The College Application Process

1. The College Application Process How to choose and apply to the right school for you

2. Which one is right for you? College Choice

3. Finding the Right Fit • Number of students • Location • Fields of study (available majors and minors) • Living quarters (dorms, apartments, etc.) • Safety • Available activities (sports, student organizations)

4. Finding the Right Fit • Meal plans • Research, internship, and field experience opportunities • Class sizes • Faculty access • Admission standards / requirements

5. Researching Colleges and Majors • My Big Future • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ • Search for colleges based on many different criteria, explore college majors and careers, and get tips on applications and essays • College Navigator • http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ • Search for colleges based on many different criteria • Indiana Career Explorer • http://indianacareerexplorer.com/ • Take interest inventories and explore careers which may interest you

6. Comparing Schools Research college admission standards • What high school classes should I have taken in order to be a good candidate? • What high school GPA does the college require? • Does the college require an SAT or ACT score? • What does my SAT or ACT score have to be? • What kind of diploma do I need (Academic Honors, Core 40, or General)?

7. Preparing to Apply • Determine what you will need in order to complete the application for each school • Test scores • Essays or Personal Statements • Letters of Recommendation • Resume (list of extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and service activities) Requirements can vary by school. Determining what you need for each application before you begin can help you stay organized.

8. Test Scores • Does the college require an ACT or SAT score? • Will the college accept my ACT or SAT score reports from my high school, or do I need to send them directly from my ACT or College Board account?

9. Letters of Recommendation • Will the college review letters of recommendation? • Whom should I ask to write me a letter? • What should the letter discuss? • Academic achievement • Leadership • Service • Work ethic

10. Essays and Personal Statements • DO try to demonstrate commitment and leadership rather than just a list of every activity in which you have participated • DO allow your personality to shine through what you write • DO express a strong interest in attending a particular school if you genuinely have one

11. Steps for Success Applying to Colleges

12. Applying to Colleges Once you know what each school requires, you are ready to complete the application(s). Most schools prefer that you complete the application online. Be sure to check and see if the college requires a counselor form to accompany your transcript.

13. Applying to Colleges After you complete the application, you should submit a CHS College Application Cover Sheet for each school to which you have applied. Remember that if you have applied to one or more schools on the Common App, you should ask Mrs. Elaman to send your transcript to the Common App rather than the individual schools. Remember to bring $1 to the guidance office for each transcript you want sent.

14. Applying to Colleges When you ask Mrs. Elaman to send your transcript, bring all materials you want to accompany your transcript, including letters of recommendation, personal statements, counselor recommendation forms, etc. Avoid asking for the transcript to be sent, then bringing in the counselor form or letters several days later.

15. Frequently Asked Questions

16. What is on my CHS transcript? • Cumulative GPA • Current class rank • Course titles and semester grades for all classes taken since freshman year • SAT and ACT scores, if any are in your file • Titles of classes you are currently taking Your transcript does not include your current grading period GPA, your ECA scores, or your PSAT scores.

17. Can you tell me my weighted GPA? No, all Warrick County School Corporation high schools use an un-weighted GPA only. Many colleges prefer to apply their own formula to calculating your GPA for admission purposes. A school profile is included with each transcript sent to give admission staff perspective on your academic record.

18. How can I get an application fee waiver? The College Board has application fee waivers available to students who are enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. However, in order to be eligible for the application fee waiver, the student has to have taken an SAT using a fee waiver. If you are eligible for a fee waiver, see Mrs. Elaman to pick it up and fill it out.

19. Can you send just some of my test scores to a college? No, the transcript does not allow me to deselect any of your ACT or SAT scores. I have to send all of them or none of them.

20. Should I waive my right to view a recommendation? Yes! Of course, the decision is yours entirely. However, you should know that college admission reps will trust a recommendation more if you have waived your right to see it. Your safest bet is to only ask for recommendations from people who will be able to provide positive evaluations of you.

21. Will it cause a problem for me if my transcript arrives at the college a little later than my application? No, that is normal. The college will start an admission file for you, then update it as they receive more information. Just be aware that they cannot give you a decision until they receive all the information they require.

22. What should I do if I asked you to send a transcript but the college says they don’t have it? Don’t panic! This happens all the time. I keep a record of the dates on which I sent out all transcripts. I am always glad to tell you when I sent your paperwork. Then, you should call the admissions office and tell them when I sent it to see if they have it. Colleges are often behind in opening mail during peak application season. As a last resort, we can re-send.

23. When should I start applying to colleges? The applications for many schools go “live” in early August. Check the deadlines of the schools in which you are interested to make sure you apply within plenty of time. Also make sure to note the difference between a “received by” deadline and a “postmarked by” deadline and request transcripts in a timely manner according to that.

24. Is there an advantage to applying earlier rather than later? That depends on the school. Some schools hold all applications received by a certain date, then release all those application decisions at once. In that case, as long as you apply by the deadline, you have equal consideration with other applicants. Other schools offer admission on a rolling basis. If this is the case, sooner is better because admission will only get more competitive as time passes.

25. Should I apply Early Decision or Early Action, if the option exists? Early decision is binding. That means that if that college accepts you, you will withdraw all other applications and attend that school. Early action is not binding. If you are accepted to a school under early action, you are still allowed to decline the offer.

26. Other Recommendations • Whenever possible, the student (rather than the parent) should communicate with the admissions office. • Always complete applications in ink, not pencil. • Carefully proofread all application materials. • Create a professional-sounding e-mail address for use with applications. • Clean up your social media accounts. Make sure your digital footprint reflects you as you want to be seen.

27. For More Information Mrs. Sarah Elaman selaman@warrick.k12.in.us (812) 858-3408