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Southwest Guilford High SchoolSenior Packet 2020-2021School Counseling Department (336) 819-2973Ms. Galissia Graves, Last Names: A-DMs. Shelli Campbell, Last Name: E-LMs. Kendra Graham, Last Names: M-RMrs. Janet Hudgens, Last Names: S-ZMs. Jessica White, Guidance SecretaryMrs. Whitestone, Service Learning Coordinator Ms. Powell, Graduation Coordinator Michael Hettenbach, 12th grade Administrator, PrincipalThis information can also be accessed electronically on SW Counseling WebsiteSENIOR TIMELINEAUGUST-OCTOBERRegister for the Fall SAT/ACT at register. Make sure you send your scores to the schools you are applying to. Register for the ACT exam at if applicable. School Code: 841-351Make an appointment with your counselor to discuss your post-secondary plans.Collect applications for schools of interest.Yearbook Senior Portraits: Call 336-765-7288Begin narrowing down your list of the schools you wish to apply to.Decide on early action/early decision/regular admission and POST DEADLINES.Apply to college using: (for most in-state schools), , or the college/university website5267325889000Fill out service learning form: to work hard in your plete transcript request form via Scriborder: . Or via for in-state schoolsRequest recommendation letters from teachers/counselor.Polish your college essay and create a final plete your applications (neatly). It is best to do this online, if possible, and assign a proof reader to check over your application for errors.If applying to any NC school, every student must have a RDN number. Apply here: to communicate with your counselor throughout this process.NC Countdown to College (aka Free College Application Week) October 19 – October 23rd OBSERVE DEADLINES!!!! You are responsible for getting your applications out on time, not your parents/guardians, teachers, or counselor.FASFA opens October 1: with NCAA if playing a Division I or II sport at college OBSERVE DEADLINES.FEBRUARY-MARCHUnderstand that schools take time to make a decision. Request Mid-year via OBSERVE DEADLINES!!! 5172075-20193000Complete FAFSA and watch for available local scholarships: your scholarship search. Students/parents should check in the Counseling Department often for other available scholarships: , also review, , , etc. MAYSend deposit to school of choiceCELEBRATE with FRIENDS/FAMILY!! Thank your parents/guardians for their help.Send thank you cards to the people who wrote recommendation letters for you and who awarded you scholarships.Sign up for New Student Orientation at your selected school.JUNEGRADUATE from Southwest Guilford High School. CONGRATULATIONS!Now help your junior friends/relatives through this process; you are a master at it now.Order final transcript via or in state schools and any other schools: (WAIT UNTIL 2 WEEKS ATFER GRADUATION TO ORDER AS THEY WILL ONLY BE FINAL THEN)Finalize your college choice with your counselor; the Guidance Department will send out your final transcript when you let your counselor know what college you will be attending.WE ARE SOUTHWEST……..Tips for the College Process:Why should you go?Admissions counselors say that a student decides in the first five minutes of being on a campus whether he or she likes it or not. A school may appear great on paper, but not in person. When you visit a school, do the following things: Take a student-guided tour. They know best about the college experience.Attend a class if possible.Try cafeteria food.Pick up copies of student publications such as newsletters, etc.See the dorm rooms/athletic facilities/student activity areas, etc.Stay overnight with a friend, if possible.Find the commuter lot.ASK QUESTIONS. Ask what you can’t read in the college books.What you should be asking: Are you happy here? Was this school your first choice? Would it be now? Why or why not?Are there job opportunities available on campus for students?How do you register for our classes?Is the faculty nice? Are the courses challenging?How did you know you wanted to go here? What are the pros/cons of attending this school?Is this a safe campus?What extra-curricular/intramural activities are available?What are the dorm rules? Are they strict?Is the campus/school fun?What do most students do on the weekends? Do most go home?What is the visitation policy for friends, etc?What is common bathroom etiquetteAre there laundry facilities available? Where? Cost?How is the cafeteria food? What are the food options on campus? Any suggestions for local restaurants?What do I do if I don’t like my roommate?What is the process for housing selections? Is there a lottery?What activities are available in the area? Any free activities available?What clubs/organizations are there at the school?What technology is available on campus – is the internet available in the dorms/classrooms?What is the policy on having laptops in the classroom?What is the attendance policy?Can you make your own schedule?How many hours per week do you have to put aside for homework/studying?Is there an orientation program available for new students? WhenWhat did you (student) write about in your application essay?What classes did you, (student) take during your senior year in high school?Is there a career/job placement center on campus? Do