Welcome to Pittsford Sutherland High School College Application

Welcome to Pittsford Sutherland High School College Application Information Night MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 TH 2019 PART 1: COLLEGE APPLICATION INFORMATION PRESENTED BY SHS COUNSELORS BREAK PART 2: FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION PRESENTED BY RENEE SWIFT, NAZARETH COLLEGE

Counselors here to help! Applications in progress Researching colleges Where to begin?

College Research Attend campus visits and open houses at colleges. Information found on college websites, SHS Counseling website, Naviance calendar and posters outside of Counseling Office. College Fairs: September 23: Christian College Fair Browncroft Community Church 6: 00 -8: 00 PM September 24: Eastview Mall, 7: 00 - 9: 00 PM September 25: Marketplace Mall, 6: 30 - 8: 00 PM September 26: Greece Ridge Mall, 6: 30 - 8: 00 PM November 18: HBCU(Historically Black colleges and Univ. ) College Fair. 8: 30 AM-2: 00 PM Rochester Riverside Convention Center Utilize special interest books available in the College/Career Center

College Research - Representative Visits Last year over 140 colleges visited our school The schedule can be viewed under College Visits on the SHS Counseling website at www. pittsfordschools. org/webpages/shscounseling to find an electronic calendar of visits. Information is also available in Naviance and paper listing outside of Counseling Office. To attend a visit: Get a yellow pass from one of the administrative assistants Have your teacher sign the pass No pass is needed if you have a free period

Events Calendar

What Colleges Evaluate in an Application Transcript and the rigor of your curriculum Standardized Test Scores – Optional? Application Essay – Authentic and High Quality Extra Curricular Activities Interviews (if Required) Letters of Recommendation Special Talent

Institutional Goals Colleges indicate that they are trying to create a balanced class Factors influencing this can include: Geographic location Domestic vs international applications Socioeconomic status First generation Diversity Special talent-athletics, music, art Academic program

Safety, Target, Stretch (Naviance)

Starting the College Application Process Make an appointment for your Senior Conference. Students complete SHS Rising Senior Information Survey and update your resume on Naviance. Early Decision and Early Action Applications senior conferences are held between September 17 and the end of October Parents please complete the Senior Parent Information Form if you have not already done so. Utilize a professional email address for the College App Process (First name. Last name@provider. com).

Types of Applications Common Application, SUNY, Individual College Application, Coalition Application, and Universal Application Streamline your applications – commit to the same method when possible Check all Requirements: including deadline dates, application requirements, testing requirements, and financial aid forms/deadlines

Three Parts to the College Application Part One – Student Application Part Two – Teacher Evaluation and Recommendation Part Three – School Documents: Transcript, Secondary School Report Form, Mid-Year Report Form and Counselor Recommendation

Part One – Student Application This includes personal, educational, family, and self- reported standardized testing information. Use legal name (same format) on all documents related to the college process (transcript, apps. , etc). You will also be asked to include information on extra- curricular activities, work experience, short response questions, and a personal essay. Students will also be asked a question regarding any disciplinary violation or conviction of a misdemeanor, felony or other crime.

Part One – Student Application (cont) Additional Supplemental information may be required which could include additional essays or questions. This is done on a school-by-school basis. For some colleges, a resume can be uploaded here if a student has one. It is the student’s responsibility send this data to the college. Students self-report standardized tests, GPA, and current courses as part of the application. The transcript that was sent home this summer can be used to fill out this information. Fee Waivers available for Application Fees and Standardized Testing Fees

Part Two – Teacher Recommendations Students need to ask teachers in person for letters of recommendation. Requirements from teachers vary with regards to what information they may request from the student: an interview, a list of activities, etc. If there is something that you want highlighted be sure to share that with the teacher. Complete the Pink Letter of Recommendation form to include list of schools applying to, with deadline dates. The more organized you are, the more efficient a teacher can be on your behalf.

