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Transcript of Page 1 Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 1
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
BAS College Guidance Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Roles and Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..7
ABCs of College Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Standardized Test Information (PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .10
SAT to ACT Conversion Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
SAT and ACT Test Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Junior College Planning Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Senior College Planning Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
What Do Admissions Offices Consider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Writing Essays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Writing Your Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Recommendation Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Recommender Questionnaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
College Admissions Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
College Admissions Keywords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
College Visit Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Types of Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Myths about Paying for College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Avoiding Scholarship Scams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Calendar for Applying for Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Financial Aid Information………………………….. …. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Helpful Websites for College Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 2
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
Dear Students & Parents,
Whether your post-secondary plans include college, work, or the military, the information
enclosed will be beneficial to you. Your college guidance counselors are available to assist you
through this process, answer questions, and direct you to resources. This document provides
specific information and procedures for use during these very important school years. Important
dates, tips for completing a resume or going through an interview, applying to college, and
scholarship information are included.
We look forward to working with you and hope that you have a very successful year!
Sincerely,
College Guidance Office
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 3
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
The Vision
Graduates of Brooklyn Amity School are global thinkers who contribute to the community as socially
responsible and educated members of society.
The Mission
Brooklyn Amity School as K-12 private school provides a college preparatory educational program
through well-balanced curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering, art, and math
(STEAM) integrated with athletics in a safe environment that cultivates respect for self and others.
Core Values
Brooklyn Amity School has identified the following core values, which are reinforced through its
“Character Education” curriculum, expected school wide learning results (ESLR), and all school
activities.
Value: Scholarship Value: Critical Thinking
Success and Self Discipline Citizenship and Personal Qualities
Value: Social Responsibility Value: Effective Communication
Respect and Responsible Choices Conflict Resolution and Human Relations
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 4
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
COLLEGE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Activities
Career - College admissions and requirements, financial aid, scholarship, and testing
information as well as job and career outlooks.
Academic - Academic support through conferences, graduation requirements, coursework
advisement, credit recovery advisement and other educational opportunities.
Procedures (How do I?)
See a counselor?
You are welcome to visit College Guidance Office any hour during the day. If your
counselor is not available, you can complete a request form and drop to office box. Your
counselor will call you when s/he is available and it will be within one day.
Get a transcript (your official school record) sent to a college or other program?
Complete a transcript request form and drop to office box.
Register for the SAT or ACT?
Go online to www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org. If you do not have a computer,
they are available in the computer lab.
Get an announced scholarship?
Stop by the counseling department for information regarding scholarship opportunities.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 5
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Role of the College Counselor is…
to offer ongoing counseling on course selection and summer enrichment opportunities;
to provide professional insight about the strengths of individual colleges and universities and
how the admissions process works at various institutions;
to work with the student to develop and refine the college list, providing a balanced list of
colleges that represent a good “match” for the individual student;
to discuss different application strategies with the student regarding early action, early
decision or regular decision applications;
to teach Junior and Senior College Seminars throughout the year which review the multiple
aspects of the college search and application process including important deadlines, essay
writing and college interview tips, and more;
to send the college packet including: the school report, counselor letter of recommendation,
transcript, school profile, and two teacher recommendations to each senior’s list of colleges;
to provide information about financial aid and scholarship opportunities;
to offer guidance to students in making a final college choice decision.
The Role of the Student is…
to attend Junior and Senior College Seminars throughout the year and to meet individually
with the college counselor at several stages throughout this process;
to take responsibility for the general researching and gathering of information on colleges,
visiting and touring institutions during school breaks, and coming up with a final college list in
the fall of senior year;
to complete a full round of standardized testing to include SAT I or ACT, and SAT II subject
tests if appropriate;
to send official SAT score reports from College Board and ACT to each college (BAS does
not send test scores to college);
to choose two teachers in the spring of junior year to write the required Teacher Letter of
Recommendation for college applications. Students are responsible for following-up with the
two teachers in the fall of senior year;
to meet with college representatives when they visit BAS in the fall of senior year.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 6
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
to make sure that you understand the admission, financial aid, and scholarship policies of the
colleges and universities to which you plan to apply. This includes being aware of deadlines,
restrictions, and other criteria;
to prepare applications, essays and activity sheets prior to deadlines, and then mail this
information, plus the application fee, to each college;
to notify colleges in writing about withdrawing your regular decision application in the event of
having been accepted under the binding contract of early decision;
to make sure you have financial aid forms (FAFSA & CSS Profile) in order and processed to
each college by their stated deadlines (please note deadlines vary);
to confirm your intention to enroll and submit a deposit to only one college or university by
the national notification date, May 1;
to maintain a calm attitude throughout this process and enjoy your senior year because in the
end, you will enroll in an institution where you will thrive both academically and socially.
The Role of the Parents is…
to recognize that the student is essentially at the center of this process and it is important to
be open-minded and supportive;
to facilitate the college visits by planning travel during spring break and over the summer and
fall;
to complete the Parent Questionnaire which is a confidential document that helps the college
counselor become better acquainted with your child as they prepare the letter of
recommendation;
to avoid taking over the application process and essay writing; students may need help
managing the process but let them “own” it;
to communicate directly with the college counselor if there are any questions or issues that
arise; remember that this is a very stressful process and can be a difficult one if you try to
control it.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 7
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
JUNIOR AND SENIOR COLLEGE GUIDANCE TIMELINE
JUNIOR YEAR
November Parent/Student College Information Night @ BAS
Common App Registration
December Student Questionnaires are due
January Junior College Seminars begin
Student/Counselor meetings
SAT I/II exams available
February Parent Questionnaires are due
ACT exams available
March College visits start
SAT I/II exams available
April Students ask two teachers to write their Recommendations
Parent/Student/Counselor meetings (Webinar for International Parents)
ACT exams available
May AP exams
SAT I/II exams available
Student/Counselor meeting before summer break
Seniors & Juniors open buffet
Summer Plan & Schedule submission to Guidance Office
June SAT I/II exams available; ACT exam available
Continue to research and visit colleges
Writing Personal Essay
Building Resume
July Visit colleges and interview (if offered)
August Visit colleges and interview (if offered)
Meet with your College Counselor (optional)
Personal Essay due before school begins
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 8
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
SENIOR YEAR
September Senior College Seminars begin
Student Counselor meetings
Attend college representative visits @ BAS (If Offered)
October Early College List is due;
Counselor & Teacher Recommendation materials are due
Prepare ED/EA applications
SAT I/II exams available; ACT exam available
Senior Parent College Webinar
November ED/EA applications are due
Final College List is due
SAT I/II exams available
December EDII/EA/Regular applications are due by winter break
SAT I/II exams available; ACT exam available
February Free Application for Federal Student Aid and BAS Profile are due to colleges
Mid-year School Reports sent to Colleges
March Admission letters are mailed to students
April Accepted Student Open House and Overnight Programs are hosted at many
colleges
May Mandatory enrollment deposit is due at the college of your choice!
