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  2. College Planning

College Planning

COLLEGE PLANNING

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  • Welcome

    College Planning

     

     This page is updated regularly with information that will help parents and students through the College Planning process.

     

    Key documents

    1. Senior College Planning Night Presentation

    2. The College Process Checklist

    3. Class of 2025 Cheatsheet

    4. College Process Calendar

     

    New!

    Commack High School Transcript Request Forms can be found in the Counseling Center. 

    Completing this form will prompt the Counseling Center to electronically submit your official transcript and letters of recommendations to the colleges you have applied to.

     

    As a reminder please complete the form:

    • By October 1 for applications with November 1 deadlines
    • By October 15 for application with November 15 deadlines
    • By November 1 for applications with December 1 deadlines
    • By November 15 for applications with December 15 - January 1 deadlines
    • 15 School days prior for applications with a deadline after January 1 

    Researching Colleges

    map college search

    Where to start?

     Read and reference the College Planning Guide provided by the Counseling Center

     Additional Steps

    • Start with self-reflection, define what you are looking for in a college and prioritizing what's important to you
    • Use Naviance to develop a prospective colleges list and compare your qualifications to recent CHS applicants, refer to this video for guidance
    • Schedule a school visit or virtual tour - You can often find them on the “Visit” section of the schools website or through third party websites such as YouVisit and CampusReel

    College Application: Essential Components

    5 parts

    Over 800 colleges and universities use the Common App for admissions. The Counseling Center offers ‘camps’ to incoming seniors to assist them create and update their Common Application. Please refer to this video and this video for help on creating your account. Many generic answers are available on this Class of 2025 cheatsheet. Regardless of the method used to admit students it is vital that students complete all required sections review it before submitting. 

     

    Test Scores - visit SAT and ACT below

    ACT / SAT / SAT Subject Test: Students must ensure they send all official scores from the testing agency to the schools they are applying.

     

    Personal statement

    A good essay can make a difference. Review the Common App Essay Prompts.

    Start early and have someone review it. 

    Attend CHS summer camp to have your essay reviewed by a college admissions counselor.

     

    Letters of Recommendation

    When requesting a teacher recommendation, the student must provide the teacher with the ‘Request for Teacher Recommendation’ form and responses to three of the questions listed on the form.

    Your school counselor will prepare a recommendation letter after they have received the Parent Feedback and Activity Resume.

     

    Activity resume 

    Record and summarize all work experience, volunteer service, extracurricular activities, awards/certificates and athletic achievements obtained during your high school career. This information can be recorded in Naviance or a format similar to this sample.

     

    Transcript (additional information can be found here)

    Your initial transcript will be sent when applying to colleges. 

    Your final transcript will be sent to the college you will be attending, as reported on your senior survey.

    If a school requires additional grades, please fill out the Google request form for: 

    1st quarter grades (November grades) 

                and/or 

    Mid-year transcripts (January grades). 

     

    Reminders:

    • If you have taken any College Level Classes at the high school, you need to contact the college(s) directly to send your transcript to the school you have committed to. Please refer to the course affiliation list below for additional information.  
    • Your IB scores will be automatically sent to the school you have committed to. For additional information please refer to the IB Programme page.
    • You must also report any AP scores to the school you committed to for evaluation. Please visit the AP College Board website for additional information.
    • Student Athletes

    College Application Processing

    For detailed steps on how to submit your college application, See below. 

    College Financing

    money

    There are many resources available for students to assist in financing their college education. We have complied a short list of resources to help you get started. Please visit our College Financing section below regularly for updates.

  • Welcome

    This page is updated regularly with information that will help parents and students prepare for the College Planning process. 

     

    Key documents:

    1. The College Planning Guide - a start to finish 'how-to' on the college application process
    2. Important Information for Juniors - upcoming dates to be aware of
    3. Class of 2025 Cheatsheet - College Application Questions & Answers
    4. College Process Checklist - steps to complete over Junior and Senior year.
    5. Junior College Planning Night Presentation - overview on the college process.
    6. College Process Calendar - timeline to reference.

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    The National Association for College Admissions Counseling is hosting several large virtual college fairs. Click here to register and learn more.

    Click here to learn about ROAM informational virtual events.

     

    Informational Videos

    Checklist/Timeline

    Winter/Spring of Junior Year Checklist:

    Summer Checklist:

    • Create Common Application Account if you have not already done so!
    • Begin College Essay
      • Common App has specific essay prompts
      • Colleges may have separate and/or additional essays they require
    • Begin working through college application(s)
    • Attend College Application Summer Camp at CHS in August (Dates to follow)
    • Attend College Essay Writing Workshop at CHS (Date to follow)
      • Admissions Reps will review completed essays
    • Add colleges to Common Application account
    • Complete FERPA on Common Application
    • Complete Matching Process
      • Log on to Naviance
      • Select the “Colleges” tab, then “Colleges I’m Applying To.” The Common Application Account Matching screen is displayed at the top of the page
    • Verify transcript, mailed home in August/on the portal - See video
      • Verify CSIP is complete (“S”) for each year 
        • Exception of 2019-2020 school year: grade-W
    • Apply for Scholarships

  • Go To Naviance Page

  • The SAT and ACT exams are nationally administered standardized exams that help colleges evaluate students for admission.  

