College Application Procedures

1. For the class of 2013 College Application Procedures

2. Factors to Consider in Choosing a School • 2 year/4 year • Major • Distance/Location • Size of school/classes • Selectivity • Housing • Diversity • Activities/Athletics • Cost • Religious Affiliation

3. Appointment Process • All seniors are responsible for setting up their own college appointments. • During your appointment we will review your transcript, students will update counselor on plans, a college search will be conducted if necessary & you will ask questions • All appointments are to be made through Mrs. Steffin, the Counseling Secretary • Your Application Procedures Packet should be completed at the time of your appointment • Be sure that you include your collegeboard.org user name & password on the Application Procedures Packet

4. Collegeboard.org College Search Getting to the search: • Log on to collegeboard.org • Find “Big Future” • Click on “Find Colleges” • Click on “College Search” • Put in your search criteria Only include the following: • 2 or 4 Year School • School Size • Location • Major • Applying – check all that apply

5. Making Your Selection • Take notes • Ask questions • Go to the schools website • Under Applying: • Write down the application fee • Do you have the GPA of their average freshman? • Do you have the SAT/ACT scores of their average freshman? • Under Deadline: • What is the school’s application deadline? • Can you narrow your search down to at least 5 schools?

6. Ready to Apply Application Procedures Packet • READ CAREFULLY & COMPLETELY!! • Share with your parents!! • Fill the packet out carefully and completely • Rip off the 1st & last pages and keep for your records • Turn in a completed packet before requesting transcripts. (No transcripts will be sent without the packet being turned in.) • Go to the school’s website to find out how to apply to that school. • Find out what the school needs from you once you apply (Sometimes recommendation letters and essays are not required) • APPLY

7. After You Apply • Complete a blue Transcript Request form that can be found in the Counseling Office • Request recommendation letters from teacher(s) if the college requires them (This should be done as soon as you find out that you need a letter.) • Does the school have Secondary School Report or Counselor Form that needs to be completed? • Search the website for Application Requirement Checklist to ensure that you have completed all necessary items • Submit the blue Transcript Request Form and all pieces of application that should be mailed AT ONE TIME (not piece by piece) to your counselor.

8. Transcript Request Form

9. College Admissions Testing • SAT (1/26/13 & 3/9/13) • $50 • Tests Critical Reading, Math & Writing All scores must be sent from your account on collegeboard.org • ACT (2/9/13, & 4/13/13) • $34 w/out writing, $50 with writing • Tests English, Math, Reading, & Science; Writing optional All scores must be sent from your account on actstudent.org Fee Waivers For those who receive free or reduced lunch or TRio Program or AVID participants

10. Application ComponentsCOMPLETE ONLINE APPS WHEN POSSIBLE! Student Pieces • Activities & Brag Sheets • Completed Application (Proofread) • Essay (If required) • SAT, AP & ACT Scores (sent from collegeboard.org or actstudent.org) • Fees (online or a check) • Recommendation Letters (If required) • Secondary School or Counselor Report • Blue Transcript Request Form Counselor Pieces • Transcript with Full Year Schedule • Counselor Recommendation Letter (If required) • Secondary School or Counselor Report (After given by the student) • Mid-Year Report (At the end of 2nd MP) • School Profile • Final Transcript

11. Additional Applications Common Application • Found at: commonapp.org • Fill it out online once and accepted by over 400 schools • Pay each school’s application fee • Some schools have supplements • Request letter of recommendations electronically through “School Forms” • Only use this source if more than one of your schools uses common app unless they school only uses common app. • Keep in mind there is no such thing as the “Common App” essay. There are essays you can use for the common application. • EDU, Inc. Common Application (HBCU Common App) • Found at: eduinconline.com • Fill it out online once and submit to top 4 schools • Paying only one application fee ($35) for all schools. • There is one essay that you must physically send

12. Programs • Associates of the Arts Program at University of Delaware • Designed to be completed in two years • A non-residential program • Small class sizes • NCAAClearinghouse • A requirement to complete if you plan to be an athlete in college • For Division I or II schools only • $70 to register • Determines eligibility as a college freshman • www.eligibilitycenter.org • Academic Common Market (SREB) • If UD or DSU does not offer your major, you may pay in-state tuition at a participating out-of-state school. • Not guaranteed but worth looking into if it applies.

13. SEED Scholarship • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher • Apply to DTCC or UD AA program • File FAFSA • File SEED application • Have no felonies

14. Federal Financial Aid • Federal Financial Aid consists of scholarships, grants and loans • The FAFSA needs to be completed in order to be considered for all of these funds • The FAFSA is available after Jan. 1st of your senior year • The FAFSA needs to be completed by students and parents and is due by April 15th • It is best to complete the FAFSA by 2/14 (Parents taxes need to be completed in order to complete FAFSA) • The FAFSA determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) financial aid • A PIN number is required by both students and parents before completing the FAFSA and can be done NOW • www.fafsa.ed.gov

15. Admissions Decisions • An application is a Comprehensive Snapshot of you based on the following: • GPA • Rank • Academic Rigor • Essay (if required or recommended) • Legacy • School/Community Activities • Recommendation letters (if required or recommended) • Time of application • Activities do count!!