Columbia High School - White Salmon, Washington

Tips for Parents (and students) available as a Word Document

If you have started down the road to college selection, application, financial support, and related issues, then you need to digest this compilation of years of experience as an educator, administrator, and father of a college student. Principal Timothy McGlothlin

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR:

5 P's

Program (course rigor - AP, Honors, College in High School).
Performance (grades and cumulative).
Potential (SAT's and recommendations).
Participation (well roundedness, variety - quality better that quantity).
Personality (essays and the interview).

(Compliments of Michael Sexton, Dean of Admissions at Lewis and Clark College)

Interview is usually not required but recommended.

Some say course load and essay are top two considerations - depends on the college.

Showing interest in the school of your choice may make the difference (visits, questions, e-mails, thank you notes).

APPLYING TO COLLEGES:

Narrow your selection to three Colleges or Universities. Spend time on the Internet exploring class offerings, location, housing, costs, activities and other important assets of the institution.

Get all forms and organize into a folder (hard copy or internet based).

Ask your "core" teachers for a recommendation. Principals and Counselors carry high credibility with admission officers. (See below for more info).

Complete the application fully and proof for errors or omissions. Nothing spells doom better than bad grammar and misspelled words.

MEET ALL DEADLINES. I will guarantee that a missed deadline will not be changed because of a sad story or even a shed tear.

It is recommended that you use the online application if available. Usually shorter and quicker. Many registrars prefer the digital application. Also, some college will wave the fee if you apply on-line.

THE ESSAY:

Show not tell.
Answer the "why" that is always implied.
Have your essay proofed by a second party.
The essay provides a window into who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. Very important to shine.
Show the reader that you really know how to write, organize thoughts, and present oneself.

THE RESUME:

Include academic awards, honors, work and volunteer positions, school related activities - positions held, sports, and hobbies.
Make sure the information is accurate and honest, with a positive spin.
Simple and clean is good. Make it easy to read and follow a traditional form.

THE RECOMMENDATION:

Download or request proper recommendation forms from the college or university.
Give the writer a packet with a note explaining what you're wanting them to provide.
Be sure to give writer at least two weeks to complete recommendation
Provide a due date for completion.
Include in the packet a resume complete with G.P.A., List of Activities, Honors and Awards, and planned field of study.
Remember to include a self-addressed envelop with stamp if a confidential recommendation is required. Some colleges and universities require that the envelope be sealed and mailed by writer.

THE TRANSCRIPT:

Make sure that you request enough transcripts to apply to all colleges. They must be stamped and usually sealed to make them official transcripts.
Give the office persons enough time to process your request. A week is usually enough time to get your transcript ordered from Vancouver.
Photocopies will be rejected. Must be official.

THE FINANCIAL MAZE

GET ON THE FAFSA QUICKLY.JAN. 2 ND . It is the key to all financial applications. Scholarships and financial aid are based on the report.

Things now become more complicated. The FAFSA application is a paper form that you can get from the school counselor or on-line at the Department of Education in Washington D.C. I recommend the on-line form. Much quicker and I believe easier to understand. The web site address is: fafsa.ed.gov

Your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will be sent once you complete the application and provide (electronically signed) PIN number. You can print and sign a copy to be mailed via snail-mail but takes longer. The PIN number must be requested and takes nearly two weeks to process.

Parents will need to help with the FAFSA since much of the financial data will be submitted from tax returns. The student may have income to report if they worked one year prior to applying to college.

The FAFSA web site opens January 2.

The SAR report (Student Aid Report) will arrive about a month later and provide the EFC, which is always higher than parents can actually pay. Parents will be shocked, so sit before opening the letter.

Colleges have varying amounts of money to give - private schools cost more but have much more money to give. Sometimes private schools might cost less than state schools (but don't count on it).

Types of packages they might offer:

Work Study
Loans (both federal and private)
Merit Scholarships (athletic, academic, or fine arts)
Grants
Competitive Scholarships (departments)

Many times, banks will loan money in 10 equal payments for yearly tuition. They charge a minimal interest and sometimes a small set-up fee. Simply write a check once a month and send to bank. Colleges will provide information in packets or on-line.

Expect hidden costs like $400.00 t-shirts (Administrative processing fee) or Health Insurance hidden in fine print. Be sure to look. Oh, expect another $300.00 to $500.00 bill at the beginning of each semester for books and supplies.

Check with your automobile insurance carrier. Students attending college without a car but still listed on your insurance pay a considerably lower rate. You must ask.

Remember to photocopy everything!!!!

When you discuss financial information with a school representative, always ask for their name and write it down. If there should be a problem, you can trace it and ask for the same person. Many times they will remember a conversation and be more inclined to help.

For additional information check out:

Financial Information www.collegeboard.com

THE BOOKS:

College Planning for Dummies by Pat Ordovensky
College Funding Made E-Z by Coy R. Howe
The Insider's Guide to Colleges the Yale Daily News Staff
America's Best Colleges US News and World Report (available at most grocery stores, drug stores, and department stores).

THE WEBSITES:

Thanks to Stacey Holeman for sharing information. In fact, this is a work in progress. If you would like to add to this document, simply add your addendum and send to: Tmac70@charter.net

Best of Luck

Mr. Mac

Advice for the College Bound