  posted outside the Counseling Office)
• You must sign up for college rep visits on
  Naviance
• http//connection.naviance.com/westfield
• You should inform your teachers when you are
  going to be out of class. It is your
  responsibility to make up work.

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• The process is easier with better preparation,
  attention and organization.
• We know it seems overwhelming, but the Counseling
  Department is here to help.
• Chip away at that mountain!