Is there a way to search for particular colleges and when they come to visit or do we have to continue to check these each week as they come out?

Do the transcripts from MIHS include the running start classes?

Yes

As a running start student, do I have to get a transcript from Bellevue college as well as the high school?

Only if the program you are applying to specifically asks for it. 

How can we know what colleges are safeties, reaches, or mid-range colleges? 

You can use websites such as CollegeBoard, Naviance, or those of specific colleges, to see the profile (GPA, test scores, etc.) of the average student accepted into the school. A school is a safety if your profile generally exceeds the profile of a student who was accepted into the college; it is a reach if very few aspects of your profile align; it is mid-range if many but not all aspects of your profile exceed the average profile of an accepted student.

It said "You need permission" when I try to access the link for the "Senior Brag Sheets". What is in the document?

The sheet is for students logged into their school account only.

I am a parent, my child didn’t take the SAT, does this matter for applying to colleges?

Many colleges are test-optional. Visit fairtest.org to see which colleges with this policy.

Can students send test scores to some schools, but not others?

Yes. 

If my student has already entered info into Naviance, when/how does that information transfer into the Common App?

Once you link your Naviance and Common App accounts, the information will automatically transfer. Come to the counseling office if you want help linking these accounts.

Can my child still take the SAT? Do I schedule through the school?

There are testing dates coming up in October. Scores usually take 2-3 weeks. Please see the CollegeBoard website for more information and scheduling.

If you put SAT scores into the common app portal, do you also need to send them to individual schools via the College Board website?

If the school requests. Each separate application will indicate this for you.

Can you provide examples of when it is not recommended to submit test scores.

You may not want to submit your scores if they are not an accurate reflection of your academic ability or if your scores are lower than those of the average student accepted into the school you’re applying to.

Are Naviance and Common App the same thing? How are they different?

Naviance is a program that MIHS buys so that students can explore colleges and careers, counselors can send school documents (transcripts, school profile, letters of rec) to colleges, students can create their state-required High School and Beyond Plans, and more. Common App is a tool used by students to apply to several different colleges using the same application. 

Is there a way to tell once the teacher has sent in the letter of recommendation on the common app?

Yes, the student's Naviance account will reflect when it has been sent (the status will change from "requested" to "sent").

If a teacher who we were originally planning to use for a rec letter is no longer at the school, we can no longer use them, right?

You can invite them through the Common App

Have students been given this presentation at school?

The main audience for this seminar is the students. A recording will be available to them.

There were two options for transcripts, which do we check?

Please select “Initial.”

If transcripts can't be ordered until 10/6, and you need a 20 school day lead time, how will Nov 1st deadlines be dealt with?

Students can request transcripts now, and counselors will be able to send them starting on Oct 6th. The 20 days is to ensure that counselors have enough time to complete the requests. Although students have strict application deadlines, high schools are often given a grace period for submitting their official documentation.

For EA applications, does the student need to speak to a guidance counselor?

Students can come to the counseling department for any questions or conversations around ED and EA.

Where to submit financial info for parents?

We will have a Financial Aid webinar later this fall before the opening of the FAFSA. Some colleges also request the CSS Profile.

Is the Naviance scattergram accurate? And is it for the past 2 years?

It’s as accurate as it can be since we rely on students to self-report their own test scores, where they applied and if they got accepted, denied or waitlisted. It’s hard to have super accurate data since not all of our students take the time to fill out that extra information (it’s not a requirement).

It looks like Naviance is using data from 2011- Present 

If a student isn’t sure which school they will ED just yet, but definitely wants to ED, how do they order the transcript now? Are they required to input the college when they request the transcript?

When you order transcripts through Naviance, you will need to have first chosen the colleges that you want to send the transcript to. If you add another college later on, you will need to remember to also do a transcript request for that college. It is not recommended to do ED just for the sake of doing ED; only apply ED if you are 100% sure you want to attend this college, as you are making a binding commitment to attend if you get in.

