College Applications
All college applications should be completed by December
3. However, if you have any other applications
that need to be mailed before January 15,
you must turn them in BEFORE December 7.
It is always a good idea to check with the schools to
which you have applied to make sure your application file
is complete. Do so about three weeks after everything
has been submitted. Some colleges provide this service
online. USC and College of Charleston are two examples.
Check the Daily Announcements often. Mrs. Bickley and
Ms. Easler use this as their main form of communication
when issues arise concerning your applications. When you
are requested to come to the College Counseling Office,
it is in your best interest to do so immediately.
First semester grades and updated transcripts will be
submitted to all the colleges to which you have applied.
First semester exams are just around the corner. Exams
can and will make a difference.
Scholarships
Seniors should check the College Counseling website regularly.
Scholarship information is made available as it comes
into the College Counseling Office and is publicized on
the website under From
the Director’s Desk.
Continue to check with individual college/university
financial aid offices about institutional scholarships
for which you might be eligible.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) is required by most college/universities
before you can be considered for financial aid. Before
beginning the FAFSA your family should apply for a US
Department of Education personal identification number
(PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov.
A PIN is required in order to complete the FAFSA. The
FAFSA can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Families can begin submitting the FAFSA beginning January
1.
Some private colleges/universities also require the CSS
Profile which can be found at www.collegeboard.com.
LIFE and Palmetto Fellows
Scholarships
If you have not met SAT/ACT qualifications
for the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship and plan to attend
an in-state public/private college/university, you may continue
to take the SAT/ACT through June 2008. The minimum SAT/ACT
score for LIFE is 1100/24 with a 3.0 GPA. The LIFE is worth
$5000/year during your freshman year and may be worth more
during your sophomore, junior, and senior years due to program
enhancements. Go to
www.che.sc.gov
for more information on program enhancements. Click on
Students and Parents. Click on
Scholarships
and Grants. Click on
LIFE Scholarships.
Eligibility rules for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
require an SAT/ACT of 1400/ 32 and a 4.0 GPA or that a
student be in the top 6% of the class at the end of the
sophomore/junior year with an SAT/ACT of 1200/27 and a
3.5 GPA. This scholarship can be used at any in-state
public/private college/university. It’s not too
late to retake the SAT/ACT in order qualify for the Palmetto
Fellows. You can take it through June 2008. Palmetto Fellow
Scholarships are worth $6700 during the freshman year.
Due to program enhancements, they may be worth up to $10,000
during sophomore, junior, and senior years. Go to www.che.sc.gov
for more information on program enhancements. Click on
Students and Parents. Click on Scholarships
and Grants. Click on Palmetto Fellow
Scholarships.
Please Note: If believe you qualify
for the Palmetto Fellow Scholarship but have not spoken
with Mrs. Bickley, please see her ASAP.
Admission Decisions
As you receive admission decisions, please let Ms. Easler/Mrs.
Bickley know so that your admission records can be updated.
Colleges do not send acceptance information to the Office
of College Counseling.
If you applied Early Decision and are accepted, it is
your responsibility to immediately withdraw applications
at all other schools. You need to do so in writing.
Second Semester Senior Year
Contrary to popular opinion, second semester grades do
count. If you have already received an admission decision,
colleges expect you to maintain or improve the status
under which you were admitted. Unfortunately, there are
examples of admission offers being rescinded when second
semester grades are submitted in June. If you have not
received an admission decision, be aware: It is not unusual
for colleges to contact high schools to request grade
updates during second semester.
In addition, LIFE and even Palmetto Scholarship awards
are contingent on cumulative GPA at the end of your senior
year.
Good Manners
If you have not already done so, you should write thank
you notes to the individuals who have written letters of
recommendation for you. This includes both teachers and
outside people who have spoken on your behalf.
