Planning for College
QUICK
REFERENCE SHEET
ACT Dates
CHOOSING A
COLLEGE: THINGS TO CONSIDER
Merrol Hyde
Magnet School Telephone number 264-6543
Counelors’
E-Mail Addresses Sue Cooper coopers1@k12tn.net
ACT and SAT
Tests Registration forms are in the College Counseling offices.
Online registration for SAT www.collegeboard.com
Online registration for the ACT www.act.org
NCAA For
students interested in playing Division I or Division II sports, fill out the
online form at the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Website at
http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/common/index.html
or call the NCAA publications hotline at 800/638-3731 and ask for a free copy
of the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” which contains the
registration forms and a Clearinghouse brochure. Fill out a Transcript Request
Form and bring the form to the Guidance Office so that the school can send your
transcript to the Clearinghouse.
Financial
Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) forms will be available in the Guidance Office in December but cannot
be mailed until after January 1 with parent’s completed tax information from
the preceding year. CSS PROFILE forms, required by some schools, are available
online and should be filled out in the fall. Each school will have its own
deadline for receipt of the forms. The FAFSA can also be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To get a pin number, go to www.pin.ed.gov.
JUNIOR YEAR
Attend College Night
Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Volunteer State.
• Register
for spring administrations of the SAT, ACT and/or SAT Subject Tests. Each
student should take the SAT and ACT at least once by the end of June.
• Visit colleges during spring break if
possible. If you are planning a college visit during a school day, you must
follow the procedure on the College Visit Form which you may obtain on this
website, in the main office, or in the Guidance Office.
• Plan early for summer employment or other
activities to explore interests, pursue challenges, and find ways to grow and
achieve success. Travel, study, and paid or volunteer work help you to learn
more about your interests. These experiences can be helpful in identifying the
kinds of college communities and programs of study that you may find
interesting.
• In the Spring, you will meet with either
Mrs. Cooper or Mrs. Thurman to discuss your Senior year schedule of classes
.
• Attend
the
• Write to colleges to request application
materials and information about academic programs, athletics, social and
community offerings, costs, financial aid, and admissions requirements.
SUMMER
• Consider visiting colleges on your own. Visits to college campuses are crucial to
developing an understanding of the type of school that appeals to you. It is
important to contact the college admissions office two to three weeks in
advance to insure that a tour and interview can be arranged.
• Gather and read information that you receive
from colleges and universities. It is important to use this time to research
the programs, social offerings, admissions requirements, scholarship
requirements, financial aid information, and anything else that is important to
you. Keep track of the information you receive and make note of what you are
missing. It is important to remember that senior year is full of requirements,
and the more you can do during the summer, the less you will have to balance
senior year.
• Talk to
college students who are home on summer vacation. Remember that each person
responds differently to life, so keep an open mind when soliciting the opinions
of others.
• Attend
College Night in the fall, Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 pm at
Volunteer State.
• If you
are planning a college visit during a school day, you must follow the procedure
on the College Visit Form which you may obtain on this website, in the main
office, or in the Guidance Office.
Meet with
your counselor to discuss your college choices and the application process.
• Visit with representatives of the schools on
your list when they come to MHMS. Many of these admissions officers are the
people who will review applications from our school, so make a positive
impression by doing research beforehand and bringing a few questions to ask
• Register for SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests
as necessary. Make sure you know which tests each school requires. Registration
forms are available in the Guidance Office or you can register online at
www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org.
• If you
are applying for financial aid, check what forms each school requires. The CSS
Profile, a form used by many private schools, should be filed in the fall. This
form must be done online. Every school and the Hope Scholarship require the
FAFSA which cannot be filled out before January 1
. • Once
you have narrowed your college choices, determine if you will need teacher
recommendations. If you need recommendations, think about which teachers you
would like to write your recommendations. Ask them early in the fall and give
them the necessary forms at least two weeks before the deadline.
• Be mindful that you are responsible for
turning everything in on time both to the office and to your schools.
• October 1 is the deadline for filing Early
Decision/Early Action applications. October 30 is the suggested deadline for
filing applications to any school with “rolling admissions.” It strongly
suggested that all applications be filed before Winter Break.
• Use long weekends to visit colleges. Make appointments well in advance and follow
proper procedures for missing school. If
you are planning a college visit during a school day, you must follow the
procedure on the College Visit Form which you may obtain on this website, in
the main office, or in the Guidance Office.
