- AVON GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL
- Guidance
- College Planning for Students
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College Planning for Students
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Requesting TranscriptsThere are two types of transcripts: Official transcripts are to be submitted with your college application because they have a seal and are signed by your Guidance Counselor. Unofficial transcripts may be used to take with you on college visits, as the seal and signature aren't necessary.
Transcripts contain courses, grades, cumulative grade point average (grades 9-11), and credits. A school profile, which explains course coding and weighting of courses, is also sent with transcripts.
To request transcripts, first submit the request via Naviance and second, download and complete a Transcript Release Permission Form, then turn it in to Guidance. Transcripts will be sent within 5 school days of the date your permission form is received. Transcripts will not be sent unless they are requested properly and a release form is received. If you are not a current AGCS student, please email Ms. Alaxson at malaxson@agcharter.org to request a transcript. Please include the address at which the transcript needs to be sent to.
For teacher/counselor recommendations, you must request in person and via Naviance.
College Planning Timelines
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9th-10th Grade
- Make sure you are taking a strong class load! Colleges and universities want to see students challenge themselves)
- Meet with your Guidance Counselor to discuss classes and post-secondary planning
- Start learning about the college admission process and the SAT and ACT
- Get Involved – Colleges want to see well rounded students who are involved in their school and community.
- Consider a college savings plan – College can be expensive so start thinking about your finances and how to plan ahead.
- Explore your career interests using Naviance, collegeboard.org and other online websites
- Take the PSAT
- Earn good grades and maintain a strong GPA
- Begin researching and contacting colleges and universities that interest you
- Check out Collegeboard.org's 9th-10th Grade College Planning Timeline
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11th Grade
- Stay on track with your classes and grades
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities
- Take challenging classes and make sure you are taking the classes you need for schools you are interested in (i.e. some schools require 2 years of a language or some may require 4 years of math etc.)
- Prepare for and take the PSAT, SAT, and ACT
- Request letters of recommendation
- Evaluate your education options and use Naviance make a college list
- Have a Junior Meeting with your Guidance Counselor
- Visit colleges and universities
- Plan for the application process, financial aid process, and scholarship process
- Start working on college essays
- Check out Collegeboard.org's 11th Grade College Planning Timeline
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12th Grade
- Stay on track with your classes, grades, and extracurricular activities
- Have a Senior Meeting with your Guidance Counselor
- Finalize your college list and apply
- Use Naviance to request transcripts and letters of recommendation be sent
- Keep track of your deadlines
- Check out Collegeboard.org's College Application Timeline
- Continue your scholarship search
- Submit Financial Aid forms
- Make your final decisions and follow that college’s enrollment process
Creating a College List - What to Consider
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Create a list of schools that interest you and where you wish to apply. Find the requirements for these schools:
- SAT/ACT
- GPA
- Class Rank: most schools ask for class rank, but since AGCHS is such a small institution we do not calculate class rank.
Research what is important to the schools – what are they looking for? You can find this information in the applying tab when you search a college in Collegeboard.org. For example, you can search for West Chester University and get lots of details about the University and application process.
Based on the requirements you find for the schools in which you are interested, you can then create a list that includes the following types of schools. We encourage submission of at least five applications:
- Two to “safety” schools – schools whose expected SAT/ACT range include scores below your SAT/ACT scores
- Two to “target” schools – schools whose expected SAT/ACT range includes your SAT/ACT scores
- One to a “reach” school – a school whose expected SAT/ACT range includes scores above your SAT/ACT score
Here's a great tip! Research which schools will waive your application fee if you attend an open house or tour. Application fees can run as high as $80, and if you apply to three schools that’s $240, a.k.a. A LOT OF MONEY!
College Admission Terms & Definitions
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ACT
American College Test battery, which includes tests in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Sometimes taken in lieu of or in addition to an SAT.
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Common Application
A standard application form accepted by participating colleges. One application is completed, copied and sent to colleges that accept this form of application. Each college may require supplemental material.
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CSS Profile
A form required by some colleges, universities, and private scholarship programs to award their own private financial aid funds. Students pay a fee to register and send reports to colleges and programs that use it.
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Deferred Decision
An admission decision by the college is postponed until a future time.
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Early Action
Students who apply under a college’s early action plan receive a decision earlier than the standard response date but are not required to accept the admission offer or to make a deposit prior to May 1.
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Early Decision
Students who apply under early decision commit to enroll at the college if admitted. Application deadlines are usually in November or December with a mid-to-late December notification date.
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FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A form completed by all applicants for federal student aid. Completion of the FAFSA is also sufficient to establish eligibility for PA sponsored aid programs. There is no charge to students for completing the FAFSA. Forms may be filed any time after January 1 of senior year.
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Rolling Admission
An admission procedure by which the college considers each student’s application as soon as all the required credentials, such as school record and test scores, have been received. The college usually notifies an applicant of its decision without delay. At many colleges, rolling admission allows for early notification and works much like non-binding early action programs.
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SAT I
The College Board’s test of developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities, given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in the US. The SAT I is required by many colleges and sponsors of financial aid programs.
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SAT II
The College Board’s tests in specific subjects, given at test centers in the US on specified dates throughout the year. Used by colleges not only to help with decisions about admission but also in course placement and exemption of enrolled freshman. Not all colleges require SAT II.
