-February Tasks for Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman

-FAFSA Information

-Upcoming Events

If you plan to attend, you must register using the barcode on the flyer and pick up a permission slip in the School Counseling office. Permission slips are due by 2/17.

1. Plan Final Virtual and In-Person Visits

If you have, or haven't, visited your top schools now is the time. This final visit can help you figure out which school is going to be the right fit for you - contact the admissions office about scheduling your virtual or in-person visit.

2. Touch Base with your School Counselor

You want to make sure you are on the right track for graduation and on top of last minute college application details.

3. Complete your FAFSA (if you haven't already)

All students, regardless of family finances, should complete the FAFSA so they can be eligible for scholarships.

4. Stay on Top of Scholarship Applications

Continue to be diligent in your scholarship search and application processes. Set a scholarship goal for yourself and conquer it. Whether that’s apply for 3 scholarships per week, or for five scholarships this month, make sure the goal is something you can accomplish. You’ll find that as you complete your goals you’ll feel inspired, and this can really fuel your ambition to do more!

There are many colleges with rolling admissions deadlines (they will accept your application at any time) or late February/March/April deadlines that you could still meet: https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-with-rolling-admissions

2. Community College
Community college is a great option if you are looking to save money, have a specific trade you are interested in, or are looking to get some classes out of the way before transfering to a 4 year college. If you are planning on attending CCBC after graduation now is the time to start working on your application for them. Schedule an appointment with your counselor if you need help with the application.

3. Focus on Your Grades

Now is the time to really focus on your senior year grades so colleges will see the improvement and your work ethic.

4. Apply for Scholarships

Work on applying for scholarships! Start with the ones listed here. Aim for at least one scholarship per week.

The FAFSA is now open! Please see below for resources.

FAFSA Resources

The office of Federal Student Aid has announced the availability of the following resources – released throughout the fall – that will assist partners in preparing for and navigating the 2025-26 cycle:

• 2025-26 FAFSA Roadmap – highlights key dates for the FAFSA form launch, as well as timelines for the release of resources to assist partners.
• 2025-26 FAFSA Preview presentation – provides financial aid administrators, advisors, and counselors with reference tools for staff trainings and financial aid nights.
• 2025-26 FAFSA Prototype – provides the financial aid community an advance opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the FAFSA user experience ahead of its broad release

We will be hosting a FAFSA Event on February 18th. Parents and students can sign up using the link below to meet with a financial aid representative for questions that they have about the FAFSA.

After you are done celebrating this huge milestone, please make sure to bring your acceptance letter to Ms. Weinstock in the School Counseling Office so she can make a copy of it for your records.

Mid-year transcripts will be automatically sent to all colleges at the beginning of February.

Some bachelor degree granting institutions do not require all or most recent U.S. high school graduates applying for fall 2024 to submit ACT/SAT results before admissions decisions are made. Some schools only exempt applicants who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use ACT/SAT scores solely for course placement. Please check with individual schools for details.

Click here for more information: https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/

You want to select the college that will best satisfy your needs, interests, lifestyle, and personal and professional goals. A good "match" between you and your college will be the key to your success and happiness over the next four years. Establish with your parents the budget for application fees and only apply to colleges that you really would attend if accepted. To help you make that difficult final decision, the following "helpful hints" may assist you in determining which college is right for you.

Colleges offer open house programs in the fall for seniors and their parents. Physically placing yourself on the campus and talking to staff and students gives you a better sense of yourself in that environment.

There are also virtual tours and interactive communication sites with current students on the internet that can help in your search for the college that is the best fit for you.

We will advertise any college fairs that come to the area. College fairs are an opportunity for you to speak with college representatives in person.

Representatives from many colleges schedule visits to Towson High school throughout the first semester. You must sign up ahead of time on Schoology to attend a presentation. Information about the visits will be published on a regular basis through the school counseling office.

-Academic program

-Location (urban, suburban, rural)

-Size (small, medium, large)

-Extracurricular activities

-Housing accommodations

-Actual cost of attending

-Technology resources

-Job placement services after graduation

If you are planning to participate in Division I or II sports in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse ASAP at www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org.