. •
Carefully fill out applications. Admissions officers find any application that
is neatly completed whether typewritten or handwritten equally acceptable. Make
a photocopy of each completed application to keep. If you apply online, always
print out a copy to keep.
• Fill out a transcript request form for each
school, attach the “Counselor” or school report form if applicable (be sure to
complete your part) and turn in to the Guidance Office at least ten working
days before it’s due.
• December 1 is the deadline to turn in
applications that must be received by January 1st or January 15th. This is also
the suggested date to turn in all applications.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of each senior to know the admissions requirements of the colleges to which he/she is applying.
Students
should know:
1) the date by which the application must be
received
2) how many, if any, essays are required
3) when such items as a photograph, medical
report, or social security number are to be supplied
4) what standardized tests the college
requests, and when
5) if a college requires or recommends an
interview
6) how many teacher recommendations are
required
Your counselors
will be available throughout the fall to assist with the application/essay
process.
JANUARY - APRIL
• Adjust your list of colleges, if necessary,
and file any final applications.
• Maintain your academic focus. Colleges may
request third quarter grades before they make an admissions decision. Every
college requires a final transcript and a significant drop in grades may result
in the revocation of an offer of admission.
• Fill out and submit the FAFSA and other
financial aid forms as soon as possible after Jan. 1.
• Inform us when colleges notify you of
decisions or requests for additional material. Because colleges receive loads
of mail, a form believed missing actually may be there but not yet be opened,
filed, or logged on their computer. We will check and let you know when all is
in order.
• If you decide not to attend a college that
accepts you, promptly notify the college.
The college may be able to offer admission to another candidate.
• Notify a
college immediately if you wish to remain on a waitlist. Protect yourself by enrolling somewhere else
as you wait.
MAY
• May 1 is the deadline for submitting a
non-refundable enrollment deposit at the college of your choice. Do not “double
deposit” or commit to enroll at two institutions; this is unethical.
• Fill out a Final Transcript Form so that we
can send a copy of your final transcript immediately after graduation. If you
are accepted by a waitlist school that you want to attend, send the school a
deposit and withdraw immediately from the school where you first deposited.
CHOOSING A
COLLEGE: THINGS TO CONSIDER
BASIC INFORMATION
1.
LOCATION
What part of the country Distance from home
Setting : rural,
suburban, urban
What type of
opportunities are available outside the college?
2.
ENROLLMENT DATA
Total number of students Number of undergraduates
Size of freshman class Male/ female ratio
Percentage of commuter and residents Geographic origins of students
Ethnic diversity of student population
3.
COLLEGE TYPE AND PHILOSOPHY
Institutional control
(public, private, religious) Purpose
(degrees offered)
General philosophy Calendar
(semester, trimester, co-op, etc.)
4.
CURRICULUM
Majors offered,
Special programs Other curriculum features Internships
Study Abroad
5.
SOCIAL LIFE
Availability of on-campus housing Availability of off-campus housing Activities Fraternities or sororities (percentage of
students involved)
6.. ATHLETICS
Level of athletic competition (Division I, II
or III) Intramural sports
available
7.
ADMISSION
Application procedures
Application requirements
Deadlines Selectivity Number of applicants
last year
Number offered admission Middle 50% range of SAT scores for
accepted students
8.
TOTAL COSTS
Is the admissions process “need blind”? Percent of student body on Financial Aid
Average award (how is this divided)
Merit scholarships (Do they have them? What are the
requirements?)
SPECIFICS
Here are
some topics that will help you to identify questions that you want to ask when
you visit schools, meet admissions representatives, or speak with alumni of
various schools.
INSTRUCTIONAL
• What are
the college requirements for: a) entering first year students? b) the college
or division in which you are interested? c) a degree?
• What is the average class size for freshman
or lower level courses?
• Who
teaches the classes? Who oversees lab time? Are professors accessible outside
of class?
• What is
the graduate school placement record over the past few years? What percent goes
directly on to graduate school and what percent goes on within five years of
graduation?
CAMPUS AND BUILDINGS
• Does the campus appeal to you? How large is
the actual campus? Is it relatively easy to get around?
• Does the community which surrounds the
school seem comfortable for you? Is there easy access to stores and other
community facilities?
• Do the buildings seem well maintained?
• What
types of housing are available to first-year students? To upper-class students?
• What meal
plans are available? Ask students about their use of the dining facilities to
get a realistic perspective.
• What is
the policy regarding cars and parking?
