WELCOMETHE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Cranston High School WestGuidance Department

Our Agenda• Reminders• Application Process• Common Application• Other types of applications

• NCAA Eligibility• Financial Aid/Scholarship Resources• General School Information Necessary for Completing

Applications

Reminders Research in order to plan ahead

Know when or if you should take SAT/ACT

Know if SAT Subject Tests are required by admissions

Scores must be sent to the colleges directly from CollegeBoard/ACT

Scores do not appear on CHSW official transcript

For detailed information, please reference the Junior Power Point Presentation available on the CHSW website or in the pages tab on Aspen

College Application Plans

Application Forms

• Common Application

• Online Application

• Paper Application

Common Application

• Efficient method of applying to multiple schools

• Easily manage your applications

• Most Rhode Island 4-year, not-for-profit colleges currently use the Common Application (Johnson & Wales is the exception; use their own online/paper application)

• You can “like” CommonApp on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to receive important updates and information

• https://www.commonapp.org/Login

Navigating the Common Application

For detailed information on managing and completing your Common Application, reference the following tutorials:

• Managing your Common Application

• Submitting your Common Application

Source: www.commonapp.org

Common App Frequently Asked Questions1. Why can’t I assign a recommender?

Why aren’t my recommenders receiving invites?

2. Should I self-report standardized test scores?

3. International students: why do I have to answer this question?

4. Why can’t I add more than 10 activities?

5. Why don’t I see supplements on the Common App?

6. I’m taking an EE course this year, do I report it under the college courses section?

1. The education portion of the Common App must be complete; you must assign a recommender for each school

2. We recommend that you do not self-report; however, the choice is yours

3. Strangely, you need to respond to this question. Answer is “no.”

4. Only allowed 10; pick the 10 most relevant/significant activities; combine activities, if appropriate

5. Supplement (s), if required, are housed under each school in My Colleges

6. No, you do not report current EE course(s); you do report any taken during your junior year, if you received credit

Completing Other Types of Applications

Start by visiting the school’s website. Applications can usually be found on the admissions web page

Example: JWU Online Application

Complete your actual application including essay (if essay is required) and/or supplements

Save or print a copy of the application to be submitted

Mail or submit electronically the application by the deadline

Application Materials

The following materials should be sent to the college:

• Completed & reviewed application• Personal essay• Activity sheet• Teacher recommendations• Application fee• Any other materials required by admissions

Guidance Materials The following materials should be returned to your Guidance Counselor:

• CHSW Release Form (part of Diploma Form)• Student Questionnaire• Activity Sheet or Resume• Copy of college essay(s): optional but highly recommended• CHSW Senior Official Transcript Request Form• Stamped envelope addressed to the college (if necessary)• Hold mid-year reports until first semester is completed (if

necessary)

Cranston West College Application Timeline

The Guidance Department will mail an official transcript, school profile, and the required/requested recommendations to the college. Please note:

• The Cranston West Guidance Department requires 15 school days to process a completed application (e.g. for Nov 1 deadline materials need to be submitted by Oct 11)

• Applications are triaged according to the application deadlines and then by the date received in guidance

Be Aware…Some colleges may require or recommend:• That you participate in an admissions interview• That you submit video tape, audition, portfolio (typically Art, Theatre,

Music program candidates)• That applicants for some competitive majors (e.g. engineering, pharmacy,

nursing) apply by the Early Action deadline• That students apply by an earlier deadline to be considered for school

and/or merit scholarships, despite a later application deadline

NB: It is the student’s responsibility to research their school’s individual requirements/recommendations

Schedule a time to see the college:• Visit campus• Attend a tour

Admissions Decisions

• Provisional Admission• Acceptance• Deferral• Wait List• Denial

Student Athletes

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

• Provides a central location for certification of academic eligibility for participation in intercollegiate sports

• Students must register through the Eligibility Center their junior year in high school if considering a Division I or II School.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel…Cranston High School West Class of 2013 Post-Secondary Destinations

Abilene Christian University Hartt School Salem State University

American International College High Point University Simmons College

Anna Maria College Hofstra University Southern Connecticut State University

Assumption College Johnson & Wales University Stonehill College

Aveda Institute Lasell College Syracuse University

Barry University Lincoln Culinary Institute Thomas College

Berklee College of Music Lincoln Technology Institute United States Air Force

Boston College Maine College of Art United States Air Force Academy

Brandeis University Make-up Designory United States Air National Guard

Bridgewater State University Marist College United States Army

Bridgeton Academy MotoRing Technical Training Institute United States Marines

Brown University Mount Saint Mary College United States Navy

Bryant University New England College University of Connecticut

Catholic University of America New England Conservatory of Music University of Hartford

Coastal Carolina University New England Institute of Art University of Massachusetts Amherst

Community College of Rhode Island New England Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Connecticut College Nichols College University of New Hampshire

Culinary Institute of America Northeastern University University of New Haven

Curry College Paul Mitchell: The School University of Rhode Island

Dean College Pennsylvania State University University of Tampa

Elms College Plymouth State University Villanova University

Empire Beauty School Providence College Wellesley College

Fashion Institute of Technology Quinnipiac University West Virginia Wesleyan College

Festival Ballet Providence Regis College Western Connecticut State College

Florida Gulf Coast University Rhode Island College Western Michigan University

Franklin Pierce University Rhode Island School of Design Western New England University

Full Sail University Rochester Institute of Technology Worcester Polytechnic Institute

George Washington University Sacred Heart University Worcester State University… hard work pays off

Financial Aid Forms• FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid• Get your PIN# ASAP at www.fafsa.ed.gov• Can complete the FAFSA after January 1st

• CSS Profile – Service from CollegeBoard• Required by some private schools to determine eligibility for

private, school scholarships • Deadline in early December (check w/school)

• Additional College Forms – please check with the college’s Office of Financial Aid for more information

Financial Aid Resources

• College Planning Center of Rhode Island

• College Planning Center of RI website

• (401) 736-3170

• College Financial Aid Office

• Community Financial Aid Workshops

Private Scholarship Information• Mrs. Picozzi• Room: E-3• Email: apicozzi@cpsed.net

• Scholarship information is also posted on the following websites: • Scholarships 360• CHSW Student Center webpage• RI Scholarships, College Planning Center of RI• Fastweb.com

Helpful Websites

• CollegeBoard: www.collegeboard.org • Common Application: www.commonapp.org • FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Do not use www.fafsa.com !

• Financial Aid Information: www.finaid.org

Staying Focused

Colleges base final decisions

on mid-year and final grades

Colleges Request:• Schedule of classes/first

quarter grades• Mid-year grades• Final transcript

Remember: Acceptance is contingent on final grades!

General School Information• Senior Year Guidance Counselors

• Deana Golini dgolini@cpsed.net• Richard Willette rwillette@cpsed.net• Daniela Ciccone, CACTC dciccone@cpsed.net• Vicki Clark, CACTC vclark@cpsed.net• Robin D’Almeida, CACTC rdalmeida@cpsed.net• Lori Velino, CACTC lvelino@cpsed.net

• School Address: 80 Metropolitan Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920• School Code: 400036• Phone Number: (401)270-8063• Fax Number: (401)270-8522• Website: www.cpsed.net/chsw/index.htm• CHSW uses a weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale and a weighted rank• Entry Date: 08/2010; Graduation date: 06/14/2014