Congratulations!
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 9
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
LEARN THE ABCS OF COLLEGE DEGREES
Here’s a quick guide to the types of degrees offered at community colleges and four-year
colleges and universities.
Community Colleges offer:
1. Diplomas/Certificates – demonstrate that you have a set of skills for a particular
occupation. The length of time required to earn diplomas and certificates varies from 6
months to less than two years, depending on the occupation. Certificates and diplomas
are available in subjects like auto mechanics, welding, cosmetology, and practical
nursing.
2. Associate’s Degr ees – two-year degrees that provide preparation for a career or for
transfer to a four-year college or university. Typical careers that require an associate’s
degree are dental assistant, teacher assistant, medical technologist, etc. Students can
also earn an associate’s degree and then transfer to a four-year college to earn a
bachelor’s degree. This is known as the 2+2 plan.
Four-year Colleges and Universities offer:
1. Bachelor’s Degrees – four-year degrees that include general education courses
and courses in a declared major. This degree is also called an undergraduate
degree. Examples of careers that require bachelor’s degrees are teaching and
engineering.
2. M aster ’s Degr ee – an advanced degree earned in a specialized field after completion
of a bachelor’s degree. Most master’s degrees require two or three years of full-time
study and include writing a thesis or taking comprehensive exams. School counselors,
physical therapists, and psychologists are examples of people with master’s degrees.
3. Professional Degree – becoming licensed in a recognized profession requires a
professional degree. Professional degrees are awarded in a number of fields, including
dentistry, ministry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The length of
study varies for each profession.
4. Doctoral Degree – also known as a Doctorate is the highest degree you can earn. A
doctoral degree indicates expertise in a specialized field. You must spend 3 to 5 years
after completing a master’s degree doing extensive research and a dissertation.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 10
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
STANDARDIZED TEST INFORMATION
It’s important to check the admissions requirements section in each of your college catalogs or
websites of the schools to which you are applying to help you determine which standardized
test(s) you should take.
The SAT, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, measures critical reading, writing, and mathematics
ability and is a test that predicts college performance.
The ACT, the American College Test, measures educational development in English, math,
reading, science, and writing; and is a test that predicts freshman year college performance.
The TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an admissions test administered
through the computer that focuses on listening, structure, reading, and writing. It is for students
whose native language is not English. This includes ESL students and non-English speaking
students who have been living in the United States for less than five years. For test dates and
to register for TOEFL, go to http://www.ets.org/toefl
The PSAT, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, measures critical reading, writing, and
mathematics ability. It is often referred to as the “Practice SAT.” Juniors planning to take the
SAT should initially take the PSAT. The PSAT is intended to help college bound students
evaluate skill levels in three critical academic areas; prepare for the SAT; compare their
readiness for college-level work with that of their peers; and enter scholarship competitions.
Most colleges and universities will accept either test (SAT or ACT) for admission, but check to
be sure. Some highly competitive colleges require SAT Subject Tests. The SAT Subject Tests
measure performances in specific subjects, usually math or foreign language, and are often
used by the colleges for placement purposes.
Registering and taking the first SAT or ACT is often one of the first major steps in the college
application process. Students and parents are reminded that it is important to save all
paperwork related to testing and college applications in a secure file folder, box, or special
location. Information and items such as passwords, registration tickets, and confirmation details
may be needed at a future time.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 11
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
Be sure to have your scores sent to the colleges and scholarship agencies to which you are
planning to apply. This information is part of the registration package and is an important
section to be completed appropriately. It is free to send your scores to four colleges of your
choice at the time you register; however, if you wait to do this later, it will cost you $9.50 for
each set of scores.
Take time to familiarize yourself with the instructions and sample questions sent by the testing
service. You may want to take one of the SAT prep courses that are offered. SAT and ACT
Practice Booklets and Practice Tests are available in the BAS Guidance Office. These booklets
show students how to get ready for the SAT/ACT, types of questions and content they will see
on the test, sample questions, a practice test, and a scoring guide. There are also many
websites that offer ACT and SAT test preparation. USE THEM!!!!
http://ineedapencil.ck12.org/
www.collegeboard.com
http://www.princetonreview.com/
Students on the college/university pathway should plan to take the SAT/ACT during exam time
of their junior year, preferably after passing Algebra II. Students should plan to take the
SAT/ACT at least twice during their junior year and, if necessary, at the beginning of their senior
year.
Students who receive free or reduced lunch are eligible for two ACT/SAT fee waivers. Students
should contact guidance office to see if they are qualified for fee waiver. Some
scholarships/grants request financial fee waiver certification. Students are only allowed to get
TWO fee waivers. Please do not obtain a fee waiver and then decide not to use it. It cannot be
replaced.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 12
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
More about the SAT:
The SAT measures what you know and how well you apply that knowledge.
It tests the same things taught every day in high school classrooms – reading, writing,
and math.