In order to obtain information, you should
first consult the guidebooks and then write for information from the colleges
in which you are interested. Write to request a catalog, viewbook, an
application, information on financial aid and merit scholarships and any
information you might want on a specific program. You can find the addresses
for college admissions offices in any standard reference book or on the
Internet.
This letter
will serve two purposes. First, the requested information will arrive at some
point, but be patient. These materials are normally mailed third class, which
can be slow. Second, it gets your name on the admissions office mailing list
and notifies them of your initial interest.
To Request Application Materials
(Your Address) (Date)
Director of Admissions (Name of College)
(Address)
Dear Director of Admissions (use person’s name
if you can find it in a guidebook): I am a junior at
Please send me an application, viewbook,
catalogue, financial aid information and any other related material that would
assist me as a prospective applicant. I am especially interested in information
about Biology, French, soccer, theater, and study abroad programs.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Signature
Typed Name
CHOOSING A
COLLEGE: SOURCES OF INFORMATION
GENERAL
REFERENCES
• The College Handbook and Index of Majors -
College Entrance Examination Board, 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 (You
can order these from SAT registration.)
• Barron’s
Profiles of American Colleges - Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.,
• Peterson’s Annual Guide to Undergraduate
Studies (Hegener) Peterson’s Guides, P.O. Box 2123, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
http://www.petersons.com - Peterson’s college guide on the web • National
College Databank - Peterson’s Guides, Princeton, New Jersey, 1981
• The College Handbook (College Entrance Examination
Board)
• Comparative Guide to American Colleges, Cass
& Birnbaum, Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, latest edition.
• 100 Top
Colleges, John McClintok, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
• The Best 286 Colleges, Princeton Review,
1994; www.review.com - College searches and Princeton Review publications
. • The
College Finder, Stephen R. Antonoff, Ballentine Books, 1993
•
www.yahoo.com/education/higher_education/
- information about colleges and universities, academic competitions, honors
programs
•
www.collegeedge.com searching for colleges
and applying electronically. Also has information on majors and careers,
financial aid, and preparing for college
• www.gocollege.com college and scholarship
searches and practice for the ACT and SAT
• www.fastweb.com free search of database with
over 275,000 college scholarships
• www.review.com Princeton Review Online. This extensive college and career info site includes timed tests, essay hints, an internship database, career lists by salary and industry, career profiles, and more.
•
www.collegeview.com college search and profiles of over 3,700 colleges
and universities, virtual tours, electronic applications, financial aid
information, and career planning tools
. •
www.vanderbilt.edu - Use Vanderbilt Library Home Page for links to college
pages.
• http://easi.ed.gov/index.html
- U.S. Dept.
of Education site
. •
http://cnct.com/home/ijblack/BlackExcel.html - Black Excel College Help Network
•
www.collegeexpress.com - Admission information and some virtual tours
. •
http://www.jayi/ACG/CGTOC.html - Offers links to colleges, and admissions
advice.
• www.collegenet.com - Searchable database of
college and scholarships, applications too.
TESTING
• The Official SAT Study Guide
• How to
Prepare for the ACT Program (Evarts)
• College
Board Achievement Tests (College Entrance Examination Board);
www.collegeboard.org - The College Board Home Page
• www.ets.org Education Testing Service site: Standardized test information, practice questions, and college searches
SUBJECTIVE
GUIDES
• The
Gourman Report - A Rating of Undergraduate Programs, Jack Gourman, National
Educational Standards, 617 West 7th Street, Suite 100, Los Angeles, and
Califormia, 4th edition. • Ruggs Recommendations on the College, Frederick E.
Rugg, 1989. Books may be ordered by writing to 5749 Colonial Oaks Boulevard,
. • www.sourcepath.com - Rankings of admission and financial aid resources
. •
www.usnews.com/usnews/fair/home.html - College rankings; sites of on-line
applications
• How to Get an Ivy League Education at a
• Insiders
Guide to College, - G.P. Putnam & Sons, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New
York 10016. • The Kudzu to the Ivy, How to Find your Colleges, (Brawner,
Hallum, Montag, Swann, Thrasher & Trotter) College Admissions Planning
& Guidance Service,
. • The
Kudzu-Ivy Guide to Southern Colleges, (Brawner, Hallum, Montag, Swann, Thrasher
& Trotter) College Admission Planning & Guidance Service,
. • The
Public Ivies, Richard Moll, Viking, 1985
• The Fiske
Guide to Colleges, Edward B. Fiske, 2002 • www.usmall.com/college/index.html -
Forums/discussion groups on college life.
