College Planning
for the Class of 2026
College Planning for Seniors
Today's Agenda
Standardized Testing
Financial Aid
Research
Process
College Research & Planning
College Search Resources
College Visits – Interviews
Public vs. Private Schools
Public universities are partially supported by state tax dollars and are generally less expensive to attend.
Private universities receive no tax monies, are supported by tuition dollars and are generally more expensive to attend.
Students with Disabilities
The College List!
Your college list should include:
Your counselor can help you to determine what category a specific school falls into for you, based on your GPA, Admissions Acceptance Rates, Transcript Rigor, SAT/ACT Scores, and Extracurricular Activities. You can also utilize Scattergrams in Naviance to identify Reach, Target, and Safety schools.
Remember! You must keep your final list of colleges accurate in Schoolinks, as this is the only way your teachers and counselors will be submitting your application documents!
A Typical College Application
Includes:
Let’s review how to begin and complete the process!
Application Deadlines:
Early Action vs Early Decision
Make an appointment with your counselor to submit these forms
Transcript Request Form Early ~ Due to Counselor
by October 15th
Transcript Request Form Regular ~ Due to Counselor by December 2nd
Transcript Request Forms
The College Essay
SchooLinks ~ TO DO List
Complete your To Do List
(this is for the teacher letter)
Goals for today
Set up a Common App account and review SchooLinks.
Common App & SchooLinks
College Application Steps
Common Application - FERPA Waiver
Log into Common Application.
Add a college/university to ‘My Colleges’. Sign CA FERPA Waiver
CA FERPA continued . . .
CA FERPA continued . . .
Although students can select the option to either waive or not waive their rights, colleges prefer that students waive their rights to let them know that there were no outside influences on the teacher letter of recommendation.
Common Application Recommendations:
What NOT to DO!
Do NOT Invite Recommenders in Common App! You will be inviting teachers through SchooLinks!
Common Application Education Section:
Grades and GPA
Common App GPA section:
Common Application - Current Classes Section
Current Classes:
Teacher Evaluation Requests
In SchooLinks, on the left, click College icon
- Click College Applications
- Click on the pencil icon for college
Teacher Evaluation Requests
To request LOR:
Click ‘Request Teacher Evaluation’ for each college
Let your teacher know if you plan to apply early!
STARS Report
Some colleges require you to complete the
STARS - online site where you list the courses you’ve taken in high school. Email your counselor to get a copy of your transcript.
*This is separate from Common App.
College Representative Visits
Log into SchooLinks
Click ‘Engage’ left side of screen
Then click ‘Events’ to register
Students must inform teachers ahead of time and make up missed work, but please do not miss a class quiz or test!
SchooLinks: Wrapping Up …Where to Start!
For additional help, access the WRHS Counseling office
Standardized Testing
Many colleges are still test optional!
Visit www.fairtest.org for an up to date list of
test optional schools.
Standardized Testing
Upcoming Test Dates:
Once you have created your final list of colleges, you will need to send your SAT/ACT scores (for a fee) to each college by their application deadline. WRHS does not list scores on transcripts!
Financial Aid
(Sign up for MEFA emails)
Financial Aid (Continued)
(Sign up for MEFA emails)
MEFA
College Specific Financial Aid Forms
Check colleges website for college specific forms
NCAA Registration
Athletics
Scholarships (after the application process)
NCAA & Scholarships
Questions?