Part Two – Teacher Recommendations Pay attention to deadlines; give teachers and counselors one month notice prior to a deadline to write a letter of recommendation. Teachers will also complete Common App Teacher Evaluation which includes rating scales regarding areas like leadership, intellectual promise, and motivation. Be sure to thank people who write a letter of recommendation for you. Teachers are doing this on their own time. Let them know the outcome of your applications. They want to hear!

Part 2 – Additional Recommenders Any recommendations beyond the 2 classroom teacher recommendations May include coaches, employers, and community organization leaders All non-Sutherland employees Be sure the college will accept additional recommendations See your Counselor for specific instructions

Part Three – Secondary School Report The Counseling Office will submit an Official High School Transcript, Secondary School Report, Counselor Letter of Recommendation, Teacher Letters of Recommendation, and the School Profile for each college application. A Blue Transcript Release Form must be completed for each college you are applying to. Blue Transcript Release Form gives us permission to submit this information to a college. That document helps us track what information is sent and the date it left our office. The Blue Transcript Release Form includes the college name, application method used, and the names of teachers providing letters of recommendation for that application.

Part Three – Secondary School Report Deadlines for Applications: November 1: blue form in Counseling office by October 4 November 15: blue form in the office by October 25 January 1: blue form in the office by November 26 (Thanksgiving and winter recess impact this deadline) January 15: blue form in the office by December 20 Rolling – 20 working days prior to when you hope to submit your parts of the application Mid-Year Reports are automatically sent electronically to Common Application schools during February recess. Final transcripts will automatically be sent in July, to the college you attend, once the transcript is verified by District office.

Standardized Test Scores Check the requirements of the colleges you are applying to: different policies regarding official scores, test optional, self reporting, SAT Subject tests. Official SAT or ACT test scores: must be sent directly from College Board or ACT to each individual college at the request of the student by logging into your online account. If Official scores are required, your application will be incomplete and not reviewed until you send ACT or SAT scores. When you take the SAT or ACT, you can have 4 test scores sent with your registration fee, additional scores can be sent for a fee.

Standardized Tests Scores (cont) Self Reporting option on the rise. No Official scores at time of application. If admitted and choose to enroll, Official Scores must be sent by students directly from the College Board and/or ACT in the spring. Test Optional colleges – standardized test scores not required for Admission. May be required for scholarship consideration. For more information visit www. fairtest. org

NCAA Eligibility Center Registration required for any Division 1 or Division 2 athletes Register on the website. Check and make sure your courses are on the approved list. You can access an NCAA worksheet to fill in your courses and see where you stand on the SHS Counseling Page. Use a Blue Transcript release form to have initial transcript sent to NCAA eligibility center from the Counseling Office. For student athletes, a final transcript will be sent to the NCAA in July.

Social Media Suggestions Colleges are using social media and email to communicate information. Some colleges will track your engagement with those platforms. On an individual level stay away from inappropriate posts and personal attacks. Admissions Offices could search for you online and information found could impact your admissibility. Be aware of what you post, favorite and tag!

Financial Aid Information Tough conversation to have…but have it now! Discuss how much you can or are willing to contribute Look at individual colleges for potential scholarship opportunities Use the Net Price Calculator on each individual college website Renee Swift, Financial Aid Nazareth College

Financial Aid (con’t) C. S. S. Profile vs. FAFSA Form - Before Jan. 1 - Some require - Institutional methodology - After October 1 - All schools use - Federal Methodology Both assume contribution from the student Early Decision candidates fill out C. S. S. by Dec. 1 If you have questions about financial aid, contact the college’s financial aid office directly. Consideration for Merit scholarships may require college applications to be submitted by Dec. 1 st.

Reminders Sign up for your Senior Conference in the Counseling Office. Verbally request letters of recommendation from teachers. Complete the Rising Senior Survey in Naviance. Common Application – www. commonapp. org Sign up for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and/or SAT IIs) Make sure to submit blue Transcript Release Forms for all schools, including those that are not on The Common Application. If we do not have a form, we will not know what to submit to the college.