• http://cnct.com/home/jiblack/BlackExcel.html
- Black Excel College Help Network
COLLEGE
PLANNING
• Playing the
. •
Everywoman’s Guide to College, Eileen Gray, Lessefemas Publishers, Celestial
Arts 231 Adrian Road, Millbrae, CA 94030.
•
Peterson’s Guide to College Admissions, Zuker and Hegener, Monarch Press, 1230
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
• College Knowledge, Michael Edelhart, Anchor
Books, Garden City, NY 1979. • www.finaid.org - NASFAA-sponsored financial aid
information site.
•
www.studentservices.com/fastweb - Complete a
profile and get a list of matching awards.
• http://student-loans.com/repay.html -
Estimates repayments from college loan programs.
•
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/
Financial info from the U.S. Dept. of Education
. •
www.ncaa.org/cbsa - Eligibility, financial aid, recruiting information and
advice.
ACADEMIC/CAREER
INTERESTS
• The
American Film Institute Guide to Courses in Film & Television (Peterson’s
Guide)
• Architecture Schools in
• The
Performing Arts Major’s College Guide
• Guide to Undergraduate Engineering Study
• How to Get into the School of Your Dreams: Using the Internet and Online Services
The campus visit provides you with an
opportunity to see first-hand the places which may become your home for the
next four years. As such, the time you spend on any college campus should be
used wisely, helping you to gain an understanding of the environment, the
resources and opportunities available and the feel of the community. While
there are similarities among colleges, it is often the intangible things that
most influence college choice, the gut reaction, the feeling of being
comfortable. So take the time to schedule college visits. Make appointments
early and schedule an interview (if available), a tour, and a class visit if
possible.
The purpose
of interviews is two-fold: providing the school the opportunity to learn about
a student and conversely, providing the student with an opportunity to learn
about the school. While some colleges and universities do not have interviews
available, if there is an opportunity to meet with an admissions officer, it is
a good idea. The personal contact of an interview can be important, for an
admissions professional is likely to remember a student with whom he or she had
a positive interview when it is time to review applications and make admissions
decisions.
This being said, you should not approach an
admission interview lightly. Be prepared for the interview by researching
information about the college. Use this information to identify areas of the
college that are of interest to you, and formulate questions that specifically
pertain to your interests in the college. Also be ready to talk about yourself
– your strengths, your weaknesses, your life at
Some Commonly Asked Admissions Questions:
• How did you become interested in our
college?
• Tell me about your high school.
• What do
you think is the most pressing concern facing our country?
• What do
you feel has been your most significant achievement? • What are your reasons
for participating in athletics (or drama, art, dance, student government,
etc.)?
• What books have made a lasting impression on
your way of thinking?
• You have just been chosen as the Principal
of Merrol Hyde Magnet School, what would be your first move?
• What do you feel sets you apart as an
individual in your school community? Admissions officers will try to ask
open-ended questions to give you the opportunity to express your ideas and to
speak about topics that you find interesting. Take the time to listen to the
questions, and answer them directly. Don’t worry about silence. Use it to
collect your thoughts.
Questions
You May Want to Ask
: • What
are the class sizes of introductory level courses and upper level courses? How
likely is it that a professor will know my name?
• Tell me
about the opportunities for learning outside the classroom. Are there special
study abroad programs? Internships? Research opportunities? Any non-traditional
programs?
• Tell me about the relationship with the
surrounding community. Do students get involved with the town? What is the
relationship like between the townspeople and the school?
• What do
students complain about? What mechanisms exist for introducing change are at
the students disposal?
Remember
that while first impressions are never final ones, they are important. You
don’t need to dress formally, but you do need to look nice. Make sure that you
can sit comfortably in your outfit. Arrive on time, make eye contact with your
interviewer, shake hands firmly, sit and stand straight, and in general act
confidently and securely. Be sure to write down your interviewer’s name because
you will need to send him or her a thank you note when your return home. This
not only shows that you have good manners, but it also puts your name before
the admissions officer one more time.
THE TOUR
The tour is a wonderful opportunity to
understand the layout of the college and to observe the daily operations of the
school. You will learn about programs, requirements and the personal experience
of the tour guide. Look around and notice the advertisements that cover walls
throughout campus. Look at bulletin boards to see what’s going on in various
parts of campus. Pick up the college newspaper. Is the mix of opportunities
appealing to you? Look at the students. Are these people who you would feel
comfortable interacting with on a regular basis? Check out the facilities that
are important to you. Try not to let your impression of the tour guide heavily
influence your evaluation of the college.
