Maria Gonzalez, College Counselor, mgonzalez@camdencsn.org

Kyra O'Brien, College Counselor, kobrien@camdencsn.org

Camden Academy Charter High School

250 Federal Street, Camden, NJ 08103
856-365-1000

Academic Profile

https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/outreach/target/parents.jsp

https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-12th-grade

http://blog.gotocollegefairs.com/parent-tips-dos-and-donts-of-helping-your-child-apply-for-college/

ACT - www.actstudent.org

SAT - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/well/family/coronavirus-virtual-college-tours.html

https://campustours.com/

https://www.commonapp.org/explore/

https://www.nacacfairs.org/

https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/

https://www.theclassroom.com/scholarships-for-low-income-inner-city-youth-13607466.html

FAFSA Opens October 1, 2021 - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

How to create a FSA ID

Apply for Federal and State Student Aid in 8 Easy Steps

The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. The PSAT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. This test offers underclassmen a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. Sophomores are encouraged to take the PSAT. This is not a mandatory test.

• Talk to your parents and teachers about going to college

• Build strong relationships with your teachers

• Visit colleges either in person or virtually, read about different colleges and universities

• Make good personal and educational choices; use your time wisely

• Serve in your community

• Maintain great attendance at school, work, etc.

• Get involved and find your passions

• Prepare for standardized tests

• Challenge yourself

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

CLASS OF 2022 - SENIOR YEAR 

1. Plan to visit colleges in person or virtually during the pandemic

2. Update your information in Naviance

3. Plan out your SAT and ACT testing - Prepare for both of these college tests in Naviance with "Naviance Test Prep"

• Use the College Match section of Naviance to continue researching colleges

• Start preparing for ACT and SAT

• If you are applying to a 4 yr college create your Common App account at CommonApp.org,

• If you plan to join the armed forces, research the branch you are interested in and contact a recruiting office

• If you plan to attend a trade school, research several trade schools and the programs they offer

• Students and parents should start finalizing college preferences

• Parents: Order a copy of your IRS tax transcript for 2019

• Students must decide if they will be taking the SAT Subject tests: certain colleges require them; find out if any of your schools require the subject test

• Students must complete one “Student Brag Sheet” survey in Naviance for each teacher from whom they wish to receive a letter of recommendation, and one “Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire request” form as well as formally request a letter from each teacher in the “colleges I am applying to” section of Naviance

• Students who wish to participate in a team sport in college need to register with NCAA Clearinghouse

• College essay must be completed--Check out the Common App essays questions

• Schedule an appointment with your college counselor if you plan to apply to a college through the “early decision” process

• Set a plan for the year: fill your calendar with application deadlines

• Research EOF programs in NJ, and get to know the process

• If you are going to the military, start preparing for the ASVAB, which is the Military aptitude examination

• If you are going to trade school, contact the schools you are interested in applying to and set up an appointment with them

• The 2021- 2022 FAFSA goes live this month! Start getting your parents’ financial information so you are ready to fill out your financial aid

• Speaking of FAFSA, you and a parent need to create your FSA ID. You should also order your parents’ tax transcript for 2020! If you have a sibling that is in college currently or has attended within the last 4 yrs, your parents should have a FAFSA ID

• Final college essay must be complete by October 26

• Students applying to Rutgers University by the priority deadline must complete their applications by October 26; priority application deadline is November 1

• Students planning to apply to Rutgers University must complete application by November 23; application deadline is December 1

• College Deadlines are approaching! If you have a January 1 deadline, your applications must be complete by the week before we go on Winter Break

• Have both your college applications AND your FAFSA complete before Winter Break

• There are still colleges you can apply to; many colleges have January or February 15 application deadlines

• Check out the planned instant decision days at your school

• If you have not completed the FAFSA, please do so

• If you are planning on attending a community college, create your account and fill out your application

• College applications should be finalized

• Watch for your financial aid packages; students and parents with questions about their financial aid packages should reach out to their counselor

• Students accepted to college should be receiving financial aid packages, if you have not received a package from your school of choice, call the financial aid office immediately

• If you have not yet decided where you are going to college, keep weighing your options; be sure to visit as many campuses as you can

• College selection process should be wrapping up: May 1st is decision day

• If you have not visited the colleges you’ve been accepted to, use spring break to make that happen

• Students intending to participate in the EOF program at Camden County College should complete the EOF application

• May 1 is National College Decision Day--Stay tuned for exciting programming

• College deposits due - the average college deposit is between $100 and $500; plan accordingly

• Once you have selected a college, you’ll have paperwork to fill out for your new school

• Just because you are graduating doesn’t mean we are not here to help...please reach out to us when you have questions 

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

This timeline is a guide to assist you with making your own calendar of important dates.

• Create/update your Resume in Naviance 

• Complete all assessments 

• Establish your "I’m Thinking About This College" list

• Decide which schools you may want to visit

• Take the PSAT one more time for practice (October)

• Attend the Camden Academy College Fair (Date TBD)

• Attend the Camden Academy Financial Aid Night (Date TBD)

• Complete Junior community service hours required for graduation

• Complete the Game Plan in Naviance 

• Begin visiting schools and gathering further information either in person or virtually

• Meet with your counselor for a Post-Secondary Planning conference

• Begin taking standardized tests (SAT/ACT/ Subject Tests)

• Attend a Spring College Fair visit: www.nationalcollegefairs.org

• Consider a summer enrichment program or internship

• Before leaving for summer break, begin asking at least two teachers for recommendation letters

• Complete a Brag Sheet and provide this to each teacher you are requesting a letter from

• Complete a recommendation request through Naviance

• Continue visiting colleges and gathering information

• Get a head start on completing senior Community Service hours

  • You may begin as early as the end of your Junior year at Academy!

• Continue to volunteer and stay involved, perhaps attend a summer program or internship

• Narrow down your “Colleges I’m thinking about” (5-7 schools)

• Move “Colleges I’m thinking about” to “Colleges I’m applying to” in Naviance

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE