College Admissions Procedures

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

STEP 1: COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

·  Beware of college deadlines for submitting applications by researching the deadlines for schools you are interested in. AVOID THE LAST MINUTE RUSH!

·  Most applications can be found on the college/university website (www.radford.edu, www.longwood.edu, www.vsu.edu, www.nsu.edu, etc.).

·  GWHS School Counselors highly recommend that student use the COMMON APPLICATION, an online application for over 480 colleges and universities in the United States. Students should create an account at www.commonapp.org to complete an application for admission to UVA, Duke, UNC, Morehouse, Spelman, William & Mary and many more!

·  If you complete a paper application and would like for your counselor to review it prior to mailing it to the intended school, please do so at least 2 weeks before the due date. Be sure to include a check or money order (or fee waiver) for the application fee, a 9x12 envelope and at least $1.70 in postage (4 stamps) to mail the packet.

·  If you complete an online application, print the Secondary School Report (if required) and bring it to your counselor 2 weeks before the due date. This form or any other counselor input forms should be included with your official transcript when it is mailed to the school.

STEP 2: OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

·  You MUST complete and submit to your counselor a Transcript Request Form in order to receive or have an official transcript mailed to schools of which you are applying.

·  After the counselor documents the request, it is forwarded to the school registrar for processing.

·  If you would like for your counselor to mail the transcript, you must provide a neatly completed envelope with the school Admissions Office address and postage.

·  GWHS School Counselors highly recommend that you include your transcript with your completed application packet so that all items are received together.

STEP 3: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

·  Before your counselor can write a Letter of Recommendation for you, you must complete and return the Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire, Activities Record, and Self-Evaluation Forms you were given during your Senior Fall Conference.

·  Allow your counselor, teachers, employers and/or community leaders at least 2 weeks to complete a letter of recommendation for you. Letters from family members or friends are NOT acceptable and should not be submitted to schools.

·  Recommendations should be typed and placed in a SEALED envelope to include with your application packet when mailed.

·  If a letter is completed after you have submitted your application OR you completed your application online, it should be mailed directly to the schools Admissions Office with your name, date of birth and address identified at the top of the letter.

·  Ask the person completing the recommendation to keep it on file until the end of the school year in case you need several copies.

STEP 4: SCHOLARSHIPS

·  Review the GWHS Scholarship Newsletter on the GW website, in the Guidance Office or in your English 12 and US Government classes to determine the scholarships for which you may qualify.

·  Scholarship applications listed in the Newsletter can be located in the Scholarship file in the Guidance Office or they can be accessed online at the website provided in the Newsletter.

·  Be mindful of scholarship deadlines and be sure to submit them at least 2 weeks before the due date.

·  GWHS only receives a small portion of available scholarships. Accordingly, GWHS School Counselors highly recommend that you search for other available scholarships using www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships.

·  YOU are responsible for researching and applying for scholarships utilizing the resources that are made available to you.

STEP 5: FAFSA – FREE APPLICATION for FEDERAL STUDENT AID

·  Go to www.pin.ed.gov to apply for a FAFSA PIN in order to sign your FAFSA once it is completed. You and your taxpaying AND/OR legal parent/guardian will need a PIN.

·  Explore and become familiar with the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

·  You may start working on the FAFSA AFTER January 1, 2013 when it is made available for completion.

·  Your parents/guardian will need a copy of their 2012 Tax Return documents to complete the FAFSA.

·  The PRIORTY deadline for many schools ranges from February 15, 2013 and March 1, 2013. THE SOONER, THE BETTER!

STEP 6: ACCEPTANCE & FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTERS

·  Now that you have completed steps 1-5, continue to work hard! Maintain or IMPROVE your GPA.

·  Once you receive your Acceptance Letters, review them with your parents/guardian and make a decision as to which school you would like to attend.

·  Return all documents the school has requested from you in order to confirm your acceptance.

·  Thoroughly review your Financial Aid Award Letters. Call the school’s Financial Aid Office if you have questions.

·  Complete and return documents confirming your acceptance of the financial aid package or requesting a change to the financial aid package provided.

·  Do NOT get discouraged if you are not accepted to the schools to which you have applied. Give consideration to the provided recommendations from the school’s Admissions Office and continue to pursue your goals!

STEP 7: FINAL TRANSCRIPTS

·  Complete and submit a Final Transcript Request Form during graduation practice to ensure that a copy of your final transcript is mailed to YOUR college or university.

·  Walk across “the stage” on May 25, 2013 to receive your high school diploma!