College Application Process

How do I begin the College Application process?
The first step is to organize the college application information. There is so much to keep track of during a relatively short period of time; many students find it helpful to organize the information in chart form. Forming a chart seems time consuming, but it will save time to be able to compare and evaluate information in one place. Here are some items you may want to include in your chart:

• College Names.
• Designated Major(s).
• Applications Collected - If applying by hard copy versus on-line.
• On-line Registration - If applying on-line versus hard copy.
• Application Deadline.
• Application Type - Rolling, early decision, early action, or regular deadline
• Campus Visits - Indicate which colleges you have visited.
• s the school a safety, match or reach
• College Entrance Exam Requirements -  ACT, SAT-I or SAT-II Subject Tests.
•  Official Copies of Scores Requested
           All college entrance exam scores appear on the transcript but some colleges want official copies of the scores sent directly from the testing service. Determine which colleges require official copies and consult the registration manual or the testing service web site (SAT, ACT) for the process.
• Recommendations Completed.
• Essays Completed.
• Applications (biographical portion) Completed.

When should I start completing the applications?
Once you decide on your college choices, you can start completing the applications. Review the applications and prioritize which application needs to be completed first. Examine the essays. Most of the time, a similar essay is seen on multiple applications. Determine how many essays in total you need to write by recycling essays.

Is it beneficial to apply early decision or early action?
Early decision is good to pursue if you have one college in particular that stands far apart from your other choices. If you are accepted, applying early decision allows you to find out early enough so may not have to submit additional college applications. If you are not accepted during early decision, your application will be reviewed during the regular admission process. Therefore, you are given two applicant pools in which to be reviewed. However, early decision is usually binding. This means that you agree when you apply to enroll if you are accepted. If you are counting on financial aid, this removes room for negotiation because you are committed to attend.

Early action shares the same benefits with early decision, but the agreement is not binding. Therefore if you are accepted through early action, you are not committed to attend that college.

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation?
A recommendation needs to be an accurate reflection of you that is written in a clear and concise manner. Though someone may know you well, writing may not be their strength and they may not be able to convey their knowledge of you effectively. Moreover, someone may be a good writer, but does not have a good insight into you as a person.
Second, choose a diverse representation of people who will encapsulate different perspectives of you: teachers, guidance counselors, extra-curricular activity advisors, coaches, community service coordinators or spiritual advisors. Avoid asking relatives or peers.

Should the recommendations be sent with the application package?
Recommendations can be sent with the application package or separately. However, it is better to keep as much of the application package together as possible. For those individuals completing recommendations, a stamped, addressed envelope to mail their recommendations should be provided.
Should additional materials, which are not required, be included within the application package? You are allowed to send additional recommendations. A student resume is a helpful way to encapsulate your academics, awards, community service, job experience, co-op experience, etc. on one piece of paper.

Upon completing an application, should I send it myself?
You can send or bring it to the campus yourself. However, the Campbell-Savona High School Guidance Office would prefer that you bring the completed application, essay, recommendations, application fee and stamped addressed envelope to the Guidance Office. A transcript will be attached and forwarded with the application package. The office documents when the application package is sent. It is advantageous to send as much information together as possible. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your counselor to process your application: to review, complete any forms and write a recommendation if requested.

Is it best to complete the hard copy application or complete the application on-line?
It is a matter of what would work better for you. However, some colleges require no application fee if you apply on-line via their web site. If you do decide to apply on-line, you must notify the Guidance Department so a transcript will be sent. Colleges will not notify you if your application package is incomplete. Without your transcript, the admissions office will not make a decision.

Bottom Line:
· Take control of the application process by organizing it in your own way. Do not let it control you!
· Complete your application using a black pen or typewriter. Do not use blue pen.
· When asking individuals to write recommendations, put your request in writing with the date it needs to be returned.
· Ask individuals writing recommendations well in advance of the deadline. If you want them to write a "quality" recommendation, avoid asking them the night before.
· Mr. Gugliotta will assist you with any part of this process. You are not in this alone

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College Planning

Freshman-Sophomore College Planning Calendar

What should be accomplished during the freshman/sophomore year to stay on track for college?
There are three areas to consider over these years:

• Course selection

• Transcript development

• Develop skills, interests and experiences

What should I keep in mind when selecting my classes?
There are three areas to keep in mind when selecting your courses for the following year: college entrance requirements, basic skills and interests.

• While entrance requirements vary, most schools require core college preparation courses. Planning your high school curriculum early will ensure that these requirements are met.

• Master the basics. If you are lacking basic skills, you may have to take remedial courses in college or develop your study skills. Remedial courses in college do not give credit for these required classes, but you will have to pay full tuition fees nonetheless.

• Explore your interests via your classes. Self-evaluate! Whether it is science, history, English, business, math, home economics, technology, art or foreign language, your classes give you a chance to find out what you like. That will help you determine your major (or a realistic starting point once you get to college.)

What do I need to understand about developing my transcript?
Remember you begin developing your transcript as soon as you begin taking high school courses. The transcript contains the following: completed courses, final grades, regents exam grades, credit awarded, class rank, cumulative grade average, college entrance exam scores (ACT/SAT) and Advanced Placement Scores. The cumulative grade average and class rank are key factors in college admissions decisions. Your day-to-day work is the most important factor. A good work ethic is key to success in life. Therefore, doing your best is vital! Furthermore, grades are important, but so is the difficulty of the courses you take. Instead of going for the easy 'A', choose tougher more rigorous courses. Students who accept the challenge of academically stimulating classes make a statement that learning is important.