More than 2.4 million students take the SAT each year.
Almost all colleges and universities use the SAT to make admissions decisions.
A combination of grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of a student’s future
success in college.
There are three sections: critical reading, mathematics, and writing.
The test is 3 hours and 45 minutes, including three breaks.
The score range is 200-800 per section, 600-2400 overall.
Students should strive for their own personal best to be competitive for college
admissions. See College/University Profile in this guide.
The question types are:
- Critical Reading – Sentence Completion, Reading Passages
- Mathematics – Algebra, Geometry, Statistics & Probability
- Writing – Essay, Identifying Errors, Improving Grammar & Usage
More about the ACT:
The ACT is universally accepted for college admission. Almost all colleges and
universities use the ACT to make admissions decisions.
The ACT is not an IQ test. It tests what is taught in the high school curriculum.
There are five sections: English, reading, mathematics, science, and writing.
The test is 3 hours and 25 minutes.
The score range is 1-36, with the national average at 21.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 13
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
SAT TO ACT CONVERSION CHART
SAT Verbal + Math Score ACT Composite Score
1600 36
1580 35
1520 34
1470 33
1420 32
1380 31
1340 30
1300 29
1260 28
1220 27
1180 26
1140 25
1110 24
1070 23
1030 22
990 21
950 20
910 19
870 18
830 17
780 16
740 15
680 14
620 13
560 12
500 11
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 14
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
SAT AND ACT TEST DATES
SAT
Test Date Regular Registration Closes Late Registration Closes
October 1, 2016 September 1 September 20
November 5, 2016 October 7 October 25
December 3, 2016 November 3 November 22
January 21, 2017 December 21 January 10
March 11, 2017 February 10 February 28
May 6, 2017 April 7 April 25
June 3, 2017 May 9 May 24
ACT
Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)
September 10, 2016 August 7 August 3 – 19
October 22, 2016 September 16 September 17-30
December 10, 2016 November 4 November 5-18
February 11, 2016* January 13 January 14-20
April 8, 2017 March 3 March 4-17
June 10, 2017 May 5 May 6-10
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 15
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR
Fall
Start with you. Make a list of your abilities, social/cultural preferences, and personal
qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college. Complete a career interest
inventory.
Learn about colleges. Look at their websites. Talk to friends, family, teachers, and recent
grads of your school now in college. List college features that interest you. Investigate
colleges that match your interests and your career selections. The time you spend planning
now will benefit you in the long run.
Narrow a list of colleges that interest you to no more than 15.
Make a file for each or keep a box to manage your college search, testing, and application
data.
Check your college choices entrance requirements. Review your high school course plans
and school activities with your College Guidance. Ensure you are on track for graduation
and meet the college entrance requirements.
Build your transcript. Keep your grades up high because your junior year will set you up or
knock you down!
Get schedules for college entrance and placement tests you’ll need to take and their fees,
dates, and registration deadlines.
Take the PSAT on October. Sign up in the Guidance Office. Your test results may qualify
you for a National Merit Scholarship.
If you can’t afford application or test fees, your school counselor can help you request a fee
waiver. You must check with your College Guidance if you are eligible to qualify for the fee
waiver.
Register for the SAT or ACT and then practice for the SAT or ACT.
Use the financial aid calculator at www.collegeboard.com to estimate how much aid you
might receive.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 16
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
Spring
Visit some local colleges – large, small, public, and private. Get a feel for what works for
you. Attend college fairs. Look for college open houses so you can visit and tour the
campuses of your choice. A college visit is one important way to find the right college for
you.
Request view books and information about financial aid and academic programs that
interest you from your list of colleges.
Start looking for a summer job or internship in your field of interest.
Attend junior study halls
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.
Summer
Find career related job, internship or participate in a camp or summer college program.
Visit college campuses. Take campus tours and at colleges you’re serious about, make
appointments to have interviews with admissions counselors.
Attend Pre-College courses .
Develop a resume – a record of accomplishments, activities, and work experiences since
you started high school.
Check application dates – large universities may have early dates or rolling admissions. Be
ready to apply ASAP in the fall or your senior year.
Review the Scholarship Listing at the back of this guide to prepare to apply for the
scholarships you qualify for.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 17
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR
September
Review courses and graduation requirements with your counselor.
Create a master list or calendar that includes:
o tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines.
o college application due dates.
o volunteer/community service hours.
o other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.).
Save all paperwork related to testing and college applications in a secure file folder, box or
special location.
Narrow your list of colleges to no more than 15. Meet with your school counselor about
them, and if you’ve not yet done so, review the college applications and financial aid forms
for the specific colleges of your interest and note which ones require essays as well as their
application deadline dates and special testing requirements. Plan to visit as many of these
college campuses as soon as possible.
If you can’t afford application or test fees, your school counselor can help you request a fee
waiver. You can only obtain 2 SAT Fee Waivers and once you have used an SAT fee
waiver, you qualify for only 4 College Application Fee Waivers.
Write scholarship and college application essays early. Edit, proofread, and rewrite. Save
them to a flash drive and to another source for back-up.
Get a highlighter and start reviewing the Scholarship Listing at the back of this guide.
Highlight scholarships you qualify for and apply for each of them prior to their deadline.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in September and October.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.
October
Try to finalize your college choices.
Ask for school counselor or teacher recommendations, if you need them. Give each teacher
or school counselor a completed “Recommender Questionnaire” located in this guide and a
copy of your resume. For each recommendation, provide a stamped, addressed envelope,
and any college forms required.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in November.
Brooklyn Amity School | 3867 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | 718.891.6100 | www.amityschool.org Page 18
Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
2016-2017
November
Take the ASVAB. Any senior who has not yet decided the type of job may be interested in
taking the ASVAB.
Submit your college applications online. If you have a definite first choice, consider applying
early decision.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in December.
December
As you finish and submit your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies.
If your college wants to see second semester grades, be sure you give the form to your
counselor.
