This document provides guidance to students on applying to college. It emphasizes being proactive, organized, and communicating well throughout the application process. It outlines application requirements like essay prompts and recommendation letters. It also details important deadlines for requesting transcripts and test scores. Students are encouraged to utilize common application platforms and attend workshops on essays and the UK application process. The document aims to help students successfully navigate the college application process and enjoy their senior year.

1. Class of 2013
Surviving the College Application
Process

2. Students, please…
 Be Proactive
 Get Organized
 Communicate Well
 Be an Expert
 Stay Positive
 Enjoy Senior Year!

3. Be Smart About Senior Year
 Application regulations
 10 apps worldwide (UC/UCAS are 1 each)
 10 application rule applies to entire application cycle
 Know deadlines and requirements
 Procrastination is your enemy (and doesn’t make a good
impression)
 Strong to the finish
 All offers are conditional

5. 

6.  Required for:
 Early Decision
 Single-Choice Early Action
 Helps your counselor tailor a version of your evaluation
for the individual college
 This essay format is required by some US colleges to
determine fit and genuine interest

7. Teacher Recommendations
 Ask your
teacher(s)
 Complete the
Teacher Rec Data
Sheet
 Bring to Your
Counselor to be
Signed
 Give Signed Form
to Teacher

8. Quick Essay Writing Tips
 Be genuine and personal
 Focus on one aspect of yourself
 Tell a good story
 Avoid gimmicks and clichés
 Use specific examples and details
 Proofread!

9. Common Applications
 Common Application – www.commonapp.org
 University of California
 October 1 – November 30
 Two essays; prompts already posted
 Make transcript request to get an unofficial copy from our
office – UCs do not require an official transcript at time of
application
 OUAC – Ontario University Application Centre
 Available mid-September
 May apply to 2-3 faculties per university
 Preference
 Additional fee beyond initial 3 universities/programs
 UCAS
 Up to 5 choices
 One course for either Oxford or Cambridge
 Four courses in medicine/dentistry/veterinary

11. Deadlines To Request Transcripts
(and other documents)
 US Early Decision I/Early Action – Sept. 7
 All other US applications – Nov. 9
 Canada
 McGill – Nov 9
 All Others – After university email response to application
 UK – Work with Mr. Birchenall
 Deadlines:
 Sept 20 – Cambridge deadline to apply if hoping to interview in
China, Malaysia or Singapore
 Oct 15 – OxBridge, medical, dental and veterinary
 Jan 15 – All others

12. Deadlines To Request Transcripts
(and other documents)
 Australia
 Semester 2 Start (June) – Three weeks before application window opens
 Semester 1 Start (February) – Before student leaves school
 Hong Kong
 HKUST – Nov 9
 HKU – Nov 9
 India – Three weeks before application window opens
 Korea
 KAIST – Nov 9
 SNU (12 yr.) – Nov 9
 All others – April 15
 Japan – Three weeks before application window opens

13. Documents Could Include:
 Transcript, HS Profile
 IB Predicted Grades
 Counselor Evaluation
 Teacher Evaluation(s)
 Financial Documents (only if we’re not sending other
docs online)
 Paper Application (Korea/Japan)
 Character Reference (India)
 Mid-Year Reports automatically sent to colleges you
have applied to

14. Online Transcript Request

15. Documents Online
 We send Documents Online to US and Some of Canada
(1,750+ total institutions)
 Transcripts
 Teacher/Counselor Evaluations + Forms
 IB Predicted Grades (All IB Diploma Students)
 Mid Year Report (1st semester grades)
 Final Transcripts
 If not online (e.g. Georgetown, UT-Austin)
 Send hard copy documents through the Counseling Center
 We use our own Teacher/Counselor
forms for these schools

16. What We Don’t Send For These
1,750 Universities…
 Financial Documents
 International Student Certification of Finances
 International Student Financial Aid Application
 Additional Recommendations or Materials
 You CAN ship these from the school via UPS
 Address the envelope
 Fill out the form with Eloisa
 No later than 3pm!

18. Testing Dates – No Standby
SAT Test Date Registration Deadline ACT Test Date Registration Deadline
October 1 September 7 October 27 September 21
November 6 October 4
December 8 November 2
December 1 November 1
January 26 December 28
April 13 March 8
May 4 April 5
June 8 May 3
June 1 May 2
ISM: 705 720 Test Center: 74905

19. Sending Test Scores
 SAT Reasoning (SAT I) and Subject Tests (SAT II) –
www.collegeboard.com
 Score Choice
 When to Send Scores
 AP – Call 609-771-7366
 ACT – www.actstudent.org
 TOEFL – www.toefl.org

21. Applying to
the UK?
Learn to apply
through UCAS
with this
handsome fellow...
August 22
4:45 to 5:45pm
Little Theater

22. Common
Application
Workshops
Each senior applying
to at least one US
college through the
Common
Application must
attend one session.

23. Senior Essay
Writing
Workshops
Part II
Must have a
complete Common
App essay draft

24. College Visits
 Evening Meetings
 Sept. 11 – Columbia, Duke, Georgetown, Northwestern, Princeton
 Sept. 24 – Brown
 Oct. 3 – UPenn
 August
 23 – UBC
 29 – Laureate Hospitality Education (Glion, Les Roches and 3 others)
 30 – NYU
 September
 3 – Macalester College
 4 – Chapman, Babson, Elon, Augustana (PO45)
 11 – LMU, Seatttle University, John Carroll University, George Mason University, University
of Wyoming, University of Hawaii, Fairleigh Dickinson University (by canteen)
 14 – Claremont McKenna College
 19 – CIS College Fair (30+ universities)
 20 – Yale and Yale-NUS
 25 – St. Mary’s College in California
 26 – Emerson College
 November
 Australian University Fair (Dates TBD)

25. HS Guidance Blog

26. Portal

27. Naviance
(Family Connection)