How should I incorporate the development of skills, interests and experiences?
Keep in mind that the development of these three areas is not limited to the classroom. Explore the following: volunteering, extra-curricular activities or part-time job, leadership, independent intellectual pursuits and computer literacy.

• Volunteer! The experience adds valuable information as you choose a career. Also, many scholarships require community service. Moreover, many colleges look favorably upon community service activities.

• Pursue extra-curricular activities or a part-time job. These activities prove you are a well-rounded individual who will bring a lot to a college community. Moreover, a variety of activities also indicates that you know how to mange your time efficiently.

• Pursue leadership roles.

• Further your own intellectual pursuits independently. Read and study on your own. Develop your own intellectual interests outside of class. Improve your language skills and test scores by reading.

• Become computer literate. Take computer science courses, go to computer camp or work to learn at home or school. Knowing your way around a computer will definitely come in handy in college and in the working world.

 What other areas should I think about to stay on track for college?

• Develop a student resume as you begin to progress through high school.

• Attend College Information Day at the Arnot Mall in October of each year.

• Prepare for the fall PSAT test in the spring of the sophomore year by taking a practice PSAT.

• Athletes, begin requesting information from colleges.

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COLLEGE VOCABULARY

Admission procedure - The process with which the institution decides to review applications and make enrollment decisions.

• Early Action - Students apply earlier than the regular admission pool and find out results before the regular admission pool deadline. If accepted, there is no binding agreement to attend.
• Early Decision - Students apply earlier than the regular admissions pool and find out results before the regular admission pool deadline. If accepted, there is a binding agreement to attend.
• Rolling Admission - As applications enter the Admissions Office, decisions are made. Therefore, there is an advantage to submitting your applications early in the fall.
• Deadline Admission - There is a deadline for submitting applications. After the deadline, the institution reviews the applications at that time.
• Open Admission - This procedure is used by two-year community colleges. This policy states that anyone who is 18 years of age or older can be admitted.

Application Package - This information is sent to each college to which you are applying. The package usually contains the following information: application (biographical information and essays), letters of recommendation, transcript, official copies of college entrance exam scores (if required by college), and student resume (optional).

Campus Visit - Visiting each prospective college's campus is critical in determining actual interest in the colleges.

College Entrance Exams - These standardized tests are required by some two-year and most four-year colleges to determine admission. The ACT and the SAT-I are both widely accepted, however some colleges may have a preference. Some four-year colleges may also require the SAT-II Subject Tests.

Community College - A Community College is a two-year, post-secondary institution. Course offerings generally include a transfer curriculum with credits transferable toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year college, and an occupational or technical curriculum with courses of study designed to prepare students for employment in two years.

Credit Hours - Courses taken in college are measured in terms of credit hours. To earn one credit hour, a student must attend a class for one hour per week for the whole semester.

Degree - A degree is granted for the successful completion of a prescribed program of study. There are three basic types of degrees:

• Associate's - obtainable at a two-year community college
• Bachelor's - offered by four-year colleges and universities
• Graduate - obtained after the bachelor's degree, i.e., Masters or Doctorate.

FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) The universal application for financial aid, including loans, grants, college work-study and other federal and state programs. Never pay for this.  (There is a site that is .com rather than .org that costs money)

Financial Aid - Aid is made available from grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Varying amounts from these programs are combined in an "award package" to meet the cost of education. The amount and types of aid awarded are determined by financial need.

Full-Time /Part-Time Enrollment - A full-time student is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester. A part-time student is enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in a semester.

Major/Minor - A major is a student's chosen field of study. It usually requires the successful completion of a specified number of credit hours. A minor is designated as a specific number of credit hours in a secondary field of study. A minor typically compliments the major.

N.C.A.A. - This association determines student eligibility to participate in Division 1 or 2 collegiate level athletics upon review of their high school transcript.

Prerequisite Course - A required course taken in preparation for another course.

Scholarships - Money awarded to students who meet the designated criteria. Scholarships can be obtained in the following ways:

• Application- Application based scholarships are available in the Guidance Office, through community organizations and via the Internet.
• Graduation - School personnel consider students for local scholarships just prior to graduation.
• College - Colleges offer a variety of academic, service-based, and athletic scholarships. Information should be available by contacting your local college.
• ROTC - A scholarship program that offers an all expense paid college experience in exchange for military enrollment at officer status upon graduating. For more information visit the ROTC
  web site at www.rotc.com.

School Selectivity- How selective a school is based on GPA, Test scores and courses taken in high school.  This is usually based on the mid 50% of freshman in the previous class.  Students should list in on their chart how selective the school is. 

Safety- should automatically get into

Match- School selection criteria matches the students GPA, Test scores and Coursework. 

Reach- Student is not performing at the level the school expects, however, may get accepted due to extracurricular, strong admission essay, positive letters of Recommendation, legacy or some other reason.

Transcript - The transcript is a permanent academic record of a student. It may show courses taken, grades received, academic status and honors received.

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