College and Career Connections

Making the College Application Process Easier

Here's the "best of" from four college counselors for getting into the school of your choice:

MAKING THE LIST

Don't fall in love with any one school.
Be realistic! Just because you're a good student doesn't mean you can got into any school to which you apply. Students need to apply to three different tiers of schools: those that may be a reach, schools that are attainable, and "safety" schools that are a sure thing.
Make a list of four to six colleges to apply to and always have a back up plan.
Be open-minded about going to a college away from home and what that experience has to offer.
Don't reject applying to a school because it's too expensive. Sometimes, the more expensive school will have more money to offer you and in the end may be more attainable than the less expensive school.
If you want to stay local, apply to all the local colleges and universities -- public and private.
Some colleges have rolling admissions. They typically respond within a few weeks as to your acceptance, rather than waiting till one particular day to respond to all applications.
Be organized! Start a folder for every college you're considering.

THE APPLICATION

Everything you do in high school counts for college. That includes your GPA, resume, leadership, volunteer and work experience.
Make things easier on yourself and fill out a Common App click www.commonapp.org.
Get on the phone and speak to an admissions rep. Make a friend in the admissions office. Visit with a college rep at Grady. Having that connection makes a difference.
Notice deadlines and stick to them.
Plan ahead if you are asking teachers to write your recommendations. Give them time to write them. Ask for the recommendation in in writing, and be sure to attach your resume. Teachers want to know who you are outside the classroom, too.
Have a good reason for why you want to attend a college. The college wants to get to know you and why you are interested in that particular college.
Don't lose your voice when you write your essay. Have someone check your essay, not rewrite it. Visit Grady's Writing Center in the Media Center to polish your essay.
The essay ought to tell something about you, your character and experiences. It's not something you should rush through.
Complete a Grady Transcript Request form click here. Be sure to give your counselor A MINIMUM of TEN business days leadtime to complete.

CAMPUS VISITS

Don't visit your first choice school first. Every school you visit after that will be disappointing to you.
If you're visiting a college, call ahead and make sure their school is in session. Check to sign up for a tour and request to sit in on a few classes. Talk to students while on campus and ask their likes and dislikes. Meet students who aren't your tour guide!
Leave no stone unturned. Check the dorms, bathrooms, and cafeteria.
Read more on this CCC website: "Visiting a College Campus".

FINANCIAL AID

The Scholarship Fairy is not coming to your house! That means you actually have to apply. Not all scholarships have to do with GPA or test scores. For 99 percent of them, you have to write an essay. If they like your essay, you get the money, simple as that.
Check out scholarship websites, such as fastweb.com, scholarships.com, collegeboard.com.
Fill out the FAFSA. www.fafsa.ed.gov
Read more on this CCC website: "Financial Aid".

Most college counselors suggest that you plan on selecting four to six colleges where you will apply. You should make well-informed choices and apply to colleges where you're fairly certain that you could be happy.

Reach School

A "reach" school is your ideal or dream school. It is a school whose admissions standards require a higher class rank, GPA, or test score than you currently have. If you have always desired to attend this particular school, you may want to apply to graftify your curiosity.

Range School

A "range" school is a realistic choice based upon your grades and GPA. These choices should be colleges where you would be happy and have a 50/50 or better chance of admission. Your credentials should be equal in most respoects to those admitted in the last two years. Such colleges should be ones where you will be as well prepared as the majority of other applicants.

Foundation School

A "foundation" school is your "sure thing". Admissions standards at this college are such that your educational achievements will be as high or possibly higher than the majority of the students. This "safe bet" may be a four-year college with a more liberal admissions policy or a two-year or technical college. Many two-year colleges can give you a good background for your freshman and sophomore years and then you may apply for acceptance at another college for the final two years. A "sure thing" where you'll be happy is a must!

Common Black College Application
www.eduinconline.com/

Common Application form
https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
http://eduinconline.com/HBCUs.html

College Applications: Student and Parent Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities
Begin the process of college selection early in your high school career.
Meet with your counselor to discuss your post graduation plans in the beginning of the school year.
Read the College Visit schedule outside of room c224 and visit the Grady website or Facebook page for college representative visits and available scholarships.
Meet with the college representatives when they visit the school. You know where -- room c224.
Plan to visit colleges before making your final decision.
Be aware of your grades, class rank, GPA, and strengths/weaknesses.
Identify your college major if possible or narrow your choices.
Secure information about deadlines, special requirements, and testing/audition dates.
Provide your counselor with the recommendation forms for completion and give your counselor at least two weeks to complete the recommendation.
Complete Grady's Transcript Request Form for every college you apply for. Click here.
Make sure you have a portfolio and/or secure an audition/interview date if the college requests it.
Make sure Grady's counselors send a final transcript at the end of the school year to the college you plan to attend.
Parent Responsibilities
Discuss future plans, including financial picture, with your child.
Contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions regarding post high school options.
Visit Grady's College and Career Connection (room c224) and become familiar with all the resources there.
Be aware of college application deadlines and provide the counselor with at least two weeks
notice to complete the recommendation.
Complete your portion of the application (signature, checks, residence verification, etc).
Check over Grady's Transcript Request Form (click here ) for each college applied.
Keep copies of everything you send to the colleges.
Obtain the financial aid forms (FAFSA) online (FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in the Guidance Office, or the local public library and submit/mail the forms as soon as possible after January 1st.
Check with your child periodically about college bulletins.
Arrange visits to prospective colleges with your child.