you get help with resumes?Sample Thank You Letter to an InterviewerDateName of College visitedAddressDear (Name of interviewer): It was very nice to meet with you on (date of interview). I would like to thank you for the time and consideration you gave to me during my admission interview at (name of college). I particularly enjoyed (add point(s) which impressed you). I look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,(Your signature)Don’t forget to make an appointment withyour School Counselor so that you canbegin the college application process.Your School Counselor will help guide you through this process one step at a time!!The College Application ProcessWhat to expect from your Counselor:A one-on-one appointment with you to discuss post-graduation plans.Interest, support and encouragement.Suggestions for schools to look at.Feedback.Guidance through the college application process.Sharing of knowledge and resources with you.What not to expect from your Counselor:Know your thoughts.Send out application materials for you.Keep track of deadlines and appointments for you.Apply to schools or scholarships for you.Write recommendations without notice or your Senior Activity sheet.What your Counselor expects from you:Send out applications, essays, etc., on time!Be responsible for applications, scholarships, deadlines, decisions, recommendations, essays, financial aid (FAFSA); register for SAT (we will help you, but not do it for you).Keep an open mind-be open to new ideas/suggestions.Fill out applications accurately and neatly, sending them out on time.Ask questions when you are unsure about something.Make transcript requests at least two weeks before due date.Keep scheduled appointments.Howard F. Kaplan College Application Handbook. May, 2007. After deciding what colleges, it’s time to apply…..Let’s Look at the ApplicationThere are many different parts of an application that make it complete. They include:The Application- The FeeThe Essay- Recommendation LettersTranscripts/Profile- Rank/GPASAT’s/Subject Area Tests/ACT’s The Infamous Application: Filling out a college application should be done with care and precision. We suggest getting two copies of the application; (1) Rough Draft and (2) Final copy. Fill out the rough draft first, which allows you to get all of your information organized. After you have done this, fill out the final copy either on paper or ONLINE (We suggest completing your applications online if this option is available-sometimes this option can be free!). Completing an application online is the best option if the school gives you a choice.The Fee: Not only is college expensive to attend, “applying” costs money as well. On average, a college application fee can range from $60.00 to $70.00 so choose carefully!!Recommendations: You should select teachers, counselors, etc., that you feel know you well to write your letters of recommendations. Ask yourself: Who did I connect with and why? When you have figured this out, ask them if they would write you a letter of recommendation. Aim for three teachers. You will need to fill out an activity sheet (located in the Guidance Department). This is a guide for you to use. The idea is for you to “brag” about yourself. Write down all of your accomplishments, awards, work experiences, travel experiences, etc. The more information you include on the sheet, the better your recommendation will turn out. Make copies and give them to your teachers/counselor who are writing letters for you. Be sure, at the end, to write them thank you letters. It takes a lot of TIME to write letters of recommendation so give your teachers/counselor plenty of it!! Check to see how many letters your colleges require!!The ESSAY: The college admission essay requires careful thought, consideration, and time. Do NOT think you can write your essay in ten minutes! This is your chance to show colleges that you are interesting and would be an excellent representative of their school upon graduation. See your English teacher for help.Some tips for writing your essay:Be yourself. Be funny, but not too funnyBe original, authentic and true to yourself. Use descriptive words.Get their attention with a good opening line – make them want to read on.Proof, Proof, Proof!!!! You don’t want to send an essay full of grammar mistakes. Make it PERFECT.Don’t complain, repeat information, change your writing style or write what you think they want to hear.Some essay topics to consider: Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the education mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.Transcripts/Profile: Colleges need to see what you have taken and how you did. Every course you have taken since freshman year will appear on your transcript. This will be sent with your application. Please order transcript: . The requests come in fast and we need time to process them accurately. Your GPA and Rank are both included on the transcript. **Students are reminded to bring a picture ID. with them to the SAT/ACT test.