Keystone’s College Application Toolkit

College Application Toolkit

If you plan to begin college in the fall of 2017, then you will be applying to college somewhere between October 2016 and February 2017, on average. Each college has their own unique application requirements and deadlines for their freshman class. It is critical that you please read the information enclosed in this toolkit the SUMMER before you begin your senior level courses. This will ensure you have the foundational knowledge and adequate time needed to identify which colleges you will be applying to, their requirements and deadlines.

Please also complete the following survey to be identified as a college bound senior for this school year:

Good luck!

Contents

A Message from Keystone’s Guidance Department

Getting Started Checklist

College Preparation and Testing

Keystone’s Graduation Information and College-Bound Recommended Courses

Graduation Requirements

College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/PSAT)

Junior/Senior Checklist

College Searching

Four-Year University vs. Community/Junior College in the United States

The College Admissions Process

Writing an Essay

Admission Types

How many college applications should I sent?

Letters of Recommendation

Keystone Specific Procedures

Financial Aid

Federal and State Financial Aid

CSS/PROFILE

Scholarships

Student Loans- Smart Borrowing

Fee Waivers

Following up

Graduation Process

Videos

A Message from Keystone’s Guidance Department

Dear Students and Parents,

Congratulations on nearing the end of your high school career! You are entering a very exciting point of high school, the point in which you will begin your college search, applications, and finally deciding which college you will attend!

While it is a very exciting point of high school, the number one comment we hear from parents is that they were not expecting the college application process to be as time consuming as it was. We hope the information enclosed in this toolkit helps to educate your family about the college application process to make it as smooth as possible.

In line with Keystone’s independent-study model, it is expected that Keystone students will take the lead on their college applications. This means we expect our students to be aware of their deadlines, to request paperwork from Keystone with at least two-full weeks before the college deadline, to request letters of recommendation directly from the teachers, and also follow up with their prospective colleges to ask questions as needed.

Keystone’s guidance department is here to help you along the way! We will continue to send you resources, general reminders, and we will be here to answer any question you have.

Please take the following survey so we have your contact information to send you reminders and information:

Remember to use the following resources:

Keystone’s Guidance Services Resource Center, which is located in your Blackboard Homeroom.

Read Keystone’s monthly newsletter, The Key News, to stay informed.

Regularly visit

Ensure that you have a working email address on file with Keystone and that you check it frequently- be sure to add as a contact.

Follow us on twitter! Keystone_GDNCE.

Good luck in your college searching and applications!

Sincerely,

Cristena Jenner

Matt Dufford

Guidance Counselors

The Keystone School

Getting Started Checklist

Before we dive into the specifics about the college search and application process, let’s take a step back to ensure you are prepared to apply to colleges and all the necessary ground work has been completed.

You will be finishing all of your courses necessary to graduate by June 2017.

You are aware of all of the credits you need to complete next year to earn a Keystone diploma (should be 6 or less credits).

You have already taken the SAT or the ACT, or plan to take the SAT or ACT early in the fall (before November).

You have researched the home schooling requirements, state financial aid requirements, and college admission requirements necessary for applying as a Keystone Student. Please visit the Guidance Services Resource Center, which is located in your Blackboard homeroom for more information. More information can be found on the left hand side section titled, “Home School Registration/State Requirements”.

College Preparation and Testing

College preparation truly begins in ninth grade with course selection. There are specific courses that college-bound students should take to optimize their college acceptances.Students also must take the SAT or the ACT and submit those scores as part of their college applications for most four-year universities. Community colleges usually don’t require SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process. Below you will find more information about Keystone’s graduation requirements, a junior/senior checklist to make sure you are on track through the end of high school, and lastly more information about Standardized test. Each section also has a video with the information, so please watch the videos in addition to reading the information!

Keystone’s Graduation Information and College-Bound Recommended Courses

Graduation Requirements

To receive a Keystone High School diploma, students need to earn 21 units of credit in grades 9-12. Credits can be transferred in to Keystone as outlined in the Transfer Credit Policy, but students must take at least five credits with Keystone, one credit each in the areas of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and another credit in an area of choice.

Once a student meets the graduation requirements, he or she is awarded a high school diploma from Keystone.