Explore ways you can pay for college. With your family, learn about financial aid. Use the
financial aid calculator at www.collegeboard.com to estimate how much aid you might
receive.
Become familiar with the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Being prepared for this
process is invaluable!
Remind your parents that you will need to begin collecting up-to-date tax information for
financial aid applications very early in year.
Check with college financial aid offices for school-specific scholarship information, costs,
and additional financial aid forms required.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in January.
January
Complete and submit the FAFSA between January 1 and February 25 online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in February.
February
No senioritis, please! Accepting colleges do look at second semester senior grades.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in March.
March
Keep active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what you have
accomplished between the time you applied and learned of its decision.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in April.
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April
Compare acceptance letters and financial aid packages.
Submit your enrollment deposit to hold your spot at the college you choose. Send your
deposit to one college only.
You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you’ve not
done so yet, visit your final college before accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your
school counselor of your choice.
Notify all other colleges in which you have applied for admission of your decision not to
attend their institution.
If you have questions about housing offers, call the college.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in May. Let your school counselor know of any
scholarships you have been awarded.
May
Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1. By that
postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer
of admission and/or financial aid.
Wait-listed by a college? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director your intent
and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask whether funds will be
available if you’re accepted.
Work with a counselor to resolve any admissions or financial aid problems.
Apply for the scholarships that are due in June or July.
June
Complete BAS Senior Survey and indicate on this survey which college (1) your final
transcript should be sent to. One final transcript will be sent to the college you list on the
Senior Survey. You should notify your counselor if your post graduation plans change.
Source: College Counseling Sourcebook. ©The College Board. Permission granted to copy this
for educational purposes.
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Primary Factors:
WHAT DO ADMISSIONS OFFICES CONSIDER WHEN
REVIEWING A COLLEGE APPLICATION?
Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses - Difficulty of course work (did you take the most
challenging course load you could have at your school?)
Academic Performance - Grades (GPA both weighted & unweighted)
Class rank
Test Scores (SAT and/or ACT scores)
Secondary Factors:
Extracurricular Activities/Community Service
Essay(s) – not required by all schools
Letter of Recommendation
Demonstrated Interest
Interview - not required by all schools
MAKING CHOICES ABOUT COLLEGE
Step One: Know yourself and your reasons for wanting to attend college
Identify your strengths and weaknesses and analyze your interests and values
Analyze your reasons for attending college
o To achieve a personal goal
o To increase your earning power
o To prepare for a career and expand learning
o For extracurricular activities and social life
o Because of the influence of family and friends
Step Two: Consider college characteristics
Majors and educational programs
Type of school and degrees offered
Admission policy
Location and size
Costs and availability of financial aid
College affiliation and accreditation
Campus activities
Academic reputation
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Step Three: List, compare, and visit colleges
Compile information from several sources
o College catalogs, bulletins, and videos
o College representatives and college fairs
o Counselors and teachers
o Parents, students and alumni
Directories and online information
Prepare a college comparison checklist
Weigh advantages and disadvantages
Contact the admissions office for a visit to the campus
Step Four: Apply for admission and observe deadlines
Narrow your choices to a list of ten colleges (in the following fashion)
o Three colleges- “safe”- you are overqualified and will definitely be admitted
o Four colleges- “match” – you meet the qualifications for admission
o Three colleges – “reach” – you would really like to attend this college, but you
may have a lower GPA, SAT score or class rank than is required
Review college admission test requirements (SAT, ACT, TOEFL)
Know application fees and deadlines
Submit application materials
o Complete applications for admission
o Application fee
o Recommendations
o Admissions test results
APPLY: To College & For Financial Aid
1. To College - Apply to college(s), track your college applications, submit transcripts, and get
recruited!
2. For Financial Aid - Learn about Grants, Scholarships, Loans, and other options that help you
pay for college.
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PAY:
1. Savings Plan – helps you take the first step in saving for college
2. Grants & Scholarships - Look for grants and scholarships. New York has more than $800
million a year available for students and there's federal and college or university "gift aid"
too.
3. Part Time Work - Consider part-time work. The right balance of study and work can help you
meet expenses and gain experience.
4. Loans - Loans are a good resource to help with college costs; however, they must be paid
back with interest. Compare loan types, interest rates, and fees carefully and borrow only
what you really need.
5. Installment Payment Plans - Dividing your college expenses over a period of time can make
it easier to pay out of current income. See if your college or university offers an installment
payment plan.
6. Repayment - Make an online payment, check your account information, get help with
repayment questions and debt management, and find the forms you need.
WRITING ESSAYS
FOR COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
A great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the
admissions staff or scholarship selection committee. It will round out the rest of your application
and help you stand out from other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your
application over which you have complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Check
out these tips before you begin:
Keep your focus narrow and personal
Your essay must prove a single point or thesis. The reader should be able to find your main idea
and follow it from beginning to end. Ask someone to read just your introduction to see what he
or she thinks your essay is about.
Essays that attempt to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered down. Remember, it’s
not about telling the committee members what you’ve done—they can pick that up from your list
of activities—but about showing them who you are.
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Prove it
Develop your main idea with vivid, specific facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons.
There’s a big difference between simply stating a point of view and letting an idea unfold in the
details:
Vague: I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of backgrounds and interests.
Better: During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a baseball coach
who thinks he’s Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and heard more than I
ever wanted to know about some woman’s gallbladder operation.
Be specific
Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing. Instead use vivid, specific details.
Generic: I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the love and
guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore,
I would like to expand the lives of others.
Better: My mom and dad stood on plenty of sidelines until their shoes filled with water or
their fingers started to freeze or somebody’s golden retriever signed its name on their
coats in mud. I think that kind of commitment is what I’d like to bring to working with
fourth graders.
Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear
Most admissions officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of
terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. Bring something new to the
table, not just what you think they want to hear.
Don’t write a résumé
Don’t include information that is found elsewhere in the application. Your essay will end up
sounding like an autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list. Yawn.
