Connecting
MaiaLearning
Fee Waiver Eligibility
Our Philosophy
We welcome you to join us as we embark on the college planning journey, and are thrilled to be a part of this process with your family. We know that a foundation has already been established the first two years in the Academy. The next two years will be filled with self-exploration, reflection, and informed decision-making as we lay the path for your next steps after graduation from Punahou School.
Student responsibility is the foundation of college planning at Punahou.
Punahou’s College Counseling program is grounded in self-assessment and up-to-date research methods to strive to:
» Encourage good decision-making
» Reduce anxiety surrounding the college application process
» Find colleges that are a good match for the student It is our hope that students and their families will take the initiative in learning about colleges and universities and begin honest conversations regarding post-secondary options through the lens of academic, social and financial criteria.
We stress the importance of focusing on a ‘good match’, rather than what some may call a ‘good college’. The needs and goals of each student lead to a unique perspective for every college or university in the context of that individual. We invite families to ask, ‘Will the student be happy and successful at X College?’ rather than, ‘Can the student get into X College?”
By encouraging self-reflection and self-assessment early in the college research phase, we hope to frame the selection process with all students understanding who they are and thinking about who they wish to become. College Guidance Class serves as a venue for College Counselors to collect information from students to better assist them in selecting colleges that will be appropriate matches for them.
We stress the importance of focusing on a ‘good match’, rather than what some may call a ‘good college’.
Student responsibility is the foundation of college planning at Punahou. From research, through the application process, and ending with acceptance of an admissions offer, the student who listens to themselves, has done thorough research, and carefully weighed the options is the student who is most likely to be happy and successful. Our Punahou College Counselors are your family’s best advocates through this process. The students will benefit from our collaborative partnership as they take the initiative to formalize their plans for life after high school.
A Student-Centered Program
Student Responsibilities
Take ownership of the process.
From researching colleges to completing the application, the student must be the driving force and take the lead. The invested student: keeps track of deadlines, completes the application, and makes sure all supporting documents are submitted by specif c deadlines.
Parent Responsibilities
Let the student take the lead.*
Offers perspective when asked and encourages the student to focus on “f t.”
*An over-involved parent may inadvertently send the message that their student is incapable of doing the work on their own
Counselor Responsibilities
A resource for consultation and support.
Provide pertinent information to students. Explain the structure of the process, provides opportunities for preparation, and monitors progress.
Roles and Responsibilities
Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
Provides perspective and support.
Encourages student when needed.
Let your student do the work.
Takes ownership of college process, from start to f nish.
Research colleges, tracks deadlines, completes application, self advocates when needed.
Explains the college process.
Provides information to help families make decisions.
Your counselor is a resource for consultation and support.
Finding Your Match
The goal is to find a good match – a place that suits the student’s personality and gives new opportunities to be the best they can be. Students should work to articulate their criteria and do their research with enthusiasm! This may be the first time in their life that a decision they make will have such a lasting impact.
Academic
What are the entrance requirements (testing)?
Does adding an arts supplement change your deadline?
Some students may have a very strong feeling about one major or career path and others may not and that is absolutely fine. We suspect some students have an area of study where they feel most comfortable. Be it science, math, English, world languages, social studies or art, students can follow their interests and abilities without committing to a particular major. Think about these characteristics:
Academic
Appropriate academic rigor Students shouldn’t be bored or overwhelmed.They can challenge themselves at any college by enrolling in Honors courses, advancing to higher level courses with AP credit, and/or taking courses in areas that are new to them!
Range of majors of interest
If students change their major, and most college students do, does the college offer a range of majors that they might want to study instead?
Size of average class
How does Punahou (~1,750 in the academy) suit the student? Would they like a campus community bigger, smaller, or about the same? What average class size is preferred?
Social
What type of students do you think go there?
What makes you believe you’ll be happy and successful there?
