CAPITAL AREA SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

CHARTER SCHOOL

JUNIOR AND SENIOR COLLEGE INFORMATION PACKET

2014-2015

Education Timeline Use this timeline as a guide to make sure you’ve accomplishing everything. ELEVENTH GRADE Fall

Meet with your counselor to review the courses you’ve taken, and see what you still need to take.

Check your grades. Even if your grades haven’t been great so far, it’s never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend. Every point counts.

If you didn’t do so in tenth grade, sign up for and take the PSAT/NMSQT. This is the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships, and you must take the test as a junior to qualify.

Develop an understanding of yourself by exploring your interests, aptitudes, values, and experiences. Clarify your career plans and explore the best type of post-secondary education for you.

Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria (size, location, majors, academic rigor, housing, and cost). Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you.

Visit college fairs. You may be able to narrow your choices or add a college to your list.

Winter Collect information about college application procedures, entrance requirements,

tuition and fees, room and board costs, student activities, course offerings, faculty composition, accreditation, and financial aid. Begin comparing the schools by the factors that you consider to be most important. Go to www.collegeboard.com to search for colleges based on a variety of criteria.

Begin narrowing down your college choices. Find out if the colleges you are interested in require the SAT, ACT, or SAT II Subject Tests for admission.

Begin preparing for the tests you’ve decided to take. The college board website is a wonderful resource for this. www.collegeboard.org

Have a discussion with your parents about the colleges in which you are interested. Examine financial resources and gather information about financial aid.

Collect and organize admissions materials and begin to decide on a list of schools (10-15) that meet your initial criteria.

Spring Meet with your counselor to review senior-year course selection and graduation

requirements. Discuss SAT/ACT tests with your counselor. Register to take the SAT and/or

ACT either for the first time or again if you’d like to try to improve your score. Stay involved with extracurricular activities. Colleges look for consistency and

depth in activities. Consider whom you will ask to write your recommendations. Think about asking

teachers who know you well and who will write positive letters about you. Letters from a coach, activity leader, or an adult who knows you well outside of school (e.g., volunteer work contact) are also valuable.

Apply for a summer job or internship. Be prepared to pay for college applications in the fall. Costs range from $30 to $50 per school. Many schools will offer an application fee waiver if the fee is a hardship.

Begin to explore college scholarship opportunities. You can do preliminary searching at www.fastweb.com or www.finaid.org.

Summer Visit the campuses of your top five college choices. Contact the Admissions

Office directly to set up an appointment to visit and talk with an admission counselor.

Talk to people you know who have attended the colleges in which you are interested.

TWELFTH GRADE Fall

Meet with your school counselor to review your transcript, request a letter of recommendation (if needed), and talk about the college admission process.

Continue to take a full course load of college-prep courses. Keep working on your grades. Make sure you have taken the courses necessary

to graduate in the spring. Continue to participate in extracurricular and volunteer activities. Demonstrate

initiative, creativity, commitment, and leadership in each. Male students: you must register for selective service on your eighteenth birthday

to be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Visit www.sss.gov Talk to counselors, teachers, parents, and friends about your final college

choices. Make a calendar showing application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and

scholarships. Check online for information on scholarships and grants. Ask colleges about

scholarships for which you may qualify. Give recommendation forms (if required) to the teachers you have chosen. Be

sure to fill out your name, address, and school name on the top of the form. Talk to your recommendation writers about your goals and ambitions. Be sure to give them at least two weeks’ notice! Many recommendations are now handled completely on-line.

Register for and take the SAT, ACT, or SAT II Subject Tests, as necessary. Be sure you have requested that your test scores be sent to the colleges of your

choice. Complete college applications for early-decision admission by due date. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and obtain a PIN number for yourself and your parents.

Winter

Send midyear grade reports to colleges. Continue to focus on your schoolwork! Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, if necessary,

PROFILE®. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to file electronically. These forms may not be processed before January 1, so don’t send them before then.

