Tips on How to Navigate the College Process

We hope these suggestions/tips will assist you with becoming better organized as you begin the transitioning from high school to the real world.

• Purchase a expanding file pocket to organize yourself

• Purchase a composition notebook: (re: log important dates, visits to colleges, record of who and when you spoke with concerning the college and/or  scholarship applications, etc.)

• Keep a college calendar for college visits, test dates, scholarship deadlines, etc. (in addition to your family calendar.)

• Create file folders (college brochures, scholarship applications, recommendation letters, etc)

• Request letters of recommendations from your teachers, employers, Pastors, advisors, etc. Be sure to give them a self addressed, stamped envelopes with advance notice of when you need your recommendation letters.

• Create or update student’s resume or biographical sketch (include community service projects, awards, employment, etc.)

• Schedule a meeting with your child’s counselor to discuss his/her academics, course selections, college process and expectations from the counselor.

• Request copies of your child official high school transcript

• Begin to organize your tax information to prepare for the FASA

• Community Service projects are very important for the scholarship application. Make sure your son/daughter have meet the requirements for the application.

College Planning

SAT & ACT Preparation:

1. Enroll in a SAT Prep course, purchase SAT review material, etc.
2. Register for the SAT I and ACT
3. Take practice test
4. Note SAT testing dates on the RCSD calendar
5. Consult your counselor for a fee waiver for the SAT if needed
6. Pay attention to registration deadlines for the ACT and/or SAT
7. Register for the SAT II if the college to which you are applying requires this test.

Transitioning from High School to the real world…

• Begin to request information from colleges, vocational training or the military that you are interested in applying to.
  
  
• Discuss as a family how you plan to pay for your child’s college education? How much have you saved and/or need to save. Do you plan on taking out loans?
  
  
• Attend financial aid workshops sponsored by high schools or local colleges
  
  
• Investigate any sources of financial aid-websites, guidance office, and schools that you are interested in.
  
  
• Begin to discuss if your child wants to attend a private or public school, 2 or 4 year school, attend school in-state or out of state, etc?
  
  
• Start to narrow your college choices based on your interest, abilities and preferences.
  
  
• Obtain an official transcript for your records by meeting with your child’s counselor
  
  
• Begin to prepare your college essay and have a teacher proofread and critique
  
  
• Sign up for solid courses your junior and senior years.
  
  
•  Request letters of recommendation from your Pastor, Teacher, Supervisor, etc. Give a copy of the letters to your guidance counselor for your files.

    September

• Have you taken the ACT’s and/or the SAT’s, or think that you can improve your score by retaking the test, plan to take them in the fall.  Registration materials can be found in your guidance counselor’s office. Pay attention to registration deadlines!
  
  
• Plan to meet the admissions representatives from the colleges you have selected, or when they are visiting the high schools in your area.
  
  
• If you have not already done so, request application materials from the colleges where you want to apply.
  
  
• Thoroughly review the instructions on college applications to find out what information are required (test scores, essays, recommendations, etc.) and when it must reach the college.
  
  
• Create a complete checklist of test registration deadlines, fees, test dates, college application deadlines, and scholarship deadlines.

October

• Get letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, friends in community organizations, and advisors. Be sure to give them addressed, stamped envelopes at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
  
  
• If you are applying for Early Decision or Early Action, you should have your application processed (October)
  
  
• Register for the SAT II if the college to which you are applying requires the test. (October)
  
  
• Call to schedule a tour and interviews at the college of choice in your area.  Remember to make appointments with the financial aid offices and ask what type of financial aid application is required (federal, state, and/or school)

November

• Ask a teacher to proofread and critique your college essays
  
  
• Take the ACT and/or SAT. Make arrangements to have your test scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying.
  
  
• Attend financial aid nights sponsored by your high school or local colleges
  
  
• Investigate any sources of financial aid-web sites, guidance office, and schools that you are interested in.
  
  
• Finish college applications before Thanksgiving vacation
  
  
• Submit your applications to your guidance counselor’s office at least 10 days in advance of the application deadline.

December:

• For colleges that you are applying to with a January 1st application deadline, get your application materials submitted to the guidance office before the published date.
  
  
• Remind teachers, Pastors, Supervisors that recommendations are due soon.
  
  
• Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASA) from the guidance office or online.

January

• Start gathering your tax information for the prior year. You will need this information to process the FASA, which is the first step in the financial aid eligibility process. As soon after January 1st as possible, complete and mail your FASA form. List colleges that you would like to receive copies of your form. Don’t assume that you won’t receive any aid; apply for financial aid and let the professional make the decision.

What to expect from the High School Counselors:

• Write a letter of recommendation for colleges and/or scholarships.
  
  
• Meet with your child to assist them with their Academic plans during and after high school.
  
  
• Review transcript with student/parent to be sure that there are no errors and have checked the credits toward graduation with the student/parent.
  
  
• Make copies of recommendation letters for students
  
  
• Parent Consultation-review your child’s high school plan
  
  
• Notify students for college reps visits
  
  
• Assist students with the college application process and individual college advisement, review college applications, send out completed applications with all necessary documents.--November
  
  
• Schedule senior meetings
  
  
• Identify students who are Black Scholars-September
  
  
• Inform and assist student with the SAT registration, fee waivers, resources, etc.
  
  
• Assist student with financial aid and EOP/HEOP processes

SAT & Subject Test testing dates: