SENIOR YEAR

1. SENIOR YEAR Countdown to College September 2019

2. What you need to know….. • Where should I be right now in the application process? • Admissions categories • Requesting a transcript • Requesting a recommendation • The Common App, The Coalition and other online applications • University of Maryland application • Financial Aid

3. By NOW, you should have: • Created online accounts for each of your schools • Made plans to conduct final visits (not needed for every school that you are applying to) • Registered for the October ACT or SAT, if necessary. Take advantage of sending 3 score reports to schools when you sign up! • Filled out the Counselor Recommendation Form & e-mailed to your School Counselor • Chosen additional teachers/community leaders to write recommendations, notified them and sent them a completed copy of the Teacher Recommendation Form

4. This month and next: • Refine your list of colleges and organize yourself by identifying deadlines, compiling your academic resume, reviewing essays topics, noting application check-lists • Request transcripts online at least 10 (ten) school days prior to the date they are due • List financial aid options and their deadlines: Federal, state, local, college-based and lending institutions. Keep checking the CHS newsletter and your online resources • Fill out appropriate college financial aid forms

5. Moving into fall, winter & spring… • Consider attending the College Fair on Monday , October 14th at Carroll Community College , particularly if you are undecided—5:30-8:00 • Consider attending the “College 101” night at CHS on Thursday, March 26th • Parents should review the FAFSA now, organize their financial info and COMPLETE the online FAFSAform beginning OCTOBER 1st • Continue exploring financial aid options and keep your grades UP

6. Admissions terms and benefits: • Rolling – Find out early and find out quickly • Generally utilized at smaller, less-selective schools • Applications are reviewed and decided upon in order of receipt • Acceptances begin now and run well into next spring, space permitting. • Early Decision- Some statistical advantage but financially risky • LEGALLY binding • Only permitted to submit one • Often due by November 1st • If a student is admitted to the college, the student must cancel all other applications

7. Admissions terms (cont.) • Early Action- Some statistical advantage, find out sooner, have time to reconsider options • Usually due November 1st • Applicant will receive an answer by early January • Can apply Early Action to as many schools as you wish • Denials often rolled over to regular admissions window • Regular Decision • Due between Dec and February • Students receive an answer by mid to late March • Commitment deadline usually May 1

8. GET ORGANIZED!

9. The general ONLINE application process99.99% of applications will be online. Your piece: Personal information, academic resume, essay, SAT/ACT/AP scores (must be ordered by student), application fee, and more Our piece: Secondary school report, counselor recommendation, transcript, character/academic scales, etc. We do not provide standardized test scores Teacher piece: Recommendation, character/academic rating scales • Log-in and note your name and password (can log on with us) • Feel comfortable following-up with Ms. McKeiver and your Counselor with questions • Keep track of the status of your application and deadlines • Pay attention to check-lists and KNOW what each school requires

10. The Common Application/The Coalition • Determine which of your schools accept the Common App or Coalition App • Complete student information portion online • Invite your Counselor and teacher(s) of choice – this allows them to complete their portion of the form • Minimum of 15 School Days to complete these forms • Complete a Transcript Request Form – found on the CHS website

12. FAQ • GPA Scale: 4.0 • School Code: 211004 • Class Size: 282 students • Counselor Email Addresses: • smtaylo@carrollk12.org • bkjorda@carrollk12.org • gjwunde@carrollk12.org • sobrown@carrollk12.org

13. University of Maryland • Use The Coalition App to apply • Minimum of 15 school days notice required for counselor to complete the online reports • Must apply by November 1st– their Priority Application

14. Requesting a Transcript • Visit the School Counseling page on the CHS website and fill out an online Transcript Request Form • The first three transcripts are FREE. After that, the cost is $2.00 per transcript (Schools listed on Common App count as 1 transcript; Schools listed on Coalition App count as 1 transcript) • Minimum of 10 SCHOOL DAYS to process a transcript • If a Secondary School Report is required by your school, please work with your school counselor to have it completed online

15. Counselor Recommendation Letters • If a counselor recommendation letter is needed: • Visit the school website (www.carrollk12.org/chs) • Click on the “School Counseling” Tab • Then click “Forms” • Open the Counselor Recommendation Letter Packet • After completing the forms, e-mail the complete document to your school

18. Teacher Recommendation Letters • If a teacher recommendation letter is needed: • Visit the school website (www.carrollk12.org/chs) • Click on the “School Counseling” Tab • Then click “Forms” • Open the Teacher Recommendation Letter Packet • Be sure to ask your teacher(s) if they would be willing to write you a letter! • After completing the forms and speaking with your teacher, e-mail the completed packet to your teacher

21. Financial Aid • Read the School Counseling Newsletter for scholarship opportunities • Complete the FAFSA Form after October 1st • Approach your college to see what aid opportunities are available

22. Primary Sources of Financial Aid • Federal and state programs (usually need-based) • Colleges and universities (both merit and need-based) • Scholarships from local, state and national organizations • Lending institutions: banks, credit unions • Businesses and professional organizations

23. Link to the FAFSA is located on Century High School’s Website under School Counseling, then Scholarship Information

27. Attend the Financial Aid Night on September 16th from 6:45-8:15

28. NAVIANCE • New Program to CCPS • College Tools and Videos (Explore!) • Road Trip Nation • Get in the habit of checking your school email account • Good routine to get into before heading off to college!! • Counselors will be sending mass emails throughout the school year to seniors

29. Flex Chats—College Application Workshops • September 19th • September 26th • October 3rd • October 10th • Sign up in the Counseling Office or Online https://www.carrollk12.org/schools/high/chs/SchoolCounseling/CollegeCareerPlanning/Pages/default.aspx

30. Links • Scholarships and FAFSA • Recommendation and Transcript Forms • Common App • Coalition App • College Visits & College Application Flex Chats

31. Questions?????