Overloaded: During my junior year, I played first singles on the tennis team, served on
the student council, maintained a B+ average, traveled to France, and worked at a
cheese factory.
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Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do – eliminate the unnecessary words
Wordy: Over the years, it has been pointed out to me by my parents, friends, and
teachers—and I have even noticed this about myself, as well—that I am not the neatest
person in the world.
Better: I’m a slob.
Don’t forget to proofread
Typos and spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as carelessness or just bad writing.
Don’t rely on your computer’s spell-checker. It can miss spelling errors like the ones below.
After I graduate from high school, I plan to work for a nonprofit organization during the
summer.
From that day on, Daniel was my best friend.
Source: College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. © The College Board. Permission
granted to copy this for educational purposes.
WRITING YOUR RESUME
The development of your student resume is an important step in planning for your future. You
will use your student resume for many pursuits, including, but not limited to; after-school and
summer employment, volunteer work, job shadowing and internships, college applications, and
scholarship applications. Principals, teachers, and school counselors may use your resume
(during your senior year) to write recommendations and to help you with the scholarship
process. Each senior must have a resume and a copy should be given to your college guidance
counselor. Senior English teachers may help 12th grade students prepare a resume. Please do
not ask counselors, teachers, principals, or community representatives to write a
recommendation letter for you without providing them with your resume.
Your resume should be in a format that best highlights your experience, education, and
interests. Try to keep it brief (2 pages maximum; 1 page is preferred). Make sure the font is
large enough to be easily read.
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The following examples are offered to help get you started. One possible resume format will
include the following sections:
Heading: Name, Address, Telephone, Email
Skills: Technical/Computer Skills, People Skills, Language Skills, Work Skills
Education: Specialized classes or training, expected graduation date
Experience: Volunteer and paid work, special projects you have completed
Activities: School and community activities in which you have participated
(Include dates, offices, and awards)
Interests: Cover anything not in “Activities”
References: At least two non-family persons who can say great things about you, your
character, and your work
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Whether it’s for a job application, a college application, or a scholarship, you may be required to
have a recommendation letter completed on your behalf.
Asking for Letters of Recommendation:
Many colleges and universities require letters of recommendation along with your
application for admission. These letters are an important way for admissions officials to
gain insight into your personal strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments.
When asking for a letter of recommendation, consider the following tips:
o Ask for letters at least 3 weeks before the application deadline, and remind letter-
writers 1 week prior to the deadline.
o Be courteous and polite when requesting letters of recommendation. Remember
that you are asking the person to do something extra on top of their usual
workload.
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o Ask the person if he or she is able to write a strong letter for you; a weak letter
will hurt your chances of admission. If someone doesn’t know you well enough
to advocate for your admission, you should find someone else who can write a
strong letter on your behalf.
o Provide all necessary information, dates, forms, addresses, envelopes, and
postage to complete and submit the letter of recommendation. And, make sure
you follow the directions on how to send them in and when.
Q & A guidelines/tips to get the best recommendation possible:
Question: How do you decide who can give you the best recommendation letter?
Answer: Think about who knows you best and would write a strong recommendation letter in
support of you. A teacher usually will give you the best recommendation letter. Which teacher?
Think about which class you had to work the hardest in and that way the teacher can give
examples of specific times you worked hard. The recommender should be able to tell a story
about you . . . not just list what activities you have been active in. Admissions offices want to
know how you enriched a class/school. They want to know what IMPACT you had in/on an
activity. (E.g. The recommendation letter should not just list an extracurricular activity you have
been a part of, but say how you impacted the school through that activity.)
Question: What is an appropriate amount of time to give the recommender? Answer:
Determine the deadline for when the recommendations are due. Allow the recommender at
least 3 weeks in advance of the due date to get it completed. Be sure to check back with the
recommender to ensure it was completed. Then send them a “thank you” note.
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Question: What information should you give and how should you ask?
Answer: When you ask, you should do so in person – not by email, phone, or note/letter. You
should also provide the recommender with the following information:
1. Answers to the questions on the “Recommender Questionnaire” (located on the
next page of this guide)
2. A copy of your resume
3. Information on how they should return the recommendation to you all materials
necessary for mailing: a stamped, pre-addressed envelope (most envelopes
require 3 stamps) if you want it mailed
4. A recommendation form (if applicable)
5. The date the recommendation letter/form is due
TIP: It is a good idea to send a thank you note to the person completing the recommendation
letter for you about a week or so after you initially ask for the recommendation.
TIP: DO NOT put anything on the Internet that you do not want college admissions officers to
see (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, etc.).
TIP: Make sure your email address is professional!
TIP: You may want to ask the recommender to keep the letter of recommendation they write for
you on file as you may need a number of letters throughout your senior year. By giving your
recommender this information, they will be able to save this letter and hopefully, access it again
as you need it.
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Recommender Questionnaire
What are the first three words that come to mind to describe you?
What are your personal strengths? Give examples that illustrate these strengths.
Responses can include traits from academics, activities, athletics, hobbies, your
personality, work experiences, etc.
What points or qualities do you want stressed in a letter of recommendation about you?
The accomplishments you are proud of are . . . (shows personal initiative or
commitment)
You have shown leadership skills by . . .
The out-of-school activity that has been most rewarding to you is . . . because . . .
Right now, what are the “top priorities” in your life? At present, do you have a particular
“philosophy of life”?
Are there any ‘extenuating circumstances’ that should be included in your
recommendation?
What sacrifices or adjustments, if any, have you had to make/or will have to make in order
to reach your goals? Are you the first from your immediate family to go to college?
What additional information should the recommender know to write your letter of
recommendation? How can the recommender capture the “real you” on paper?
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OPTIONS
EARLY ACTION is an admissions procedure to notify student of early admissions to the college.
Students are not obligated to accept the college’s offer of admission and may file applications at
other universities. Note: early action candidates can be denied or deferred and financial aid
awards are made in April.
