senior resource guide of 2019 senior resource... · 2018. 9. 20. · marking period 1 and semester...
TRANSCRIPT
Senior Resource Guide
Class of 2019
Updated September 2018
Overview of the Senior Resource Guide
● Important Dates
● College Admissions Terms
● Important Application Information
● Contents of a College Application Package
● Transcripts
● Marking Period 1 and Semester 1 Transcript Request Forms
● The College Application Process STEP 1 Complete the Wall High School FERPA/Senior Release Form STEP 2 Letters of Recommendation - Counselor, Teachers, Other Recommenders STEP 3 Essays STEP 4 “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance STEP 5 Prepare Your Applications STEP 6 Send SAT and/or ACT Scores to the Colleges (if required) STEP 7 Submit Your Applications STEP 8 Submit the WHS Senior College Application Form to Guidance
If your college application is due: Then your WHS Senior College Application Form is due in the
guidance office by:
October 15, 2018 September 28, 2018
November 1, 2018 October 18, 2018
November 15, 2018 October 30, 2018
December 1, 2018 November 15, 2018
December 15, 2018 December 3, 2018
January 1, 2019 December 10, 2018
January 15, 2019 December 21, 2018
● Your Applications Have Been Submitted...Now What?
● Scholarships
● Financial Aid
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Important Dates
● Senior Night - The College Application Process
Thursday, September 20, 2018 6:00 p.m. ● Unit Lunch College Application Assistance in the Media Center:
○ Wednesday 9/26 ○ Thursday 9/27 ○ Wednesday 10/3 ○ Thursday 10/4 ○ Thursday 10/11
● Financial Aid Night
Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
● Instant Decision Day - Fairleigh Dickinson University Usually in November...TBD (during school day at WHS)
● College Tours
○ Seton Hall- 10/3 ○ Drew University- 10/18 ○ Rider University- 10/31 ○ NJ City University- 11/14
You must meet with your counselor to receive a permission slip. Your teacher and parent/guardian must sign off on the permission slip in order for you to be eligible to attend the trip.
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College Admissions Terms
● Regular Decision - Students must submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a
clearly stated period of time. Students must reply to offers of admission by May 1st.
Commitment: Non-Binding
● Rolling Admission - Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission
decisions throughout the admission cycle. Students must reply to offers of admission by May 1st.
Commitment: Non-Binding
● Priority - If you apply before this deadline, you have a higher chance of getting admitted and/or
receiving a scholarship to a college. Many colleges use priority deadlines to encourage early
applications.
Commitment: Non-Binding
● Early Action (EA) - Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s
regular response date. Students must reply to offers of admission by May 1st.
Commitment: Non-Binding
● Early Decision (ED) - Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they
will definitely enroll. Students may apply to only one school under Early Decision. The application
deadline and decision deadline occur early. Students must withdraw all other applications if accepted.
Commitment: Binding
● Restrictive Early Action (REA) - also known as Single Choice Early Action - Students apply to an
institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or
REA to other institutions. Students must reply to offers of admission by May 1st.
Commitment: Non-Binding
● Admissions Deferral - Your application will be reconsidered and a decision will be rendered by the
college at a later date.
● Wait List - A response to an applicant indicating that his/her application is acceptable, but the limit of
accepted students has already been reached; waitlisted students may be admitted after May 1st, if
spaces become available.
● Conditional Acceptance - Admission is offered on the condition that the student successfully completes
specified requirements such as attending a summer program, taking remedial courses, or maintaining a
certain GPA during the first semester of study.