Use tax return information to complete the FAFSA. Remember to send results to all colleges that you are considering attending. Be sure all information is complete and that you meet individual college priority deadlines for financial aid.

Mail or send electronically any remaining applications and financial aid forms before winter break. Make sure you apply to at least one college that you know you can afford and where you know you will be accepted.

Follow up to make sure that the colleges have received all application information, including recommendations and test scores.

Meet with your counselor to verify that all applicable forms are in order and have been sent out to colleges.

Spring

Watch your mail between March 1 and April 1 for acceptance notifications from colleges with deadline admissions and for financial aid awards.

Compare the financial aid packages from the colleges and universities that have accepted you. Compare them carefully to determine what types of aid are being offered as well as total dollar amounts.

Make your final choice, and notify all schools of your intent by May 1. If possible, do not decide without making at least one campus visit while classes are in session. Send your nonrefundable deposit to your chosen school by May 1. Request that your counselor send a final transcript to the college in June.

Be sure to notify all colleges of your final decision (even those you are not attending) by phone, e-mail, or letter.

Notify Mrs. Baker of your final choice. Once the FAFSA form has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid

Report (SAR) from the Federal government. It is critical that you review this information and make necessary corrections. This document is a very important part of the financial aid process so keep it organized with the rest of the financial aid correspondence.

Complete follow-up paperwork for the college of your choice (scheduling, orientation session, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms).

Summer Contact your college’s financial aid office to check on the status of your account. Receive the orientation schedule from your college. Get residence hall assignment from your college. Obtain course scheduling and cost information from your college. Carefully review any/all mail from your college – it will all be important at this

point of the process! CONGRATULATIONS! You are about to begin a great adventure. Good luck!

Checklist/Calendar for Parents 11th Grade This year the college search process begins in earnest. Exploration and testing should help you and your child to start developing a list of target schools by spring. Poor grades will not be as easily forgiven as those from previous years, and colleges will look for commitment and accomplishment outside of the classroom.

September Make sure that your child has registered for the PSAT/NMSQT. Ascertain and

save the date. Ask the counselor about college fairs in your area and college admission-

representative visits to CASA Charter School. Encourage your child to attend fairs and sessions with representatives at school.

October Make sure the PSAT/NMSQT date is on the family calendar. Remind your child

to read the Student Bulletin and to try the practice questions. Schedule a day trip to visit nearby colleges. Don’t worry if these are places where

your child won’t apply. The goal is to explore different types of schools. Aim for variety. Discuss which characteristics are attractive and which aren’t.

December Begin informal brainstorming about possible target colleges. Take advantage of

college students who are home for vacation. Ask them questions. Ask their parents questions. Ask your child to ask even more questions.

January Evaluate academic progress so far. Are grades up to par? Are course levels on

target? Do study habits need improvement? Begin thinking about worthwhile summer plans (job, study, camp, volunteer work,

travel, etc.). Mark projected SAT I and II or ACT test dates on family calendar. Also mark

registration deadlines.

February Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Mark appropriate dates on your calendar. (Some juniors take the SAT in March. If your child will do so, heed February registration deadline.)

Make sure your child discusses plans to take Advanced Placement exams with teachers and/or counselor, as needed.

March Consider and plan spring vacation college visits. Begin listing target colleges in a notebook. Visit college web sites. Begin calling and/or emailing target colleges to request

publications. Set aside an area for college literature. Invest in folders for materials from front-

runner schools. Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar Discuss senior-year classes. Urge your child to include at least one math course

or science, as well as the most challenging courses possible. Recognize that colleges weigh senior classes and grades as heavily as the junior record.

April, May and June Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar. Take advantage of the summer slow-down by visiting scholarship search and

financial aid websites.

Summer Consider and plan summer and fall college visits. Oversee standardized test preparation, as needed. Request publications from additional target colleges. Plan and execute supplemental submissions such as audition tapes and art

slides/portfolios, if required and/or appropriate. Review and update target college list. Include pros and cons. Make tentative

plans for fall visits.