If the college recruiter is going to visit Seattle, is it recommended to arrange an interview ?

It’s better to sign up for an interview if you have questions or want to know more about the college.Before you sign up for any interviews, check in with our Career Hub to see if any colleges are coming to MIHS that you would like to speak with. We have colleges coming in every single day and it’s a great opportunity to talk with college representatives. 

If a student takes a gap year, do they have access to info they have put in Naviance or Common App later?

Once a student graduates, they will no longer have access to Naviance, but they will be able to use Common App. Students can plan ahead by asking for letters of rec from teachers that they can send to colleges the following year (or upload through Common App). Graduated students will need to send transcripts to colleges on their own via Parchment. Please talk to your counselor for more information if you are thinking about taking a gap year.

Do you know if early action or regular decision may offer better financial aid?

Neither affects your financial aid packages although you may know your package sooner if you apply early action. 

Just to clarify, I know that the running start classes are included in the transcript. Does this mean that the GPA is a combined GPA?

Yes

There are a few colleges I’ve seen on Naviance where no one from MI has been accepted. Is it risky to apply to those colleges?

There are tons of colleges out there, including many that previous MIHS students have never applied or been accepted to. Find information about that college from their website or the CollegeBoard website to look at the profile of the average student accepted to the school, and use that information to determine your likelihood of being accepted.

How do I get an employer to give me a letter of rec?

You can invite non-MIHS recommenders through the Common App. Come to the counseling office if you want help doing this. 

There is a form in Common App where students need to enter grades - It lists S1, S2, and Final Grade. What do I put for Final Grade?

Please list your final grade for S1 and S2 and leave the final grade blank. If you run into any issues, please see your Alpha Counselor

How do I get a parents' Naviance account?

There are no parent Naviance accounts.

If EA got approved, does a student have to go to that college? How about ED?

If a student gets into a college Early Action, they do NOT have to attend that college (it is not a binding decision). If a student gets into a college Early Decision, they have made a commitment to attend that college and withdraw all of their other applications (it is a binding decision).

Rolling admission colleges - if you apply and get accepted early, does this improve your chances of getting housing on campus?

It depends on the particular college you are applying to.

Does EA help on acceptance chance?

Applying Early Action may show schools that you are excited and serious about attending their school, but there is not a definite advantage. It does allow students to know sooner if they apply Early Action which may alleviate some stress.  

If we plan to ED, when should we request letters of rec/transcripts?

Now!

If I apply to 1 ED, can I still apply to EA ?

Yes, you can apply, but you will need to withdraw your EA application if you get in somewhere ED.

How many colleges would you suggest kids apply to? Reach vs likely?

Most students apply to a total of about 8 colleges. We recommend students apply to 2-3 safeties, 2-3 reaches, and 2-3 mid-range colleges.

If EA was denied, can a student do RD?

No. If a student applies EA and is denied, then they will not be able to apply to that same school again. It is possible that a student who applies EA will be deferred, in which case their application will be reviewed again during the RD timeline.

If we don't think we will get financial aid, is there a benefit to say you aren't applying? Or does that impact merit aid?

Our recommendation is that you should fill out the FAFSA anyways. There is no benefit to not filling it out. 

If your teacher has agreed to write a recommendation letter for you, they are writing it for all of your colleges, correct?

Yes! You can assign teachers to specific colleges through Naviance. 

How will we find out when FAFSA goes live?

We will let you know! You can also keep an eye on the FAFSA website.

Do most colleges send acceptance/rejection notices via email, or will anything come in the mail?

Most colleges send an email telling you to check your account through their school’s application portal, where you will be able to see your acceptance/rejection status.

Are there any out of state schools that consider WA students in state?

Yes. Please refer to this website for the specific states: https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/

Do you have a list of admitted universities for students from last year?

You can stop by the counseling center and we can talk about previous students and what colleges they are attending. 

Does ED2 have the same or similar acceptance rates as ED1?

ED II allows students to have a second chance at applying to a school if they weren’t admitted into their ED I.