Guidance Office / College Applications


	Obtain an application for a college or school of your choice. The best source of applications are from the school, the guidance office, or on line.
	Fill out all of the information that it asks you. Does it ask for an essay?Does it ask for letters of recommendations? Do not include anything it does not ask for specifically. If it asks for letters of recommendations, ask your teachers to write one for you, they know your academic abilities best.
	Bring the completed application to the guidance office. There it will be reviewed to make sure it is filled out correctly. The Guidance Counselor will include a copy of your transcript and SAT scores.Colleges will only accept OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS from the guidance office. Make sure you have the application fee and the guidance office will mail your application for you. If you receive free or reduced lunches, ask about an application fee waiver.If you already applied on line, write a note to let the guidance office know so that it can send an official transcript. Include on the note your name, what school I need to send the transcript to, and if you need SAT scores sent.
	Most schools will not make a decision until all required documents are received. If anything is missing, they will notify you by postcard. Once all of the documents are received, a decision will be made as to whether or not you are accepted. You will be contacted by mail with a decision.
	Once you are accepted, then you must decide if you want to attend that school. You may be accepted to several schools, but you can only attend one. You officially accept the admission offer to a school when you send a deposit.
	Once you send a deposit, you have committed to attend that school. Now you begin working on how to pay for your education. The school will notify you about deadlines for everything like financial aid, placement tests, room and board contracts, and scheduling of classes.
	Contact the financial aid office to complete a financial aid package. You will need to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Begin scholarship searches on the web at school or where your parents work. Scholarships are free money that usually requires you to fill out a special application, write an essay, or compete in some way.