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GWCS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
WHO DOES WHAT?

The age-old proverb ‘it takes a village’ can be applied to so many aspects of life — but none more relevant than the college application process. Students, parents, family members, pets, teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators all have different roles to play at different points on the college application process timeline. Although GWCS is a small ‘village’, we have not yet demonstrated the ability to read minds, therefore constant clear communication is key! See below for a FAQ on who does what at GWCS.

Article: Khan Academy - Master Plan: College Admissions

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FAQ
GWCS COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Q1: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AT GWCS?

A: The college application process is something parents and children should work on together. You and your child are responsible for making sure that applications are filled out correctly, and that requests for transcripts, recommendations, and any other required forms are communicated clearly to the school and to teachers in a timely manner.

You and your child are responsible for attending a GWCS College Conference to discuss your college search process in the summer (for those applying early decision) or in the fall of senior year.  At the conference you will be providing us with a number of different documents such as SAT/ACT scores, list of teacher recommenders, list of colleges interested in applying to, a completed senior self-evaluation and parent perspective form.  This information is requested to make sure that we can best assist you in completing applications or working towards other post-high school options.

We are happy to work with you to answer any questions you may have.

Q2: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE SENIOR Personal essAY unIT, THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS AT GWCS OR THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS. TO WHOM SHOULD I DIRECT IT?

A: Our College Counselor team is made up of our English Teachers, Joe Parisi & Elizabeth Mattson; along with our College Admissions Counselors, Alexa Warden and Tim Connelly. The best way to reach them is through their group email: Counselors@gwcommunityschool.com

Q3: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MY CHILD’S TRANSCRIPT, CREDIT, OR DIPLOMA. TO WHOM SHOULD I DIRECT IT?

A: Email SchoolInfo@gwcommunityschool.com

Q4: WHAT IS THE Personal Essay UNIT?

A:  The Personal Essay Unit is a program for GWCS seniors taught at the beginning of the year which uses the college application process as a framework for teaching practical reading and writing skills. It is an English credit, and seniors who are not planning on applying to college can still benefit from taking it. During this unit, students explore the art of the personal essay, with particular emphasis on good pre-writing practices and the development of a unique voice through effective use of vocabulary, grammar, and idiom. For the seniors, this unit culminates in the Essay Writing Retreat at Lake Anna, during which students will write and complete an authentic, positive personal essay suitable for use for their college applications.

Q5: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY CHILD REQUESTED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS. HOW CAN I FIND THIS INFORMATION?

A: Contact the teacher or their GWCS College Counselor directly via email. Spam filters often divert recommendation requests from websites to our junk mail folders. For this reason, it is an excellent idea to check in with your recommenders from time to time - weeks before the application deadline has passed.

Q6:  IS THERE ANYTHING WE SHOULD PROVIDE TEACHERS TO ASSIST IN WRITING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS?

A:  Teachers will have access to transcripts.  Any additional information you can provide helps teachers to address strengths and interests that are not necessarily school related.  We require students and parents complete the senior self-evaluation and parental perspective form prior to our college meetings.  

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Q7:  Who Sends the Transcript?

A:  Each senior is assigned a GWCS College Counselor during their College Conference.  (The GWCS College Counselor is not the same as the GWCS Advisor.)  Your GWCS College Counselor is the person who will submit (1) your college recommendation form which is part of the Common App as well as many other college applications.  Your College Counselor will also submit (2) your high school transcript.   College Counselors should have at least three weeks advanced notice to submit any forms, recommendations or transcript before the application deadline. 

Q8:  How does the gwcs College Counselor know where to send transcripts?

A:  Common App:  Students enter their GWCS College Counselor's email when creating an account on the Common App.  This can be done long before the student completes the application therefore, students are advised to set up their Common App account early.  GWCS College Counselors will receive an email from Common App when a student enters their email into the system, but, unfortunately, these emails often end up in the counselor's spam folder.  Therefore, students must follow up with their GWCS College Counselor to make sure the email was received.

A:  Not Common App:  Colleges that do not use the Common App each have their own submission process:  Mail, Email, Fax, or their own application program.   Students must pay close attention to the details on the college websites and applications to know exactly what they need to do.  The safest policy is for the student to provide their GWCS College Counselor  addressed/stamped envelopes for all colleges that do not use the Common App - do this for first quarter, mid-year and final transcripts.

