The College Application Process

Welcome!

¡Beinvenidos!

Soo Dhowow!

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PEOPLE TO KNOW

• Counselors Students With Last Name:
• Clinton Ferguson A-Fl
• Herb Crowell Fo-La
• John Pemberton Le-Ra
• Michelle Christenson Re-Z

• CCC Coordinators
• Hana Sato-Perry All Students
• Erin Kottke All Students

CAREER AND COLLEGE CENTER (CCC)

• Open Mon-Thurs @ 8:00am-4:00pm in room #107
• The CCC can help students with the following:
• Create a post-secondary plan
• Take inventories to increase self-awareness
• Research careers/resume development
• Scholarship search and assistance
• Financial aid
• College admission test information
• Summer/community/volunteer/job opportunities/building resumes
• Washburn college access networks (TRIO Upward Bound, College Possible, Project Success & Genesys Works)

SIGN UP FOR CCC EVENTS

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FULL LIST OF CCC EVENTS HERE

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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Student

• Knows and understand deadlines
• Completes and submit applications
• Sends the ACT score (act.org)
• Request Letter(s) of Recommendation (only if required!) in person.
• Complete LOR info form for the teacher
• Makes required appointment with counselor
• Uses Common App (or Xello) to track that your LOR’s and transcripts have been sent

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Counselor

• Reviews schools have been added
• Sends your transcripts and school forms
• Will assist you in making electronic rec letter requests
• Writes LOR (if required)
• Approves fee waivers (if eligible)
• Sign off on Early Decision applications
• Provides guidance and support

ORDER OF OPERATIONS

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Step 1: Get organized and ask questions

Step 2: Develop the college list

Step 3-5:

• Complete applications
• Obtain Letter of Rec authorization if necessary
• Meet with Counselor

Step 6: Track applications via college portal(s) or Common App or Xello

Step 7: Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA or Dream Act)

Step 8: Apply for Scholarships

NOTE: Do not wait on ACT scores, transcripts, or teacher recs to send in your application

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STEP 1: GET ORGANIZED AND ASK QUESTIONS

You will be making a leap into your future. You can do it.

• Make informed choices
• Engage with the process
• Use your resources well
• Remain calm and organized
• The “best” school is the one that fits you best. There is no one single “best" school for you.

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STEP 2: DEVELOP COLLEGE LIST

• A good school is one that is a good fit for you
• A school where you will be happy, engaged, grow and that meet your needs
• Educational
• Personal
• Social
• Financial

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STEP 2: DEVELOP COLLEGE LIST

• Likely – realistic
• Your profile is SIGNIFICANTLY stronger than the typical freshman
• 60-90% chance of admission

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• Possible – selective
• Your profile is similar to the typical freshman
• 30-60% chance of admission

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• Reach – more selective
• Your profile is not as strong as the typical freshman
• less than 30% chance of admission

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STEP 2: DEVELOP COLLEGE LIST

• “Objectively Important Profile” factors
• GPA
• ACT or SAT scores if you choose to send them
• “Subjectively Important Profile” factors
• Rigor of Courses (Unweighted GPA, Unranked)
• Activities/ Unusual Talent
• Diversity (Race, Ethnicity, Income, Geography)

STEP 3-5: COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

• The Common Application
• Institutional Applications
• Coalition Application
• Black Common Application

STEP 3-5: COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Deadlines

• Early Action/Priority Deadline
• Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 1
• Regular Deadline
• Jan 1, Jan 15, Feb 1
• Early Decision (binding contract)
• Nov 1, Nov 15
• Rolling Admissions
• June, July

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STEP 3-5: COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

• Be Professional!
• Appropriate grammar, punctuation
• Formal language; do not use texting/tweeting language
• Professional email address
• Follow all directions

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STEP 3-5 REQUEST LETTERS OF REC

• Be sure that a letter is REQUIRED. Use CA or college website as a resource
• Obtain LOR Authorization Form from counselor or CCC (no appointment needed)
• Make in-person request to teacher with authorization form
• Student should waive FERPA rights in CA
• Counselors will assist students in sending LOR request through Xello
• Teacher uploads letter to Xello and is auto-forwarded to CA

