Meet your College & Career Reps!Riverside High School offers students opportunities to meet College & Career Programs Representatives through information sessions and showcase events. Students can learn more about colleges, requirements, careers, & much more by listening to presentation and asking reps questions. These events are open to all Riverside students & parents!
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Application AssistanceCollege & financial aid applications can be confusing, but school counselors can help you get them done! College Quest is an opportunity for students to work on college and scholarship applications with their school counselor by their side. College Quest is open to all students and is usually held the last Friday of the month.
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Financial Aid & ScholarshipsEveryone should apply for financial aid! Financial aid programs offset the cost of college through grants, scholarships, work study, and educational loans. Typically students/families need to apply for financial aid at three levels: Federal, State and Institutional. Applying for all three levels of aid usually reduces the student's need for a school loan.
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College Application Information
What are colleges looking for in a student?
Well rounded student - a balance between rigorous classes and after-school activities
GPA (grade point average)
Test scores (ACT and SAT)
Community service hours
Rigorous courses taken (Dual Enrollment, AP, Honors)
Extra-curricular and leadership activities
GPA (grade point average)
Test scores (ACT and SAT)
Community service hours
Rigorous courses taken (Dual Enrollment, AP, Honors)
Extra-curricular and leadership activities
What to think about when searching for colleges
What is the graduation rate at this college?
How long on average does it take for a student to earn their degree from this college?
What is the cost per semester for classes, books, room, and board?
What is the percentage of students who come back freshmen year?
Does the college offer my major?
Compare and research colleges with the college scorecard:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
How long on average does it take for a student to earn their degree from this college?
What is the cost per semester for classes, books, room, and board?
What is the percentage of students who come back freshmen year?
Does the college offer my major?
Compare and research colleges with the college scorecard:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
College Applications Tips
Every student should apply to at least FIVE (5) college/universities in September of their Senior year. Why?
Some college applications are tedious and time consuming. Here are some notes to help you with the process:
- The earlier your application is submitted, the better your chances of admissions for most schools. Do not wait for the perfect test score or for a certain GPA mark. Many colleges will continue to review applications that are submitted early or at least by the application deadline.
- Your Senior Year will fly by. You will be busy with financial aid applications and taking ACT and SAT in October; class mid-terms in November; finals and winter break in Dec. Boom. Half the school year already gone. Spring? College application deadlines will have passed.
- You have to make the time. Work and other extra-curricular activities can wait. After all, isn’t this what you have been striving for all this time?
Some college applications are tedious and time consuming. Here are some notes to help you with the process:
- Application/Student Status – All Seniors, regardless of the number of dual enrollment classes completed, should apply as “First-time Freshman”. Colleges recognize you as a current high school student until you have attended a college or university as a full-time, adult student.
- Application Essays – ALWAYS DO THEM. Helpful hint: Type, Save, Edit, Copy, Paste. Application essays questions may be the same or similar to each other. Type your essays, have a teacher proof-read them, save them. Then, cut and paste to different applications.
- Common App websites – These sites allow you to apply for multiple schools through one application. Check with your intended university to see if they accept applications though one of the following application sites:
- Course History/SSAR Report – Use your Course History in Focus to see what and when you took classes that should be included on your college applications or SSAR reports. Your course history also shows your cumulative GPAs that should be reported to colleges.
- Class Rank – This information is usually available in September, February, and May. Students are provided a copy of their Academic History once this item is updated in the system.
- Fee Waivers -
- ACT/SAT Test Fee Waivers are available for Juniors and Seniors. Click the ACT/SAT Info tab for more information.
- College Application Fee Waivers – Students can submit college application fee waivers to universities as directed by the university.
- SAT College Application Fee Waivers – available in the student’s College Board account after they take an SAT using a test fee waiver.
- ACT College Application Fee Waiver – available from your school counselor.
- NACAC College Application Fee Waiver – available from your school counselor. Student is required to have attended at least one NACAC College Fair while enrolled in high school in order to use this waiver form.
- Recommendation letters – Students should email the person or counselor they would like to have write a letter for them. School counselors will write a letter based on academic achievements. If you would like extra-curricular, community service, or other information included in the letter, please include this information in your email request to the counselor.
Post-secondary ready scores
Post-secondary ready or college-ready scores are one way college determine if you are ready to handle college-level work (reading, writing, and math). Students can earn college-ready scores through ACT, SAT, and PERT (in some cases). Students can use college-ready scores to help with college admissions and to meet dual enrollment eligibility requirements.
What does it mean if you are NOT post-secondary ready? You may be advised to take remedial math and/or English/Reading courses in college. These courses are not covered by financial aid and will not count towards a degree.
What does it mean if you are NOT post-secondary ready? You may be advised to take remedial math and/or English/Reading courses in college. These courses are not covered by financial aid and will not count towards a degree.