12th Grade

This is the year when the college search can feel like a full-time job—with all of the toil, tedium, and triumphs that implies.

September Discuss plans and goals for the months ahead and pro/cons of target schools. Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar.

Ask about college fairs in your area and college admission-representative visits to the school. Make certain that your child attends fairs and sessions with representatives at school.

Visit more college web sites. Finalize fall college visit plans. Include campus overnights, where possible. Visit! Request additional publications.

October Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar.

Discuss early decision and early action options. Help your child draw up a master schedule of application and financial aid due

dates, and put them on the family calendar. Oversee the start of applications. Your child should be considering essay topics

and looking for overlap to reduce workload. Make sure your child requests teacher recommendations, as needed. Visit colleges. Include interviews on campus (or with local alumni

representatives), if appropriate. Attend college fairs with your child.

November Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to

take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar.

Nag about early application deadlines, as needed. Check up on application completion and volunteer to proofread.

December

Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar.

Ensure that all applications due in January or February are complete. Applications with a January deadline should be given to the Guidance Office by

mid-December (at least 2 weeks prior to the holiday break). Make sure that teachers are up-to-date with reference forms and that transcripts

are being sent to all short-list colleges.

January File income taxes if you can, and then begin filling out financial aid forms. Finish

and submit these forms as soon as possible—and never late! Encourage completion of all applications, including those with later deadlines.

Don’t forget to photocopy everything that’s put on paper, or print out online materials.

If SATs are being taken this month, are "Rush" scores required? Ask target colleges if you’re not certain.

February Unless confirmations have been received, consult colleges by phone or email to

check on completion of applications. Record the name of any contacts. Track down missing records.

WAIT!

March Your wait is nearly over. Some decision letters will arrive this month.

April Resist the urge to open letters addressed to your child. (Holding them up to the

light is permissible.) Keep in mind that thin letters aren’t always rejections. Some schools send out enrollment forms later.

Plan crunch-time visits to campuses, as needed, to help prompt final decisions. Compare financial aid decisions, where applicable. Contact financial aid offices

with questions. Appeal aid packages, if appropriate. Make sure your child returns wait-list cards, as needed. Contact admission

offices to check on wait-list status. Send updated records and other information, if available.

Is the verdict final? Send the required deposit. Don’t dawdle and miss the May 1 deadline or colleges can give away your child’s place. Also notify those schools your child won’t attend, especially if an aid offer was made.

May Write (or urge your child to write) a thank you note to anyone who may have

been especially helpful. Don’t forget teachers who wrote recommendations, scholarship agencies, admission counselors, financial aid officers, secretaries, tours guides, or other students. (Of course this isn’t obligatory, but recipients are sure to be pleased and surprised and it reflects well on your child.)

Stay abreast of housing choices, etc. When will forms be mailed? Should your child be investigating living situation options? When is freshman orientation? (Some schools have spring and summer programs.) When is course registration?

June Organize a file to keep track of summer mailings from the college. Categories

may include orientation, housing, course registration, and finances. Consider summer school for those who want to accelerate or place out of

requirements. ALWAYS check with colleges first to make sure credits will count. Get permission in writing when it’s questionable.

Make sure that a final high school transcript is sent to the college your child will attend.

Campus Visit Checklist

Preparation To be excused from CASA, you must bring a written parental request to the office

prior to the intended visit. Call or email the college admissions office to schedule a visit. Try to visit when the

college is in session. Conduct some research about the college before you go. Read the catalogs,

especially the sections on admissions, tuition, financial aid, and programs of study. Prepare a list of questions that cannot be answered by reading the catalog. Prepare

for questions that might be asked of you.

The Visit Try to get the feel or flavor of the campus by answering these questions: Is it

peaceful or rushed? Involved or isolated? How do most students look, act, and dress? How comfortable would you be in this environment?