It is important for students to search for a college in an environment where they feel comfortable and expect to thrive. Comfort doesn’t have to mean familiar. If a good match for the student is in Hawai‘i or the continent, be open to finding it.
Social
Opportunities for social growth
If class expands a student’s mind, the campus should expand their social network and social skills. What kinds of clubs, activities, and special interest groups are offered on campus? Check the listing on the college’s website.
Diversity of student body
Hawai‘i is a unique place. Is the student looking for a similarly diverse environment or a dramatic change? Check percentages for students of color as well as geographic diversity. Are there faith-based, LBGTQ+, or cultural clubs?
Size of student body
Quantity or quality? A student’s desires may be met by both larger and smaller colleges. Bigger tends to mean more chances to join in, smaller tends to mean more changes for leadership.
Residential vs. Commuter
Check the housing requirement for colleges. If less than one-third of students live on campus that’s a commuter school and that means a sense of community is less.
Financial
Is there an earlier deadline to access merit-based aid?
Do any of your colleges require you to file the CSS Profile for need-based aid?
Begin family financial talks early in the process so everyone is aware of financial parameters. Understanding financial limitations is a necessity, but remember that a college may come through with an unexpected final price. ‘Sticker price’ is not always the final price. Public colleges can be a great bargain. On the other hand, a private college can use its own funds to offer substantially more merit-aid to incoming students. Usually, a financial aid award with specific dollar amounts is offered to a student after the notification of admission. Keep these criteria in mind when that final price is made clear.
Financial
Composition of aid packages
Check the ratio of grant/scholarship aid to loan aid. Investigate the college’s average financial aid award as well as average student debt upon graduation.
Meets Financial Need
Does the college have the resources to meet 100% of financial need? Most do not. Colleges meet as much need as they are able, but many leave a “gap” between aid needed and aid offered.
College Counseling Voyage
Grades 9 and 10
Building the wa‘a: The foundation
» Develop sound study habits.
» Take courses which increase appropriately in difficulty each year.
» Focus on the core subjects (English, World language, math, science, social studies). This positions every student to follow multiple post-high school paths.
» Academy schedule helps students learn to manage their free time and improve study habits.
Grade 11
Preparations: Acquiring tools and skills
» First semester College Guidance course designed to empower students to navigate their personal plans and covers admissions factors, college match, college research, & self-reflection.
» Academy college admissions representative presentations at Punahou.
» Financial Aid presentation available to families.
» College Guidance Information Session evening presentation for junior families.
» Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
Grade 12
Setting sail: The application process
» First semester Senior Conference allows the student to confidently launch their admissions process with a focus on the mechanics of applications, timelines, deadlines, process, and the various application materials.
» Financial Aid presentation available to families.
» Fall College Application Information Session evening presentation for senior families.
» Attend College admissions representative presentations at Punahou.
» Participate in extracurricular activities that dovetail with their interests.
» Reflect more on their role in the community. [Am I learning what it means to do my best? Am I the kind of student / friend / teammate that I hope to be?]
» 10th graders take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
» Brief college counseling presentations at parent nights.
» Register to take the SAT and/or ACT.
» Attend College Previews program with Punahou alumni.
» Second semester Junior Conference with the family allows for a student-led discussion of their plans including college match, transcript review, standardized testing plan, college research criteria, financial aid.
» College workshops for students on various topics related to college admissions and preparing for applications.
» College workshops for students to work on different application platforms, the personal essay, preparing for an interview, financial aid and scholarships, and more.
» Walk-in/Check-in appointments with college counselors for individualized support.
» College Previews program with Punahou alumni.
» Support with final decision-making, waitlist process, and transitioning to college.
General Information
Common Terms
ACT
Advanced Placement (AP)
Demonstrated Interest
Standardized test used by colleges in the admissions process to determine student academic potential. An equivalent to the SAT.
College Board program that offers college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. Colleges may grant advanced placement and course credit based on the score earned.
