Private+College+Applications

You can research colleges most efficiently on-line. __Petersons.com__, __collegeview.com__ and best of all __collegeboard.com__ (college matchmaker) are some of the best websites. A google search will yield many more. Individual college websites provide a lot of information.
 * //Private//** **//College//** **//Applications//**
 * Searching for Colleges**
 * The Big Apple College Fair** is Oct 22 at Borough of Manhattan Community College from 1-4 PM. Many colleges will be represented. For other sites, go to __www.bigapplecollegefairs.com.__

Private college applications must be obtained by contacting the college by email, mail or phone. I will meet with you to discuss your choices. In addition to separate applications you would be well advised to check the **Common Application** website (__commonapp.org.)__ You may find that your school is listed as accepting the Common Application form. If that is so, it means you can prepare one perfect application which I will review with you, duplicate several times and send to several colleges.( There is no advantage to using the school’s own application …even Harvard happily accepts the Common App!) This greatly facilitates the college application process. While many colleges accept the common app, many also require a supplement. Be sure to check the website as well as the college’s own website
 * Application Forms**

It is advisable to print out your Common Application and let me review it with you. I will make corrections and suggestions and you will re-do it. When we are satisfied that it is perfect, you will make a copy of each page and we will prepare it for mailing. You should also make multiple copies of your social security card, green card (if applicable) your current program, your letters of recommendation, your transcript (official copy-stamped and signed) your essay and all pages of the supplement.

If you receive an SAT fee waiver you are entitled to 4 private college fee waivers. If you are economically eligible for the SAT fee waiver, you are entitled to these waivers as well. **Please do not allow cost to deter you from applying to college. See Mrs Baratta to discuss this matter.**
 * Fee Waivers**

Many colleges require letters of recommendation. When a //counselor// recommendation is requested, the college adviser or your counselor will write one. Often a //teacher// recommendation is required too. Ask at least two teachers (preferably more) who know you well and gave you a good grade to write a letter for you. DO NO WAIT till the last minute. You can begin now asking your teachers from last year. Only ask teachers who gave you high grades. Ask the teachers in writing or email. Remind them of your performance in their class, grades, or projects that you excelled in. After a couple of weeks, gently remind them again in writing or email. English teachers are generally the best choice. It is best to ask teachers of different subjects. If you ask several teachers, I can select the best two and mail them. Some teachers want to maintain confidentiality and will ask you to provide a stamped addressed envelope. This requires that you know where you are applying. Ask them to send the letters to me and I will send them out after we make final decisions about the colleges you will apply to.
 * Letters of Recommendation**

Most private colleges and state universities require an essay or personal statement. The purpose of this essay is twofold. It is an opportunity for the admissions committee to see how well you write. For this reason, it must be flawless in terms of spelling, grammar and neatness. The second reason is to enable the committee to learn something (good) about you, so you want to present yourself in a positive light. Some of the choices offered on the Common Application are good options. I suggest you write about an important event, change or achievement in your life. It is not generally a good idea to write on religious topics. See the essay suggestions and the sample essay by a Brooklyn Tech student in this booklet. Ask your English teacher to go over your essay. I will review it with you as well.
 * Essays**

Make up packages with applications and all of the items mentioned above (see the third paragraph.) Bring large manila envelopes addressed to your colleges, stamps and checks to cover the cost of application or fee waivers. The college office will add official transcripts and send out the applications. Be sure to check the deadline schedule included in this information booklet. __Official__ transcripts must be sent by the school, not by the student. It is __unofficial__ if you send a copy of your own. CHECK DEADLINES! Do not wait till the last minute.
 * Sending Applications**