Class of 2014Guidance Information

Mr. Walt Sandstrom(A-K)Mrs. Melanie Jones (L-Z)

Naviance for college search: Compare GPA/SAT scores against average of admitted students from CBE

Students attend college visits during school day. Sign up on Naviance at least 24 hrs in advance.

Visit college campuses. Contact the admission office to schedule the visit. May take 3 excused absences for this purpose.

PowerPoints are available on CBE Guidance site

College Search Recap

A copy of this handout was given to you by your HR teacher

A copy is available on the CB East website under Guidance

College application process

Step 1:Complete AND Submit your college applications:

Common App (over 500 colleges are members)and Non Common App Schools (applications available on individual college websites)

College application process

Step 2: Complete this step ONLY if using The Common Application for one or more schools. Log into Naviance Click on colleges > colleges I’m applying to In the white box, enter your Common App

email address – **Must be an exact match**

Step 3: After step 1 and step 2 (if using the Common App), you may begin requesting official transcripts within 30 days of the submission of your application. Complete the Transcript Request Form (TRF)

available on CB East Guidance Website Allow a minimum of 15 school days to process Provide $1 per application You will need to sign up for a time slot in the

guidance office to submit your completed TRF. A sign-up sheet will be available in guidance at the front desk.

At the time of submission, you will be given the teacher recommendation checklist

If the college accepts Common App, you must know if you applied using Common App or the college’s own application when you turn in your TR

Checking this box means that your SAT and ACT scores WILL NOT be on your transcript! You must have them sent from collegeboard or ACT

Parent and student signatures are required

Step 4: You must supply your

teacher w/ the Teacher Recommendation Checklist given to you when you submit your TRF to guidance

Teacher will send their recommendation directly to the college

Step 4: You and Mrs. West will complete the teacher recommendation checklist for each teacher.

• Only list colleges to which you want that specific teacher to send your recommendation. (i.e. you only want Ms. Mullis to send her recommendation to Lehigh. You should only list Lehigh on Ms. Mullis’ checklist (not all the colleges to which you’re applying).

• It is important that you do your research and find out how many letters of recommendation each college requires/wants. With the new electronic submission, you can only send what the colleges requires. Therefore, if they want 2 recommendations, only two recommendations will be able to be sent electronically. You cannot submit more than that!

DO NOT ask more teachers to write/submit recommendations than are wanted or accepted by the colleges

because the teachers will not be able to submit them!

Step 5: Make Requests for your SAT/ACT Scores to

be sent directly from the testing agency to the college if they require “official scores”. www.collegeboard.com and/or www.act.org

Step 6: Follow up!

◦ To view the status of your application package, check the following websites: Application: www.commonapp.org or the official

college website (remember your username and password for application accounts).

Transcript: Log in to your Naviance account, Click colleges > transcripts.

SAT/ACT Scores: www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org◦ Teacher Letters of Recommendation: Contact your

teacher to find out when the letter was submitted◦ Check your email! Some colleges will use the email

you provide to communicate about your application.

Only hand in TR for colleges to which you will definitely be applying ◦ you should have already applied to the college, or

at least within 30 days of submitting your TRF◦ When applying to Penn State, you must have

already submitted your application before you hand in your TR

Do not print any counselor forms for us to fill out. We have access to them online.

Other important information

Request recommendation via transcript request form

Fill out the College Recommendation Questionnaire in Naviance with as much detail as possible!

If possible, please have your parents fill out the Parent Recommendation Questionnaire

Counselor Recommendations

Video tutorials (CBE Educational Video Series)◦ Each section of Common Application◦ TRF completion◦ Teacher recommendation process◦ Syncing Common App with Naviance

FAQ College Applications 13-14 on website

College application procedures 13-14

Help is available CB East Guidance Website

Read other questions in “knowledgebase” “Ask A Question” “Follow” Common App on Twitter or “Like” on Facebook

Common Application Help

SAT: October 5, November 2, December 7 (not at East)

ACT: September 21 (late registration ends 9/6), October 26, December 14

College visits in guidance ◦ check schedule, sign up on Naviance and print

pass 3 excused absences to visit college

campuses◦ excuse forms available in attendance

Other important information for seniors…

Bucks Regional College Fair – 180 colleges Hosted by Bucks County Community College 10/10 6:30-8:30

Scholarships – visit Naviance often as scholarships are updated continuously. Listed under Colleges<Scholarship List

Financial Aid Night CB West 11/18 7:00 PM FAFSA – may begin filing January 1 (everyone must file) CSS Profile – may begin filing October 1 (required by certain

schools) Financial Aid Calculator – new tool required on each college

website. Article in NYT: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/getting-a-clearer-picture-of-college-costs/?_r=2

Other important information for seniors…

National Candidate Reply Date is May 1st

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/tip-sheet-making-the-final-college-decision/

Evaluate your options◦ Compare financial aid packages◦ Compare opportunities (internships, campus culture,

majors etc.) Visit again during the spring Make the best choice for you (Know your

priorities and values) Submit your deposit by May 1st to secure your

spot

How to make final decision