Welcome to the WACAC Toolkit for High School Counselors! You'll find information, sample forms, and other resources to help you build and maintain your school's college counseling program. Scroll down to find documents related to the following categories:
1. College Counseling Office
2. Programs & Presentations
3. College Search Process
4. College Application Process
5. Letters of Recommendation, Secondary School Reports, & Transcripts
6. Financial Aid & Scholarships
7. Committing to College & Preparing for Enrollment
8. Other Resources & Links
We're always looking for fresh material! If you'd like to contribute to the WACAC Toolkit, please email your documents and ideas to Anne Aubert-Santelli at aubertsa@usc.edu.
To download documents:
1. Right-click on the link
2. Select "Save Link As..."
3. Save document to the appropriate folder
1. College Counseling Office
This section contains the nuts and bolts for creating a welcoming and well-organized college counseling office. Documents include counselor responsibilities and communication pieces.
Responsibilities
College Counselor Responsibilities (for LAUSD).doc
College Counselor Calendar (for LAUSD).doc
Creating a User-Friendly College Center.doc
Communication
School Profile Sample.pdf
2. Programs & Presentations
This section contains sample presentations and presentation outlines to use at college nights and other student and parent programs.
By Grade Level
9th-10th Grade Presentation.ppt
Middle School College Night Presentation.ppt
Senior Parent Night Presentation.ppt
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Presentation Outline 1.doc
Financial Aid Presentation Outline 2.doc
Planning A Financial Aid Awareness Program.doc
Financial Aid Presentation.ppt
Colleges
Community College Overview Presentation.pdf
Where Did They Go To College Presentation.ppt
Application Components
Letters of Recommendation Presentation.ppt
Testing Presentation.ppt
Other
Awards Night Outline.doc
3. College Search Process
This section includes resources for helping students and parents navigate the college search process.
Getting Started
Getting Started with the College Application Process.doc
How and When to Start the College Search Process.doc
What Are You Looking for in a College (Self-Evaluation).doc
College List
Preliminary College Interest List.doc
Factors to Consider in Making Your College List.doc
Safety, Target, and Reach Colleges.doc
Gathering Information
College Information Chart 1.xls
College Information Chart 2.doc
College Visits
College Visit Form.doc
Top Ten Ways to Test Drive a College.doc
College Fairs
Questions to Ask at College Fairs.doc
Helping Students Prepare for WACAC.doc
4. College Application Process
This section focuses on the college application process. Documents include information about applying to different types of colleges, helping special population students through the college application process, and application tips and tracking forms for students.
General
Importance of Factors in the Admission Decision (NACAC Trends).pdf
Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look for in a High School Student.doc
Total College Handbook.doc
Private Schools
The Application Process at Private Schools.doc
UC System
The Application Process at the UC System.doc
UC Essay Prompts.doc
What UCs Look for and Specific Tips for AB540 Students.docx
CSU System
The Application Process at the CSU System.doc
CSU Academic Preparation Worksheet.xls
CSU Eligibility Index.doc
Community Colleges
Helping Community College Bound Students Develop a Proactive Approach.doc
Special Populations
College Policies for Undocumented Students.doc
Resources for Undocumented Students.doc
NCAA Requirements for College Athletes.doc
Preparing Foster Youth for College.pdf
Structured Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities.doc
Testing
College Entrance Exams.doc
Exams Descriptions.doc
SAT Subject Tests.doc
Standardized Testing Plan.pdf
Calendars & Timelines
So You're Applying to College (Simple Guidelines).doc
Junior Calendar 1.doc
Junior Calendar 2.xls
Senior Calendar 1.doc
Senior Calendar 2.doc
Checklists & Tracking Forms for Students
My Personal Checklist for High School Graduation and College.doc
Application Materials Checklist 1.xls
Application Materials Checklist 2.pdf
Recommendation Tracking Form (For Student).doc
Record of Community Service.xls
Record of Activities.xls
Record of Personal Honors and Awards.xls
Application Tips for Students
Helpful Hints for Your College Resume.doc
Tips for a Successful College Application Process.doc
Tips on Writing Your College Admission Essay.doc
Post-Admission Surveys
Senior Survey 1.doc
Senior Survey 2.doc
Senior Survey 3.doc
5. Letters of Recommendation, Secondary School Reports, & Transcripts
This section offers questionnaires to help counselors write letters of recommendation. It also includes templates for Secondary School Reports and Midyear Grade Reports
Sample Forms
Secondary School Report Form.doc
Midyear Form.doc
Student Self-Assessments
Student Self-Assessment 2.doc
Student Self-Assessment 3.doc
Third-Party Assessments
Parent Questionnaire 1.doc
Parent Questionnaire 2.pdf
Parent Questionnaire 3.doc
Academic Evaluation Report.doc
Activity Evaluation Report.doc
Peer Reference.doc
Request Forms & Guidelines
Recommendation Request Form Instructions.pdf
Recommendation and SSR Request Guidelines.doc
Recommendation, SSR, and Transcript Request Form.doc
Recommendation Request Form for Early Programs.pdf
Transcript Request Form for Early Programs.pdf
Recommendation Request Form for Regular Decision.pdf
Transcript Request Form for Regular Decision.pdf
Tracking Forms
Recommendation Tracking Form.doc
6. Financial Aid & Scholarships
This section provides information about financial aid and scholarships. It also includes information about helping special population students navigate the financial aid process.
General
What About Paying for College.doc
Per Year Estimated College Costs (2008-2009).pdf
Financial Aid
How Financial Aid Works.doc
Student Aid Report.doc
Scholarships
Free Online Scholarship Searches.pdf
MALDEF 2008 Scholarship List.pdf
Special Populations
AB 540 Fact Sheet in English.pdf
AB 540 Fact Sheet in Spanish.pdf
7. Committing to College & Preparing for Enrollment
This section provides information for students committing to college and preparing to enroll there, whether at a two-year or four-year institution.
From Acceptance to First Day of College for UC and Cal State.doc
Transfer Get Set Ready Go.doc
Ten Tips for Accepting a UC.doc
8. Other Resources & Links
This section provides a list of recommended books and websites. It also offers information about various professional development opportunities, usch as conferences and workshops.
Essential_Websites_with_Descriptions.doc
Resources_I_Could_Not_Live_Without.doc
WACAC_Professional_Development_Information.doc
Please email questions, ideas, information about inactive links, or new documents to Anne Aubert-Santelli at aubertsa@usc.edu.
Thank you to all of the Toolkit contributors and to all of the current and former Toolkit Committee members: Kay Bell, Linda Conti, Eileen Doctorow, Maureen Eagle-Gelberg, NaDean Krasnove, Bonnie Laughlin, Cynthia Locke, Jami Pillasch, and Linda Zimring.