The required graduation credits must be distributed as follows:

Course Type / Minimum Credits for
Graduation / Recommended for
College Bound
Health/PE (must include one planned course in Health) / 1 / 1
Art and/or Humanities / 1 / 1
Mathematics (at least one must be Algebra 1 or higher) / 3 / 4
Science / 3 / 3 -4
English / 4 / 4
Social Studies / 4 / 4
Electives / 5 / 4-5
Total / 21 / 21 - 23

Though the minimum diploma requirement is twenty one (21) credits, we encourage students to develop a four year learning plan and take courses that will provide them the best foundation for college or career, even if that means earning more than 21 credits. College Bound students are encouraged to take at least two credits of the same world language as part of their electives.

You can also watch this video to learn more about Keystone’s Graduation requirements and graduation process! Graduation Requirements:

College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/PSAT)

The SAT and ACT are two standardized tests used in the college admissions process. Most universities will accept either one, but check specific university admissions requirements by going directly to their website. If you take the ACT, be sure to take the writing section as well.

SAT IIs are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests in specific subjects. Students can take up to three tests in one sitting, matching the test choices to fit the college requirements. SAT (II) Subject Tests are sometimes required by the more selective colleges and universities. Even if they are not required, it is helpful to submit scores to support a student's applications and show proof of learning. You can check a college’s admissions webpage to see if they require the SAT IIs.

PSATstands for thePreliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Examination Test. This test is taken by sophomores and juniors each October. The PSAT measures verbal and reasoning abilities and follows the same format as the SAT. Students and parents should not be overly concerned about PSAT results as they are not submitted to colleges. The very top scores of junior test takers are used to determine National Merit eligibility for U.S citizens and permanent residents. Please contact your local school district in June or early September before the October you wish to take the test to register for the exam.

Registration

Keystone school code (CEEB) is 390363 which is necessary when registering for the PSAT,SAT and ACT. Registration can be done online for the SAT and the ACT.

SAT:

ACT:

Here are the instructions for registering for the PSAT- you follow the same instructions as a home-schooled student:

Watch this video about College Entrance Exams to learn more!

College Admission Testing:

Testive- Keystone SAT/ACT Preparation Service

Keystone utilizes a test prep program called Testive through Choices360to help students prepare for the SAT or ACT.This program can lead to improved student performance by practicing sample questions and taking practice tests. It is best for students to start preparing for the SAT/ACT 2-3 months prior to the exams.

Students who are using Choices360/Testive for the first time should do the following:

  • Click “Create an Account”
  • Enter Keystone’s Access Key: PA01212
  • Select if you are a Middle School or High School Student, or Parent
  • Enter your birthdate and enter in The Keystone School as your school

For Test Prep- Click on the College Planning Tab

  1. Click to be taken to a site called TESTIVE
  2. Create an account with TESTIVE
  3. Type in your name and your email address to get started
  4. Select the test you’d like to focus on
  5. Enter information about the college you are interested in
  6. Click the practice button at the top to try practice exams
  7. Lessons is a paid service that families would have to purchase. Just stick to practice questions and the practice questions for the free version
  8. Take a practice SAT or ACT by clicking on the “Upload Practice Test” button

Junior/Senior Checklist

This checklist is meant to help college-bound studentsunderstand what to do during your Junior and Senior years. Click here to watch a video about this information!

Preparing for College Applications: A Junior/Senior Timeline:

Items covered in this checklist will be covered in more detail throughout this toolkit.

JUNIORS / 11th GRADE

September

Get in touch with student services to ensure you are on track to graduation by calling 1-800-255-4937 or emailing .

Register for the October PSAT ASAP. Keystone students have to follow the homeschooling student process for finding a PSAT test location (directions here but will enter Keystone’s CEEB code (390363) when they actually sit to take the test.

Monitor the Webinar section of the Guidance Services Resource Center to sign-up for relevant webinars.

October

Take the PSAT. The PSAT is only offered every October. Registration cannot be done online. The PSAT is only available to sophomore and juniors.

The PSAT is also referred to as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (NMSQT).

November-January

Begin researching colleges that interest you.

February-March

Register for the ACT or SAT, which ever test you elect to take. You will need a score on either the ACT or SAT to apply to four-year universities in the United States.

  • ACT Dates and Registration:
  • SAT Dates and Registration:

If you are enrolled in any AP courses, register for the AP Exam. Information is available in the Guidance Services Resource Center.

Set-up an account with TestGear, Keystone’s Free SAT/ACT test-preparation service. Direction for setting up an account can be found under the “SAT/ACT/PSAT Prep” section of the Guidance Services Resource Center.