Ask questions. Normally tour guides are chosen
because of their enthusiasm for their school. As a result, they will present a
picture that reflects their positive feelings. Ask them tough questions in a
polite manner. Here are a few suggestions:
• Tell me about your most memorable academic
experience.
• Describe the relationships students have
with faculty members. Who teaches classes?
• Tell me about the advising system.
• Tell me about the workload. In what
proportion do courses emphasize exams, papers, class participation, projects,
class presentations?
• Do most people graduate in four years? How
does study abroad impact your academic schedule? • What is the reputation of
the career services office? What counseling programs does it have? What help
does it offer in finding temporary and post-graduate employment?
• What religious, cultural, ethnic, or special
interest opportunities exist?
• What do people do on a typical weekday
night? On weekends? On Sunday afternoon?
• Tell me about your Fraternity/Sorority
system. When do students join and what percentage of students join? What
options exist for those who do not join Greek letter organizations?
• Tell me about the sports programs. How
competitive are athletics and other programs? How difficult is it to make a
varsity team? Are men’s and women’s teams well supported?
• Tell me about housing options. (Go and see a
room or two.)
• How many people stay on campus on weekends?
• How do students rate the food? What meal
plans are available?
• How appealing are the intramural activities?
How close are outdoor activity areas for hiking, biking, skiing or other
recreational sports?
• Security. What systems are in place? Do
students feel comfortable?
• On what do students spend the most money,
outside of books? Are there extra costs?
• Can students who are not on financial aid
get jobs?
While there
are many differences among colleges, through the admissions process the
admissions staff at each school is trying to build a community. The information
they request reflects their interest in learning about you as a person, not
just grades and test scores. They ask for information that they hope will
provide them with a glimpse of your personality, your qualities, talents,
motivations and experiences. How well you convey these aspects in your
application can affect your candidacy.
Because admissions officers choose among many
well-qualified applicants, a deferral or denial does not indicate that someone
is not a worthy candidate, but that he/she was one of too many excellent
candidates. This is why submitting applications to a balanced list of colleges
is essential. Before you send in applications, it might help to have a clearer
understanding of what the colleges are looking for when admitting students.
While the colleges are very different, they all use the same basic approach in
selecting a first year class from their applicant pool. And while standards of
admission vary, the basic yardsticks are almost the same.
1. DEMONSTRATED
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT-THE TRANSCRIPT
This is
most important. After all, an admission decision is one made to admit you to an
academic community. Can you do the work necessary to succeed in that community?
Thus, your academic record is the single most important document in the file.
The rigor of your academic program reflects interest and ability to seek and
handle challenge. College admissions officers spend a great deal of time
getting to know high schools so that they can fairly judge the differences
between them, and they take these differences into account when judging the
courses you have taken and the grades you have earned.
2. TEST
SCORES
SAT, SAT Subject Test, and ACT scores help
colleges compare the academic records of students in different regions of the
country and from different kinds of schools.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
AND SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT
This
information rounds out the picture of you as a student and as a member of the
school community. Colleges seek students who are mature, enthusiastic about
academics, intellectually curious, and willing to work hard to contribute to,
as well as, gain from the college or university. Teacher recommendations - If
they are asked for, they are very important, as teachers are people who have
had direct contact with you as a student. They can speak of your intellectual
ability, curiosity, motivation, dedication, creativity, effort, and so on. As a
result, it is important to choose teachers who know you well. Secondary School
Recommendation - Some colleges include a secondary report form to be completed
and signed by your school counselor. In addition, your counselor may be asked
to write a letter of recommendation to accompany your transcript. This letter
is an overview of academic and extracurricular experiences, areas of growth or
change, unusual circumstances, and potential to thrive in and contribute to a
college community. Included is information gleaned from many sources: teacher
comments, college and career folder, your resume’ and brag sheet, peer
evaluation and conversations with you. This letter is written from a position
of advocacy in support of your applications.
4. THE APPLICATION, ESPECIALLY THE ESSAY
An application’s thoughtful content and
appearance impress admissions committees. You alone should prepare it. Write
legibly (or type) in complete sentences, use the same color ink throughout, and
proofread meticulously. It is a good idea to practice on a photocopy of the
actual application. Ask at least one person to read and critique your essay.
