Talking Points for Senior Class Visit - 2012

Graduation requirements: Do not assume, verify with your counselor! You are still responsible for your own graduation! College Application Process: I. Only a few colleges require letters of recommendation (out of 4000 plus). II. The process start with the counselors for those schools which requires a secondary school evaluation/recommendation; The vast majority of the schools out there only need an application, an official transcript with rank/GPA and standardized testing scores like SAT/ACT to make their admission decisions. So for those, what you need from CHS is only an official transcript about which you just need to follow the procedures for requesting it. Of course, you complete your application and request your testing scores to be sent on your own. III. Deadline: Application/Scholarship/Housing may be different; actual, postmark, received. IV. Apply Online; invite your counselor to upload required documents via www.CommonApp.org for CommonApp schools. V. Counselor Letter of Recommendation Packet must be turned in prior or at the time of your request/invitation VI. Teachers evaluation in the packet it is for counselors letter only VII. Three weeks for recommendations, 3 days for transcripts VIII. For Out-of-State, Non-ApplyTexas and Non-CommonApp schools, everything (letters, transcripts, profile etc.) is still handled strictly through US Postal Service until further notice. A 9X12 addressed/stamped envelope per request is a must. IX. Essay writing the only thing left; person of impact, issue of significance, extenuating circumstances, try to avoid clich. X. SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly to the college(s) from testing centers. Other info: With year-long averaging, college rank released only once a year. No mid-year rank for college. Go to the Registrars Office and check notebooks for confirmation on when transcripts etc. sent out. Do not e-mail your counselor. There is up to a 3 day turnaround for transcripts to be processed. Three week turnaround for counselor requests. Evaluation/recommendation packet needs to be filled out for all colleges that require the counselor to complete a form (listing anything other than GPA). This is not just for a letter of recommendation! We need these for the college forms with rating scales and requesting counselor statements too. Students should not request official transcripts to be sent to colleges/universities prior to submitting the college application on line. Students do not need envelopes to send transcripts for In-State Schools All out of state and non-common app schools transcript requests should be accompanied by a 9x12 size envelope with 3 stamps. We do not send SAT and ACT test scores, and they are not on the transcript. SAT and ACT test scores must be sent to colleges by the student via the testing websites. How many colleges students should apply to .