Many students like the idea of applying to colleges early, having the process completed by Thanksgiving. Below is an explanation of some of the terms used to describe the various ways of applying early:

Early Decision

Some colleges offer an Early Decision deadline. The Early Decision admission deadline is for those students who are certain of their college choice. Application deadlines for early decision deadlines are usually in October or November. A student who applies to a school under an early decision deadline must sign a contract (as do the student’s parents and school counselor) which states that the student will attend that school if accepted. The student also states that they will withdraw any and all other applications submitted to other schools and that they will not submit any others. Applying to a school Early Decision is a serious and binding commitment. You should speak with your counselor and parents before deciding to apply Early Decision.

Early Action

Early Action deadlines are similar to that described above, but the important difference is that your acceptance is not binding. Most early action deadlines are in November and December, and you will usually receive a decision before winter break. You will have until May 1st, however, to decide whether or not you will attend that school. You may still apply to other schools even if accepted under this deadline. Decisions under this deadline are made primarily on the basis of your performance through junior year. .

Apply online via the college website or go to: www.commonapp.org you can use this one application for multiple colleges to save you time. Make a copy of your completed application before you submit it. Also, print your confirmation page/email when you submit the application.

Application Essay

The application essay is a perfect opportunity for you to directly address the college’s admission committee to introduce them to you from a personal perspective. You can share your reasons for applying to a particular college, career goals, insights, and opinions as well as your accomplishments. Through your essay, the committee will be able to assess your communication skills, while acquiring a broader understanding of your attitudes, feelings, imagination and creativity. The essay should help them to distinguish you as an individual from the other applicants.

Arrange with your English teacher to have him/her read the rough draft of your essay and assist you with changes, as needed. Remember, this is a process that takes time. Start early to afford yourself the time to create a well written essay that you will be proud to submit to the admission committee.

Follow-up after Completion of the Application

Check your account on the college website after the application has been submitted online to make sure it has been received. Periodically check your college account to make sure your transcript, letters of recommendation and your SAT/ACT scores have been received before the application deadline. The School Counseling Office does not send test scores. You will receive communication from the college at varying times regarding additional information that may be needed as well as the admission decisions.

Please communicate with your school counselor should you have any questions or need assistance.

Counselor Recommendation:

Your school counselor will automatically write a letter of recommendation for you once you request a transcript via Xello. Complete the Brag Sheet in Xello. Your counselor will use these when completing your recommendation letter.

The counselor will need at least TEN (10) school days to complete the counselor documents before it is submitted to the colleges to which you are applying. Please watch your deadline date to assure that your paperwork will be completed by the date designated.

Teacher Recommendation:

Most colleges require teacher recommendations. Carefully consider two academic teachers; preferably ones who you have worked closely with and that you feel confident will write a complimentary recommendation for you. It may be a teacher from a previous year. After speaking with your teacher, request a teacher recommendation via Common App. If your school is not in Common App, you will request the letter through Xello.

To request teacher letters of recommendation:

1. Speak with your teacher.

2. Sign on to Xello.

3. Click on "College Planning" on the home page.

4. Under college applications, select the institution.

5. Under application checklist, find recommendation letters.

6. Click request.

Official Transcript Permission Form

An essential step in the college application process is to have your high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you are applying. Have your parent/guardian sign the Official Transcript Permission Form, which allows our staff to send your official high school transcript. Designate on your Xello account the colleges to which you want your transcript to be sent. The form is also available in the School Counseling Office. Complete the required information and return the form to the counseling office at the beginning of senior year if you have not already done it during your junior year.

At mid-year, your transcript will be sent automatically to your colleges with your mid-year grades.

After you graduate, one final transcript will be sent to the college that you are attending in the fall. You will need to indicate on Xello the name of the college you plan to attend in the fall.

Please observe all deadline dates. We process a very high volume of applications. Allow at least two weeks for transcript requests to be processed.

Financial aid is any type of money given to help you pay for college or trade school, and it can come in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study programs. The money can come from state, local, or federal government, individual colleges, or private donors. Financial Aid can be very complex, so be sure to attend any information offered by your school and to reach out to the financial aid offices of schools that you’re applying to if you have questions. You can also view our Financial Aid 101 Smore Here: https://secure.smore.com/n/mkaun

Grants – This type of aid does not have to be repaid, but there may be an obligation regarding grades while in college, selection of major, or employment upon graduation. Grants are awards that may be based on financial need or other eligibility criteria.

