1 of 11

Walter Johnson High School

Counseling Department Presents:

​

The College Application Process

2 of 11

Timeline

  • Sign up for Senior Meeting with your Counselor - by end of the school year
  • MCPS Summer Workshop Schedule
  • Online search - done by mid July
    • SuperMatch College Search
    • College Board Search
  • List of Schools - Created by August 1
  • Create Common App account on August 1
  • Start Essays in August (the more you do before school the less on your plate in the fall)
  • Plan College visits
    • In person
    • WJ Rep Visits
  • Financial Aid
    • FAFSA opens December 1
    • Research Scholarship opportunities

3 of 11

College Application

  • Personal information, extra-curricular activities, self-reporting courses taken, test scores, awards and achievements, resume
    • Spend time making a list of everything you’ve achieved in high school and highlighting your strengths
  • Common Application (will be linked to your Naviance account)
  • Coalition Application
  • Individual School i.e. Georgetown

4 of 11

Essays

  • Where you spend the bulk of your time (should take 5-10 hours)
  • Write multiple drafts
  • Have multiple people read it
  • Revise, revise, revise
  • Supplemental essays

​

This is your chance to speak to the person reading your application!

Essay Writing Resource

5 of 11

Standardized Testing

  • SAT (August and October available for getting scores in time for applications)
  • AP Scores (consider reporting if you earned a 5)
  • ACT (July and September available for getting scores in time for applications)
  • Some schools are test optional
    • If your score falls in the top 50th percentile of the school’s applicants you should consider sending scores

​

​

*Scores must be sent directly from College Board or ACT*

6 of 11

Letters of Recommendation -

2 Teachers & Counselor

  • Counselor
  • Teachers
    • 2 core teachers
    • Teachers who know you best
    • Ask in person before the end of the school year
    • Follow up with request on Naviance (In July)
      • Colleges -> Letters of Recommendation

​

Teachers will then receive a link to upload their letter. The letters are sent with the student transcript and school profile from WJHS through Naviance to colleges

​

7 of 11

Transcripts

  • Release of Information
    • Needs to be signed by both students and parent one time
  • Transcript Request Form
    • 1 per school
    • Submitted at least 30 days prior to deadline
    • Once students submit a transcript request form to Mrs. Evans, she adds the schools to the student's list of "Colleges I'm Applying To" in Naviance. Students cannot add colleges to this list themselves. Students can only add colleges to their list of "Colleges I'm Thinking About".
    • Make sure your Naviance account is linked to you Common Application Account
    • First five are free, then $5 per transcript after that

All forms are turned into the College & Career Center

Questions about this process can be directed to

Mrs. Gayle Evans gayle_j_evans@mcpsmd.org

8 of 11

Deadlines

  • Make sure to plan accordingly
    • Early Action - Deadline usually between October 15-November 15
    • Early Decision - Binding (only for 1 school)
    • Regular Decision - Usually January 1
    • Rolling Admissions
  • If you can - apply early!
    • Better chance of admission
    • Better chance of receiving financial aid
    • Get your answer sooner

9 of 11

Financial Aid

  • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Open October 1 and must be submitted by March 1
  • CSS Profile
  • Apply for Scholarships

​

Review the CAC Presentation from last year and look out for upcoming presentations for this year

10 of 11

Organizational tools

​

11 of 11

Please contact your counselor with any questions!