EARLY DECISION is a plan under which candidates may submit credentials early to one
college, usually by early October of the senior year. Applicants are notified of their admissions
status by December. As part of an early decision plan, students are required to sign a statement
agr eeing t o accept t he col lege’s off er of adm ission and t o not apply t o any other
college. If you apply under EARLY DECISION and you are accepted, then you will be enrolled
as a freshman at that college/university and required to pay the tuition.
REGULAR ADMISSION is the plan under which candidates submit credentials during
November to February, depending on school deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual
school.
ROLLING ADMISSION is the plan under which candidates may apply until a final deadline,
usually in late Spring. Students will receive a reply of acceptance or denial within four to six
weeks.
ONSITE ADMISSION is an admissions option in which colleges visit students at the high school
and make an admission determination during a scheduled appointment with the student.
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS KEYWORDS
OFFER OF CONDITIONAL ADMITTANCE is acceptance to a college provided candidates
maintain academic performance throughout the year. A college can withdraw its offer if grades
fall significantly or if a student is involved in an activity that results in disciplinary action by the
school or law enforcement.
DENIAL is a final decision by the college to not offer admission. Students who are denied can
apply again after completing at least a semester of college coursework.
DEFERMENT is a delay of admissions decision until a later time. Many competitive schools will
defer fall applications to the spring in order to receive additional grades and other information.
WAITLISTING occurs after the regular admissions process is complete. There is no guarantee a
college will refer to the waitlist. Students on a waitlist for one college should plan to attend
another college and then reconsider if offered admission at a later time.
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COLLEGE VISIT INFORMATION
Perhaps the most influential factor in college selection is the campus visit. A visit allows you to
get a feel for the campus and to see how you might feel living there for the next four years. It is
tremendously important to visit the campus and see the students, meet professors, see the
residence halls, etc. The best time to visit schools is when classes are in session. If you can’t
visit during this time, keep in mind that a campus is not the same in the summer or on breaks as
they are when students are around. Don’t let weather or other such factors impact how your visit
goes—remember that it will more than likely rain when you’re a student, so that is just a fact of
life! To plan a campus visit, you should call the Admissions Office well in advance for an
appointment.
NOTE: BAS encourages seniors to conduct visits on non-school days, such as summers,
weekends, and teacher workdays. In the event that visits must occur on school days,
principals can allow for up to two (2) senior days for such visits provided that the student
adheres to the following procedure:
1. Request a college day form from your school counselor two weeks in advance.
2. Take the form to all of your teachers to be initialed and return it to your school
counselor.
3. Students must bring back evidence (a BAS form or a signed statement by college
admissions personnel on official stationary) promptly upon return from the visit. The
signed statement must include the date of the visit.
If officially approved, these days will not count against attendance. However, you are still
required to make-up all missed assignments and/or tests. NO in-town college visits will be
excused.
The campus tour is a very important part of every campus visit. Be sure to ask questions about
the academic rigor, social environment, extracurricular activities, class sizes, housing situation,
etc.
A quick note about dress: be neat and comfortable, yet don’t create an issue with your
appearance. Admissions officers do not expect you to wear a dress or a coat and tie—
especially if it is 90 degrees outside! One hopes that the interviewer will remember your
interview for reasons other than your dress. Wear comfortable shoes because you will probably
be doing a lot of walking. Be sure to take rain gear as well.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR VISIT:
1. Sit in on some classes that interest you. You must get permission for this.
2. Pick up a copy of the school newspaper.
3. Read the course catalog and check out the list of faculty, their degrees, and the courses
they teach. Investigate your chosen academic program by meeting with professors.
4. If you are interested in playing a sport, request a meeting with a coach.
The same goes for any activity of interest.
5. Find out about the quality of the Career Services Office/Placement Services.
6. Talk with students.
7. Verify admission requirements and discuss your chances for successful admission.
8. Ask about scholarships and financial aid.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CAMPUS TOUR GUIDE:
1. Who teaches your classes? Professors or Teaching Assistants?
2. How adequate is the library? Are you able to get the books you need when you need them?
3. What technology is required and how do I access technology support services?
4. How accessible are professors?
5. What is the biggest issue on campus?
6. Are certain courses harder to get into? If so, which ones in particular?
7. What is the greatest shortcoming of this college? What do students complain about?
8. Why did you choose this particular college? Do you still feel the same way about it?
9. What kinds of students are most happy here? Least happy?
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FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The Federal government mandated the creation and use of one form (FAFSA) to apply for
federal financial aid. However, individual states and colleges may also require the completion of
supplemental forms. Every college will specify which forms they require. Every BAS Senior &
parent should be aware that the FAFSA should be submitted at the earliest possible date after
January 1. You won’t receive if you don’t apply! Two forms are described below:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): All students applying for any federal
financial aid must file this form. The FAFSA is the only application students must complete to be
considered for all federal financial aid including: Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Work-Study, and other federal financial aid
programs. Students will not be charged a fee when filing this form, and the data can be sent to
10 colleges. If you wish to have the data sent to additional institutions, the instructions are on
the Student Aid Report (SAR). Aid applicants should expect to receive the SAR within 2 to 6
weeks following application. Many scholarships require submission of the FAFSA. You can
access this form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper copies can be downloaded from this site,
as well. To complete the FAFSA online, you will need to acquire a Personal Identification
Number (PIN) at this site: www.pin.ed.gov . Online FAFSA forms are processed 7-14 days
faster than paper forms.
Institutional Form/CSS Profile In addition to the FAFSA many colleges request additional
information with their own institutional form. Admission and financial aid materials will include
specific institutional requirements. A commonly used form is the CSS Profile, which you can
access at: www.collegeboard.com/profile . The CSS Profile is a supplemental financial aid
resource, often used by private colleges. The profile is also a required documentation for some
scholarship programs. Fee waivers are available for the submission of this application.