Scholarships – Scholarship recipients may have to meet criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, etc. They may also require certain criteria to be met while in college.

Loans – These usually have lower interest rates than commercial loans and must be repaid generally after you have graduated or left college.

Student employment or work aid – This may mean a job that the college located for you or employment you found on your own.

How to Apply For Financial Aid

Use free websites to do scholarships searches. Start your search for scholarships in September of your senior year. Scholarships are available throughout the year. Criteria for scholarships vary widely: academic merit, leadership, service to school and community, talent, financial need, etc.

The FAFSA is the U.S. Dept. of Education’s free application for federal student aide. The form should be done online at: studentaid.gov. Most colleges award financial need monies based on the determination of need on the FAFSA report. You will need a FSA ID to access the FAFSA.

The State of Maryland requires that you complete the FAFSA to be considered for any State financial aid programs. The State deadline is March 1 of your senior year. Information about scholarships available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission can be accessed at: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx

International and undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid but may still be eligible for aid from the State of Maryland by completing the MSFAA, or institutional aid by contacting the colleges they are applying to. Additionally, there are a number of private scholarships and organizations available to help undocumented or international students.

Resources for Undocumented Students: https://www.smore.com/5pw2h

The School Counseling Office will be holding Junior Conferences this Spring! This is a great way for students and parents to understand more about the college application process. Stay tuned for more information.

February Tasks

• Research Colleges and Build a List
  Take some time to research colleges and create a list of colleges you might want to apply to.
  
  
• Create a Schedule for Visiting Colleges
  Spring Break will be here before you know it - take some time now to figure out if the schools you are interested in are doing in-person visits (if they are, register on their site). Take advantage of virtual visit options if you are unable to see a school in-person.
  
  
• Study for the SAT
  Towson will be offering a free SAT for all juniors in April. Make sure that you are studying! Khan Academy is a great resource.
  
  

• Continue to Explore Your Options

  You may think you know what colleges want to see and you probably do – to a certain extent. Be genuine in whatever you do for your applications. Make sure that any community service you do is because you want to do it, not just to fill a space on your college application. You can remedy this by choosing activities you truly enjoy. Explore different types of activities and opportunities to see what you actually enjoy doing. Remember, as much as you think you know, college admissions officers have been doing this forever. They can easily spot students that aren't being as genuine as they ought to be.
  
  
• Apply for scholarships that Juniors are eligible for. Scholarship opportunities will be posted on here and the Grade 11 THS School Counseling Schoology group when they are available.

1. Choose Challenging Courses

Colleges and Universities like to see students taking a rigorous course load. This shows that you're motivated, eager to learn, and willing to challenge yourself. The best way to predict your success in college is to see how well you perform in the toughest high school courses, like AP classes. Add more challenging classes each year of high school, demonstrating your continued growth.

2. Keep Your Grades Up

Of course, simply registering for tough classes isn't enough. You'll also need to perform well in these classes. In every class you take, try your best to do as well as you can. Pay attention in class, take notes, and do your homework. If you're struggling, communicate with your teacher and ask for extra help. See the attached peer tutoring schedule in this newsletter as well as the coach class schedule.

3. Explore Extracurricular Activities

It's also important to be involved with extracurricular activities. Whether it's a club, sport, or organization, find something that you have a genuine interest in and stick with it throughout high school. Colleges prefer to see that you commit to a few activities, take on leadership roles, and add value whenever possible. Please see the attached list of clubs and organizations offered at THS below.

4. Build Relationships

Make sure you prioritize building relationships with your teachers and school counselor. You will have to ask them for letters of recommendation when it's time to apply to colleges. Your school counselor is also going to be one of the best resources for you as you decide on post-secondary options.

5. Start Learning about Colleges and Careers

It's never too early to start learning about colleges and careers! Begin thinking about what you like to do, what areas you excel in, and how these talents and interests might translate to a college major and a future career. Attend college fairs and start considering what you're looking for in a college. Talk to your parents, school counselor, and other adults in your life about their careers and about potential careers related to your passions.