Liberty High School

1. Liberty High School Senior class 2014

2. Websites of Importance Website: www.Washingtoncouncil.orgHas information about all colleges in WA state. Open the counselor workshop booklet Homepage of the liberty website: click on career center for a wide variety of college resources Use the senior timeline to help keep yourself organized and add your college deadlines

3. Career Center Resources College resource handbook College search Scholarships Financial aid College fairs College Admission Reps Schedule at Liberty

4. College Application Night October 1st at 6:00 pm There will be several workshops for seniors: Financial Aid –keynote speaker: college financial aid representative Scholarships College application details Admissions – college admissions counselor Highly selective college admissions – Univ. of Penn.

5. Holistic Review of Applications If admission is competitive, the holistic review is often used. Factors they may consider: Did student take challenging courses Academically solid senior year courses Did applicant meet or exceed CADR requirements. GPA SAT/ACT test scores Thoughtful well written essay Demonstrated special talent or experiences Positive grade trends Leadership, part-time job or family respon. Overcoming personal adversity or disadvantage

6. Reminder about CADR’s… To qualify for a baccalaureate college/university students need: 15 core courses by the end of their senior year Seniors must take a math-based quantitative course: a math class or algebra-based science unless you have completed pre-calculus 2 years of lab science including either chemistry or physics 1 year of fine, visual or performing arts 2 years of the same world language

7. Terms to Know Rolling admission: apps are read and decided on as they come in so apply early (WSU, CWU, EWU, etc.) Pooled admission: the college looks at all apps at the same time so notification of admission is later in the year (UW) Early decision: apply early, get accepted early; this is binding; student cannot wait to check financial aid pkg. from other schools & must withdraw other apps Early action: apply early, get accepted early but it is not binding

8. Standard Items for College Applications Completed application SAT/ACT test score sent from the appropriate agency Fee: in-state most are $35 - $60; out-of-state varies Official transcript Essay (if required) WA Universities with automatic admission: WSU – 3.5 GPA or higher with core requirements met CWU – 3.4 GPA EWU – 3.3 GPA

9. Transcripts Request “official” HS transcripts in the Counseling Office: Transcripts are signed, stamped and placed in sealed envelopes & send in mail. Some official transcripts are sent electronically by your counselor 1st 3 are free; then $2 each. Pay the bookkeeper then bring in receipt to counseling office Allow 2 days to process transcript All in-state universities want official transcript except UW

10. College Application Process Recommend that you apply to at least 1 reach college, 2 or more likely colleges and 1 safe college Complete applications online Liberty’s CEEB/ACT code is: 480502 Follow directions and answer exactly what is asked for; include senior courses but do not type in “senior waiver” Use “NA” if the question is not applicable to you Submit all required documents: applic, transcript, fee, test scores and essays Save a copy of application Review everything before submission

11. The College Essay Write about a life experience that tells the reader who you are Write to the prompt Do: Find a topic Write a draft Revise and rewrite Get feedback; do final editing Proofread Watch the tone and voice of your essay Career center has college essay support via professional editors (College Corps) each Thursday during both lunches from Oct. 17th – Dec. 12th Get help from your English teacher

12. The Common Application Website: commonapp.org (over 500 colleges) Complete the application for any schools on list; many also require an additional supplement Counselor and teacher recommendation(s) are required Counselor completes a school report and writes a recomm; give your counselor an official transcript for her to upload – all documents are sent electronically Type in your teacher and counselor’s names/emails; CA will send an official notice to the writer(s); Make sure you spell their names correctly or they will not be notified Waive your right to access the recommendation Counselors send in a mid-year report to CA

13. UW and Common Application Notations Include these course notations: AP = advanced placement CHS = college in the high school RST = running start H = honors UW application: students include all core coursework and fine art classes using the above notations in lieu of transcript

14. Letters of Recommendation Complete letter of recommendation form (on LHS website) Ask appropriate people to write the letter; include 1 academic writer Make an appointment with the writer; bring in your resume with your completed form Allow 3 weeks for them to write the letter Some letters sent via mail; others sent electronically Send the writer a thank you note!

15. Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) 15 western states are members Students pay less out-of-state tuition: 150% of regular tuition rather than the normal out-of-state tuition (200%) Check the website for member states and colleges/universities within each state that participate Website: www.wiche.edu/wue

16. Community & Technical College Applications Requirement: HS grad or 18 years old or GED Complete application online Watch deadlines for apps, scholarships and financial aid Visit the school Take the required placement test (English + math) Apply early as programs may fill up; you may be put on a wait list Students who apply late will not receive any financial aid

17. Financial Aid Attend the senior college application night. The Keynote Speaker’s topic is on financial aid the evening of October 1st. There will be financial materials available Financial aid will be in the form of: Scholarships Work Study Student loans Grants Most colleges have both merit and need-based financial aid Website: www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov for a wealth of information Check out financial information on our Career Center website Read thoroughly about financial aid on the college of your choice websites

18. The FAFSA Starting Jan. 1stclass of 2014 seniors/parents complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Website: www.fafsa.ed.gov Submission deadlinesare often end of Feb. You will not receive any aid without submitting this document! Secure an electronic Pin early The Dept. of Educ. applies a formula with your FAFSA information to generate an SAR (Student Aid Report) The SAR is used to determine your financial aid package that will be offered to you by the colleges Use www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to estimate your finances (do before Jan.)

19. Scholarships Apply! Apply! Apply! There are scholarships based on: academics, leadership, financial need, career direction, athletics, music, art, community service and more… Attend the College Application October 1st to get detailed information on scholarships. Our Career Center lists and updates scholarships throughout the year Website: www.washboard.org Enter your profile to see a list of scholarships that match your situation!

20. Key Dates!!! Senior application night: October 1st at 6:00 pm Senior interviews: Oct. 3oth & Nov. 6th (grad requirement) Early action or early decision dates if applicable Priority application deadlines & priority college scholarship deadlines Honors Program: often has an earlier date than the app. FAFSA submission: Jan – the earlier the better! Local/national scholarship deadlines May 1st: the usual notification deadline for accepting a college.

21. Words of Advice Organize yourself: keep a file on each college: what you need to do and when Present yourself in a professional manner on your apps and essays; clean up social web sites/email addresses Email or call the admissions office of the school when in doubt or need information Meet all deadlines Visit your top 2-3 schools before making the decision Study and prepare: do your homework, keep up your GPA, read the senior updates & listen to announcements Remember: low senior grades are grounds for a college to rescind your admission

22. Finally… There is a college for everyone! See your counselor and career specialists for help Best wishes to all seniors in your future endeavors!