Towson College Talk
December 2023
December Updates
- FAFSA Information
- What Seniors should be doing in December
December Tasks
If you have a December or January deadline please make sure that you have completed the following:
Turn in your FERPA Waiver form. This will allow you to request your transcript and letters of recommendation in Naviance.
List your colleges under “Colleges I’m Applying To”
Request your transcript in Naviance
Request letters of recommendation from your teachers
Complete your brag sheet
Match your Common App account to your Naviance account if you are applying to Common App schools
If you want to send your test scores, make sure to request them from College Board
Before we go on break, make sure that your colleges have everything they need. We will not be sending out documents over winter break.
WHAT SENIORS SHOULD BE DOING NOW
If your application is nearly done, make sure you tie up those loose ends so you can relax over winter break. Double check that your application is ready to go and send it in if you’re ready. If it’s not ready, dedicate an hour or two before your holiday break to checking off those last to-dos.
If you have submitted your college application, follow up with the college admissions office to be sure they have everything they need to evaluate your application.
Give Thanks to Those Who Helped
You have come a long way, but remember you've had a lot of support, too. Your parents, teachers, and school counselors deserve a thank you, don't you agree? A nicely written note will brighten someone's day and show how much you appreciate their help.
Don't Check Out!
Even though you may be finished with the application process, you still have to maintain the same student status as when you applied. Colleges still care about the rest of your senior year, so make sure you are maintaining your grades.
It's true: some colleges may ask for a final transcript your senior year to ensure that you are still working hard. Pay attention in class, complete your assignments, and study for your tests. Remember to also give yourself a little grace to relax as well.
FAFSA Information
Have you received your admissions decision already?
CONGRATULATIONS!
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
Keep an open mind to the possibilities:
You want to select the college that will best satisfy your needs, interests, lifestyle, and personal and professional goals. A good "match" between you and your college will be the key to your success and happiness over the next four years. Establish with your parents the budget for application fees and only apply to colleges that you really would attend if accepted. To help you make that difficult final decision, the following "helpful hints" may assist you in determining which college is right for you.
Colleges offer open house programs in the fall for seniors and their parents. Physically placing yourself on the campus and talking to staff and students gives you a better sense of yourself in that environment.
There are also virtual tours and interactive communication sites with current students on the internet that can help in your search for the college that is the best fit for you.
We will advertise any college fairs that come to the area. College fairs are an opportunity for you to speak with college representatives in person.
Representatives from many colleges schedule visits to Towson High school throughout the first semester. You must sign up ahead of time using Naviance to attend a presentation. Information about the visits will be published on a regular basis through the school counseling office.
Things to Consider When Choosing a College:
-Academic program
-Location (urban, suburban, rural)
-Size (small, medium, large)
-Extra curricular activities
-Housing accommodations
-Actual cost of attending
-Technology resources
-Job placement services after graduation
Athletes
If you are planning to participate in Division I or II sports in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse ASAP at www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org.
“APPLYING EARLY” DEFINITIONS
Many students like the idea of applying to colleges early, having the process completed by Thanksgiving. Below is an explanation of some of the terms used to describe the various ways of applying early:
Early Decision
Some colleges offer an Early Decision deadline. The Early Decision admission deadline is for those students who are certain of their college choice. Application deadlines for early decision deadlines are usually in October or November. A student who applies to a school under an early decision deadline must sign a contract (as do the student’s parents and school counselor) which states that the student will attend that school if accepted. The student also states that they will withdraw any and all other applications submitted to other schools and that they will not submit any others. Applying to a school Early Decision is a serious and binding commitment. You should speak with your counselor and parents before deciding to apply Early Decision.
Early Action
Early Action deadlines are similar to that described above, but the important difference is that your acceptance is not binding. Most early action deadlines are in November and December, and you will usually receive a decision before winter break. You will have until May 1st, however, to decide whether or not you will attend that school. You may still apply to other schools even if accepted under this deadline. Decisions under this deadline are made primarily on the basis of your performance through junior year. .
How to Obtain a College Application
Apply online via the college website or go to: www.commonapp.org you can use this one application for multiple colleges to save you time. Make a copy of your completed application before you submit it. Also, print your confirmation page/email when you submit the application.
Application Essay
The application essay is a perfect opportunity for you to directly address the college’s admission committee to introduce them to you from a personal perspective. You can share your reasons for applying to a particular college, career goals, insights, and opinions as well as your accomplishments. Through your essay, the committee will be able to assess your communication skills, while acquiring a broader understanding of your attitudes, feelings, imagination and creativity. The essay should help them to distinguish you as an individual from the other applicants.
