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SENIORS- COLLEGE PLANNING AND COLLEGE APPLICATION STEPS

 

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

This is a general list, as some colleges require more to apply and others less. READ THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENTS; USE THEIR WEBSITE OR CALL THEM WITH QUESTIONS. THEY ARE THE EXPERTS ON THEIR ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS.

 

1. Narrow down your choices: There are thousands of colleges to choose from. The first step is narrowing down your choices. Ask yourself, “Do I want a big school or a small school? Can I afford this college if I am accepted? Do I have the grades and test scores to apply to this college?” Once you have limited your college choices by your list of preferences and the college's entrance requirements, you should further narrow your list by visiting the colleges to see if they feel like a good fit. Don’t know where to apply to? Visit CollegeBoard.org to complete a college search profile to get a list of schools that match your criteria. 

 

2. Apply: You’ve narrowed your list of colleges; now you must apply. Use the school-specific application or The Common Application (helpful tutorials listed below). If using the school-specific application, generally, the application is found on the college/university’s Admissions web page. Look for the “Undergraduate”, “Prospective Student” or “Freshmen” link. The requirements and processes vary from college to college. Follow the application directions and keep notes of the steps required and deadlines to submit the required information or documents. Applying to multiple colleges is confusing, so keep good records. NEVER call the college by the wrong name in your admissions application.

 

3. Submit Test Scores and Transcript: Most colleges require you to complete their online application, pay an application fee, submit ACT or SAT scores, and submit an official high school transcript. The online application and application fee you will complete at home. ACT and SAT scores can be requested at the time you take the exam. If you did not request your scores be sent to your colleges at the time you tested, you will need to request an official score report from CollegeBoard.com for SAT scores or ACT.org for ACT scores to be sent to the college. WHS is prohibited by College Board and ACT from sending your test scores to colleges. If you are applying to an in-state college, you can use GAfutures.org to request a transcript be sent electronically at no cost. If you are applying out of state, you have two options for sending a transcript. You can (1) complete a paper copy transcript request form available in the counseling office, or (2) visit www.parchment.com and request a transcript be sent electronically to an out of state college/university. There is a $5 per copy cost for an official transcript ordered through parchment or the WHS counseling office.

 

4. Submit supplemental materials: In addition to these commonly requested application requirements, some colleges will ask students to write an essay or submit letters of recommendation. Many of these requests are electronic and students will enter in a counselor’s or teacher’s email address to request a recommendation letter. The automated email is sent to the teacher or counselor with instructions on how to complete the request. Make sure you ask your teachers and counselors in advance of sending them a request for a recommendation letter. WHS Counselors have a BRAG SHEET that we require to be completed for us to write a personal letter for each of our students. You may want to give teachers similar information when requesting they write a letter of recommendation.

 

5. Complete the FAFSA for Federal Financial Aid here- https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

If you are applying to any college or scholarship program which requires a counselor recommendation, use the following procedures to ensure that all required forms and letters of recommendation are completed and sent electronically or mailed in accordance with the deadlines set by the college or scholarship provider.

Complete the BRAG SHEET and turn in to your counselor via email by the two-week advanced notice deadline. Your recommendation will not be the best possible letter written for you without this completed in its entirety. If colleges ask for letters of recommendation, it is because they want to know more about you than your grades and test scores.

*** Know the deadlines set by the colleges, scholarship providers.

*** Know the deadlines set by the WHS Counseling Department:

 

If the recommendation is due at the college by:

Then the request for the recommendation from your counselor must be made by:

October 15 (UGA & GA Tech Early Action Deadline)

October 1st

November 1

October 18th

November 15

November 30th

December 1

November 10th (earlier due to Thanksgiving)

January 1

December 6th (earlier due to Winter Holiday)

January 15

December 6th (earlier due to Winter Holiday)

ANY OTHER DATE

10 school days prior to the due date (please keep in mind that holidays and beginning/ending semester activities can cause delays)

 

How to send your OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

Official Transcripts can be sent electronically or through US Postal Service

  • www.GAFutures.org
    • In-state colleges only
    • No charge
    • Electronically sent
    • When requesting your Final transcript, request after May 29th to ensure the transcript with 2024 Graduation Date is sent 
    • QuickGuideGAFuturesTranscriptRequest.pdf Click this link for step-by-step directions on how to request your transcript!
  • www.Parchment.com
    • In-state & out of state colleges
    • $5 fee per school
    • Electronically sent
    • When requesting your final transcript, request after May 29th to ensure the transcript with 2024 Graduation Date is sent.
  • Transcript request form for mailed requests
    • Located on the WHS website or in the front office
    • $5 per college – sent via US Postal Service
    • MUST BE MAILED with this option

QUESTIONS about sending transcripts? 

Contact Renee McClelland via phone at 770.721.3000 or e-mail at renee.mcclelland@cherokeek12.net

 

COMMON APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

Common Application- Common App’s free college application tool is designed to make applying to college faster and easier. With Common App you only need to use one system to apply to multiple colleges and universities. There are two main parts you fill out: a set of common questions and each college’s own specific questions. The best part is you only have to fill out the common questions one time!

Common App helpful guide- This guide previews the different sections of the Common Application so you'll be ready to get started as soon as you create your account

Common Application Dictionary

Gather these materials before you begin the Common Application 

FERPA and your application

Understanding the recommendation process

Understanding the testing section

Approaching the activities section

Understanding your financial aid offer

FREE RESOURCES

Common App Step-by-Step Guide that walks students step-by-step through each question of the Common Application, including why it’s asked and how to best answer. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/common-app-guide/

FAFSA Step-by-Step Guide that walks students and families through each question of the FAFSA, including screenshots and explanations and a FAQ page for students with special circumstances. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/fafsa-questions/

Georgia Scholarship Directory, a list of 100+ vetted scholarships for students across the state, broken down by month. Here is the link https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/georgia-scholarships/

Packing for College: Check out this informative page about how to pack for college! https://www.neighbor.com/storage-blog/ultimate-college-packing-list/