College Admissions and Planning Checklist by the Brazos Education Foundation

Transcription

1 College Admissions and Planning Checklist by the Brazos Education Foundation Planning Activities Research the cost of colleges using Cost of Attendance information on the college website or review the listing of costs of many colleges in Texas at: Research the admissions requirements for the colleges you wish to attend. Colleges typically require certain test scores, Grade Point Average and/or Class Ranking. Estimate the amount of money that the parent/student will be expected to contribute toward college using the website: Research your degree plan from the various colleges you are considering attending Identify merit based scholarships based on ACT/SAT scores and GPA from the various colleges you might attend If you are considering taking Dual Credit Classes, research the credit transfer policy of the college to determine if these classes will count toward graduation requirements Understand FERPA laws will significantly reduce access to your child s education information - colleges will not talk to parents without student permission Consider staying in on campus housing the first year in college. Research shows students perform better academically when staying in on campus housing Participate in all optional freshman camp activities If financial resources exist, purchase a laptop for the student. Some colleges offer discounts on laptops Create a college budget to determine the amount of financial aid the student will need If you are applying to multiple colleges, consider using the spreadsheet in Attachment C to track the needed information Review Attachment A on the Scholarship Checklist College Admissions Get your Meningitis Vaccination, obtain a copy of your shot record, and submit your shot record to the college Complete you college admission application using or other admission applications as approved by your college on a timely basis (Oct.-Dec. of your senior year is best) Get help with your college admission essays (if essays are required) Register for on-campus housing on the college website (a financial deposit might be required) Register for on-campus meal plan (if applicable) Identify off campus housing (if applicable) Submit your ACT and/or SAT test scores to all of the colleges you might attend Submit an electronic copy of your high school transcript to the college (the high school Counselor can do this) If taking Dual Credit Classes at a Community College, have your college transcript sent to the next college you will be attending Evaluate the financial aid award letters provided by the colleges you are considering Evaluate the need for a vehicle, cost to park on campus, parking availability and research options for alternative transportation (i.e. bus, tram, bicycle) 1

2 College Acceptance Keep track of the login name and password you are provided to the college portal Familiarize yourself with the portal to learn about financial aid, class registration, and other features Monitor sent to the student in your college portal and take action if needed Send your final high school transcript (send electronically) to the college Make roommate and room selections (if staying in on campus housing) Register for mandated summer orientation and optional freshman camp activities Meet with your college advisor (print a copy of your degree plan from the college website) Select your classes use one of the websites to help with course selection such as: Financial Aid Moving In Find your financial aid award letter in your college portal or you may have received this in the mail Accept or reject your financial aid (including student/parent loans) in your college portal Remember you do not have to accept any or all of the loan money offered, you can also request a lower amount of loan money offered Be aware of state loan programs that might be available (i.e. Texas Be on Time and CAL loans) as alternatives It is possible that your scholarships may exceed the cost of college resulting in a refund check or credit to the student account unless directed otherwise If you need college loans, participate in entrance counseling as required If you need college loans, consider paying the interest on the loan during school if possible Research items you are permitted to bring if living on campus (i.e. no candles or hot plates) Consider renter s insurance Evaluate how much to bring remember your closet and living space is much smaller Create a list of things to bring (i.e. clothes, sheets, medication, etc.) 2

3 Attachment A Scholarship Checklist Quick Overview (Please see full checklist for helpful tips and details) by the Brazos Education Foundation Planning Activities Identify your college major Research careers/ job opportunities within major Identify and apply to colleges that have your intended major Evaluate your scholarship potential. (GPA, test scores, extracurricular, service, writing skills) Consider studying for and retaking SAT/ACT. Raising your score a few points can mean thousands of dollars. Scholarship Research Determine method for organizing potential scholarships: Set up any calendar, spreadsheet, or file system as needed Finding Potential Scholarships: Search financial aid web pages for all colleges you are applying to. Also check to see if a higher test score will increase aid awarded. Search scholarship books Check with parent and grand-parent employers and organizations for scholarships Search local high school scholarship databases Utilize scholarship search engines (ex: fastweb) Building Your Resume (See Attachment B for a Sample Tracking Form) Community Service: Seek out and diligently record all community service Extracurricular Activities: Seek out and diligently record all extracurricular activities Honors and Awards: record all honors and awards Employment: record all employment, including contact names, addresses, phone numbers Essay: Get help in writing the scholarship essay. Have your essay proofread. Answer essay prompts and abide to word limit. Supporting Documents Request letters of recommendations from multiple people. Ask recommender to make the recommendation general (not scholarship specific) and for multiple signed copies. Thank the person who provided you with the letter of recommendation. Request multiple transcript copies from your high school and college (if taking dual credit) Keep copies of all completed scholarship applications Consider mailing all scholarship applications with tracking or receipt requested FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid) Request PIN for: 1) student and 2) one parent Complete the FAFSA at as early after January 1 st as possible Send FAFSA to all colleges that you have applied to Once you receive your award letters, compare them. You may use comparable school award letters to negotiate a higher award at your first choice college. 3

4 Attachment B Sample Tracking Form Extra curricular Activities Organization\Activity Position Held Elected Position? Level Achieved (Local, Regional, State) Hours per week\ Weeks per year Community Service Place of Service Description Total hrs From: To: Talents, Awards, Honors Award, Honor, Distinction Description, Basis, Sponsor Year Level Employment, Internships, Summer Activity Job Title Employer Hrs. per week From: To: 4

5 Attachment C Tracking Applications to Multiple Colleges Create a college folder College #1 College #2 College #3 College #4 User ID/Password Application Complete? Accepted? SAT/ACT scores sent? Apply to other programs (Honors, Learning Communities) Visiting Colleges Open House Dates Overnight and Summer Events Date Visited? Majors Major #1 Major #2 Housing Questionnaire Completed? Housing Deposit $ Deposit Sent? Deposit Refundable by: Meningitis Form Sent? Room & Roommate Selection Finances Additional Forms needed? College\Major specific scholarships? FAFSA Sent? Total EFC from FAFSA Aid Offered Merit Scholarship Amount? Other Scholarship amount? Grants/Work Study offered Loans Offered? Balance Due Cost of Attendance Tuition Housing Meals Other Total Cost Of Attendance 5