Q9:  ARE THERE ANY DATES WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND?

A:  Students should complete applications well in advance of the due date.  Each college has their own process, and many of these processes are confusing. By getting applications finished early (at least three weeks in advance of deadline), students ensure that there’s enough time to work out any challenges relating to the application process.

College application deadlines are all different but, most do fall into the following time frames:  Early November, early December, early January or rolling admission.  In addition to the application deadline, it's important to remember weekends and holidays! They increase how much time GWCS will need to get transcripts and recommendations out. Some dates to watch out for:

• August, September, and October: Mandatory College Conferences with senior students and their parents/guardians will be scheduled with Ms. Warden to discuss the college application process and make sure families and the school are on the same page.

• November 1st college application deadlines: Students should complete their application in early October and designate counselor and teacher recommenders on their application at that time. Students will complete their essay on the GWCS Senior Essay Writing Retreat in October.

• December 1st college application deadlines: GWCS Thanksgiving break begins on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving therefore applications should be submitted around November 1st.

• January 1st deadlines: GWCS has a two week winter break towards the end of December and we do not return to school until the first week of January, so applications should be submitted before December 1st.

Q10:  DO COLLEGES WANT MIDYEAR TRANSCRIPTS AND EVALUATIONS?

A:  Yes, some colleges will request an updated transcript and counselor evaluation at the end of first semester.  It is important for students to inform their counselor which colleges want midyear updates.  What is the midyear update process for your colleges?

• Common App - Students need to ask their GWCS College Counselor to upload their midyear transcript and the midyear counselor evaluation.

• Email - Some colleges will email applicants and tell them to ask their school to send their midyear transcript. They may want it (1) sent via their own admissions program, or (2) emailed to an admissions email address, or (3) mailed paper copies. Student needs to explain specifically what is needed to their GWCS College counselor.

• Mail - Students may need to print out a midyear evaluation from the college website and provide it to their GWCS College Counselor at the time of requesting midyear transcripts. Student should also supply their GWCS College Counselor with an addressed stamped envelope and due date.

Q11:  How do I know if the colleges have received everything they need for applications to be complete?

A:  Ask.  If you have not received any kind of confirmation, call the college admissions office and ask.  Be very aware of your deadlines and make the necessary phone calls at least a week before the application deadline! 

Tutorial:  How to Apply to Colleges Using the Common App?

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SAT / ACT FAQ

Q1:  What is the difference between the sat and the act?

A: The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT or ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other. The tests change every year but traditionally the ACT includes a science section and the SAT does not. The SAT does test scientific skills through some of the other sections, but does not have a dedicated science portion like the ACT does. SAT vs. ACT

Q2: How do I register for the SATs?

A:  GWCS does not register students for the SATs or ACTs.  You may register online or via postal mail registration.  To register online go to the College Board website.  (Allow 40 minutes to register. and have credit card available to pay.) 

Q3:  How do I register for the ACTs?

A:  You may register for the ACTs online only by going to the ACT website.  (Allow 40 minutes and have credit card available to pay.)

Q4:  When should I take the SATs / ACTs?

A:  Spring of junior year.

Q5:  How many times should I take the SATs or ACTs?

A:  You may take them as many times as you like.  We recommend taking the SATs or ACTs as few times as necessary to get a score that accurately reflects a student's capabilities.  

Q6:  When are the SATs and ACTs offered?

A:  The SATs are offered seven times a year  from October - June.  
     The ACTs are offered six times a year from September - June.

Q7:  Where should I take the SATs / ACTs?

A:  You may take the SATs or ACTs at any available SAT test center or ACT test center.  When you register you will be given test center options from which to choose.  

• SATs: GWCS does proctor the SATs for four of the seven available test dates. Because we are a small test center, registration for GWCS fills up quickly. If you do not see GWCS as a choice that means we are already full or it is a month when we do not offer the SATs. Refer to the online GWCS calendar to confirm whether or not we proctor SATs on the date you are interested.

Q8:  How do I apply for accommodations?

A:  If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for accommodations from College Board or ACT.   Click on the links below to learn more about the process.  Mr. Mallonee, GWCS Dean of Students, is our SSD Coordinator and he is available to assist you in the accommodations application process.   Allow at least seven weeks for accommodations approval.

• College Board Accommodations for the SATs.

• ACT Accommodations for the ACTs

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