5. ACTIVITIES
AND INTERESTS These are important and listed on the application by you.
Always complete this section, even if you attach an activities resumé.
6.SPECIAL TALENTS
Special talents add importantly to a college community. As a
result, these can make a great deal of difference, and you should document them
clearly and well. Any admissions committee is looking for the strongest points
in your application, things that will set you apart from other candidates. Good
colleges are also looking for interesting students, as well as, students who
will perpetuate activities that already exist on campus. Colleges are seeking a
well-rounded class, not a group of well-rounded individuals. If you do have a
special talent, it helps to meet someone on campus who is in a position to
evaluate that talent. If you cannot meet with someone on campus, consider
sending a portfolio of artwork, a tape of music you composed or performed, or a
video of soccer play.
APPLYING TO
COLLEGES: ESSAYS
If a
college requires an essay as a part of an application, they are looking for
information that will enable them to understand you as a person. Do not
overlook or devalue this wonderful tool.
Write a thoughtful essay for every college
that requests one, even if you feel confident of being admitted to the school.
An outstanding transcript and glowing recommendations may not save you if you
write carelessly or with little thought.
APPLYING TO
COLLEGES: FINANCIAL AID
Almost without exception financial aid is
based upon need. If there is reasonable doubt that you can meet the costs of
higher education you should apply for aid. The colleges themselves dispense most
aid and have several ways of helping students, but they expect each family to
pay what they can reasonably afford by drawing on income and assets. Detailed
information about a family’s financial situation must be supplied directly to
an agency (see below) and is held confidential.
Financial aid is generally received as a
“package” which may be made up of part grant, part loan and part employment.
The greater the family assets, the smaller the grant portion of the package. No
one should hesitate to apply to an expensive college because of lack of funds.
Many of them have resources which allow them to offer more help than less
expensive schools.
The best
way for a family to approach the problem of aid is to call or write directly to
the Financial Aid offices of the student’s final college choices and to read
their catalogs and Web sites, which list the kinds of aid and the requirements
for obtaining funds. Be sure to observe their deadlines. Applying for financial
aid does not normally affect an applicant’s chances of admission to college.
HOW TO
APPLY
First, when writing to a college, the student
should request a financial aid application in addition to the regular
admissions form. Second, the colleges require confidential information about
the parents’ income and assets. This must be reported on one of several forms,
all of which will be available in the college counseling office. Each college
designates the forms it requires. The most widely used is the College
Scholarship Service’s (a branch of the College Board) “Profile.” It is also
necessary to fill out a FAFSA form which is the application for federal funds.
These forms can be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Get a pin numbers at
www.pin.ed.gov. Any of the forms of this kind should be submitted to its agency
about four weeks before the financial aid deadlines of the colleges to which it
is to be submitted.
The
agencies which provide such forms do not make decisions on awards of financial
aid. They analyze the family financial information and send their analysis to
the colleges you designate. The individual colleges then make financial aid
awards.
FINANCIAL AID REFERENCES
• Don’t Miss Out, Octameron Associates,
• The Official College Entrance Examination
Board Guide to Financial Aid for Students and Parents, Elizabeth Suchar, Simon
and Schuster, Inc,
• www.fastweb.com - Scholarship search site
•
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/ and
http://www.ed.gov/prog_onfo/SFA/FYE - Financial Aid Information from the US
Department of Education. These sites provide information and documents about
federal student financial aid programs and how to apply for them.
•
www.washingtonpost.com/wp_srv/business/longterm/mym/college/college.htm
- A guide to financial aid information and resources for financing a college
education
• Tennessee
Education Lottery Scholarship Program (Hope Scholarship) – www.CollegePaysTN.com. Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) – (615)
741-1346.
APPLYING TO
COLLEGES: REMINDERS
• Don’t
sell yourself short. Have confidence that if you do your research well, you
will have numerous options next April.
• Take time to think about your needs and to
research your college opportunities.
• Set aside uninterrupted time to complete
your applications.
• Don’t apply to colleges you would not like
to attend. Target schools must be schools at which you can be happy.
Likewise, don’t apply to some place simply to see if you can get in; such an application is unfair not only to the
college but also to applicants who really want to go there.
• Observe
• Read instructions and follow directions
carefully.
• Remember that college applications are your
responsibility; don’t rely upon parents, secretaries, or the counselors to complete
them for you.