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Types of Financial Aid
Detailed information on financial aid and resources are available through the United States
Department of Education and is available at www.ed.gov/finaid/. The FAFSA must be completed
in order to qualify for the following types of aid:
Stafford Loan: Stafford Loans are available to undergraduates on the basis of demonstrated
financial need. Interest is paid by the federal government for the first six months after
graduation. A program called the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program is available to
undergraduates who do not demonstrate financial need. Students must file the FAFSA for the
regular Stafford first, and if not eligible, will automatically be considered for the unsubsidized
program. Although borrowing limits and interest rates are identical to the regular Stafford Loan,
interest will not be subsidized while the undergraduate is attending college. Students have the
option of either paying interest as it accrues on the loan or capitalizing the interest and paying if
off along with the principle following graduation. Even though the government does not pay
interest, this option is attractive because of the very favorable interest rate.
Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Grants: Pell Grants and SEOG’s are distributed to
students based solely on need as determined by the FAFSA. The college financial aid office
determines the amount received for Pell and SEOG.
Work-Study: Work-Study is a federally funded program that allows students to work on campus
to help defray the costs of education. This program is organized by the school’s financial aid
office.
Perkins Loan: The Perkins Loan provides funds for students who demonstrate need as
determined by the FAFSA. Colleges have a restricted amount of funds available for Perkins
Loans and allocate it accordingly. The interest rate is usually around 5% and repayment begins
six months after graduation.
Parents Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS): Through this program parents may borrow
the entire cost of their students’ education, less financial aid. Repayment of PLUS loans must
begin within 60 days of disbursement. Bank approval of a PLUS loan hinges on examination of
the family’s credit history. The low interest rates on PLUS loans make these an attractive option
for families who plan to finance educational costs.
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Myths about Paying for College
Billions of dollars in financial aid are available to those who need help paying for college. Yet a
lot of misinformation clouds the facts about what type of aid is available and who is eligible.
Here are some myths dispelled for those confronting the process of securing financial aid:
MYTH: College is just too expensive for our family.
FACT: Despite the media hype, a college education is more affordable than most people think,
especially when you consider that college graduates earn an average of $1 million more over
the span of their careers than high school graduates. The national average yearly tuition at a
four-year public college in 2008-2009 was just $8,893. The national average yearly tuition at a
two-year public community college in 2008-2009 was just $3,264. There are some expensive
schools, but high tuition is not a requirement for a good education.
MYTH: There’s less aid available than there used to be.
FACT: In fact, most students receive some form of financial aid. In 2008-2009, more than $126
billion in financial aid was awarded to undergraduate students. Less of this aid now comes in
the form of grants, however; most aid is awarded through low-interest loans or institutional and
other grants. You should carefully consider the financing packages you’ve been offered by
each college to determine which makes the most financial sense.
MYTH: My family’s income is too high to qualify for aid.
FACT: Aid is intended to make a college education available for students of families in many
financial situations. College financial aid administrators often take into account not only income
but also other family members in college, home mortgage costs, and other factors. Aid is
awarded to many families with incomes they thought would disqualify them.
MYTH: My parents saved for college, so we won’t qualify for aid.
FACT: Saving for college is always a good idea. Since most financial aid comes in the form of
loans, the aid you are likely to receive will need to be repaid. Tucking away money could mean
that you have fewer loans to repay, and it won’t make you ineligible for aid if you need it. A
family’s share of college costs is based mostly on income, not assets such as savings.
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MYTH: I’m not a straight-A student, so I won’t get aid.
FACT: It’s true that many scholarships reward merit, but most federal aid is based on financial
need and does not even consider grades.
MYTH: If I apply for a loan, I have to take it.
FACT: Families are not obligated to accept a low-interest loan if it is awarded to them. One
financial aid administrator recommends applying for aid and comparing the loan awards with
other debt instruments and assets to determine the best financial deal.
MYTH: Working will hurt my academic success.
FACT: Students who attempt to juggle full-time work and full-time studies do struggle. But
research shows that students who work a moderate amount often do better academically.
Securing an on-campus job related to career goals is a good way for you to help pay college
costs, get experience, and create ties with the university.
MYTH: Millions of dollars in scholarships go unused every year.
FACT: In fact, most unclaimed money is slated for a few eligible candidates, such as
employees of a specific corporation or members of a certain organization. Most financial aid
comes from the federal government, although it is a good idea to research nonfederal sources
of aid.
MYTH: My folks will have to sell their house to pay for college.
FACT: Home value is not considered in calculations for federal aid. Colleges may take home
equity into account when determining how much you are expected to contribute to college costs,
but income is a far greater factor in this determination. No college will expect your parents to sell
their house to pay for your education.
MYTH: I should live at home to cut costs.
FACT: It’s wise to study every avenue for reducing college costs, and living at home may or
may not be the best way. Be sure to consider commuting and parking costs when you do this
calculation. Living on campus may create more opportunities for work and other benefits.
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MYTH: Private schools are out of reach for my family.
FACT: Experts recommend deferring cost considerations until late in the college selection
process. Your most important consideration is to find a school that meets your academic,
career, and personal needs. In fact, private colleges often offer more financial aid to attract
students from every income level. Higher college expenses also mean a better chance of
demonstrating financial need.
MYTH: We can negotiate a better deal.
FACT: Many colleges will be sensitive to a family’s specific financial situation, especially if
certain nondiscretionary costs, such as unusually high medical bills, have been overlooked. But
most colleges adhere to specific financial aid award guidelines and will not adjust an award for a
family that feels it got a better deal at another school.
Source: College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. ©The College Board. Permission
granted to copy this for educational purposes.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
A TRUTH: You should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship!
Scholarship scams have been around for years. According to the Federal Trade Commission, if
you hear these lines from a scholarship service, you may be getting duped:
“The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” No one can guarantee that you’ll get a
grant or a scholarship. Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. Get
refund policies in writing, and read the fine print.
