This section is geared for seniors who have completed college searches and have decided on the colleges to which they will apply. If you still need help understanding terminology, conducting searches, and narrowing choices, please see your school counselor.

Applications

Almost all colleges post applications online and prefer to receive the applications electronically. Students will create a username and password at each college website and then will be able to save and edit their application prior to submitting it. Students are advised to make sure the application is completed carefully and accurately; thorough editing is recommended. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed application to the college before the deadline posted on the college’s website. The student is responsible for any fees associated with the application. (Students who have used a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT may ask their counselor about the potential waiver of application fees on a limited number of applications.)

Most colleges provide an “application checklist” on their website. It is important for students to refer to this information to ensure that the application will be complete by the deadline.

Some colleges may indicate that the transcript and/or recommendation must be sent electronically. We do not send school documents electronically. The student should discuss this situation with the counselor so that appropriate measures can be taken to assure that our paper documents will be accepted.

Meeting with College Representatives

College representatives visit Herndon School from mid-September through November.  These visits provide an opportunity for you to find out more about a college than is available on the college’s website or that is available on Family Connections. At this college rep sessions, students have the ability to ask questions and have an opportunity to meet the person who will read their applications in the future. Representatives inform students about the school's admissions process and deadlines, campus life, housing, majors available and scholarships.  Click here for the the schedule of college visits or visit Family Connection (accessible via Blackboard at http://fcps.blackboard.com), under the “Colleges” tab.

Essays

Many college applications provide an option for students to write a Personal Statement or to write an essay. Some colleges require one or more specific essays to be written. If an essay/statement is optional, it is advisable for students to provide one. Essays and statements should always be edited carefully, adhere to the topic requested, and be no longer than requested. Most electronic applications will allow a student to “paste” the essay from a word document. Be careful not to paste the wrong essay into the space provided!

Seniors will be working on college essays in their English 12 classes. Helpful Resources:

Essays - Collegeboard.com

Essay Tips

College Applications Essays

 

 

Many colleges do not require recommendations. Some colleges require a specific number of recommendations from specific sources (i.e., one teacher or the counselor). With very few exceptions, it is NOT in the student’s best interests to submit more recommendations than requested. With a very high volume of applications, admissions committees do not have time to read repetitive letters! Recommendation letters are confidential and are not shared with the student or parent.

Teacher recommendations are generally requested verbally by the student at the end of junior year or very early in senior year. At least 4 weeks prior to the earliest application deadline, the student should provide the teacher with:

• the completed Teacher Recommendation Form
• a resume or student activity record or other information the teacher might request
• a stamped, addressed business envelope to each college to which the student plans to apply. The bottom left corner of the front of the envelope should include: "RE: Student's full legal name." The return address is Herndon High School.
• The student should paperclip these documents together with an attached note with his/her name along with the names and deadlines for each college. Be certain to express your sincere appreciation to your teacher.

Counselor Recommendations are requested by submitting a completed Counselor Recommendation Packet. Please click on the link below to access the file:

• Counselor Recommendation Packet ( Word )
• Counselor Recommendation Packet (PDF)

Students must submit the request for a counselor recommendation at least 4 weeks prior to the application deadline. IMPORTANT: If your counselor has given you instructions that differ from these general guidelines, please follow your counselor’s instructions

 

College Application Deadline	Recommendation Request Deadline
November 1st	October 4th
December 1st & December 15th	November 2th
January 1 & January 15th	November 30th
February 1st and later	January 4th

 

 

 

 

With few exceptions, colleges require SAT or ACT scores. HHS does not send these scores to colleges! Students can request the scores be sent to colleges at the time of registration for an upcoming test or by going to the website after testing to request that the scores be sent. Remember that colleges expect scores to be received by the application deadline, so make sure to allow several weeks for the processing of your request. There is a fee involved with requests made after testing is completed; have a credit card ready. (A limited supply of registration and practice SAT booklets for all tests, except Advanced Placement tests, are available in the Career Center and the Student Services Office.  Most students register online to take SAT and/or ACT.) 

Special education students may request an extended time exam—see your counselor if you think you qualify.

Students who have taken the TOEFL should also request that the scores be sent to colleges

SAT: www.collegeboard.org

ACT: www.actstudent.org

TOEFL: www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about

 

The college application process is not complete without the official high school transcript and it should be received by the college by the application deadline.