Begin studying for the SAT or ACT! The recommendation is to begin preparing two-to-three months before the test date.

April-June

Start your college visits. Call each college two weeks in advance to register for a tour.

If needed, start researching scholarships. Helpful websites include or

Begin Compiling an “Activities Resume” of all of your extra-curricular accomplishments

Take the ACT or the SAT.

Ask teacher s for letters of recommendation for college applications. You typically need at least two letters. It is better to ask teachers in courses you are at least half-way finished with, so they can attest to you academic abilities.

SENIORS / 12th GRADE

September-October

Sign-up and join a “College Application Process” webinar, or watch a recording.

Check to make sure you have finished enough credits to apply to college. You need to have 15 credits completed, and be enrolled in your final courses to graduate by the time you submit your college applications.

Finalize the list of colleges you plan to apply to! Make a list of all the colleges you plan to apply to along with the admission deadlines and required application components. Start getting everything together!

Register for an October, November or (if there is time) December SAT or ACT. This is your last chance to take the tests to accommodate most college admission deadlines!

Request letters of recommendations.You can find out if you need letters be checking the college’s admissions page or calling the admission department at the college directly. We suggest you request letters of recommendations at least a month before your college deadline.

Visit the “College Guidance” Section of the Guidance Services Resource Center to learn more about the College Document Request Form and the Common Application. You must submit these to Keystone at least two weeks before you would like your Keystone College Documents sent out!

November-December

Submit all of your college applications.

Collect information to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and PROFILE (nonfederal financial aid)

January

Parents- file your income tax. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can submit your FAFSA. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA ASAP to maximize award eligibility.

February-May

Students who completed their FAFSA will start receiving Student Aid Reports (SAR). This will give an overview of the information completed on the FAFSA.

Admission decision letters will start coming in, as well as financial aid award letters from each school outlining financial aid assistance.

Decide which school you will attend! Also, notify the school you do not plan on attending. Follow directions to make a deposit and save your seat in the school you plan on attending.

College Searching

What’s right for me? For many students, the most difficult place to start with college applications is deciding where to apply. Here are THREE steps to break it down for Keystone Students!

STEP ONE: Gather

To get started, gather the following information to begin building a college list:

1. Your PSAT, SAT and/or ACT scores *if you don't have scores, sign up for an SAT/ACT ASAP!

2. Your GPA. Keystone only reports your GPA based off of completed Keystone courses.

3. States you are interested in living in while attending college.

4. Majors or careers you are interested in.

5. A college budget (talk to your parents, if needed).

STEP TWO: Familiarize yourself with college-search resources

Recommended: Make an account with The College Board's Make a Plan:

STEP THREE: Start Your List!

Use The College Board's "Search Colleges" feature to narrow down schools!

-Select TEST SCORES AND SELECTIVITY to enter in your SAT or ACT scores for schools that are in your range

-Select LOCATION to enter in a state that you are interested in

-Select MAJORS AND LEARNING environment to select majors you are interested in

-Select PAYING to search by cost

You can add a college to your college list by clicking blue "Add to My College List" in your College Bard account!

**Each school has a profile where you can learn detailed information about the college. **

Consider adding 10-12 colleges to your list, after exploring the school profiles. Work with your parents to refine the list to 5-7 schools.

  • 1-2 will be your "Safety" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is above the average
  • 2-3 schools will be your "Target" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA scores are on target with the average, or equal to the average
  • 1-2 will be "Reach" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is slightly below the average.

Four-Year University vs. Community/Junior College in the United States

Throughout this toolkit, when the phrase ‘applying to a college’ is used, itincludes applying to a four-year university or a two-year university. Do you know the difference between the two? A four-year universityisinstitution that awards a bachelor’s degree after you successfully complete all of the requirements. A community college or a junior college awards a student an associate’s degree, which is a two year degree. Many students who attend a community college or junior college then transfer into a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree. Many students opt to first attend a community or junior college to save money, or because they haven’t decided what they want to study yet. Typically, community colleges are very inexpensive compared to some four-year universities and can get students to the same end for half the price. While there are loans and state and federal financial aid programs to assist students in funding their higher education, it is always important to weigh the cost of obtaining your degree against the salary for your prospective career field post-graduation. More is discussed about this within the Financial Aid booklet of this toolkit.