STEP 3-5: MEET WITH COUNSELOR

• Senior Meeting with Counselor includes:
• Review of colleges
• ACT discussion
• Student must send via ACT website
• Transcript request
• Fee Waivers processed if eligible
• Additional forms and counselor LOR
• Ensure CA are connected with Xello

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STEP 6: COMPLETE AND TRACK APPLICATIONS

If you get an email or postcard that says you are missing materials:

• Step 1: Check Common App (or Xello) see what Washburn has sent to the college.
• Step 2: Check college portal (if the college has one) to see if the college has received your materials.
• Step 3: Check with the CCC to help problem-solve.

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STEP 7: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

• Fill out your FAFSA at fafsa.gov or MN Dream Act at ohe.state.mn.us starting on October 1st, 2025
• The CCC is available for support
• Complete verification if chosen
• Continue to follow up with all financial aid offices
• Review preliminary financial aid package
• Fill out the CSS Profile if required (UW-Madison)

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WHS CCC hosting a Financial Aid Night on Thursday, December 3rd

STEP 8: APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

• Did you know?:
• 90% of scholarships are given from the attending institution
• Institutional scholarships can be awarded based off your college application
• Always make sure to check your college’s website for more institutional scholarship opportunities
• Private scholarship opportunities:
• WHS Scholarship Spreadsheet on CCC Website
• Most will be available starting in January
• i.e. Washburn scholarship

MN DIRECT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

• State of MN Direct Admissions Pilot Program
• Goal is to let students know that they are “college material”
• WHS submitted academic information to MN OHE
• E-Mail was sent to students confirming direct admission to colleges that each student will be admitted to by answering a quick OHE survey.
• Each college that student selects will be sent a personalized email regarding next steps. Usually a link to a modified application.
• All MN schools are participating with exceptions
• No obligation to attend any of the schools
• Fees are waived

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DA Tiered GPA College Admittance Examples

Tier 6* (GPA 3.5>): St. Thomas, Gustavus, UM Rochester

Tier 5 (3.0-3.49): UMD, UM Morris, St. Kate’s, St. John’s/Ben’s,

MSU Mankato, MCAD, Bethel, Augsburg

Tier 4* (2.75-2.99 ): Winona State, Hamline

Tier 3 (2.75-2.99): Concordia (St. Paul), Bemidji State

Tier 2 (2.50-2.74): St. Cloud State, Dunwoody, St. Scholastica

Tier 1 (<2.50): Normandale, Minneapolis College, Henn Tech

*Must have at least a C average in Math, English, and Science

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MISCELLANEOUS FINAL NOTES

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• College application fee waivers available for students who qualify for Educational Benefits
• For more than 3 out-of-state transcripts there will be a $5 transcript fee (collected in June)
• North Star Promise Scholarship Program (free college tuition< $80,000)
• Students signed up for counselor appointments already but can email counselor if missed.

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Copies of this presentation will also be available on the Counseling website

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SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE

• Fall: (Applications)

10/7-10/8 National College Fair @ Minneapolis Convention Center

10/18 ACT (9/30 late registration)

11/1 Early Action/Priority Deadlines

• Winter: (Scholarships/Financial Aid)

12/13 ACT (register by 11/7)

12/11 Financial Aid Workshop at Washburn

3/2 Washburn Scholarship Application Opens

• Spring: (Graduation)

3/25 Washburn Scholarship Application Closes

April/May Financial Aid packages

5/1 Make final decisions

June TBD Graduation

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BREAKOUT SESSIONS

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• 6:35-7:00pm Breakout Session I
• 7:05- 7:30pm Breakout Session II
• 7:35-8pm Breakout Session III

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• FSA ID Creation: Room 107 (CCC)
• Scholarship Information: Room 122 (Choir Room)
• College Essay Writing: Room 115
• Applying to Large Regional School: Auditorium (Only Session 1)
• Common Application- Activities and Courses and Grades: Room 104
• Sala de Habla Español: Room 106C

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Stay for as many sessions as you would like. Presenters will repeat each topic three times.