Counselor's Corner » The College Application Process

The College Application Process

MACS offers a college prep program designed to help students at every stage of the college search, application, and decision process.  The School Counselor along with Junior/Senior Seminar classes help to support, guide, and educate our students in their college search. Our goal is to assess what is the "best fit" individually for students academically, socially, and financially.

 

We host college representatives at MACS Monday, Wednesday and Fridays during Senior Seminar classes. Juniors attend the National Hispanic College Fair every spring where college representatives give information about their college or university to interested students. College visits vary year to year for junior and senior classes.

 

We understand the important role that parents play in the college search. Our School Counselor's office serves as a hub for information and counseling on college applications, admissions, scholarships and financial aid investigation and procedures.

 

All students should apply to at least one 4-year college and the Community College of Philadelphia so they have educational options post graduation. Students who are not interested in attending college after high school, should consider the abundance of trade school options in and near Philadelphia. Please see the attachment for local trade school programs. 

Applying to College/Universities
  1. College/University's individual website.
  2. PASSHE (PA State System of Higher Education): One application for 14 PA schools.
  3. Common Application: One application for schools that participate. 
What will your application include?
  • Personal information (DOB, SS#, High Schools attended, courses, jobs, test scores (SAT/ACT), extracurricular activities, family background)
  • High School Transcript (sent by Mrs. Elliott)
  • Personal Statement/Essays
  • Letter of Recommendation (letters written by the counselor, staff, and other teachers)
  • If applying to Performing Arts - audition, portfolio and other supplementary materials.
  • Interviews (depends on the university)
 
Application Fee
  • The Common app offers 20 free applications per account.
  • If you took the SAT, you qualify for fee waivers from your college board account.
  • Many colleges offer fee waivers. 
 
Applying for Financial Aid
  • Students and guardians should apply for Financial Aid start October 1st with the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ .
  • There are two types of financial aid, need-based and merit-based. Need-based aid is based on information provided in the FAFSA based on a family's estimated financially contribution towards paying for college. This aid includes federal loans, grants and work-study programs. Merit-based aid is based on a student's academics, service, or abilities in art, music or athletics. 
 
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