The College Application Process For State College

High School SeniorsClass of 2011

September 2010

Alice Ball Sue Brindle Kelly Fredley

Have you taken the SAT or ACT?Do you have a list of schools?Have you visited some of the schools?Have you looked at the website and

application procedures?Have you registered with NCAA

Clearinghouse if you plan to play sports?If you are completely overwhelmed by

these questions, then read your College Planning Booklet and start with 1 application.

How to Apply to College Three main types of applications

Penn State/Schreyer Honors College Common Application Other applications (on-line and paper)

Complete on-line applicationBring in the School Report form---Mrs. WolanskiSign a Transcript Request form---Mrs.WolanskiMust choose a school and a major or DUSFall admission vs. summer admissionCollege Prep Math 1-3= (Alg. 1, Alg. 2, &

Geometry)Trig. / Business, Engineering, Science, ISTForeign Language requirement Complete application by Oct. 31st to be safe.SAT & ACT scores: YOU NEED to have them sent

directly from College Board. It takes 2-3 weeks. PSU will not process your application without SAT scores.

Complete regular PSU application on-lineIndicate that you want to complete the

Schreyer on-line application. (Who should apply)

Complete Transcript Request form w/ Mrs. Dodson in the Counseling Office.

Reminder: Have your counselor’s and teachers’ emails handy for requesting recommendations.

Recommendations need to be requested 3 working weeks before due date—Green Sheet must be complete at that time for recommendation to be written by counselor.

Google Common Application and get on their website to see if your schools use the common application.

Go to each College Website before applying and check for supplements. The info is on the Common Application website as well.

Read all directions regarding Common Application.Get teachers’ permission before submitting their

names as references.Waiving your right-to-privacy is strongly

recommended.Print out a hard copy for records.Complete a Transcript Request for each Common

Application School.Complete Green Sheet information for counselors—

must be into Counseling office 3 working weeks before due.

Can be on-line or paper. If there is a choice we recommend the on-line version.

Make sure you print out all forms for teachers and counselors and give them to the appropriate people.

Each application is a bit different, follow the directions and take your time.

If you bring in your entire application to be mailed you need to bring in a large envelope with 4 stamps and addressed.

Sign a Transcript Request form for each college.

If you need a counselor recommendation for any college you are applying to, make sure that you have completed these forms at least 3 weeks before the recommendation is due

CollegeApplication

To-DoList Information

ForLetter

Of Recommendation

In – HouseEvaluationForms (4)

Many colleges require an essay.Seek help from your English teacher.Read the College Planning Book about the

essay on pages 15-19 or go to educationplanner.org or collegeboard.com or use resources in counseling office.

Schreyer Honors College of PSU requires three essays - begin them now!

Have at least one person proof your essay. Make sure that you are coming across the way you intended.

PSU does not require recommendations, with the exception of Schreyer Honors College.

Teacher recommendation—any 9th through 12th grade teacher may write a recommendation.

Some colleges will require specific subject teachers.

Counselor recommendation –Susan Brindle/ Alice Ball/Mr. Morgan/ Mrs. Campbell/ Mrs. Donovan, or any counselor you have been working with.

If you need a letter of recommendation you will need to fill out the Green Sheet packet and have 4 teachers fill out white sheets.

Some colleges want to receive all recommendations and transcript together. If this is what the college requires, then all documents must be sent from the counseling office.

Other colleges that require recommendations state that teachers and counselors may mail recommendations separately.

Waive your right to read the recommendation.

Apply online if possible.Apply to at least one “safety” school that

is both academically and financially safe.Try to limit your applications to 5 or 6

colleges. The average application fee is $50 per application.

Apply as early as possible to get maximum consideration.

Make a detailed checklist for each college application.

Wonderful People

* Treat them well *

You must complete a transcript request form for each college with Mrs. Wolanski in the North Counseling Office in order to have your transcript submitted.

Make sure your request is in at least 3 weeks before it is due.

Early Decision AgreementMid Year ReportCollege Specific Financial Aid Forms FAFSA—January 1st, 2011Athletic SupplementArts SupplementFinal Report/Transcript

Paper Applications 9x12 envelope, addressed with 4

stamps

Transcript only/Mid Year Report Regular legal size envelope, addressed with 1

stamp

Rolling admissionEarly decisionEarly actionRegular decisionNote: For both transcript and

recommendations, make sure that you give the counseling office and your counselor at least 3 weeks notice. Example, if the deadline is December 1st have all your requests in by November 9th. Look at the bottom of your purple sheet to see our deadlines.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) soon after Jan 1st, 2011.

Fill Out CSS Financial Aid Profile if required by the college.

Become familiar with the financial aid process.Read the financial aid section in the College

Planning Book - pages 23-31.Visit http://www.finaid.org/ for a preliminary

financial aid estimate.Attend financial aid nights:

- PSU Financial Aid – December 7th, 2010- PHEAA – January 6th, 2011

Comprehensive Scholarship Information - www.fastweb.com

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency - www.pheaa.org

State High Senior Scholarship BookResources in North Counseling OfficeEmployment/religious affiliations/militaryMany colleges give out hefty merit financial

aid

Many colleges visit our HS in the FallCheck the SCASD web site for upcoming visitsA few examples are:

10/1 Susquehanna University10/4 Edinboro University of PA10/ 5 Central Pennsylvania College US Marines NROTC Talk10/6 West Chester University of PA10/11 Wilson College10/12 Lehigh University, Juniata College,

Bloomsburg University of PA10/13 George Mason University10/14 University of Pitt at Johnstown10/15 Westminster College10/18 Elizabethtown College10/20 Bucknell University10/21 Lycoming College10/22 Colgate University/Alfred University

www.collegeboard.comwww.educationplanner

.orgHigh school counseling office

Individual college websites

Grades in college prep courses Standardized test scores Grades in all courses Essay Counselor recommendation Teacher recommendation Special talents and abilities Work/extracurricular activities Interview Alumni relations Subject tests Demonstrated interest Ethnicity Ability to pay State of residence

You apply to a college and never come to the counseling office to request your transcript to be sent from our HS to the college.

You apply to a college and forget to send your SAT/ACT scores to the college.

You apply to college and forget to download all the necessary forms.

You miss a deadline.

You forget to ask for teacher and counselor recommendations.

You forget to hit the submit button.

What needs to be completed for each application besides filling out the application?

How do colleges receive your SAT/ACT scores?When do you need a large addressed, stamped

envelope?What is the first thing to do if you need a teacher

recommendation? What is the second thing?What does your counselor need in order to complete a

letter of recommendation?What do you always have to do (two things) when you

have finished an on-line application?What do you need to bring into the counseling office if

you are applying to Penn State? What will you do after you hand in the form?

What are supplements?