College Application Information for Parents
1. Letter of Recommendation: Only one letter of recommendation is needed from an academic teacher. Your student will also have one from his/her counselor. Your child should have already asked a teacher. If not, they must do this ASAP. Coaches, volunteer leaders, music/art/drama teachers may write a letter if your child is pursuing this field in college and/or he/she was involved in this activity for several years.
2. Updated resume: Should cover all four years and outside involvement, employment, volunteer work. Be sure leadership positions are highlighted (including any for senior year.).
3. Applications: Most colleges and scholarships use electronic applications. If there is a paper application, be sure it is written neatly, in black ink. Answer all questions completely. Proofread! Be sure all applications are signed where appropriate by both student and parent (this includes electronic submissions). Be sure to hit the SUBMIT button when application is complete and ready. Application fees may be paid electronically by credit card or a check made payable to the college for the exact amount and mailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. At least one application should be completed & submitted by Nov. 1.
4. Transcript release form & fee: We require a signed transcript release form for EACH SCHOOL before we can send any transcripts to any college and/or scholarship organization. One form has been given to all of the seniors, and they can come to Counseling for more if needed. It needs to be filled out completely and returned to the Counseling Office with a $5.00 fee (cash or check made payable to St. Thomas Aquinas High School), which covers the cost of copying transcripts, school profiles and recommendation letters, postage, etc. Your student has been instructed on the process for transcript release requests. All requests for transcripts must be done AFTER the application is complete and submitted, but a MINIMUM of TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS!
**Please note** Rutgers and some other "self-reporting" schools do not accept transcripts or any school information until the student is accepted AND has committed to the college. Once this happens, THEN a transcript release form is submitted to Counseling & the information will be forwarded to Rutgers. Therefore, if your child applies to Rutgers, or any other self-reporting school, he/she need only alert the counselor & counseling secretary of their application. No other paperwork is needed unless that is the college to which he/she commits.
5. SAT/ACTs: It is your child’s responsibility to know what testing is needed and when the scores are needed. It is also his/her responsibility to submit those scores to each college or scholarship THROUGH THE TESTING SERVICE. Most schools now are test optional. We recommend taking the SAT or ACT at least once, but understand that may not be possible at this time.
St. Thomas Aquinas does not provide or send out test scores!
6. Scholarships: Both you & your child should refer to Naviance at least once a week for updated scholarship opportunities. There are also some outside links you can refer to in the Counseling section of the STA website. Act swiftly on any scholarship in which you are interested. PLEASE HOLD ONTO ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS UNTIL GRADUATION!!! The Class of 2021 was offered over $29 million in scholarships.
7. NCAA: If your child is planning to play a Division I or II sport in college, he/she must be approved for eligibility through the NCAA Eligibility Center. If your child has not done so already, he/she must go to the website and register/pay the fee. Please note that there is a separate transcript release form for NCAA, which covers the request for an official transcript for NCAA as well as any unofficial transcripts that may be requested by a coach.
8. Financial Aid: All families should apply for financial aid (FAFSA). You can go to the website (www.fafsa.edu.gov) to create your FSA i.d. now (both parent & child have separate i.d. numbers). You cannot submit an application until OCT. 1 of the senior year. The sooner you apply, the better your chances for money. Please visit www.hesaa.org for more information about financial aid.