Seniors - Important Information
Information you will need for your applications:
RA's CEEB Code 393581
Academic Counselor: Tracey Behrens O'Brien tracey.behrens@rak12.org 610-983-4080 x119
Renaissance Academy Charter School is a PUBLIC CHARTER school
Your GPA is on a 4.5 weighted scale. (Where 4.5 is not an option, use 4.0)
Your class rank is weighted and exact.
Use the transcript you were given in class to view your cumulative GPA and rank. Skyward shows you a projection for what your GPA would be if the school year was over right now (it's not).
Sociology, Debate, Criminal Justice, Psychology are all half year courses and therefore .5 credits each
Soc and Debate are regular HS classes; Crim and Psy are dual enrollment classes
Fine arts classes are .5 credits each
Allied Health and Teacher Leadership Academy are honors courses and count as TWO credits!
When completing a SRAR, enter only FINAL grades (not trimester grades) and all courses for senior year should be "in progress" (without a numerical grade).
Use the recorded session on transcripts to help you recalculate your GPA if you need to provide it on a 4.0 scale or unweighted. Transcripts 101: How to read it and where will it take you? Slides, Video Recording
Most of you started high school August 2020 (even if you started at RA in 1st grade -do not put 2012...the application is asking when you started HS)
For the FERPA waiver section, it is expected that you choose to waive your right to read letters of recommendation. If you are not sure about this schedule an appointment with Mrs. Behrens before making your selection as this cannot be reversed once submitted via the Common App. This waiver is filed and applies to all current and future college applications.
Fall English Classes: Mrs. Behrens walks through the college process with seniors
Sept 8, 12, 14, 18, 19, 27 & Oct 18
Early Applications
Nov 1 Early Decision and Early Action deadline for many colleges! Here is a partial list, but ALWAYS use the college's application/website as a primary source!
Students applying Early Decision must communicate this to Mrs. Behrens by Sept 15th.
Oct 1: the last day to let Mrs. Behrens know you need a LOR from her for a Nov 1 deadline.
Oct 15: the last day to submit a transcript request for a Nov 1 deadline. Two weeks is needed to prepare and upload all the required forms and letters of rec (including the Counselor's rec) and allow time for the college to receive them before Nov 1.
Nov 17 Target date for completion of all college applications (before Thanksgiving break)
College Application Deadlines by School:
Top Competitive Colleges List of Deadlines
Standard College Deadlines (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the chart. This is only a guide- check the college-specific website to conform reported deadline accuracy.)
Colleges with Later Deadlines or Rolling Admissions (Beware of the thought "The college has rolling admissions so it doesn't matter how late my application is..." Many colleges with rolling admissions fill their freshmen rosters sooner than colleges with late deadlines; they review applications as soon as they get them instead of waiting until all applications have been submitted.)
NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS
Please take care to read the statistics posted in Naviance or college specific websites regarding admissions criteria (SAT Scores, GPA, etc.). Have an INTENTIONAL METHOD for applying to fit schools, safety schools, and reach schools.
To be sure you are intentionally applying, use this document. You should have more FIT schools than REACH or SAFETY. A general rule is to apply to between 5-10 colleges. Many students narrow their choices to 2-3 safety, 4-6 meet, 2-4 reach. You will likely apply to less schools if you have a very specific major in mind or have done extensive research/college visits.
It is important to keep track of your applications- which is accomplished by checking your email daily and using a tracking sheet like this one, which has examples in it for you. Make a copy, rename it, and delete the samples once you understand what it should look like.
LBGTQ+ - Best of the Best
College Essay
The College Essay Guy is one of the best resources! Check out some of his resources!
College Essay Guy's Favorite College Application Resources Right Now
How to Write a Great Personal Statement (Pt. 1)
How to Write the Supplemental Essays (and the Rest of the Application) (Pt. 2)
How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List - You only get 150 characters on the activities list for the Common Application. How do you make the most of that space? Here's a guide.
How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section - Many students underutilize this important section, or feel they have to jam every last detail of their lives into their personal statement. Here, I share a handful of things that you might consider sharing in this *optional* section.
How to Write the "Why Us?" Essay - The "Why Us?" essay is one of the most common supplemental essay prompts. Your mission: to demonstrate—through specific details and examples—why you’re a great match for a particular school. This guide walks you through it.
The College Application Hub - Working on your "Why this major?" or extracurricular essay? Trying to figure out how to get great teacher recommendations? Not sure how to prepare for your college interview? Chances are, it's on this page. I keep this one bookmarked.
Tackling the Optional COVID-19 Question in the Common App - This guide will show you how (or if) you should answer that optional 250 word question in the Common Application on COVID-19.
You will also work on this in your English class and with Mrs. Behrens
*Acceptances*
There are TWO steps!
1. When you are accepted to a college, change the status in Naviance (Change your status in Naviance if you are denied or waitlisted too.)
2. Fill out this form for each school as you are accepted- It is 3 questions. (Lists acceptance and scholarship information)
FAFSA
From the US Department of Education Federal Student Aid website: 12th-grade College Prep Checklists PDF Checklist
Families can begin to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) OCTOBER 1. For detailed information, go to our Financial Aid page.
From Penn State Director for Undergraduate Admissions:
"Our application opens at 8:00 a.m. September 1, but there is no advantage to submitting the application at 8:01 a.m. on September 1! As long as we receive their application and related materials by our recommended filing date of November 30, students will receive equal consideration as part of our first review group.
Student opportunity is greatest as part of this first review group. It gets progressively more difficult to be admitted to their first choice campus and program as the admission review season moves along.
Older Resources ala pandemic:
2022ThursLIVE@5
Here is a review of resources from Spring 2021… a MUST SEE if you haven’t done so already.
April 8 Class of 2022 College/Financial Aid meeting for students and parents/guardians Financial Aid Slides ; College Intro Info Slides Video Recording
May 6 Live@5 Navigating Naviance for the College Process Slides, Video Recording
May 13 Live@5 Letters of Recommendation Slides, Video Recording
May 20 Live@5 Common App Set Upp Slides, Video Recording
May 27 Live@5 Transcripts 101 / Now→ Aug 1 Slides, Video Recording