Visit some classes, the residence halls, student union, library, classrooms, fraternity and sorority houses, recreational facilities, athletic facilities, the immediate surroundings, local popular spots, and nearby towns. Be sure to eat a meal in the dining hall!

Talk with some current students (other than your tour guide), faculty members, and coaches.

You should also try to speak to the college personnel in the career placement center and the department of your intended major.

Ask about safety procedures and security systems on campus.

After the Visit Record your impressions immediately. Compare and contrast them with impressions

of other colleges. List names of people that you may need to contact later and any unanswered

questions. Questions to Ask on a Campus Tour During your campus tour, you need to ask questions as well as look around. Here are some questions to consider asking. Add your own questions at the end of the list. Go over the questions with your parents before your first campus visit so they can be on the lookout for answers, too. After each visit, review the list to see if there are any other questions you might want to add. NOTE: Read as much as you can about each college or university before you visit. Don't spend time asking questions that are answered in the school's catalog or brochures. You are visiting campuses to get a feeling for the atmosphere of each place—something you can't get from its web site or catalog.

Questions for the Admissions Office1. Are the residence halls spread throughout the campus or clustered in one area?

Is there any kind of shuttle service between classroom areas, the library, the student union, and residence halls? If so, how late does it run?

2. Is there any security system to bar outsiders from entering residence halls? 3. How large is the campus security police force? Does it patrol the campus

regularly?4. What services are offered by the campus health center? How large is it? 5. Does the student health center refer students to the local hospital? Is there a

nearby hospital? How large is it?

Questions for Students1. Are any classes taught by a teaching assistant rather than a tenured professor? 2. Is the teaching innovative and project-oriented, or is it mostly lecture-oriented? 3. Do any freshmen class lectures take place in an auditorium?4. What are the popular majors? The less popular majors?5. How hard do you have to work for your grades?6. What's the reputation of the _____________ department? 7. How adequate for your needs is the campus computer network? 8. Do fraternities and sororities dominate the social life of the college? 9. What do students do on weekends? Do most go home? 10.How is the advisement system? Do you feel that your professors really care? 11.How active is the _________ [fill in the activity in which you're interested]? Has

_________ won any national awards?

Questions to Ask Yourself About the Campus Atmosphere 1. While you were waiting for your interview in the Admissions Office, how did the

staff members interact with students? Were they friendly?2. Was the Admissions Office an inviting place with a great deal of information

about the school, or was it cold and sterile with little information to pick up?3. What did your parents find out about the career planning services offered to

graduating seniors and to graduates? What do the services include?

About the Student Body1. Do most of the students seem to be like you, or are they completely different? 2. Either way, how would you feel being in a classroom full of these students?

Sharing a residence hall with them?3. Do the students try to make you feel at home? Are they happy to answer your

questions, or do they make you feel like you're intruding? How do they interact with one another?

About the Campus 1. Does the campus seem too big? Or too small? 2. Do freshmen live in their own residence halls? How do I feel about living in a

single-sex or coed dorm? 3. Are the rooms quiet or noisy? Do they seem crowded? 4. How large are the rooms? Is there adequate space and light to study? 5. Does each room have wi-fi? 6. What's advertised on bulletin boards? What does this tell me about campus life? 7. How good is the lighting around each residence hall and around classroom and

lab buildings?8. Do the buildings and grounds look well cared for or do they need general repair

and cosmetic work?9. What is the condition of the athletic fields?10. Is the grass cut and are the grounds well landscaped?11.How is the quality of food in the cafeteria or dining hall? How are the sizes of the

portions? Is it healthy or fast food? Are there meal plans?

About the Nearby Area 1. Does it look like there is much to do outside of campus? 2. How easy is it to get to places off campus? Are there places within walking

distance? 3. Do you feel comfortable and safe? 4. Are there places to get extra furniture, like bookcases, for your room? 5. Is there a supermarket nearby to stock up on snacks and soda? 6. If you move out of a residence hall after freshman year, what are the options in

apartment complexes or buildings?

