September 2014 Important Dates & Deadlines for Seniors: •
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Early Action/Early Decision: application deadlines vary from as early as October 15th to as late as Feb. 1 for some Colleges. Most "Regular Admission" deadlines are set from Nov. 30 to Jan. 15 (although some colleges have even later deadlines). For more details go to: http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx? PageID=1102 August 1 - Nov. 30, 2014: The window opens to begin working on the UC applications on 8/1. The window to submit your application any UC is 11/1 - 11/30. For more information go to the UC Application at the following link: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/index.html August 1st, 2014: This is the date that the Common Application for 2014-15 will go live. So, please do not start working on your Common Application, or matching your Naviance Account after August 1st!. You can access the Common Application at: https://www.commonapp.org/Login September 16, 17, 18 (2:30 - 3:30pm) in the Pavilion: The OPHS Counselors and Mrs. Hawkins will be meeting as a group with their respective Seniors to review the final procedures, and protocols for the college application process. September 18 (6:30pm - 8pm) in the Pavilion: The OPHS Counselors and Mrs. Hawkins wiill meet with Senior Parents to update them on what their children should be working on to successfully complete the college application process. October 1 - Nov. 30, 2014: The window for submitting the CSU application opens on 10/1. The deadline to submit for most CSU's is 11/30. For more information go to the CSU Application web page at: https://secure.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/undergrad_apply.asp Nov. 21, 2014: This is the deadline for students to request a letter of recommendation for any application with a deadline prior to January 15th. Counselors and Teachers must have a minimum of 3 weeks lead time for all recommendations! The Counselor's Checklist must be completed in order to request a recommendation from any teacher or counselor. Jan. 1, 2015: Federal Financial Aid applications (FAFSA’s) may only be submitted after this date. Paper forms will be available in the Counseling Office. However, the preferred method for submission is via internet through their website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Financial Aid & Scholarships Students should begin having mature conversations with their parent(s) about what they observe and hope for in their future. Make sure to address issues like college location and costs. If the cost of a college is a concern, parents & students should log onto one of the many websites that will help provide the family “EFC” (estimated family contribution). This is a financial aid term which means, after evaluating the needs of the family, that the family will be expected to pay “X” amount of money, no matter what the cost of the college. In other words, the family will be expected to pay, say, $15,000 whether the college costs $16,000 for tuition, room and board or $30,000. These estimates can be helpful prior to submitting applications to unrealistic choices. For more information go to the following link on our website: http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1088 January 7, 2015 (6:30pm - 8pm) in the Pavilion. Financial Aid Workshop for parents and students. To assist them in understanding the College Financial Aid process. Feb. 15, 2015: Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, found online at https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp complete the CSS PROFILE before your earliest college or program priority filing date. At the very latest, you must submit your PROFILE Application by February 15. March 2, 2015: Deadline to submit the Cal Grant GPA verification form to apply. Click on the following link for more information: http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1080 Mid-March, 2015 is when most UC and CSU schools begin notifying applicants of admission or denial. Berkeley and UCLA are the last to send notices (surprise, surprise)!