College Application Process

The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science--and an optional Writing Test.  It takes just over four hours and costs $31.  Reasons to take the ACT include:

1. The ACT is universally accepted for college admission at all four-year colleges and unversities in the United States.
2. It is curriculum based, meaning it is not an aptitude or an IQ test; students are tested on what they have been taught in their high school courses.
3. In addition to the academic tests, the ACT also provides valuable information for career and educational planning.

Click HERE for the official site and testing dates.

• Obtain an application from the Internet or Institution (via telephone or email).
• Create a file for each institution. Attach a checklist on the outside.
• Complete application. If you apply online, make a hardcopy of the final submitted application.
• Have your test scores sent directly from The College Board or ACT.
• Request an official transcript more than 3 school days prior to your deadline, (either provide a college-addressed, 42 cent stamped envelope, leave return address blank, she will stamp with school address, or sign up for an Official Transcript on the lavender clip board in the Counseling office.

• Obtain an application from the Internet or Institution (via telephone or email).
• Create a file for each institution. Attach a checklist on the outside.
• Complete application. If you apply online, make a hardcopy of the final submitted application.
• Have your test scores sent directly from The College Board or ACT.
• Separate the student portion and recommendation forms.
• Sign-up to talk to your counselor about writing a letter of recommendation (if required).
• Pick up Personal Information sheet from Mrs. Roma in the Counseling Office.

• Submit (AT LEAST 15 school days prior to deadline) TO MRS. ROMA:

1. Personal Information sheet
2. School Report with the applicant section filled out completely.
3. On the School Report under Secondary School Guidance Counselor fill out:

Your Counselor's Name and email address
Position: High School Counselor
School: Shorewood High School
Address: 17300 Fremont Ave N.
Phone: 206.361.4380 Fax: 206.368.4711
Secondary school code: 481166

With the above documents, bring in an 8 1/2 X 11 manila envelope, addressed to the college, with three 42-cent stamps affixed.  Leave return address blank because the counseling secretary will stamp it with the school return address.  Do this for each college to which you are applying.  This is what it will look like when you bring it to the counseling secretary:

• Submit the Mid-Year Report to Mrs. Roma prior to February 1st with a letter-sized, envelope, college-addressed, with one 42 cent stamp.  Leave return address blank, she will stamp with school return address.
• Provide a letter-sized envelope, college-addressed with one 42 cent stamp for the final transcript to be sent after graduation.  Leave return address blank, she will stamp with school return address.  (All textbooks must be turned in and fines must be cleared before final transcripts will be sent.)

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.  Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®).

The college board provides online information on how to:

• Register for the SAT
• Prepare for the SAT
• Plan for College
• Find a College
• Apply for College
• Pay for College

In addition to all the services listed above, the College Board provides articles, statistics, and several other programs targeted to helping students get in to, and through, college.

Parents and Guardians click HERE for helpful information for you provided by the College Board.

 

Yes, it’s a challenge, especially just to get started.

Take a deep breath, try to relax, and have fun!

First, think about who the audience might be, as the “readers” are unknown. It is a panel. One might be a grandma, another a grad student, another who is jaded from reading hundreds of essays, etc.

They want to get to know you. They know you are 18. They don’t expect you to have solved life’s mysteries. They have a flexible vision re: what’s a “good” essay. The reader assumes you are motivated, are intelligent, want to contribute, will be a positive presence. If they are reading your essay, it means you’ve already made that initial cut; they already are interested in you. Give them something to grab onto, a snapshot.

The panel will ask themselves:
•    What did they learn about you?
•    What will they remember?
•    Are they left with questions?
•    Are they confident in your writing ability?
•    Do they have a sense of how your mind works?

STEPS:
1. Brainstorm topics: Some ideas.
•    When were you most conflicted?
•    When were you most inspired?
•    When did you notice, “wow, I’ve changed!”
•    When was the last time you felt …(amazed, sad, happy, anything!)
•    Describe a time when you unexpectedly found something to be fun
•    When did you look at a friend or family member and suddenly saw them in a different light?
•    When was a time you…. lost your sense of humor? Lost your sense of time? Felt most intellectually connected? Felt unusually and exceptionally alive?

2. Write a 1st draft with no judgment --- see what you come up with. The
essay does not need to be a traditional format, but spelling and
grammar do count!

3.  Revise & Rewrite*

4. Solicit Feedback *
Five questions for your readers to consider:
• What did I learn about you from reading your essay?
• What will I remember about you from this essay?
• Do I have a sense of your intellectual vitality and /or how your
mind works?
• Do I have confidence in your overall writing ability?
• Am I left with any nagging questions or concerns?


5. Final Editing * *Repeat as necessary.

Tips:

•    Show vs. tell: help them feel it the way you did, give good vivid imagery
•    Answer the question(s)!
•    Don’t use vague language: cut down on “very”, “really”, “thing”, “stuff”, etc,
•    Don’t use flowery or overly complex language
•    Don’t rely only on spell check! That leads to accidentally using inappropriate words
•    Help them get under the surface, not tip of the iceberg


Famous last words: Be yourself

1. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE COLLEGE YOU ARE APPLYING TO REQUIRES A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION BEFORE ASKING YOUR COUNSELORS AND TEACHERS TO WRITE THEM!
2. We ask that you please type answers to the questions found on our documents page. 
3. Please allow 3 weeks for your letter to be completed.
4. We will mail the letter with your transcript and Secondary School Report if you have brought in a stamped manila folder.  Otherwise, we will wait for you to return to pick it up.
   

 

Click HERE for ordering instructions and to email a request for transcripts.  Note: All fines must be cleared with Mrs. Roma before transcripts will be sent.

If you want your transcript sent directly to a college, please bring in a stamped envelope addressed to the college with just your name written on the top left (where the return address usually goes).