What we require from you by the transcript deadline:

The completed and signed Transcript Request Form (students can add and delete colleges at any time, within the timelines provided below, by notifying their school counselor in person) Transcript requests must be received at least 4 weeks prior to the college application deadline:

• A Secondary School Report form or Supplemental form downloaded from the college website. If requested by the college, please make sure that the student information is complete. Please note that a generic Secondary School Report form will be sent with most applications
• A 9/12 envelope for each transcript, accurately addressed (in neat print or a typed label) to the college admissions office, stamped with 3 first class stamps, return address: Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Street, Herndon VA 20170. In the bottom left corner of the front of the envelope, the student should print: "RE: STUDENT FULL LEGAL NAME"
• Three transcripts are sent for free. There is a $5.00 charge for each additional transcript (paid by cash or check to HHS)

What we include with each transcript packet:

• The official transcript through the end of junior ear with the senior classes printed on the transcript.
• the counselor recommendation (if requested)
• The Secondary School Report from
• The school profile which describes Herndon High School and our school system (FCPS)

What we do NOT include with the transcript packet:

• SAT, ACT, TOEFL scores
• Teacher recommendations
• Any student applications related documents

 

Students are responsible for notifying the counselor when they wish for each transcript packet to be sent. MAKE SURE your counselor knows when you want your packet to be sent to each college. COMMUNICATION is imperative! Each counselor is assisting 50 or more seniors in this process. The student must inform the counselor in person that he/she is ready for the packet to be sent. Students, make sure you know your counselor’s policy regarding notification.

College Application Deadline	Transcript Request Deadline
November 1st	October 4th
December 1st & December 15th	November 2th
January 1st & January 15th	November 30th
February 1st and later	January 4th

 

Scholarship transcripts are requested by the student directly from the counselor and no fee is charged for sending them. The student must provide a prepared business envelope (addressed and stamped with 2 1st class postage stamps) along with any associated forms at least 10 school days prior to the scholarship deadline. If the counselor did not already write a recommendation and a recommendation is required for the scholarship, 4 week notification is required. Students must use this form for requesting transcripts specifically for scholarships.

Mid-year report / 7th semester transcripts are required by colleges so that they can evaluate a student’s grades midway through Senior year. The report shows only the semester grade with a recalculated cumulative GPA (weighted), not quarter grades. The 7th semester grade reports are automatically sent to each college to which a transcript has been sent. The student does not need to prompt the counselor to send this report and the student does not need to submit any report forms that the college may have provided (we do not send them). If a student wishes to have a copy of the 7th semester report, he/she may drop by the counselor’s office about two weeks after the end of 2nd quarter to request one.

Final Transcripts are sent to the college the student has decided to attend and to any colleges where a decision may be pending (i.e., a student is active on a waitlist). This information is obtained when Seniors complete the Senior Survey in early May in a group meeting with counselors

 

 

 

Applying For Financial Assistance

In recent years, financial assistance for college students has not kept pace with the rising costs of a college education. Your family may need assistance meeting the annual cost of tuition, books, fees, room and board. If this is the case, you should be prepared to do a thorough search of available resources. Here are some points that may help you along the way:

• Look for scholarship information on Family Connection and in the Career Center.  Access the various online scholarship searches.
• Investigate scholarship opportunities throughout your senior year. Let your counselor and career resource specialist know you are interested in locating scholarship money.
• Examine information available on individual college websites regarding financial aid, scholarships, and other payment options.
• Attend a financial aid workshop.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students must submit the FAFSA to be considered for any financial assistance including the Stafford Loan.  The application for the school year 2013-14 is available in December.  Complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.
• Complete and return CSS Profile application in the fall if applying to a college using this system.
• Visit the financial aid officers at the colleges to determine:  the percentage of your demonstrated need will be met; the college's loan default rate. (This affects the amount of federal funds the colleges will have available.); whether the composition of the financial aid package changes from year to year; the tuition payment plans available.

NCAA Clearinghouse for Student Athletes:  Eligibility Information:  http://www.ncaa.org
High school athletes, who intend to become student/athletes in college, should apply to the Clearinghouse at the end of junior year to establish eligibility.   Also, make sure to have your SAT and ACT scores sent to the Clearinghouse.  Your coaches may advise you about the feasibility of playing college level sports.