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Important Application Information Information you’ll need to know when completing your applications
Wall High School Information
Address: Wall High School Telephone: (732) 556-2000
PO Box 1199 Guidance Fax:(732) 556-2109
1630 18th Avenue
Wall, NJ 07719
Principal: Ms. Rosaleen Sirchio
Asst. Principal: Mrs. Kristen Scott (732) 556-2043……[email protected]
Asst. Principal: Mr. Kevin Davis (732) 556-2045……[email protected]
Director of Guidance
Mrs. Kathryn Misa………(732)556-2056…[email protected]
School Counselors
Mr. Chris Barnes..……...(732)556-2057…[email protected]
Mrs. Danielle Farrell……(732)556-2059…[email protected]
Ms. Judith Gilberti………(732)556-2058…[email protected]
Mrs. Dana Griggs..……(732)556-2087…[email protected]
Mr. Frank Janks……….…(732)556-2159…[email protected]
Ms. Kendall Petschauer….…...(732)[email protected]
Support Staff
Mrs. Helena Coogan….....(732)556-2063…[email protected]
Mrs. Jeanne Fasano……....(732)556-2061…[email protected]
Mrs. Jen Sczerbowicz……..(732)556-2062…[email protected]
Class Rank - Exact / Weighted
GPA - 4.0 Scale / Weighted
WHS CEEB Code: 310082
Graduation Date: June 20, 2019
Students in Graduating Class: 274
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Contents of a College Application Package
Student Will Submit:
❖ Application
❖ Standardized Test Scores - SAT and/or ACT scores (if required)
Counselor Will Submit:
❖ Transcript
❖ Teacher Recommendation Form(s)
❖ Teacher Letter(s) of Recommendation
❖ Counselor Recommendation Form
❖ Counselor Letter of Recommendation
❖ School Profile
NOTE: The transcript, recommendation forms, recommendation letters and
school profile are referred to as the supporting documents.
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Transcripts
1. Current Transcript
- Current transcript includes your final grades in all your classes taken freshman,
sophomore and junior year with your cumulative GPA and Class Rank.
- In addition, the courses you are taking senior year are listed on your transcript.
2. Transcript with Marking Period 1 Grades
- Once MP 1 ends your MP 1 grades will populate on your transcript.
- GPA and Class Rank will not be recalculated at this point.
- If you have already applied to a college and would like to send an additional transcript
with your MP 1 grades you need to come down to the guidance office and complete the
necessary form. (see next page)
3. Transcript with Semester 1 Grades
- Once Semester 1 ends your Semester 1 grades will populate on your transcript.
- GPA and Class Rank will be recalculated at this point.
- If a college requires a Mid-Year Report you need to come down to the guidance office
and complete the necessary form. (see next page)
4. Withdraw Pass (WP)/Withdraw Fail (WF)
- If you drop a class after the deadline, a WP or WF will appear on your transcript next
to the course.
- This can affect admission decisions.
5. Colleges That Require You to Self Report
- Please be aware that some colleges do not accept a transcript or any supporting
documents when you apply.
- You will complete a grade verification report, usually called an SRAR (Self-Reported
Academic Record), as part of the application.
- A transcript will be required at a later date if the student is admitted and chooses to
attend.
6. SAT and ACT scores are not reported on your transcript.
IMPORTANT
If any changes are made to a transcript once a student has applied to a college it is the
student’s responsibility to contact the college and make them aware of the change.
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These are sample forms.
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The College Application Process
STEP 1 Complete the Wall High School FERPA/Senior Release Form.
● Each senior must complete this form. (single document that addresses both)
● The Release portion gives the guidance department permission to release your
transcript/supporting documents to colleges and scholarships upon your request.
● On the FERPA portion you need to indicate whether you waive your right to access letters of
recommendation upon college matriculation. Waiving your right lets colleges know that you
will never try to read your recommendations. That, in turn, reassures the colleges that your
recommenders have provided information that is candid and truthful. While you are free to
respond as you wish, if you choose to not waive your right, some recommenders may decline
your request, and some colleges may disregard letters submitted on your behalf. Remember,
even if you retain your right to access, you still won’t be able to view any recommendations
until after you have been admitted to and enrolled in college.
STEP 2 Letters of Recommendation
Counselor’s Letter
● Most colleges require a Counselor Letter of Recommendation.
● The Counselor Letter serves as a “floodlight” to shine on all facets of the student - academic
achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, community involvement and personal
interests and goals.
● In order for your counselor to complete a letter a recommendation we request that you submit
the Student Brag Sheet and Parent Brag Sheet.
Teachers’ Letters
● Each college determines if they require Teacher Letters of Recommendation, and if so, how
many.
● The Teacher Letter is intended to shine a “spotlight” on the student in the academic setting.
focusing on achievements in the classroom, contribution to learning, relationships with peers,
intellectual curiosity, class behavior, and work habits.
