College Application Night Avon Grove High School Guidance

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College Application Night Avon Grove High School Guidance Department September 20, 2016 Avon Grove

College Application Night Avon Grove High School Guidance Department September 20, 2016 Avon Grove Guidance Counselors Duane Carroll and Scott Searfoss

OVERVIEW • • The college identification process College application strategies Using the Common Application

OVERVIEW • • The college identification process College application strategies Using the Common Application tips College essays Financial aid Scholarships Questions? ? ?

Overview of the College Application Steps 1. Research schools (web browser like: College Board)

Overview of the College Application Steps 1. Research schools (web browser like: College Board) 1. Narrow choices by certain criteria 2. Apply to schools 3. Waaaaiiiiiitttt 4. Make final selection

Research Schools and Narrow Choices Decided – Keep your grades up – Create a

Research Schools and Narrow Choices Decided – Keep your grades up – Create a list of potential post-secondary schools and do your research – Visit campuses – Narrow down choices – Make an appointment with Mr. Carroll or Mr. Searfoss to discuss your plan – Move through the application process

Research Schools and Narrow Choices Undecided – Keep your grades up – Take interest

Research Schools and Narrow Choices Undecided – Keep your grades up – Take interest inventories and assessments (Career Cruising) – Attend college presentations • Make sure to ask what resources are available for undeclared students – Consider shadowing opportunities • See Mr. Hoffman – Meet with Mr. Carroll or Mr. Searfoss to discuss your options – Consider community college • DCCC, Cecil County, Del Tech – Keep your options open

College Visits to AGHS • 40+ College Visits currently scheduled with more to be

College Visits to AGHS • 40+ College Visits currently scheduled with more to be added! • Meet Admissions Representatives who may review your application. • Ability to ask specific questions related to school. • See handout for current list of schools and questions to ask.

Online Resources Evaluation of self, majors, and career paths www. careercruising. com www. collegeboard.

Online Resources Evaluation of self, majors, and career paths www. careercruising. com www. collegeboard. org (Big Futures) www. actstudent. org www. pacareerzone. org www. fiskeguide. com (Sizing Yourself Up survey) www. petersons. com www. usnews. com/education www. collegeview. com www. collegeresults. org (retention rates info. ) Scholarships www. finaid. com www. myscholly. com/#scholly (as seen on Shark Tank)

Strategy (one) “Reach School” (two to three) Target Schools (one) Safety School Don’t put

Strategy (one) “Reach School” (two to three) Target Schools (one) Safety School Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

Types of Admissions (Keep deadlines in mind!) • Early Action – Non-Binding Commitment –

Types of Admissions (Keep deadlines in mind!) • Early Action – Non-Binding Commitment – You will receive the admission decision earlier. • Early Decision – Binding Commitment • Rolling Admissions • • – The earlier you apply, the more likely that you will be accepted. For example, Indiana University of PA (IUP) receives approx. 12, 000 applications per year. – Between Sept. - Dec. they receive 2, 000 – Between Jan. – March they receive 10, 000. – The longer you wait, the more competition! Regular Admissions - The deadline varies from school to school

The Application Process Part 1 ✓ Complete a brag sheet and bring the original

The Application Process Part 1 ✓ Complete a brag sheet and bring the original to the Guidance Office ✓ Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc for letters of recommendation ✓ Complete your essay and have it edited ✓ Complete your application (typically online) • Pay the application fee: Fee waivers may be available for those who qualify • Upload your essay • Arrange for letters of recommendation to be sent

The Application Process Part 2 • Hand in a transcript request form. – One

The Application Process Part 2 • Hand in a transcript request form. – One form per school. – $5 each. Check or cash or money order. – Parent/guardian signature required. We cannot send anything until you do this!!!!

Transcript Request Form

Transcript Request Form

– Accepted at over 500 schools – www. commonapp. org to see the list

– Accepted at over 500 schools – www. commonapp. org to see the list or get started – 3 min. Video: Common Application Video

 • Use Google Chrome when applying with the Common Application! • Please select

• Use Google Chrome when applying with the Common Application! • Please select Mr. Carroll in two sections of the Common Application – 1 st spot: Mr. Duane Carroll (counselor) – 2 nd spot: Under Recommenders: dcarroll@avongrove. org

Letters of Recommendation • In situations where all else is equal, such as GPA,

Letters of Recommendation • In situations where all else is equal, such as GPA, SAT score, and essays, the recommendation can be THE distinguishing factor in being accepted! • The more specific a student is when they fill out their recommendation form (Brag Sheet), the more detailed and thorough their letter of recommendation will be! • UPDATE: Some schools do not accept letters of recommendation. Be sure to know which schools want them and which schools don’t!

