College Planning

Important Reminders:

• Bring completed senior packets ( activity sheet, parent brag sheet, self-evaluation sheet and college list) to your counselor
• Review your transcript so it will be ready to send once you have submitted your applications.
• Request teacher recommendations as soon as possible. If you are applying early decision share that with the teacher(s).
• Make sure that you sit with your counselor to review your list of schools.  You want to have a range of schools.  Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a school where your profile does not exactly match the school’s profile.
• If you are planning to apply early decision (ED) or early action (EA) please let your counselor know this as soon as possible.  Many of the deadlines are November 1st and 15^th. 
• All applications or notification of filing an electronic application must be submitted to your counselor at least 10 days before the deadline.  This is necessary to make sure that everything is ready for processing and sent out on time.
• Most schools will request an official copy of your scores direct from the appropriate testing agency.  You must go on line or call to request that your scores be sent.

For SAT you can go to www.collegeboard.com

For ACT you can go to www.actstudent.org

Once you request that the scores be sent, it takes several weeks to get to the schools.  Make sure your request for scores is sent in a timely manner.

• If you are planning to play a sport in college make sure you register with the NCAA online and bring both signature sheets to Ms. Melendez in the Guidance office.
• Please read all of your mail from the colleges.  They may be inviting you to open houses, local visit sessions, or asking for additional information.  This is very important.  The colleges have moved away from asking us for information they need.  You are responsible for letting your counselor know that the colleges are requesting information from guidance. So please read your mail.
• Make appointments with your counselor at periodic intervals to keep him/her apprised of your progress and decisions.

• Many of the applications can be sent electronically now.  Please follow each school’s specific instructions and make sure that you print up a copy for your records.  We suggest that you keep photocopies of all applications just in case they get lost in the mail (electronic or postal).
• Your essay is probably the most significant part of your application after your high school record and test scores.  Good essays take time and can play a major role in the admission process.  Invest your time well.  An essay should provide insight into you as a person and demonstrate your ability to write well.  Plan ahead; don’t be rushed at the last minute.  If you get stuck, seek help from your counselor and /or English teacher.
• Highlight your unique talents and gifts.  We want the colleges to know what makes you special and why they should choose you over another candidate.
• Paper applications should be typed or neatly printed in dark ink.  An application reflects your personal qualities. 
• Your counselor’s responsibility will be to send your transcript, school profile, secondary school report (where applicable), teacher and counselor letters of recommendation.  In order to release this information we must receive a signed transcript request form (see attached).  Please see your counselor for copies of this form.
• College deadlines are precisely that – DEADLINES. Avoid requesting materials to be sent at the last minute.

REMEMBER….BE ORGANIZED, BE ACTIVE and BE TIMELY

Know your deadlines! Students are responsible for meeting all deadlines (SATS, early action/decision, financial aid, scholarship, early notification, etc.) and for submitting your applications to the Guidance Office at least 15 full school days before the mailing date (not including the day it is to be postmarked). Please remember that many people are involved in this process and that many seniors are applying to college at the same time.  Please also note that students are responsible for sending all standardized test scores to each college they apply to.

Sleepy Hollow High School has selected TCCi Family Connection from Naviance. TCCi Family Connection enables our counseling office to offer a comprehensive website that students and their families can use to help in making decisions about colleges and careers. TCCi Family Connection is linked with TCCi, which we use in our office to track and analyze data about college and career plans, so it provides up-to-date information that’s specific to our school.

TCCi Family Connection will allow you to:

• Keep track of the process – Build a resume, complete on-line surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers

• Research colleges – Compare GPA, SAT scores, and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past

• Sign up for college visits – Find out which colleges are visiting our school and sign up to attend those sessions