Countdown to College Student Services Department
Riverside Brookfield High SchoolSeptember 1, 2015
The Secrets of College Admission
Mr. Jerry PopeDean of College Counseling for
Niles North & Niles West High School
Important College Planning Information at RBCollege Application Filing ProcessUsing Naviance to view application statusCollege Reps visits at RBHSFinancial AidScholarships Opportunities
Application Filing ProcessCompleting the college applicationEssays & personal statementsLetters of recommendation from
counselors/teachersRequesting ACT, SAT, & AP scoresTranscript requestsPutting the pieces together
Completing the ApplicationOnline applications vs. paper applicationsResume of extra-curricular activities
SportsClubs/organizationsLeadership positionsVolunteer hours/service projectsHonors/awards
Check application deadlinesEarly Decision (Binding Agreement)Early ActionPriority Filing
College EssaysStudents should start essays now.Ask a counselor for direction and ideas.Ask an English teacher for help.Be sure to answer the essay question asked.Avoid writing a “laundry list” of
achievements.Focus more on one or two experiences.Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Letters of RecommendationsCounselor recommendations
Students must complete the 2 page double-sided “Senior Questionnaire” form.
Please give your counselor at least 2 weeks notice.Teacher recommendations
Give teachers at least 2 weeks notice.Ask teachers early – many of the same teachers get
asked.Provide teachers with a college list.Remember to write a “thank you” note.Junior year teachers are a good choice.Teachers upload their letters to Naviance
Requesting ACT, SAT & AP ScoresStudents must request all tests scores from ACT
or College Board.No test scores are indicated on the transcripts.Request tests scores as soon as possible.ACT scores
www.actstudent.org$12.00 per score per school, $16.00 per score for
prioritySAT & AP scores
www.collegeboard.com$15.00 per score per school
Requesting a TranscriptAll transcripts are processed by Ms. Englehart,
not the counselors.A $5.oo fee was included on students’ fee
statements.Complete a request form for every college.Forms are available in Student Services and on
the Student Services webpage.Parents must sign the request if the student is
under 18.Students must allow 10 school days for requests
to be processed.
Putting the Pieces TogetherStudents should set up an appointment with
their counselor after applications have been submitted.
Counselors will go through the transcript release forms with the student.
Most transcripts and letters will be sent electronically to colleges through Naviance (e-Docs).
Student Services Website
View Status on Naviance
Still College Searching?• NACAC College Fair at Navy Pier, Chicago
• September 26th at 11:00 – 3:00• Future Focus College Fair at Triton College
• September 29th at 7:00 – 9:00• Visit college campuses.• Parent/Student Evening programs at various
locations• Use Naviance for college searches.• Continue to talk with your counselor.
College Rep Visits at RBHS
Signing Up For College Reps
Financing Your EducationMust complete the FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid) starting January 1, 2016FAFSA is used by the U.S Department of
Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
FAFSA is used by nearly all colleges to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college sponsored financial aid including grants, loans and work-study programs.
CSS (College Scholarship Service Profile)Net Price Calculator
Net Price Calculator –Duke Example
*The above example assumes combined parental income of $85,000, savings of $30,000, and home equity of $100,000.
Financing Your Education HelpCollege Planning Tips for Seniors and their
ParentsSeptember 8, 2015 at 7:00-8:00 (Auditorium)
Financial Aid Planning Night at RBHSNovember 11, 2015 at 7:00-8:30 (Auditorium)
“Don’t Pay the College Sticker Price”January 19, 2016 (Auditorium)
FAFSA Workshop at RBHSFebruary 2016 TBD (Library & Computer Labs)
National Scholarship OpportunitiesGeneral Scholarships
Located under College and Career Information on the Student Services homepage http://www.rbhs208.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?type=d&uREC_ID=248958&pREC_ID=572783
Each scholarship varies in qualifications and application deadlines.
Updated weekly as scholarship information is received from the organizations offering the scholarship
Other resources for National ScholarshipsFastWeb – www.fastweb.com
Student Scholarships– www.studentscholarships.org Both sites allow the students to:
Search for local, state and national scholarships and grants Identify scholarships based on your academics, community
service activities, talents and interests
Local Scholarship Opportunities Local Scholarships
Located under Local Scholarships on the Student Services homepage Available to Riverside Brookfield students only http://www.rbhs208.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?type=d&uREC_ID=248958&pREC_ID=572782
Available to Riverside Brookfield students onlyIncludes academic, athletic, and community
service scholarshipsScholarship awards range from $500 to $7500.Students can apply for and receive multiple
scholarships.Applications will be posted on the Student
Services homepage in mid-February 2016.Deadline for applications will be in mid-March
2016.
University ScholarshipsEach college or university offers scholarships and
grants directly to its admitted students.Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid.
Some scholarships are automatically awarded to the students based on their application information.To receive most merit-based scholarships, the
Undergraduate Application is all you need to complete to be considered.
Other university scholarships require an additional application that can be found on its website.
Each college/university will have different scholarship deadlines.
Best of luck on your college admissions journey!!!
QUESTIONS?
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