Applying to College Duxbury High School Class of

Applying to College Duxbury High School Class of 2013

Step 1: Meet your Guidance Counselor - You should have already registered on Naviance. - Begin or finalize your college list - Have a mix of “likely”, “target”, and “reach” schools - Review your brag sheet - Note your deadlines

Things to consider - Expand your list - Auditions, sports tapes, portfolio’s etc - Number of applications (consider the fee per application as well) - Visits - Major - Location - Admissions - timeline

Early vs. Regular Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Priority Restrictive Early Action

Brag Sheets - In Naviance – “my brag sheet” on left hand side - Students should be completing and parents helping - Needed for counselor recommendation letters as well as teacher letters -Chance to explain anything – does not get sent to colleges

Applying… Step 1 • Updating list of schools on Naviance – “colleges I’m thinking about” • Complete Student Brag Sheets Step 2 • Common Application Process Registering (www. commonapp. org) Naviance FERPA Release Common Application Account Linked • Non-Common Application Process Online Submission Paper/Mailing Submission

Updating College List

Remember: Early Decision: Binding Early Action/Priority: Non-Binding

Delivery Types Non-Common Application (online submission) Common Application School (online submission) Non-Common Application (paper/mail submission)

Step 2: Visit the commonapp - www. commonapp. org - Register with username and password - Begin application for any common app schools on your list - Download supplements for common app schools - Points to note about commonapp. org

Common App

FERPA First thing that will come up is the FERPA Release. Students will need to check off two boxes: Waive right to access their recommendations Authorize school to release their educational records

Step 5: Sending transcripts - Transcript Request Form - $10 one time fee - DEADLINES - not ASAP - Electronic submission - What is in the “transcript packet”

Check on status

Step 3: Teacher Recommendations and Sending Official Test Scores Teacher Recommendation(s): Online Paper/mailing Sending Official Test Scores (if applicable) AP Scores SAT Scores ACT Scores

Teacher Recommendations 1 -2 teachers Ask, don’t assume Brag sheet Electronic vs. paper Teacher evaluation form Don’t forget to say Thank You!

SAT/ACT Scores Send directly from collegeboard or act A note about Score. Choice – it applies to one test date not “best of” multiple dates October/November scores by November 1 or 15 th deadlines

Step 6: Complete Applications - Be aware of deadlines - Be aware of supplements - GPA, Rank, Decile - Essays - Online versus paper - VIP, Director’s Choice, etc

A word about the essays… Do start with an attention grabbing lead Do add a personal touch Do proofread and have someone else read Do be creative but don’t make things up Don’t put your resume into essay form Don’t choose an offensive or negative topic Don’t make excuses

Other points to note… Financial Aid/Scholarship Program – MEFA night on Tuesday, November 13 th at 6 pm. Less stress, more fun Don’t listen to the rumor mill There is a place for everyone!