**REMEMBER: It is your responsibility to send official exam scores to your schools of choice.SAT/Subject Tests/ACT: Your scores on these tests must also be sent at the time of your application. You need to send your SAT/Subject Test scores directly from or you may have already had these sent as part of the regular process for SAT’s/Subject Area Tests. Upcoming SAT Test Dates: . Go to the College Board website for any additional information you may need. You need to send your ACT scores directly from . Upcoming ACT Test Dates: **REMEMBER…It is your responsibility to send your scores to schools from the website***The Common Application (if applicable): The Common Application is an undergraduate admission application. Students may submit the Common Application on-line to any of the 300 schools that accept it. Its purpose is to save time and eliminate the duplication of effort when completing college applications. The Common Application is worth using if you are applying to more than one school that accepts it. Go on for more information regarding the Common Application. Note: Each college requires certain supplements to be submitted with your application, (i.e. some schools may require one teacher recommendation while other schools may require two letters of recommendation).College Admissions Exams: The CEEB Code for Southwest Guilford High School: 341 851Most four-year schools require entrance exams. The SAT and/ or ACT is acceptable at most four-year schools. Check on the college websites for requirements. Financial Aid: Sources and ProgramsFinancial aid programs are designated to assist those, who without such assistance,would be unable to meet the costs of a post secondary education. Financial aid comesfrom several different sources: The federal and state government, colleges and universities,local private organizations and scholarship programs, and banks.In general, eligibility for financial aid is based on need. Some financial assistance is awarded not on the basis of need but for scholastic excellence, athletics, or other specializedtalents. Much of the financial aid awarded, however, is need-based. Need will vary from college to college according to the cost of attending the school and how much the student/familyis expected to contribute to the student’s education. Need is not one set dollar amount.The student/family’s expected contribution (EFC) is an amount determined by aformula established by Congress that indicates how much of a student’s family’s financial resources should be available to pay for school. Student/family financial information is collectedin two ways.1. The CSS (College Scholarship Service) Financial Aid PROFILE form2. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)While the FAFSA is used to apply for most federal and state aid, the PROFILE is the formused by most institutions (private) to dispense their own funds. Colleges may also require studentsto fill out financial aid forms specific to their given institution. In determining the financial aidpackage, private colleges are not bound by the analysis of need presented in the FAFSA.The FAFSA should be completed online as soon after January 1st as possible. One may register for the PROFILE service early in the fall. This is especially important for studentsapplying early decision or early action. The organizations and colleges that are to receive theresults must be identified on the forms. The FAFSA and PROFILE forms, along with otherfinancial aid information is available on-line.FAFSA: PROFILE: A student eligible for aid will likely be offered a financial aid package composed of thefollowing components: self aid (loans and work study), and gift aid (grants and scholarshipswhich do not have to be repaid). Some schools vary the proportion of each kind of aid basedon the student’s academic performance or other factors.DEADLINESEach application list specifies the deadline for submission. There are many different admission options each with varying deadlines.Regular Decision: This is the most common admission option. It means that you submit your application by the college’s deadline, and it lets you know by a specified date if you have been admitted or not.Early Action: Many selective colleges have this admission option. With Early Action, you send in your application earlier, and the college sends you its decision earlier. Make sure you read the instructions from each college carefully because some colleges have additional restrictions on their early action programs. Academically strong students will often apply to one Early Action school. You are making a decision without a financial aid package so be sure you want to attend the school.Early Decision: You can apply Early Decision to only one college. You are committing yourself to going to a particular school if you decide to apply Early Decision. You should only apply Early Decision if you have a clear idea of your first-choice college. If you are looking at several colleges and don’t want to limit your choices yet than Early Decision is not for you. If you apply to other schools, you risk having your Early Decision School reject your application.Rolling Admissions: There is no deadline for this option. Schools review and make decisions on applications as they receive them.Wait List: Colleges and Universities use this term when they deny you admission initially, but may accept you later on if other candidates refuse their offers of admission. ................
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