Welcome to the College Application Process

1. Welcome to the College Application Process

2. Begin with an Action Plan* Improve your grades!* Get involved (clubs, sports)* Meet with your Counselor* Explore College Costs, Financial aid options* Explore Career Interests* Register for SAT/ACT* Create resume, essay

3. What Do You Want in a CollegeWhat’s important to you?SizeLocationDistance from homeAvailable majors and classesHousing optionsMakeup of the student bodyAvailable extracurricular activitiesCampus atmosphere

4. You can get in. Really.College admission isn't as competitive as you might think. Fewerthan 100 colleges in the U.S. are highly selective.Closeto 500 four-year colleges accept more than 75 percent of applicants. Andopen-admission colleges accept all or most high school graduates.

5. 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY College admission officers try to get a complete picture of who you are, what you’ll bring to their campus and how you might do on their campus. They look at many parts of your application such as your: • High School GradesHigh School Courses • College Entrance ExamsRecommendation Letters • Extracurricular ActivitiesApplication Essays

6. College Admission Requirements • General Admission Requirements (ASU example) • 3.0 GPA (16 core classes) • English-4, Math-4, Science-3, Social Studies-2, CTE/Fine Arts-1, Mod.Lan-2 • SAT (1040) or ACT (22) Additional criteria considered for students who do not meet admission • deficiencies (deficiencies must be completed at the university) • extracurricular activities, community service • holistic review • Check College Web Sites for Admission Requirements

7. COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR UNIVERSITIES • College entrance exams, are designed to measure students’ skills and help colleges evaluate how ready students are for college-level work • The SAT has 3 major sections: math, reading and writing (which includes a written essay) sat.org • The ACT has 4 major sections: English, math, reading, science (& an optional essay section) act.org • Test scores are just one part of your college application; colleges want well-rounded students who have good grades, course rigor, and recommendations

8. What Goes Into An Application • Application Form • Application Fee • Your High School Code • Your High School Transcript • Final Transcript • Admission Test Scores • Letters of Recommendation • Essays

11. How Many Colleges Should You Apply To • There is no “magic” number but 4 to 8 colleges is a safe recommended number • Consider: • Cost-each application may cost $50 or more • Fees are nonrefundable • Time-each application takes time to complete • Match-is there a possibility of getting admitted?

12. Match school • Your academic record and test scores are right in line with the averages • You feel that you measure up favorably with typical applicants for the school and that you have a decent chance of being admitted • Safety School • Your academic record and scores are measurably above the average of admission requirements • Your “back up” school • Reach School • Schools with highly selective admissions • Your grades and scores are below the averages for these schools. When you study the admissions data, you find that there's a possibility you'll get in, but it's a bit of a long shot • Be realistic here.

13. The Common ApplicationColleges request large amount of informationfill out one application submit it to any one or more of the 700 colleges that accept it (not all colleges accept it)There’s no need to write a brand-new essay or personal statement for each

14. Personal Statement and Essay PromptsStrengthen the overall application.Starting point to write an essay that is authentic and distinguishing • Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?  • Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance

15. Letter of Recommendation Packetrequest 2/3 weeks before due date Resume a document of your accomplishments/activities. strengths and experiences. It is a picture of you on paper. • goals • academic awards • athletic participation/awards• extracurricular activities • community service, volunteer activities • leadership activities • campus organizations/clubs • summer opportunities, internships • work experience • special coursework (summer college courses) • special skills/hobbies Essaytell about an event that affected you in some way

16. Should I even bother applying to • colleges I don’t think I can afford? • Absolutely. Remember that after financial aid packages are determined, most students will pay far less than the "sticker price" listed on the college website. • You don’t know if you can afford a college until after you apply and find out how much aid that college will offer you (if you’re accepted). • Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1 to qualify for the most aid. • Even if the aid package the college offers is not enough, you have options. Many colleges are willing to work with students they have chosen for admission to ensure that those students can afford to attend.

17. Financial Aid • SCHOLARSHIP TIPS AND INFORMATION Start Searching Early – You will have more options. Look carefully at the scholarship criteria and apply for those for which you are a good candidate. Local Scholarships – Applying for these means you are part of a smaller applicant pool and could have a better chance of receiving funds if you meet the criteria. HHS Counseling Website • FAFSA– Free Application for Federal Student Aid – The federal form completed by parents and students to determine eligibility for federal student aid. Forms are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

18. WHEN SHOULD YOU START APPLYING? • University=Fall of Senior Year • (Arizona-application available July) • check application deadlines • Community College=Spring of Senior Year • February-March 2018

19. Counseling Department Roberta Hultstrand…………..A – Car Matthew Van Holten…………Cas – Fi Cindy Harrison………………..Fl – Ji Amy Hathcock………………..Jo – McG Sam Weiss……………………….McH – Pra Gene Valocchi…………………Pre – Sti Barbara Toledo………………..Sto – Z & AVID Francia Ward…………………..Career Center Coordinator Dena Koch……………………..Counseling Secretary

20. WebsitesBigFuture.CollegeBoard.orgSat.orgAct.orgCommonapp.orgFafsa.govThank You for AttendingSurvey Link: https://goo.gl/I8ofhn(the letter before the 8 is a capital i)