Arrange with your English teacher to have him/her read the rough draft of your essay and assist you with changes, as needed. Remember, this is a process that takes time. Start early to afford yourself the time to create a well written essay that you will be proud to submit to the admission committee.
Follow-up after Completion of the Application
Check your account on the college website after the application has been submitted online to make sure it has been received. Periodically check your college account to make sure your transcript, letters of recommendation and your SAT/ACT scores have been received before the application deadline. The School Counseling Office does not send test scores. You will receive communication from the college at varying times regarding additional information that may be needed as well as the admission decisions.
Please communicate with your school counselor should you have any questions or need assistance.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Counselor Recommendation:
Your school counselor will automatically write a letter of recommendation for you once you request a transcript via Naviance. Complete the Brag Sheet and Resume on Naviance. Your counselor will use these when completing your recommendation letter.
The counselor will need at least TEN (10) school days to complete the counselor documents before it is submitted to the colleges to which you are applying. Please watch your deadline date to assure that your paperwork will be completed by the date designated.
Teacher Recommendation:
Most colleges require teacher recommendations. Carefully consider two academic teachers; preferably ones who you have worked closely with and that you feel confident will write a complimentary recommendation for you. It may be a teacher from a previous year. After speaking with your teacher, request a teacher recommendation via Naviance.
To request teacher letters of recommendation:
Speak with your teacher.
Sign on to Naviance.
Click on the ‘colleges’ tab.
Click on the 'letters of recommendation' tab.
Select each teacher that will your letter of recommendation using the drop down menu.
If you decide to use the 'specific request' for your teacher letters of recommendation, please check with your counselor to make sure that you have made your request correctly.
RELEASE OF SCHOOL RECORDS
Official Transcript Permission Form
An essential step in the college application process is to have your high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you are applying. Have your parent/guardian sign the Official Transcript Permission Form, which allows our staff to send your official high school transcript. Designate on your Naviance account the colleges to which you want your transcript to be sent. The form is also available in the School Counseling Office. Complete the required information and return the form to the counseling office at the beginning of senior year if you have not already done it during your junior year.
At mid-year, your transcript will be sent automatically to your colleges with your mid-year grades.
After you graduate, one final transcript will be sent to the college that you are attending in the fall. You will need to indicate on Naviance the name of the college you plan to attend in the fall.
Please observe all deadline dates. We process a very high volume of applications. Allow at least two weeks for transcript requests to be processed.
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Grants – This type of aid does not have to be repaid, but there may be an obligation regarding grades while in college, selection of major, or employment upon graduation. Grants are awards that may be based on financial need or other eligibility criteria.
Scholarships – Scholarship recipients may have to meet criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, etc. They may also require certain criteria to be met while in college.
Loans – These usually have lower interest rates than commercial loans and must be repaid generally after you have graduated or left college.
Student employment or work aid – This may mean a job that the college located for you or employment you found on your own.
How to Apply For Financial Aid
Use free websites to do scholarships searches. Start your search for scholarships in September of your senior year. Scholarships are available throughout the year. Criteria for scholarships vary widely: academic merit, leadership, service to school and community, talent, financial need, etc.
The FAFSA is the U.S. Dept. of Education’s free application for federal student aide. The form should be done online at: studentaid.gov. Most colleges award financial need monies based on the determination of need on the FAFSA report. You will need a FSA ID to access the FAFSA.
The State of Maryland requires that you complete the FAFSA to be considered for any State financial aid programs. The State deadline is March 1 of your senior year. Information about scholarships available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission can be accessed at: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx
IMPORTANT LINKS
GENERAL COLLEGE INFORMATION
The College Board: www.collegeboard.org
ACT: www.actstudent.org
Peterson's: www.petersons.com
Colleges That Change Lives: http://ctcl.org/
College View: www.collegeview.com
Student Gateway to the Government: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
FASTWEB: www.fastweb.com
Princeton Review: http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings.aspx?uidbadge
The Common Application: www.commonapp.org
Historically Black Colleges Common Application: www.commonblackcollegeapp.com
FINANCIAL AID
Compare Financial Aid Packages: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://studentaid.gov/
Completing the FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
CSS Profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
Scholarships: www.scholarships.com
ATHLETICS
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - www.ncaa.org
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - www.naia.org
CAREER INFORMATION
ASVAB Career Exploration Program: www.asvabprogram.com