• Respond promptly to all correspondence from
colleges.
• Keep the school counselor advised of any
correspondence from colleges to which you have applied. (i.e., information
missing from your application, and admissions decisions)
• Notify colleges to which you have been
accepted of your decision to enroll or not to enroll.
• GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN EARLY!!! This shows
organization and interest.
• Neatness counts.
• The administration, the faculty and
especially the counselors are ready to help you whenever and however we can;
but, in turn, you must keep us informed of what is going on.
• Keep your parents in the loop, and be kind
to them!
Accreditation - Recognition of a school,
college or university by any of the regional or national accrediting bodies
indicating that the institution as a whole has been judged to be meeting
objectives. High schools and colleges in the south are generally accredited by
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
ACT - The American College Test is a four-part
test covering English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Each
section of the ACT is scored 0 - 36; then the four subscores are averaged to
create a composite score. There is also an optional writing section.
Advanced Placement (AP) - College-level course
taught as part of the high school curriculum. Once the student completes an
advanced placement course, he/she may take the AP exam. These three-hour
examinations, scored 1 - 5, are not used for college admissions, but the
student can earn college credit or placement into higher-level courses.
Bachelor’s Degree - Degree awarded by a
college or university after satisfactory completion of a four-year course of
study or its equivalent. A Bachelor of Arts degree usually requires more
courses in humanities and languages than in math and science. A Bachelor of
Science degree usually requires more math and science related studies than
study in languages and humanities areas.
CSS Profile - Form used by the College
Scholarship Service in addition to the FAFSA to analyze a family’s expected
contribution toward expenses at private colleges and universities.
Candidate
Notification Date - The date by which an accepted applicant must notify the
college of his intention to enroll (usually May 1) by submitting a
non-refundable deposit to hold a place in the freshman class.
Consortium
- Group of institutions with joint educational programs that permit students at
member colleges to take courses and use resources on campuses of all member
institutions.
College Work-Study -The college work-study
program (also known as federal work-study) provides jobs for students who need
financial aid and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. A student
may apply if she is enrolled at least half-time as a vocational, undergraduate,
or graduate student in an approved post-secondary institution.
Cooperative Education - College education in
which a student alternates between periods of full-time study with full-time
employment in a related field. Students are paid for their work at the
prevailing rate. Typically, five years are required to complete a bachelors
degree under the cooperative plan, but graduates have the advantage of having
completed about a year’s practical work experience in addition to their
studies. This program is sometimes called work-study but should not be confused
with the federally-sponsored college work-study program.
Deferral -
An admissions action for an early decision/early action candidate postponing
the decision to admit or deny until the college has seen its full applicant
pool and received more grades on a student.
Deferred Admission - The practice of some
colleges allowing an accepted student to postpone enrollment for one year.
Early Action - A non-binding admissions
program at certain institutions for highly qualified students who apply in
November and are notified in December whether they have been accepted,
deferred, or denied. Those accepted are not bound to attend and may apply to
other schools, waiting until May 1 to enroll. Important Note: It is important
to read the policy of each school regarding early action, since there are
differences in the definition of early programs at each school.
Early Decision - A binding admissions program
used by many selective colleges and universities for students who promise to
attend if accepted. A student submits an application in late fall and is
notified of their admissions decision by the end of December. Through this
program a student can be accepted, denied, or deferred; if accepted, he/she
must enroll, may not apply to any other institution, and must withdraw any
other applications. A few schools have a second round of early decision with an
application deadline in January.
Early Entry
- Matriculation at a college before completion of high school, usually after
the 11th grade. This option is available only to students of above average
ability.
FAFSA or
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Application form for financial
aid from Federal student financial aid programs, such as Federal grant, loan,
or work-study money for educational expenses. Following analysis of the FAFSA,
the US Department of Education sends a Student Aid Report(SAR) to you and to up
to six colleges or universities specifying an Expected Family Contribution(EFC)
that is used to calculate your financial aid package. This is normally
available in mid-November in the Guidance Office. It cannot be completed before
January 1, as it requires the tax forms from the year before a student will
attend college. Note: This form must be filled out each year a student wishes
to be considered for financial assistance.
Financial
Aid Package - A financial aid award is based upon a formula that determines the
Expected Family Contribution(EFC). Packages normally include scholarships,
loans, work-study, and grants.
GPA(Grade
Point Average) - Compilation of a student’s overall scholastic performance,
computed by averaging all grades from courses at MHMS in Grades 9 through 11.
