The Mechanics of the College Application Process

1. The Mechanics of the College Application Process Brett Levine-Director of Guidance Nancy O’Brien-School Counselor Falynn Bleiberg-Guidance Intern September 17, 2009

2. MHS Guidance Department • Director: Brett Levine • Counselors: Sarah Mazak, Nancy O’Brien, Joe Giugliano, and Phyllis Levy • Support Staff: Linda Terraciano, Carolyn White • Intern: Falynn Bleiberg

4. Tonight’s Program • 60-75 Minutes • Posted on MHS Guidance Web site • Repeated tomorrow at 8am in A-2 • Practical Information • Reinforce information presented in summer mailing and Jr. parent night • Q &A at end (optional)

5. News and Noteworthy MHS • Class of 2010 small=175 Students • Median GPA= 3.03 • PE: Semester College Admissions • Score choice • More flex options re: SAT reporting (i.e. NYU, American) • More publications ranking colleges (Forbes) • Competitive colleges harder to get into. (NBER) • Crossing the Finish Line (William Bowen). Challenge to popular wisdom • NJ still # 1 exporter

6. How parents can supportthrough the process • Attend Sr. Conference (or make sure apt. is made) • Remind: Important dates • Remind: College visits • Keep ‘em on track • Keep us in the loop • Honest conversations with students about $$

7. MHS Guidance Dept Spring 2009: • SM-CRUSSH; PL-Vermont; JG-Rhode Island: NOB&BL-Penn State; All-Keystone and U of Scranton Fall 2009: • BL-College Board Workshop, SM&PL NACAC-Baltimore Spring 2010: • Counselor tours TBD

8. Where the Class of 2009 Applied • University of Scranton/U of Maryland (15) • University of Massachusetts (16) • Lehigh (17) • CNJ/Towson (18) • Penn State (19) • CCM (21) • Monmouth (22) • University of Delaware (23) • Rutgers (32)

9. Top schools where Students Matriculated: Class of 2008 • Penn State, St. Johns, Elon, Moravian, Montclair State, Coastal Carolina, UVM, Duke & Susquehana (3) • Muhlenberg, Rutgers, Drew, Arizona State, Scranton, Lehigh (4) • U of MD-College Park (5) • CCM (19)

10. Upcoming Events • Senior conferences • Senior group guidance • College Fair @ CCM (10/4) • College athletic information night (12/1) • Financial Aid Night (1/7) • Conversations w/ Counselors (11/11) • CCM Instant Admissions day (4/8)

11. Admissions Cycle

12. Application types • Early Decision • Early Action • Regular Decision • Rolling Admission

13. Decisions • Accept • Accepted for Spring term • Reject • Deferred: (EA or ED) • Supplemental Information • Waitlisted (Notified Mid May-August) • Supplemental Information

14. Making the Final Decision • May 1st-Deposit date • Can only deposit to one college. (exception, wait list) • Navigating the wait list. • Courtesy to notify non-attending colleges where you are going. • Let guidance know of all decisions. • Guidance will automatically send final transcript to matriculating college.

15. Quick Family Connections Demonstration • My Profile (e-mail) • My Colleges (Colleges Considering, Applying, Application milestones) • College Match • Scattergrams • Visit Schedule • Scholarship List

16. Application process • Nancy O’Brien • Falynn Bleiberg

17. WHAT THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING… • Sending in the application (on-line or paper). • Don’t change e-mail address in the middle of the year. • Colleges prefer on-line filing: Saves time & money, faster responses. • Common application, Universal Application, College Application • Sending in the application fee. • Often waived if applying on-line. • Fee waivers available to those who qualify. • Sending in the essay (should be reviewed by an English teacher). • Sending in any supplemental application materials. (i.e. portfolio, graded paper, supplement to the common application) • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)

18. What Madison High School Sends.. • Transcript w/ GPA, senior yr schedule, class rank (optional). Any change in schedule, an updated transcript will be sent. • High School profile • Secondary school report form/ counselor recommendation. • Mid year and final transcripts. (1st MP report card optional) • Teacher recommendations (often two).

19. What We Need From the Student in Order to Send Our Materials • Record release form • Transcript request form • Secondary School report form • Envelopes

23. Prepare a manila envelope for each college your child is applying to: • On a manila envelope, write the name and address of the college • Put three stamps on each envelope • Write Madison High School’s return address Madison High School170 Ridgedale AvenueMadison, NJ 07940

24. Prepare an envelope for each college your child is applying to for the MID-YEAR GRADES: • On a standard size envelope, write the name and address of the colleges • Put one stamp on each envelope • Write MID-YEAR GRADES on the bottom • Write Madison High School’s Return Address Madison High School170 Ridgedale AvenueMadison, NJ 07940

25. Please Keep In Mind… • Responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores. Not sent by HS. • OK for colleges to receive things in stages. • 10 Day Rule • Overlap between letters and data entry. • HS sends out return receipt post cards. • Check FC for status • Responsible for registering for selective service • Responsible for registering for NCAA Eligibility Center

26. SCHOLARSHIPS • Posted on Family Connections • Different categories: National, State, Local, College • College merit scholarships are usually not posted on FC (Exception: WUSL, Davidson, UVA, Emory) • Scholarship notice sent out, announcing local scholarships, in March • Let us know of any scholarships awarded (including college merit awards) • Be neat-- type them up • Student should write thank you note

27. In School College Visits • Sign up on Family Connections • Student is responsible for getting permission from teacher (prior), and making up work. • Code of conduct • Person visiting is often the application reader • (Off campus visit - Get a note from college)

28. Counselor Recommendation • Composite overview of a student (personal, academic, extracurricular) • Answers the question, “What can this person bring to the community?” • Tells the story of the transcript (i.e. global marketing, gaps in performance) • Discuss content w/ counselor (Confidential) • Sent with HS packet

29. Final Thoughts • Guidance has resources on non-college options. • Clean up digital dirt (i.e.. Facebook, MySpace) • Use Scattergrams on Family Connections • Colleges review final transcripts and can rescind admissions decisions • We are here to help!