● It is your responsibility to ask teachers for letters of recommendation. This may be done as early
as spring of your junior year, but at least 4 weeks prior to your first deadline. It is your
responsibility to talk to your teacher, confirm and communicate your first deadline. Your
initial request should always be made in person.
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● Once you’ve spoken to the teacher you must send the teacher a request through Naviance. This
step is essential in order to “connect” your Naviance account with the teacher, which will enable
the teacher to upload your letter of recommendation.
○ Click on the “Colleges” tab.
○ Click on “Apply to College”.
○ Click on “Letters of Recommendation”.
○ Click “Add a Request”.
○ Select a teacher for Part 1.
○ Select “All current and future colleges….”
○ You may or may not include a personal note in the box.
○ Click “Submit Request”.
○ An email will be sent to your teacher and they will upload your letter into Naviance and
complete the Teacher Recommendation Form in Naviance.
● NOTE: You will be indicating on your WHS Senior College Application Form exactly which teacher
letters of recommendation you want sent to each college.
● Do NOT invite teachers to complete electronic recommendation forms for any college on the
Common Application or on an Individual College Application. Teacher recommendations and
supporting documents can be sent to any college that supports electronic documents, through
Naviance edocs.
Other Recommenders (non WHS Staff - ex. travel team coach, employer, clergy, etc.)
Common App allows you to input other recommenders’ information. For non-Common App
schools we suggest you provide your recommender with the admissions representative's email
address to submit letters on your behalf.
STEP 3 Essays
● Most colleges require at least one essay as part of the application process. Follow the
guidelines established for topic and length. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
● There are a number of websites to help you with your essay. Your English teacher can also
offer you suggestions.
● Most importantly, use your own voice!
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STEP 4 “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance
● All colleges you are applying to need to be added to this list. Click on the “+” button or transfer
colleges from your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list by checking the box for the college and
clicking “MOVE TO APPLICATION”.
● You will be prompted to indicate the type of decision you are applying under (Regular Decision,
Early Action, etc.) and to indicate if you are applying “via Common App” or “directly to the
institution”.
● Goal - Reach, Target and Safety Schools
STEP 5 Prepare Your Applications
● You are responsible for preparing and submitting each of your applications. Your application is
the most important document in the process. It should be the first document submitted to the
college and must be on time! The college needs to start an electronic file before it can add
supporting documents. If you wait until the deadline day to submit your application, your
supporting documents can’t possibly be logged in as “on time”.
● Discipline Disclosure: The Common Application and most college applications require students
to disclose high school disciplinary issues which result in probation, suspension, removal,
dismissal or expulsion. Students may also have to disclose issues involving law enforcement
that result in conviction of any crime.
Counselors are required to disclose discipline that results in out of school suspension and law
enforcement issues of which we have knowledge, on our initial counselor/school report form.
We are also are expected to notify colleges of any changes to a student’s discipline standing
through the end of the school year. Students are encouraged to answer honestly and explain
the circumstances completely.
● Types of Applications - Most colleges are using the Common Application. Some colleges have
you apply through an Individual College Application which can be found on their website. Some
schools give you the option to apply via their Individual College Application or the Common
Application. Please know that there is no advantage to using the Individual College Application.
Use what is most convenient for you.
● Some colleges, whether they use the Common Application or an Individual College Application,
allow you to cut and paste your resume into the application, usually in the Questions section of
the college’s application. If you want to include your resume and you are unable to add your
resume to the application document, please contact the college directly for its policy on
resumes.
● Special Talents (art, music, theater)
○ Separate applications could be required
○ Portfolio, digital portfolio, audition or audio recording may be required
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Steps to Take When Completing The Common Application
● Go to www.commonapp.org to create an account. Your application will be stored here so that you
may use the same version for all of your colleges that accept the Common Application.
● Complete each section in the Common App Tab - Profile, Family, Education, Testing, Activities,
Writing and Courses and Grades.
○ In the Writing section is where you will complete Personal Essay/Statement. Some colleges
require submission of the personal essay with your Common App. You may submit a
personal essay, even if it is not required by that college. If not required by a college, you
will be given the option during submission to include your essay or not for that college.
○ You will only need to complete the Courses and Grades Section if the college requires you
to do so. This is often referred to as an SRAR (Self-Reported Academic Record).
● Add the colleges you will be applying to in the colleges tab.