College Interview Guidelines

Interviews are an important element of the college admissions process. Colleges may recommend, require, or not require an interview at all. Here are some suggestions to consider if you decide to go for an interview:

• Be prepared. Consult your guidance counselor and research the college prior to your interview. Obtain an unofficial copy of your transcript and write a personal resume to take to the interview if needed.

• Make an appointment. E-mail or telephone the Admissions Office two to three weeks in advance to arrange for your interview.

• During the interview… Be yourself by dressing neatly, conservatively, and comfortably. Be relaxed and friendly, maintain good posture, composure, and eye contact. Avoid nervous habits, participate in the conversation, and ask thoughtful questions. Remember that you represent yourself, your family, and CASA Charter School. Be prepared to discuss your interests, ambitions, strengths and weaknesses, anticipated major and career, and reasons for your interest in this particular school. Thank your interviewer at the conclusion of the interview.

• Be on time. Allow plenty of time for your travel and visit.

• What the interviewer is looking for…The qualities many interviewers look for can include the following: how well you think, your neatness in appearance, your interest and sincerity, your degree of maturity, your manner of speech, your enthusiasm for attending college, your academic strengths and weaknesses, your initiative and capacity to solve problems, your ability to work with others, your reading interests and habits, your employment and summer experiences, your college and career plans, your reasons for attending that particular school, your unique/individual talents or experiences, and thoughtful personal questions asked by you.

• What to do after the visit…Record some notes of your impressions and any unanswered questions. Write a brief thank you note or email to your interviewer, compare your notes with other materials you may already have from the college, and finally review your impressions and evaluations with your parents and guidance counselor.

College Fair Guidelines

You should consider attending at least one college fair or college night in this area. The HACC college fair will be held on October 1, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Cooper Student Center. College fairs are excellent opportunities to efficiently contact college admissions staff and collect information about prospective schools. Questions to ask before attending the fair: What size school do you want to attend? What type of school are you looking for? How far away from home do you want to go? What type of environment (rural, small town, suburban, urban) do you want? What type of majors are you considering? What sports or clubs are you looking for? How much are you willing to pay for college? What type of admissions selectivity fits your academic profile?

Questions to ask while at the fair: What high school courses are required for admission? What is the average GPA of the entering freshmen and SAT/ACT test scores for the

previous year? What are the deadlines for admission and financial aid? What factors are most important in the decision: essay, high school transcript,

recommendations, activities, or something else? What are the graduation and retention rates for the school? What are the job placement rates for certain majors that interest you? What kinds of scholarship opportunities are available? How many students receive financial aid? What is the average financial aid package at the school? How much does it cost to attend the school for a year (tuition, room/board, & fees)? What housing options are available? How many years of housing are guaranteed? How safe is the campus?

Things to do at the college fair: Collect information about specific programs and colleges from the tables. Talk to the admissions staff. Get their name and give them your name. Fill out inquiry cards that are available. Doing this will get you on their mailing list.

Things to do after the college fair: Make notes about what you learned while it is still fresh in your mind. Write down any questions that need to be asked later. Follow up on any contacts that you made at the fair.

Writing the College Essay

Here are some suggestions to help you successfully write college application essays:

Start early. Allow plenty of time to revise and rewrite to produce your best essay.

Read and follow the directions carefully. Answer the question as directly as possible. Follow the word limits exactly. Express yourself briefly and clearly. Think through the essay question before responding.

Keep in mind that the admissions staff will be evaluating how you write as well as what you write. Concentrate on organization of thought, complete and concise sentences, and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage.

Be honest and positive.

Focus on your assets, talents, and achievements. Show your best side. You might have overcome some adversity, worked on a difficult project, or profited from a specific incident.

Avoid lists, clichés, and common themes.

Be specific about what this particular college can do for you and what you can do for the college.

Do not repeat information that is given elsewhere on your application.

Have someone critique and proofread your draft (preferably an English teacher).

Essay help is also available online (sometimes for a fee). Books and resources containing essay tips are also available in the Counseling Office.