Student “Brag Sheet”

Student “Brag Sheet”

Letters of Recommendation From Teachers From Coaches/Employers/Advisors

Letters of Recommendation From Teachers From Coaches/Employers/Advisors

Letters from Teachers Ask at least 2 teachers • It helps if the teacher:

Letters from Teachers Ask at least 2 teachers • It helps if the teacher: – Knows you for excelling in class – Knows you for more than 1 year and has taught you recently – Be careful with the common application • Make sure that you have contact with the teacher (No surprises please) **Please give teachers at least 2 weeks to write letters of recommendation

Letters from Coaches/Employers/Advisors Only ask for these if you are: - Currently working in

Letters from Coaches/Employers/Advisors Only ask for these if you are: - Currently working in a field related to your intended major - Planning to play sports in college - Taking leadership roles in activities

When You Ask… What to have ready when approaching a teacher for a letter

When You Ask… What to have ready when approaching a teacher for a letter of recommendation ▪ Brag Sheet ▪ Check with the guidance office to see who has turned in letters **Keep an eye on admissions deadlines

Your Audience: Admissions Officers Reflect on Application Essays “It is crucial that applicants allow

Your Audience: Admissions Officers Reflect on Application Essays “It is crucial that applicants allow themselves to be as personal and self-reflective as possible when writing their essays. Avoid writing about something on a superficial level or resorting to a topic that does not reveal anything special about you. ” ~ Richard Shaw, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid, Yale University “Students should write about what they think is important, not what they think we want to hear” ~ Lee Stetson, Dean of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania

Getting Started • Think about your audience and your objectives • Think about what

Getting Started • Think about your audience and your objectives • Think about what you want to say • Develop and organize your material • Outline your ideas • Review basic writing and grammar rules

Sample Essay Questions Don’t give typical answers! University of Delaware • Anticipate what it

Sample Essay Questions Don’t give typical answers! University of Delaware • Anticipate what it will be like for you as a student at the University of Delaware. Both in and out of the classroom, where do you expect to feel most comfortable and where will you need to stretch? • Describe an accomplishment that took a great deal of time and/or effort on your part. What motivated you to persevere when it got challenging? Who or what did you turn to for support, and how was that helpful? Lehigh University • Describe your favorite “bazinga” moment?

 • Hey (insert family member), can you look over my essay? “Over edited

• Hey (insert family member), can you look over my essay? “Over edited essays lose all their personality. Applicants shouldn’t have a lot of different people – ESPECIALLY PARENTS – give their input. This can really ruin an essay. ” ~Karl Furstenberg, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dartmouth College • Find someone to read and edit your work, such as an English teacher.

RSVP on Avon Grove High School’s Guidance Website

RSVP on Avon Grove High School’s Guidance Website

Financial Aid Resource https: //secure-media. collegeboard. org/digital. Services/pdf/membership/counselor-workshops/financial-advising-booklet. pdf

Financial Aid Resource https: //secure-media. collegeboard. org/digital. Services/pdf/membership/counselor-workshops/financial-advising-booklet. pdf

https: //secure-media. collegeboard. org/digital. Services/pdf/membership/counselor-workshops/financial-advising-booklet. pdf

https: //secure-media. collegeboard. org/digital. Services/pdf/membership/counselor-workshops/financial-advising-booklet. pdf

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • www. fafsa. ed. gov – File

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • www. fafsa. ed. gov – File after October 1, 2016 – Deadline: June 30, 2018

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Required by some schools to award Non-Federal Aid 1 -305 -829

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Required by some schools to award Non-Federal Aid 1 -305 -829 -9793 or 1 -800 -778 -6888 http: //profileonline. collegeboard. com • There is a general registration fee • Plus a fee for each school report sent • The list of schools requiring the PROFILE can be found on the form, on-line, or by contacting the individual school’s Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid Falls into 2 Categories • Need-based – Depends on the cost of

Financial Aid Falls into 2 Categories • Need-based – Depends on the cost of college and your family’s ability to pay these costs • Merit-based – Usually awarded in recognition of special skills or academic ability

Scholarships • Definition – Free money!!! • Sources – Private – Colleges themselves –

Scholarships • Definition – Free money!!! • Sources – Private – Colleges themselves – Public/government

Award Factors • • • Academic achievement Athletic ability Artistic ability Choice of major

Award Factors • • • Academic achievement Athletic ability Artistic ability Choice of major Financial need Ethnicity, gender, or other group membership

Locating Scholarships • Internet search sites and apps: – www. finaid. org – www.

Locating Scholarships • Internet search sites and apps: – www. finaid. org – www. fastweb. com – Scholly app • Guidance web page • Employers • Local organizations • AGHS Fund a Future program • Colleges of interest and their financial aid office • ***Beware of scams!

Upcoming College Fairs Chester County College Fair • Monday, October 31 • 5: 30

Upcoming College Fairs Chester County College Fair • Monday, October 31 • 5: 30 p. m. - 7: 30 p. m. • Exton Square Mall • Representatives from over 230+ colleges nationwide Delaware County College Fair • Thursday, September 29 th • 6: 30 p. m. - 8: 00 p. m. • PSU Brandywine

Questions

Questions