● Supplements - Many colleges have supplements to the Common App. The Common App website
lists each school and whether a supplement is required.
● Complete the “FERPA Release Authorization”. To do so, click on any college in your list and find
the prompt “Recommenders and FERPA”. Then click on “Release Authorization” and follow the
instructions.
○ NOTE: In order to complete this step you must complete a section in the Education tab if
you haven’t already done so.
○ The FERPA waiver is only completed once and covers all current and future colleges and
recommenders within the Common Application.
○ Just like you did on the Wall High School FERPA form, you need to indicate whether you
waive your right to access letters of recommendation upon college matriculation. Waiving
your right lets colleges know that you will never try to read your recommendations. That in
turn reassures the colleges that your recommenders have provided information that is
candid and truthful. While you are free to respond as you wish, if you choose to not waive
your right, some recommenders may decline your request, and some colleges may
disregard letters submitted on your behalf.
● Recommenders
○ Common App knows that Wall High School uses Naviance edocs, so it will not allow you to
assign Counselor or Teacher Recommendations via the Common App. The “Invite
Recommenders” icon is only to be used for Other Recommenders (non WHS Staff - ex.
travel team coach, employer, clergy, etc.).
● Match your Naviance Account and Your Common App Account.
○ Go to the “Colleges” tab in your Naviance account.
○ Click on “Colleges I’m Applying To”.
○ In the long red bar across the top of the page click “Match Accounts”.
○ In the box indicated, enter the email address you used to register for Common App.
○ Check that your birthdate is listed for you in the box and that it’s accurate.
○ Then click on “Match Accounts”.
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STEP 6 Send SAT and/or ACT Scores to the Colleges (if required)
● Colleges often require official score reports for standardized tests. Even though you may be
self reporting your scores on your applications you may still need to send your official score
reports for standardized tests.
● You send these scores through the College Board and/or ACT websites.
● Note: It may take 3-4 weeks for scores to get to the colleges.
● Test Optional Colleges
● Score Choice
● Superscore
STEP 7 Submit Your Applications
● Remember: Your application is the most important document in the process. Carefully
review your application before hitting the submit button! Avoid submitting applications late at
night. You should have a parent or family member review your application.
● Electronic applications and supporting documents (transcripts and recommendations) will
usually be uploaded to a college’s server within 24 hours. The colleges need an additional 3-5
days to sort and match supporting documents. So, don’t be surprised to get a letter that
indicates required documents are missing, as most times they are automatically generated
when an application is entered in the database.
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STEP 8 Submit the WHS Senior College Application Form to guidance.
● This step is the most important step in communicating with your guidance counselor! ● The WHS Senior College Application Form can be found in the guidance office.
● This form needs to be completed for each college.
● When you hand this form in it is an indication to your guidance counselor that you have applied
to the college and sent your standardized test scores and you now need your counselor to send
your supporting documents.
● You must apply first and then turn in the WHS Senior College Application Form (see next page).
● These forms are due to guidance 10 school days prior to the date that you would like your
supporting documents received by the college. Please refer to this chart for deadlines:
If your college application is due:
Then your WHS Senior College Application Form is due in the
guidance office by:
October 15, 2018 September 28, 2018
November 1, 2018 October 18, 2018
November 15, 2018 October 30, 2018
December 1, 2018 November 15, 2018
December 15, 2018 December 3, 2018
January 1, 2019 December 10, 2018
January 15, 2019 December 21, 2018
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This form is a sample.
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Your Applications Have Been Submitted...Now What?
● Pay attention to your email and any college portals you set up in the application process. You
need to make your guidance counselor aware if you receive any notifications that you have
supporting documents missing from your application.
● If you need your MP 1 Transcript or Semester 1 Transcript sent to any colleges please submit
the necessary forms to the guidance office.
● Please keep Naviance updated with your college admissions decisions. As you hear back from
each college indicate in Naviance the admissions decision - accepted, denied, deferred, or wait
list.
● May 1 is the universal application reply date. If accepting an offer of admission, you must do so
by May 1 to ensure a place in the freshman class.Once a student has accepted an offer of
admission, the student should acknowledge and decline all other offers. If a student has
applied and been accepted during the Early Decision period, he/she should decline any other
offers and withdraw any applications even if admission decisions are still pending.
