Go to this Website:
startnow.arizona.edu/prepare/plan
- Listen to The Plan for College.
In your Portfolio
- Write down the plan you think you would be most likely to follow, A, B or C?
- What might help you stay on your path?
- What might derail you?
The Sweet Sixteen
Go to this Website:
startnow.arizona.edu/prepare/sweet16
Take out your College Track sheet. Write down in your portfolio:
- Are you on track with completing the required classes?
- If not, which areas are you missing?
- If you are behind a credit or two, make a point of going to talk to your counselor as soon as possible. Make him or her aware of the deficiency (the class you are missing), and outline a plan to address it.
How to Apply
Applications to vocational schools, community colleges and universities are now generally available either online or as a traditional paper application that you fill out and mail. Whether you choose to submit your application online or through “snail mail,” four things commonly required are:
- Official Transcripts
- Personal Statements
- Letters of Recommendation
- SAT and/or ACT Scores
What are official transcripts?
This is a printed record of the classes you took in high school and your grades in each class. Your high school mails transcripts to the universities you indicate.
How and when do you ask your high school to send out transcripts?
Many colleges have a deadline for applications of January or February. For example, February 1 is the priority application deadline for ASU. May 13 is the application deadline for UA. July 13 is the deadline for NAU. Other universities and community colleges have varied deadlines for when you must apply prior to the semester you wish to begin studies. Bottom line: don't put off applying to the last minute! Get your application in well ahead of the deadline set by your chosen school.
In general, plan to ask your high school counselor to send transcripts to the college(s) you are interested by November 15 of your senior year. If you have coursework from another high school, or from a college or university, ask those other schools to also send copies of your official transcript to the college(s) to which you plan to apply.
Personal Statements and Letters of Recommendation
These can be important parts of applications to some colleges and universities. Not all schools require these documents as part of your application. A Personal Statement is required as part of the UA application, and Letters of Recommendation are…recommended. Especially if you want to be considered for admission to the Honors College or for scholarships, you’ll need to recruit your favorite teachers/coaches/community contacts for some of these influential letters. Letters of Recommendation is addressed at the end of this module. Personal statements is addressed separately in Module 9.
For now, let’s get familiar with the process of applying to one university, the UA. Of course, you may end up applying to other schools or universities and the UA might not be your first choice. Nonetheless, beginning a UA application will help you learn about what you need to apply for admission to a university in general.
How much does it cost to apply?
Many institutions will require an application fee. For the UA application, the cost is $50. If you think you and/or your family might qualify for a fee waiver, ask your high school counselor if you qualify for a waiver. Learn more about fee waivers here: sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers.
What’s the application timeline, in general?
After your junior year of high school, you’ll begin the process, following these steps.
Junior Year
Fall
Register for and take the PSAT
Spring
Register and take the ACT and/or SAT
Summer
Visit college campuses
Senior Year
Summer
The summer after your junior year (or earlier!), begin researching which vocational schools, colleges or universities you are interested in.
September of Senior Year
- Meet with your school counselor and keep him/her informed of your decisions. Your counselor can be a resource in helping you plan and will play a big part in helping you get into college.
- Begin working on your application(s).
- Start working on your essay (personal statement).
October of Senior Year
- Request Letters of Recommendation.
- If you aren't satisfied with your SAT/ACT scores from the spring, register to take SAT and/or ACT test again.
- Make sure scores are sent to the college(s) you are applying to.
End of November:
- Mail in application(s). (Or submit online applications).
- Follow up and make sure all Letters of Recommendation have been sent in.
December
- Take final exams at your school.
February
Call the college(s) you applied to and make sure they have all the required material.
May
Once you’ve made a final decision of which college to attend, notify all others you applied to and let them know you’ve decided to attend elsewhere so your spot can be freed up for another student.