Applying to College
- Determine where you’d like to apply by searching on sites like
www.collegeboard.com. You can search by location, major, size, cost, etc. - Visit the website of the school(s) to which you’re applying and look for an “Admissions”
link and then “Apply”. - Most schools encourage you to apply online at this point, but if there is a print format
available, you may want to print a copy so that you can pencil in your answers as
“practice” before entering your information on the actual online version. - Once you have submitted your online application or are close to it, ask your guidance
counselor to send your transcripts to that school. You will need to turn in a Transcript
Release form from you in order to do this. They are available in your senior packets
and in Guidance. - Check to see if the college requires recommendation letters, counselor reference
sheets, Secondary School reports, etc. If so, make sure you let your counselor know.
They can be sent with your transcripts. - Please create a Resume of your background and accomplishments. You can use the
“Information from you for recommendation letter” form to help you identify information
to be included in your resume. This resume can be used to help you fill out college and
scholarship applications. You should also give a resume to each person you ask to
write a recommendation letter. This will help the person recommending you write a
much more powerful letter for you. - Check to see if you need to send “official SAT scores” directly from College Board. Some
schools will accept your scores included on your transcript. Others require you have
them sent directly from College Board. If so, you will need to log back into your College
Board account and have them sent. There is a fee for this. - Things to consider when deciding to apply as “Early Decision” …
** Is there one school you definitely want to attend above all others, no matter
what?
** Is an “Early Decision” status considered binding? If so, in most cases you will
be required to submit a monetary deposit upon acceptance, which is nonrefundable
in most cases even if you change your mind at a later date and
choose to attend somewhere else. Also, some students are concerned that a
binding agreement lessens the chance of receiving a favorable financial aid
package from that school since you are already obligated to attend. However,
this has not been confirmed. - Check out the “Financial Aid” link of each college as well. There may be scholarships
and/or grants for which you can apply now, even before being accepted. - The FAFSA will need to be filled out, but is not available for you until after January of the current school year. However, once it is available, you should fill this out as soon as possible.
You can visit the site now to see what documents will be needed. You and a parent will
need to apply for a pin number as well. This will all be done at www.fafsa.ed.gov. - Start checking Skyline’s website, www.wcps.k12.va.us/shs on a regular basis for
scholarship opportunities. The local scholarship packet will be available there in the
spring. Check under “Guidance”, then “Scholarships”. - In addition to your counselor, Mrs. Crossman in the School Counseling Office is also available to help you with your plans after high school!