● Be sure to indicate in Naviance which college you will be attending so that the guidance office
knows where to send your final transcript after graduation.
Best of luck to you!
We are here to help you through this process.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships The guidance department will post scholarships on our school’s website. Also, students are
encouraged to seek out scholarships from specific colleges they are applying to, websites, parent
employers, and any other sources. We recommend visiting Reviews.com
(www.reviews.com/best-scholarship-search-platforms/). This website makes it easy to find trusted
sites in your scholarship search.
NOTE: If a student applies for a scholarship and he/she needs us to send a transcript and/or letters of
recommendation, he/she must bring the completed application to the Guidance Office (at least 10
school days prior to the deadline) and complete the WHS Scholarship Application Form (see below).
We will attach an official transcript (and recommendation letters if needed) and mail it via USPS.
● Merit Based Scholarships - Merit Based Scholarships are awarded by colleges based on high
school academic performance and often standardized test scores. It is important to apply early
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to be eligible for Merit Based Scholarship consideration. Some colleges have specific deadlines.
While others may not note a specific deadline, consideration is usually given to the earlier
applicants. Generally, there is no separate application for a Merit Based Scholarship - the
applicant is automatically considered for this type of scholarship based on his/her GPA and
SAT/ACT scores.
● The WHS Local Scholarship Package will be available to seniors via the Wall High School
website in February. Each scholarship has its own criteria, and if students meet the criteria, we
encourage them to apply to as many as possible. Transcripts are attached to each application,
and if teacher/counselor letters of recommendation are needed, they will be attached as well.
Students who are awarded scholarships from this package will be invited to the Senior Awards’
Night. There is a strict deadline for submitting applications from this package. Don’t miss it!
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Financial Aid
● Financial aid is offered through a package which may include any of the following: scholarships,
student loans, and or work programs. If you have any financial aid related questions, please contact
the financial aid office at the colleges to which you are applying.
● Every college website has a NET PRICE CALCULATOR. Using this tool and your financial information,
you will get an estimate of your financial aid package and the net cost to attend that school. Use the
Net Price Calculator on EACH prospective college's site to get the best estimate, as it uses that college's
costs.
● Students applying for federal and state aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid) form after October 1st of their senior year at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
○ You will need your past year tax return, as well as your parents' that was filed in April of your
junior year.
Ex. The Class of 2019 will use their 2017 Tax Return.
○ For questions regarding the online FAFSA application call 1-800-801-0576.
○ To see the status of your FAFSA application call 1-800-433-3243.
○ State aid information can be found at http://www.hesaa.org/
○ Many college/university and private scholarship programs require students to complete a
FAFSA and/or the CSS/financial aid profile as part of the scholarship process. Please read the
scholarship information carefully to determine if either or both of these forms is required.
○ The FAFSA is Free; however, the CSS Profile requires a $25.00 fee.
FINANCIAL AID LINKS
Lend.edu -student Loan comparison tool https://lendedu.com/
State Aid Information http://www.hesaa.org/
Official FAFSA link http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Financial Aid Guide for Students with Disabilities http://www.onlineschools.org/financial-aid/disabilities
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The College Application Process Checklist
STEP 1 Complete the Wall High School FERPA/Senior Release Form
STEP 2 Letters of Recommendation - Counselor, Teachers, Other Recommenders
STEP 3 Essays
STEP 4 “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance
STEP 5 Prepare Your Applications
STEP 6 Send SAT and/or ACT Scores to the Colleges (if required)
STEP 7 Submit Your Applications
STEP 8 Submit the WHS Senior College Application Form to Guidance
If your college application is due: Then your WHS Senior College Application Form is due in the
guidance office by:
October 15, 2018 September 28, 2018
November 1, 2018 October 18, 2018
November 15, 2018 October 30, 2018
December 1, 2018 November 15, 2018
December 15, 2018 December 3, 2018
January 1, 2019 December 10, 2018
January 15, 2019 December 21, 2018
Important Forms
● Senior College Application Form (10 School Day Rule Applies - see chart above)
● Marking Period 1 Transcript Request Form
● Semester 1 Transcript Request Form
● Scholarship Application Form (10 School Day Rule Applies - see chart above)
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