Countdown to College

1. Countdown to College Things that you should know about the college application process

2. Junior Year Timeline ~ Student(Spring/Summer) • Continue rigorous courses and maintain high grades • Begin serious research of colleges and universities using data packet (see Edmodo) • Become familiar with potential scholarships • Create resume/ beef up leadership profile • Begin/continue admissions testing and test prep • Explore college majors • Complete “Senior Data Packet” • Line up teachers for recommendation letters • Create final list of colleges/universities to which you’ll apply

3. Junior Year Timeline ~ Parent(Spring/Summer) • Gather tax returns/income/assets information • Find out your EFC • http://bigfuture.org • Become familiar with FAFSA • http://studentaid.ed.gov • Have frank conversations about college affordability

4. Things to Know“Let the Games Begin!” • Most applications will be available online in late summer, so you’ll need to know: • Final list of schools (6-10) • 2-3 colleges with a high likelihood of admission (credentials above highest point in range) • 3-4 colleges with a good likelihood of admission (credentials fall within the range) • 1-2 colleges with a low likelihood of admission (credentials at bottom of range) • Which application to use • College application or Common Application • Admission Decision Plans & Deadlines • Early Decision, Early Action, Regular

5. Things to Know“There’s an App for That” • Common Application • Not as common as it seems • Different colleges add questions to the application, have specific supplements and restrictions, and can require additional materials • Only 3 colleges in Alabama use the Common App • College Specific Application • Apply directly and separately to the college or university for every school • Create an application account

6. Things to Know“Decisions, Decisions…” • Early Decision (I / II) • Contractually binding • Can’t apply ED to another college/university • Must attend college/university if admitted • Deadline typically between mid-October and mid-November • Admissions notification typically early December • Early Action Decision • Non-binding • Can apply EA to other colleges/universities • Deadline typically between mid-October and early November • Admissions notification typically late December • Regular Decision • No limit to number of colleges/universities to which you can apply • Deadlines typically by early January or early February • ALWAYS CHECK EACH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOR ITS DECISION POLICY AND GUIDELINES

7. Things to Know“The Honor of Your Presence is Requested…” • Honors Colleges • A part of the university system • Smaller colleges/universities might have Honors Programs • Require a separate application • Higher admissions qualifications than the university proper • Graduation requirements (minimum GPA, minimum hours of honors courses, etc.) • Provide small, rigorous learning environment with designated classes across other schools and colleges (College of Business, Arts and Sciences, etc.) • Typically provide separate housing • Many perks • priority registration • individualized advisement • assistance with prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and internships • separate facilities • special events • ALWAYS CHECK THE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOR ITS POLICIES

8. Things to Know“To AP or Not to AP” • Check with college/university for its policy on credit for AP classes (see Catalog) • What score is required • General Curriculum • Honors College/Program • How is credit awarded • Actual credit hours • Pre-requisite for higher level courses • Consider potential danger in skipping that college course

9. Things to Know“Hard Deadlines.” • Application • Depends on choice of admission decision • Housing • Must apply for housing by deadline • Must pay deposit by deadline • Financial Aid • Complete FAFSA by college/university deadline • Scholarships • Institution • Private • KEEP A CONSOLIDATED CALENDAR FOR DATES AND DEADLINES

10. Things to Know“Show Me the Money!” • Scholarships • Check college/university for opportunities • Check for departmental scholarships • Complete a profile on a national scholarship match service (bigfuture, fastweb, college prowler, cappex, & meritaid); Google search for specialty scholarships • Comprehensive list of local scholarships in my office • Check local businesses, employers, professional/social organizations, church • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • FREE of charge • Complete as soon after January 1, 2015 as possible • Must be completed to be considered for federal aid: grants, work study, loans • Many colleges will require the FAFSA to be completed in order to calculate award packages and/or to be considered for scholarships (need-based) • CSS Profile • College Board form used to determine financial need • Opens October 1 • Fee $25 first school; $16 additional forms • Typically used by selective colleges/universities

11. Things To Know“I’ll Gladly Pay You on Tuesday…” • Application Fees • Enrollment Deposits • Housing Deposits • Cost of Attendance • Net Price Calculators • Every college/university has a calculator on its site • Provides an estimate of what your cost of attendance would be for that school

12. Resources • http://www.thecollegesolution.com • http://www.diycollegerankings.com • http://www.usnews.com/education • http://www.princetonreview.com • How to Prepare a Standout College Application • By Alison Cooper Chisolm & Anna Ivey