Advanced or AP classes are weighted when computing a GPA.
Grants – Grants
are gift awards made on the basis of financial need which do not require
repayment. Grants are available from the federal government, state agencies,
and educational institutions.
Honors
Program - College level: Any special program for very able students that offers
the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or
some combination of these.
High School
Code - A code assigned to each secondary school for identification during the
college search process. MHMC’s number, 430893, is needed for SAT and ACT
registration.
Parent
Loans for Undergraduate Students(PLUS) - Federally insured loans to parents of
undergraduate dependent students, independent undergraduate students and
graduate or professional students.
Pell Grant - A grant included in a financial
aid package awarded by the federal government on the basis of need. The grant
must be used for educational expenses and requires no repayment.
PSAT/NMSQT(Preliminary
Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) - A
two-hour standardized test given by the College Board in October; it is taken
by 10th grade students for practice and by 11th grade students to compete for scholarships
and recognition as National Merit Scholars, Outstanding African-American
Students and Outstanding Hispanic Students.
Rank in Class - The placement of a student
according to their GPA among their classmates.
Exact Class
Rank for the Class of 2008 will be determined after the seventh semester and is
based on the 18 credits listed on the transcript which carry the highest point
value.
Rolling Admissions - Admissions notification
soon after an application is complete, usually in 1-2 months. Many state
schools have a rolling admissions policy. Often a deposit is required soon
after you have been accepted to guarantee housing but an official commitment is
not required until May 1.
SAT
(Scholastic Aptitude Test) - A three-part test given by the College Board that
attempts to measure critical reading, math, and writing. The SAT focuses on
abilities developed over many years. Scores for each section are reported as
three-digit numbers, ranging from 200 to 800.
SAT Subject
Tests – One-hour tests that cover knowledge of a particular subject and are administered
by the College Board. These tests are recommended or required by some colleges
in addition to the SAT or ACT.
Three – Two
Program - A cooperative program of study between a liberal arts college and
usually an engineering or nursing school. After three years at the college, the
student automatically transfers for two years of the other school. After five
years, the student earns degrees from both institutions.
TOEFL(Test
of English as a Foreign Language) - Test of English proficiency for students
whose native language is not English.
Transcript
- An official record of a student’s courses taken and grades received at a
school or college.* You may print the
transcript release form below and bring it to the Guidance Office along with
$1.50 for processing.
Waitlist -
Status offered to some students who have not been accepted by April 15 to
continue to be considered for admission - sometimes involving waiting through
the summer. Although most students on waitlists learn by late June whether they
will be admitted, some decide to wait much longer. Students who decide to
remain on a waitlist are encouraged to make a deposit at a college that has already
admitted them by May 1.
______REQUEST AN APPLICATION OR SET UP AN
ACCOUNT ONLINE. Make a list of everything required (e.g. number of teacher
recommendations, required tests, and essays) and especially the application
deadline. Teacher and counselor recommendations are not required for some state
universities
.
______FILL OUT A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM for each school to which you are
applying, attach the Secondary School Report form from the application (if
there is one), and submit both to your counselors. The request forms ask for your
name and social security number,and the name and mailing address of the school.
______ ACT and SAT SCORES It’s your
responsibility to have your SAT and/or ACT scores sent to the schools to which
you are applying. When you register for the SAT or ACT, you can request that
test scores be sent to eight schools (four free of charge) to which you plan to
apply. (IMPORTANT: fill in the Merrol Hyde Magnet School CEEB code – 430893.)
You can also arrange online or by phone to have the scores sent later for an
additional fee.
______ TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS IF teacher
recommendations are required, ask one or two teachers, depending on the
requirements of the school, if she/he would be willing to write you a
recommendation. Set up a time to meet with each one to talk about your work in
their classes. GIVE YOUR TEACHERS AT LEAST TWO WEEKS NOTICE BEFORE THE
APPLICATION DEADLINE.
______COMPLETE THE APPLICATION, WRITE ANY
REQUIRED ESSAYS, ATTACH YOUR RÉSUMÉ IF APPROPRIATE, AND MAIL ALL TO THE SCHOOL.
Ask at least one other person to read the application and essays before you
mail them to check for spelling and other errors and MAKE A COPY FOR YOUR FILES
in case your application is lost in the mail. The Guidance Office will send your transcript, teacher
recommendations, a counselor recommendation, the Secondary School Report form,
and a copy of the school profile.