11'th Graders

Guidance From Mr. Parrish

All 11th Graders

September-October  

• Start your college application essay(s) early.  Most schools require essays as part of their application packet. Even if the essay is optional, do it!  It is the first "test" to see how much time you will spend on that college's application. Get the topic and start writing it early.  Try to make your essay compelling and be sure it reflects your best effort.  Give it lots of thought, edit, spell-check and ask for feedback from an English teacher, counselor, parent, etc.

• Finalize your college choices.  Decide on at least six potential colleges.  You should be thinking about some "reach" schools, "target" schools and "safety" schools.  This pertains to academic, as well as financial, considerations.

• Make a list; check it twice.  Make a checklist for each college you are going to apply to.  Include all the pieces of information that need to be assembled (i.e., forms, recommendations, essays, transcripts, etc.) and all deadlines (including when the application must be postmarked).  This will help you break the application job into smaller parts. It will also help you stay organized, calm, and on track. 

• Request recommendation letters.  NOW is the time to ask teachers, school counselors, coaches, and employers for letters of recommendation related to your activities and employment. These will be required for college applications. Ask for the recommendations in person. If a teacher, school counselor, or coach agrees to write you a recommendation letter, be sure to provide them with all forms that they must complete.  Be sure to write a thank-you note to each person who provides a recommendation.

• Request your transcript from your counselor.  Each college that you apply to requires an official transcript directly from Laurel HS. Complete the transcript request in Naviance or via Scriborder if not available through Naviance.

• Plan now for a smoother financial aid application process --- Apply for your FAFSA pin number in October and start gathering financial information.  Virtually all colleges require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid.  Visit FAFSA on the Web and sign up for your personal pin number.  This is also a good time to print out the worksheets for filling out the FAFSA so you'll know what's involved and can begin gathering the financial records. 

• Complete the FAFSA form. Submit the form as soon as possible after October 1. Some schools require it as early as January 1, but be sure to submit it no later than March 1.  You improve your chances of receiving financial aid if you submit your forms early. Colleges are handing out aid as the applications come in and there IS a limit to how much they have to give.  Get your application in late and all their available money may be gone.

• Find out if colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Some colleges (mostly private schools) require this special form, which is essentially a supplement to the FAFSA.  The College Board website has a list of the schools that require it, but it's always better to check with the college directly.  

• Call the financial aid offices to find out if they require any other special financial forms of their own. This is most common at private colleges. If they require specialized forms, ask them to mail them to you now. Find out the deadlines for all financial aid forms now. 

November  

• Continue checking for scholarships every week in your PGCPS email and the newsletter.

• Finish up your college applications.  Some early action deadlines are November 1st.  

December

• Try to finish your college applications by December 1.  Even if the college's official deadline is March 1, it's better to get your application in to your counselor by December 1.  You'll be ahead of the game and able to shift your focus to financial aid applications, scholarships and simply enjoying your senior year. Unless you thrive on stress, there is no good reason to wait until the last minute to begin working on college applications. 

• If you're still applying to colleges, get those applications filled out and submitted as soon as possible, allowing at least three weeks for processing. Keep in mind counselors are often on vacation over the December break; not reviewing college applications. January 1st deadlines should be turned in to your counselor by December 1st at the latest.

Review the list above.  Are you on schedule?  Have you skipped anything?  Not on track?  Stop by to see your counselor ASAP! 

January-February

• January and February are financial aid months.  Look for notification of financial aid seminars and other similar programs throughout the county and state. 

• Apply for financial aid through the state of Maryland at the Maryland Higher Education Commission.  Students can apply for grants and other scholarships through this site.  

      Remember to keep copies of all financial aid forms you submit.

• Apply for outside funding and scholarships.  Keep checking for scholarship applications in the Career Center every week and explore other sources.  For example, parents might belong to organizations or work in businesses that award scholarships.  Ask around. Visit Fastweb, the Internet's largest free scholarship search.  

February-March

• Make sure your FAFSA has been completed and submitted by March 1.  

• Check on mid-year transcripts.  Did you tell your counselor which colleges want mid-year transcripts? Stop in the Counseling office and confirm they were sent.

• Watch for your Student Aid Report (SAR).  This is a one-page summary of the FAFSA information you submitted.  It is sent to you to confirm the accuracy of all data one last time before it is forwarded to your colleges.  Occasionally the SAR will note that information is missing or incomplete.  In all cases, follow directions on the SAR and return it as quickly as possible.  If you have not received your Student Aid Report within five weeks after sending in your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (301) 722- 9200. The report arrives by mail or by email if you filed the FAFSA electronically. 

• Rank your college choices while you wait for responses to your applications.