Junior Parent & Student College Information

Questions?

Contact:

Ian Van der Zwan

School Counselor, Class of 2026

ian.vanderzwan@albany.k12.or.us

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ACT/SATs

Financial Planning

NCAA Clearinghouse

Junior Year Summer

College Planning

College Admissions Preparation

Outline

Testing preparation and registration

Scholarships, grants, and FAFSA

Collegiate sports registration

College exploration and assessment preparation resources

College research, resources

The application process, requirements, and timeline

Junior Year Summer

Self-Reflection

BigFuture:

• Reflect on your interests, strengths, and career goals.
• Identify academic and extracurricular achievements.
• Consider personal values and preferences for college environment and location.

What should I do this summer to help me prepare for college?

• College exploration
• Get matched with colleges based on your interests
• Career exploration
• Take the career search quiz
• College prep checklist

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Click on the underlined text to access the hyperlink

Junior Year Summer

Academic Assessments

College Board:

Khan Academy:

ACT:

What should I do this summer to help me prepare for college?

• Research what assessments are required for admission to your desired colleges.
• Begin assessment preparation.
• ACT/SAT

• SAT overview
• Digital SAT registration
• AP course resources
• Check out College Now classes offered at WAHS!

• Digital SAT Prep courses

• ACT Test registration
• ACT test practice questions

Researching Colleges

BigFuture:

Over 5000 degree granting colleges in the U.S.

• Create a list of colleges you’re interested in
• Reach, match, and safety schools
• Identify each school’s admission requirements, cost, and application deadlines
• Explore academic programs, campus culture, size, and location
• Discuss your college options as a family
• Consider college visits!

View colleges based on location, admissions requirements, degree paths, affordability, campus life, and more!

The Application Process

Common App (OSU, UofO)

• Students are responsible for knowing the minimum requirements to be considered at each particular institution.
• Students are responsible for knowing everything that is to be included in their application.
• Create professional Email just for colleges/scholarships.
• Submitting 5-7 applications is standard.
• Apply to reach, match, and safety schools

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• Allows you to apply for multiple colleges through one application.
• Over 900 colleges accept the Common App
• Not all institutions accept the Common App
• If you use the Common App, you must follow up with your counselor upon submitting
• Check out the Application Guide for First-Year Students!

August

College Applications Open

December 1

August

Common App Opens

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January, February

Application Deadline

November 1

May 1

Decision Day

Application Timeline

(Dates are subject to change)

FAFSA Opens

Early Admissions Deadline

Most colleges will be begin accepting applications.

Standard deadline. Check your prospective colleges to confirm.

You may begin your Common App at any time. You can submit your application starting August 1st.

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Check your prospective colleges to confirm.

Deadline to accept a college admissions offer. Standard deadline.

Fill out your FAFSA as as soon as possible, listing all prospective schools.

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OSU Requirements

Prefered Cum. GPA of 3.0 and 15 credits in:

Admissions Information:

OSU is test optional

Schedule A Campus Visit!

Scholarship Information:

• English
• Math
• Social Studies
• Science
• World Language

4 yrs

3 yrs - Algebra II or higher

3 yrs

3 yrs

2 yrs

• Early Action deadline: November 1st
• Notified by Dec 15th
• Priority Application deadline: February 1st.

• SAT and ACT test scores are not required, but can be submitted as supplemental information within your application.

• Scholarship Priority: February 1st
• Notified by March 16th

Letters of Recommendation

• Many colleges require letters of recommendation as part of their application process.
• Please give teachers/counselors at least 2 weeks notice when requesting a letter of recommendation.
• Request letters from those who know both your academic and personal strengths.
• Provide the Request for Recommendation form to the teachers/counselor you are requesting a letter of rec from.
• Copies of this form are available in the counseling center
• Double check to confirm if a letter of recommendation is needed for each college you're applying to.

Transcripts

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• Fill out the Transcript Request form online:
• Transcript Request form
• Requests will be processed in 3-5 business days

1. Select “Course History”
2. Select “Unofficial Transcript”

Course History

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Official Transcripts:

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Unofficial Transcripts:

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• Can be accessed in StudentVue:

ACT/SAT Registration

School Code: 380005

SAT:

Register through the College Board

ACT:

Register through the ACT website

Not sure which test is right for you?

Review the differences here!

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Check each college’s admissions requirements to see which assessment(s) are required

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• Registration Deadline for June ACT: May 9th
• Registration Deadline for July ACT: June 6th

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• Registration Deadline for June SAT: May 22nd

Oregon Promise Scholarship

A state-funded grant that helps cover tuition at any Oregon community college

Application:

• Apply online on the OSAC website (Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion)
• Deadline to apply:
• June 1st

Requirements:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above at time of application
• Attend an Oregon community college within 6 months of graduation
• Oregon resident for a minimum of 12 months
• Students may be subject to eligibility requirements based on their Expected Family Contribution or Student Aid Index

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Check scholarship opportunities offered at each of your prospective colleges

West Albany High School:

• Find a list of local and state scholarship opportunities HERE

Big Future:

Fast Web:

UNIGO:

• Use the scholarship search tool to match with potential scholarships

• Use their scholarship database to create a profile and be matched with potential scholarships

• Create a scholarship profile to match with potential scholarships

FAFSA

Access your FAFSA application on the Federal Student Aid website

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

• What is FAFSA?
• Check out this informational video!
• Application opens December 1st
• You can create an FSA ID account at any time
• Required for Oregon Promise
• Required for scholarships at universities
• Check out this video to learn how to get started on your FAFSA!

• Submitting the FAFSA can only benefit you! All students are encourage to submit a FAFSA regardless of income

NCAA Registration

Interested in playing college sports?

Create an NCAA account HERE

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA):

• Select “Create Account”
• Continue with beginning the registration process
• Request your transcript to be sent

Preparing for Senior Year

• Do not succumb to senioritis!
• Refrain from dropping year-long classes as the semester
• Connect with college admissions representatives
• Check out this senior year checklist
• Engage in College Planning as early as possible!

Questions?

Contact:

Ian Van der Zwan

School Counselor, Class of 2026

ian.vanderzwan@albany.k12.or.us

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