13.  HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
Students must provide an official copy of their high school transcript for each school they have attended, as well as any coursework completed at another high school, college or university.

Counselors at many private high schools include a copy of a student’s transcript with their School Report form. Because of the incredible number of students public high school counselors must cover, they usually don’t include student transcripts with their forms. This means that you must go to the administration office to request that a transcript be sent to each college to which you are applying.

14.  SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
If a student wants to apply for financial aid, each college provides its own forms for doing that. In addition, students are asked to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form (for public colleges) and a College Board Profile form (for private colleges). Deadlines for Financial Aid forms are often different from application deadlines. Be sure to pay attention to and adhere to these dates.

15.  MID-YEAR GRADE REPORT FORM
A Mid-Year School Report form is an update of a student’s academic progress sent at the end of first semester senior year. Students must provide their school counselor with this form, the top section filled out, as well as a stamped, addressed envelope.

FOLLOW-UP ON YOUR APPLICATIONS
There are two ways of following up on an application. The first is to call the admissions office at each school to which you apply to make sure that they have received all of your application forms and materials. Some colleges get in touch with students by postcard or email when everything has been received; if that happens, you are in good shape. Be sure to keep a copy of that notice.

The second follow-up step for applicants is to send admissions offices any new information that emerges after an application is sent. Colleges want to be alerted about new honors, achievements, developments, and especially a student’s first semester grades. Sometimes this information can make the difference between getting into the college or not.

PREADMISSION LETTERS
Some colleges have developed a practice of letting especially qualified applicants know early that they are likely to receive acceptance letters. These letters are known as “wink” or “pre-admission letters.” Students don’t have to act on these communications; in fact, no action is required. Just as Early admission letters are a great relief to students, so, too, are these.