    • Both, the SAT and ACT are accepted by most colleges across the country.  
    • The SAT exam is a two part aptitude test that consists of a math and evidenced based reading.  
    • The ACT exam is an achievement test that includes English, math, reading, and science sections, as well as an optional writing section.    

    For additional information or to register for a test call or visit:

    Testing Calendar

     

    Review Classes:

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    Princeton Review: What is LiveOnline?

    Princeton Review: Current Courses Offered

    Please consider all academic, work, testing and driver’s education schedules when selecting any review courses.

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    Additional Resources: 

    Khan Academy Information on Personalized SAT Practice Through College Board 

    Methodize Offers SAT/ACT prep course (school district funded) through Castle Learning.

  • How to Submit College Applications & Required Material

    IMPORTANT:  All students must complete the FERPA Privacy Notice before the Counseling Center can process applications.

    1. Go to CommonApp Website and create a Common Application Account. This account is required to submit applications electronically through Naviance, for colleges who utilize the Common Application.
    2. Go to Education under Common App, add Commack High School under Current or Most Recent School.
    3. Students can only see the Recommenders and FERPA section once they've added at least one school to their application.
    4. The FERPA release authorization is found within the Recommenders and FERPA section of the my colleges tab. 
      • Click the "Complete Release Authorization" button. 
      • Check the necessary boxes, including to waive your rights to review recommendations and type your name as your electronic signature. 
      • You will only need to do this once and it will apply to all of your colleges on your list. 
    5. Complete the Common Application Account Matching Process. 
      • Log on to Naviance (from Clever).
      • Select the “Colleges” tab, then “Colleges I’m Applying To.” The Common Application Account Matching screen is displayed at the top of the page.

    SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

    Common Application Colleges

    1. Log on to your Common App account.
    2.  Under College Search, find and add colleges to your 'My Colleges' list. If you cannot find a school, see below for Non-Common Application instructions.
    3. Complete all required items (designated by a red asterisk) under Common App and My Colleges tabs.
    4. Pay required application fee and submit application(s).

    Non-Common Application Colleges

    1. Go to Admission page of college website to find online application.
    2. Complete application as instructed, pay required application fee and submit application.

    SUBMITTING REQUIRED MATERIAL

    Complete the Commack High School Transcript Request Forms which can be found in the Counseling Center. 

    • By October 1 for applications with November 1 deadlines
    • By October 15 for application with November 15 deadlines
    • By November 1 for applications with December 1 deadlines
    • By November 15 for applications with December 15 - January 1 deadlines
    • 15 School days before deadline for deadlines after January 1 

    The Counseling Center will electronically submit the following items through Naviance. 

    • Official Transcript, Counselor Recommendation, Commack High School Teacher Recommendations, Secondary School Report, Commack High School Profile

    SAT’s and ACT’s 

    For colleges requesting official scores, students must request the reports through the appropriate testing agency:

    Additional material

    Students are responsible for sending all other required or optional items 

  • College is expensive, as overwhelming as that may be, there are many different options available to students to reduce those costs.

    Though this is not all encompassing, the resources we provide will help you start your journey of maximizing the financial aid you receive.

     

     

     

     

    Financial aid comes in many forms:

    • Grants are usually need based and do not need to be repaid.
    • Scholarships are typically merit based and do not need to be repaid.
    • Loans are borrowed money that usually has to be repaid with accrued interest.
    • Work-study is a federal program that allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time.

  • Federal Application for Student Aid is generally the first step in applying for financial aid to secure student/parent loans, grants, and work-study opportunities from the government. The FASFA application will open on December 1, 2024.  File early as some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please apply on the FAFSA website.

     

    Similarly to the federal programs, NYS provides students financial assistance with their own eligibility criteria and programs. Please visit the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) for additional information. The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application can be completed during the FAFSA submission confirmation page.

     

    During the first two months of the school year we host a Financial Aid evening program run by a Financial Aid Officer to provide families with valuable information.

     

     

    Additional Resources

  • Head to the Scholarships Page

  • 2024-25 coming soon!

  • Before the PSAT

    Official PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide

    Preparing for the PSAT

    On PSAT Day

    What To Bring On Test Day

    After the PSAT

    Create a College Board Account

    Understanding PSAT Results

    Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report - Video

    Official SAT Practice