The College Application Process
Information, Steps, Resources and Tips for current Seniors
RHS School Code: 233-195
Topics Covered
Includes tips for writing your essay and handling letters of recommendation
2. Standardized Testing Information
3. Scholarships and Financial Aid
4. NCAA Eligibility Information and Resources
5. Admission Terms and Policies
6. Exploring and Gather Information Opportunities
1. Applying to College
4 Steps to Applying to College Online
Step 1: Locate and Complete College Applications ONLINE. Note any deadlines or early action dates. It is a suggested goal to complete college applications by October 31st. Make sure to SUBMIT the application once you have completed all parts and double check for accuracy. Once the college receives any information from you, they will create a file for your materials. Colleges wait to receive all of the application requirements before they will read your application. It is the students' responsibility to make sure that all required materials are received.
Step 2: Request a transcript be sent to your college(s). You make the request online at www.parchment.com
Step 3: Send your ACT/SAT score(s) to any college you are applying if you haven't already done so. This can take several weeks to process. The recommendation is to do this ASAP. www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.org
Step 4: Track your applications, transcript and tests scores to make sure they were received by the college.
More Parchment(sending your transcript) details
2.Once you have an account log into www.parchment.com.
3. You will need to add Rochester High School as the school that has your transcript.
4. Select a Destination to send your transcript -Click on the Academic Institution button.
5. Type in the name of your university you want your transcript to be sent in the box.
6. Confirm correct destination.
7. Select “send now" button” for and save, continue to submit.
Registration Codes should have been sent to your RCS email.
See your counselor or Mrs. Garr if you have any trouble.
Details for Common Application users
Additional Information for Common Application Users
Common Application Users should apply online at www.commonapp.org.
Letters of Recommendation for Common Application
You will be asked to provide approximately 1-2 teacher email addresses for an online teacher evaluation and recommendation. In addition you will need to provide your counselors email address for an online Secondary School Report and for colleges that require it a counselor recommendation. Please provide them with a "Senior Profile for Letter of Recommendation" .Don’t wait to the last step to invite your teachers and counselor. They can get started on their portion while you are working on yours.
Sending a Transcript to a Common Application School
1. Log into www.parchment.com
2. Select Send a Transcript (you will find this at the top right hand side of the page)
3. Select a Destination and Click on the Academic Institution button
4. Type in Common Application in the box
5. You will then be requested to enter your Common Application ID. (To find this, log into your common application account at www.commonapp.org. After you log into Common App you will see your name at the top right side of the page. Under your name is your CAID -Common App ID)
6. Return to Parchment.com and type in your CAID
7. Confirm that the information is correct and submit.
8. You will then need to enter your credit card information and submit. The cost is $2.55 to send your final transcript.
Questions on Common Application:
Number of Students in Class: 381
We do NOT rank
AP Grades are Weighted
Graduation Date: June 6 , 2017
School Code: 233-195
Counselor Info
Mrs. O'Toole-Seyka jotooleseyka@rochesterl.k12.mi.us
Ms. Caggins acaggins@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mr. Green cgreen@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mrs. Zotos lzotos@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mrs. Messing-Mirabito kmessingmirabito@rochester.k12.mi.us
Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
•Select adults who know you well. Most of the time colleges will suggest core teachers.
• Ask “do you feel you know me enough and do you have enough time to write a supportive letter of recommendation”
•Give them a completed Student Profile Sheet and a resume if you have one.
•Give them a couple weeks to write it
•Give them stamped envelope addressed to the college if it is NOT a common application school and there is no online process.
•Thank them and write them a thank you note.
•Follow up with them if you are accepted.
•*Remember to check each schools college application requirements. Most schools in MI except for U of M, do NOT require a letter of recommendation.
If you had an extenuating circumstance during high school please see your counselor.
Additional College Application Tips
1. Record your logins/passwords for each online application in one place.
2. Double/triple check the information you supplied before submitting your online application.
3. Create professional sounding email addresses for your college applications. Clean up social media if necessary, Admission reps may 'google' you.
4. Get GREAT Grades, so you will not be in any danger of graduation AND so your college admission is not withdrawn!!!!!
2. Standardized Testing and sending scores
ACT/SAT Testing and Scores
If you still would like to take or retake the ACT or SAT the dates are as follows.
· ACT: Test date October 24th- registration deadline September 18th. Register at www.actstudent.org
· SAT: Test date October 3rd -registration deadline is September 22nd.Register at www.collegeboard.org
Make sure you send the scores to colleges you are applying. We do NOT send ACT/SAT scores with your transcript. RHS Code: 233-195
3. SCHOLARSHIP & Financial Aid Information
Scholarship Tips
1. Explore College/University Scholarships
· Most colleges have a scholarship webpage, so check it out.
· Contact the financial aid office at the college
· Ask for scholarship brochures while on a campus tour
· Join the college mailing list
· Talk to the admission advisor
2. Check out at least one or two FREE scholarship search engines. (never pay to search for scholarships)
3. Check out the Scholarship folder on Rochester High's Counseling Webpage
http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high-school/pages/7221/scholarships
12th Grade Checklist
Website: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/checklists/12th-grade
MI Student Aid
The Student Financial Services Bureau (SFSB), located within the Michigan Department of Treasury, encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing equality of access to student financial resources and information. Through the administration of various student financial assistance programs, students receive the guidance and funding necessary to pursue their educational goals.
The SFSB strives to help students from birth to beyond college graduation. Let us help you with funding, tools, and resources on how you can afford college in Michigan!
Paying for College: Understanding the Financial Aid process for Senior Parents
Tuesday, Sep 27, 2016, 07:45 AM
501 West University Drive, Rochester, MI, United States
4. NCAA Eligibility for D1 or D2 College Sport
5. Admission Terms and Policies
• Regular admissions: apply by November and you are usually notified in April
• Rolling Admissions: colleges review applications in “batches” and make their decision in about 4-6 weeks. Apply ASAP! (September/Early October)
• Early action/notification: apply by the University early deadline and get an admissions decision in advance; this is not legally binding.
• Early decision: apply early and get an admissions decision in advance- this is legally binding if you are accepted and you must go to that school.
• On-site admissions
• Open admissions: examples are Oakland Community College and Macomb Community College
6. College Exploration, Research and Gather Information
College Night at Rochester High School
Tuesday, Oct 11, 2016, 06:30 PM
180 North Livernois Road, Rochester, MI, United States
Web Resoures
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
http://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx
http://www.collegeresults.org/
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/main/main_choose_tmpl.jhtml
http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/0,4636,7-128-60969-134448--,00.html
https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/higher-education/college-score-card
Extra Details
University of Michigan Early Action Deadline
Tuesday, Nov 1, 2016, 12:00 AM
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Michigan State University recommended deadline
Tuesday, Nov 1, 2016, 12:00 AM
220 Trowbridge Rd, East Lansing, MI, United States
A college may request 7th Semester Grades and/or Midyear Reports
Important details if your senior schedule changes after you apply
Making Your Senior Your Count
What Happens After You Apply
The College Application Process: you applied, what’s next…..
Colleges Responses to college applications:
1. Accept: You will receive info on housing, orientation, financial aid
2. Defer: They will ask student to provide more information. 1st semester grades, updated test scores etc.
3. Wait list: Students just have to wait. They are still considering your application, but must hear from the admitted students first before they may offer you admissions. Ask if funds will be available if you're accepted.
4. Deny: cannot offer you admissions. (You could check on Jan-term admissions or a summer start.)