“You can’t get this information anywhere else.” There are thousands of scholarships you can
research through free means. It’s highly doubtful that a company would have an exclusive
list of scholarships that you can’t find through another source.
“I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” Don’t give
your credit card or bank account number without getting information in writing first. You
might become the victim of an unauthorized withdrawal from your account.
“We’ll do all the work.” Don’t be fooled. You must apply for scholarships or grants yourself.
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Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
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“The scholarship will cost money.” Don’t pay anyone who claims to be “holding” a
scholarship or grant for you.
“You’ve been selected” by a “national foundation” to receive a scholarship, or “You’re a
finalist” in a contest you never entered. Before you reply to a scholarship offer you didn’t
initiate, check it out. Make sure the foundation or program is legitimate.
What to do if you suspect an offer is a scam
Start with your school counselor. Also, the following organizations can help you decide if an
offer is legitimate. They will tell you whether they have received any complaints about the
company, or whether the company is currently under investigation. Look for these organizations
online or call for more information:
Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the city where the service is located
Federal Trade Commission, 1-877 FTC-HELP or www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
State Bureau of Consumer Protection
State Attorney General’s Office
National Fraud Information Center (NFIC), www.fraud.org
For more information about scholarship scams, visit www.finaid.org.
Calendar for Applying for Financial Aid
September
When you e-mail colleges that interest you, ask for financial aid info, including what forms to
file and their due dates. Put this information on your calendar and to-do list. Note:
All colleges ask you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
not just for grants/scholarships, but also for college loans. See November.
Some colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Get a PROFILE
Registration Guide by clicking the “Pay for College” link at www.collegeboard.com
and fill out the application online. You can register as early as October 1.
Check college websites to obtain financial aid contact information and office phone
numbers. Call them and ask if they require their own financial aid forms.
If you plan to apply for Early Decision, ask whether your college offers an early estimate of
financial aid eligibility and which forms to file.
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Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
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October
Research financial aid opportunities using your library, financial aid guidebooks, and
websites. The back of this guide is a good starting point. Look for the following online:
federal financial aid sources
private scholarships
state and local programs
scholarships, including merit and departmental scholarships, offered by colleges to
which you’ll apply.
Begin work on aid applications. Private scholarship programs may have very early
deadlines.
Use financial aid calculators like those at www.collegeboard.com to estimate your family’s
college costs or “expected family contribution.”
November
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
It cannot be submitted before January 1. However, you can download a worksheet at
anytime to organize your information.
Visit www.pin.ed.gov and get two personal identification numbers (PIN). You will need one
for you and one for your parent. You will need a PIN to use as an electronic signature when
you complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to keep this information with
your important papers as you will use them throughout college.
December
You and your family may want to save final pay stubs for the year. On aid forms that you’ll
file early in the New Year, use the stubs to estimate income.
Familiarize yourself with the FAFSA website and requirements.
January
Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can after (but not before) January 1.
February
Parents and students are encouraged to complete and file income tax returns as soon as
possible. Colleges may request copies of your tax returns to finalize aid offers.
Your FAFSA is due by March 1.
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Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
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March
If you have not already done so, submit your FAFSA by March 1.
As you receive letters of acceptance, check with financial aid offices to see if additional
documentation must be submitted. Some colleges may request copies of your family’s
income tax forms, W-2 forms, and other materials.
April
Compare financial aid award offers from the colleges where you are accepted. Talk with
financial aid officers if you have questions. If you get no financial aid (or not enough), ask
whether other financing plans are available.
May
If you’ve been offered aid from your chosen college, be sure to accept the offer as instructed
in your award letter. (Note: You’ll need to reapply for financial aid every year.)
If you’ve received aid from other schools, let them know that you won’t be attending.
Source: College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. ©The College Board. Permission
granted to copy this for educational purposes.
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Junior and Senior College Guidance Timeline
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Details to remember
Financial Aid Information
In all written communications to financial aid offices, put your full name and date of birth
on every page.
Keep your financial aid worksheets. Always make copies for your records.
If you have questions about an item, do not guess. Speak directly with a college
financial aid officer, or see your accountant or school counselor. Do not leave blank
spaces on the forms. Use zeros instead.
Proofread! And again, make copies of everything!
After you’ve filed the forms
If you properly complete the financial aid forms, you will receive a Student Aid Report
(SAR) in approximately four to six weeks (online applications are processed in two
weeks). It will give you your eligibility index for federal and state aid.
If there are errors or incorrect information on the SAR, you can make corrections online
(if you filed online). Or check with the financial aid office of the college you plan to
attend; it may be able to submit all necessary corrections for you.
Financial aid offers are sent by colleges either with, or shortly after you receive, a letter
of acceptance. You will be asked to sign an acceptance of the amount received, and the
money will be sent to the college/postsecondary institution.
Ask your counselor for assistance if you have general questions. Specific questions
should be directed to the college financial aid officers.
Source: College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. © The College Board. Permission granted
to copy this for educational purposes.
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HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR
COLLEGE PLANNING
The CommonApp www.commonapp.org
The Common Application is a standardized undergraduate college application form that is
accepted at more than 240 accredited, independent colleges and universities nationwide.
The College Board www.collegeboard.com
Contains information on College Board testing, admissions, financial aid, and scholarships
US News College Center http://www.usnews.com/rankings
College rankings and admissions and financial aid information
Mapping Your Future www.mappingyourfuture.org
Links to career assessments, college info, and scholarships
Peterson’s www.petersons.com
Search colleges by GPA, tuition, sports and more.
Counselor-o-matic www.princetonreview.com
Information on colleges, scholarships, and the Princeton Review
College View www.collegeview.com
Information on colleges, scholarships, and careers
FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov
Application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
CSS Profile www.collegeboard.com/profile
Supplemental financial aid form required along with the FAFSA for select colleges/universities.
I Need a Pencil http://ineedapencil.ck12.org/
SAT Preparation/Review