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Creating a College List

Safety, Target, & Reach Schools

Rule of 1/3's

3-7, 4-8 Schools? - not 37
Exploration with college search platforms, including Niche, College Raptor, College Data, College Navigator, Xello, Big Future

Begin with what you already know!

Academic, Social, and Financial Fit Factors for You!

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Academic Fit Factors

Programs (majors, minors)

Teaching Styles

Class Sizes

Research Opportunities

Experiential Learning vs. Book Learning

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Social Fit Factors

Campus Culture

Student Body

Extracurricular Activities

Community and Environment

Location

Size

Available Support Services

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Financial Fit Factors

Affordability

Tuition

Fees

Living Expenses

Adequate Financial Aid

Scholarships Available

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College Lingo

Common Application

Coalition Application

UC Application

Regular Decision

Early Action

Early Decision (binding)

Rolling Admissions

Deferred Admissions

Direct Admissions

Waitlist

GPA

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Senior Meeting

Schedule a meeting with your counselor during the first or second quarter
Discuss post-secondary plans, individual timelines, & tasks
Schedule directly with your counselor or with Leanne Jones, Student Services Secretary

Book an Appointment

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The Common Application

Use if applying to two or more Common Application colleges
Additional requirements for each college
Submit individually to each college
Applications may be tailored to each school

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The Common Application Dashboard

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Application Requirements

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Common Application: Education Section

Senior Class Size: 450
Rank: exact rank, weighted (StudentVue > Course History)
GPA Scale: 4.00
Cumulative GPA: use weighted GPA, and report that it’s weighted
Counselor’s contact information can be found in the Student Services website

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Reporting Test Scores

Test Optional vs. Test Blind
Official Test Scores ordered through College Board (SAT)
Test Optional Details for Colorado Colleges
FairTest – list of test-optional colleges

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Personal Essay & Writing Supplements

Personal essay is required by many colleges
Found under the Writing section on the Common Application
Seven prompts available, must choose one
650-word limit, 250-word minimum
Writing Section – shows which colleges require, can still submit if “optional”
Writing Supplement – required by some colleges

My Colleges > Questions > Writing

Proofread, grammar check, and repeat with a second set of eyes

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26-27 Essay Prompts

Free write and outline – create a story from start to finish

What is your goal? AND Who is your audience?

Check out the last prompt!

How does the essay fit in with the rest of my application?

What should I not write about?

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Activities and experiences

Quality over Quantity
Highlight interests & leadership opportunities
List up to 10 activities
Examples: arts, clubs, community engagement, family responsibilities, sports, work, volunteering
Get creative – What is an activity? - summer camps, academic commitments, etc.
50, 100, and 150 characters (not words) max

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Responsibilities and circumstances

This section has changed since previous versions of the Common Application

Additional Information now pertains to impacts, challenges, or other circumstances

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The College Application Process at FCHS

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Transcript Process

How do I get my transcript(s) sent to colleges?

Where do I find the Transcript Request Form?

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Adding Your Counselor

Add Fort Collins HS to your Education section
Pick a college on your College List
Complete the FERPA Statement
Click on Invite Counselor under Recommenders and FERPA

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Letters of Recommendation

Check requirements for each college, including # required, subject area, etc.

1 letter is common, 2 is the most

Teacher vs. Counselor L of R

Who do I ask?

Give AT LEAST two weeks’ notice

Complete the Academic Profile (available in Student Services

Invite your recommender(s) through the Common Application

My Colleges > Recommenders & FERPA

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The Financial Aid Process at FCHS

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Financial Aid Opportunities

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Available on October 1, 2026
Create FSA ID (Student & Parent/Guardian)

Colorado Application for State Financial Aid

(CASFA) for non-US citizens & non-residents

College Opportunity Fund

CSS Profile

required by some colleges

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FAFSA

Create FSA ID prior to October 1^st
Federal grants, student & parent loans, work-study
Student creates FSA ID >shares code with contributor
Federal Student Aid ID Account Worksheet and Guide

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Additional Financial Aid Tools

Net Price Calculator (NPC) – available on college financial aid websites
Institutional Scholarships (Merit Aid)
Local Scholarships – updated on Xello
National Scholarships – see “the wall” or resources website
Award letters announced in the Spring

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Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

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Award Letter �Example

Grant and Scholarships

Loans Awarded

Cost of Attendance

Estimated Out-of-Pocket

A comprehensive list of student aid for which you qualify for from each college and university.

This award letter comes after you apply and get accepted into the college, and after you apply for financial aid.

Can I appeal an award letter?

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Financial Aid Workshops

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Fort Collins High School Senior Timeline

September – October

Continue researching colleges – FCHS visits, college fairs, campus tours, online
College Fairs

PSD In-State + More – Sept. 22nd
Northern CO Out-of-State Fair – Sept. 29th

Colorado Free Application Days!

October 20-22nd

Applying ED/EA: request documents at least 2 weeks before your first deadline
FAFSA/CASFA opens October 1st

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College Rep visits @ FCHS

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Quarter Two

November

Submit early applications (EA/ED)
Continue to challenge yourself academically!

December

Complete applications for Regular Decision
Scholarships!
Thank you notes to teachers – recommendations
Decision letters for early applications

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Senior Year Factors: �It Still Counts!

Colleges do consider fall grades

Keep your schedule competitive

Many colleges will ask for final grades

Senior coursework serves as a foundation for college preparation, not as a time to “take it easy.”

Stay current in English and math curriculum

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Other Items

FRCC credit – request official transcript to send to 4-year college (eWolf account)
AP scores – request scores from College Board
May 1st – National Decision (and deposit!) Day
Your counselor is here to help!

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Contact Information

Nicole Kostra

School Counselor

nkostra@psdschools.org / 970-488-8103

Brett Fedor