There are some colleges where this factors into college admission decisions. Here are some ways a student can demonstrate interest to a particular college:
» Visiting the college campus
» Attending a virtual campus tour / information session
» Attending their college presentation at Punahou
» Visiting the college at a college fair
» Joining their mailing list
» Emailing the Admission Officer
» Opening / responding to emails received from the college
» Applying to a certain admission plan (ED, EA, REA)
» Participating in an interview (if an option)
Grade Trend
May 1
National Letter of Intent (NLI)
National Merit Scholarship
PSAT/NMSQT
Whether on the upswing, or downturn, the direction of grades on the transcript play a major role in admission.
National reply date. Applicants under all but ED plans have until this date to choose the college they will attend. Commitment to one college, verified by a tuition deposit is required on this date.
A legally binding contract for one year between the student-athlete and the college that includes an athletic aid agreement or scholarship.
The top 0.01% of the students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in their 11th grade year will be designated National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. This invites them to complete a more comprehensive and highly competitive academic review (including grades and recommendations) to compete for a $2,500 scholarship.
“Preliminary SAT” is a practice test for the SAT administered to Punahou 10th and 11th graders. The PSAT/NMSQT results are available through their CollegeBoard account. The PSAT/NMSQT taken in 11th grade is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT score is not used in college admission.
SAT
Transcript
Verbal Commitment
Standardized test used by institutions in the admissions process to determine student academic potential. An equivalent to the ACT.
An academic record of all courses taken and the semester grades received between 9th and 12th grade.
A non-binding spoken agreement between a coach and recruited athlete. Though non-binding, the agreement is that if the student is eligible for admission, the coach indicates an opportunity to play for the college’s team.
Application Terms
Early Decision (ED)
Early Action (EA)
Open Admission
Priority Deadline
Regular Decision (RD)
Restrictive Early Action (REA)
Rolling Admission
A restrictive plan for those students who are sure of their first-choice college early in their senior year. The student, parent, and College Counselor all agree to the terms that the student will enroll if admitted. Students may only enter into one early decision agreement at a time. Those who elect this plan agree to withdraw all applications to other colleges if accepted ED to their one choice. (This plan is not advised if financial aid is a strong factor in decision making as the student will not have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages amongst colleges.) Commitment: Binding.
Many colleges offer this plan where the student applies and receives a decision before the regular decision deadline. Commitment: Non-Binding.
Under this condition, all high school graduates who apply are accepted. Some institutions and almost all community colleges operate with this plan.
These tend to be guidelines by which an institution would prefer to receive the application. Priority deadlines are often used to encourage applicants to meet a scholarship or other target date. They are not the final deadline.
A plan by which a student submits an application by a specified date (usually in January or February). The institution informs all students of its admissions decisions around the same time (mid-March). Commitment: Non-Binding.
Like the open EA plan, this allows students to apply early and to be informed of a decision by mid-December. However, the REA limits the number of early applications. Students may apply to other colleges under a Regular Decision deadline or other exceptions. Commitment: Non-Binding.
A process by which institutions notify applicants as soon as their applications have been processed (usually in six to eight weeks). It is to the student’s advantage to apply early to institutions which have rolling admissions both for admissions priority and for the availability of financial aid.
Connecting with Colleges
College Visitors to Punahou
There are nearly 4,000 institutions of higher learning in the United States and most people can name only a handful of those. College admission representatives from nearly 200 colleges and universities present to Punahou students each year between September and Thanksgiving. We highly encourage students to take advantage of the unique opportunity to connect.
Virtual and on-campus presentations are designed for student attendance only.
Students are encouraged to attend college visits of schools they have never heard of!
Juniors and seniors may attend whenever they have unscheduled time. They may also request permission to attend during a scheduled class as long as they:
» Ask their teachers well in advance for permission to attend (the morning of the presentation is NOT well in advance).
» Don’t abuse the privilege.
» Understand that the teacher may refuse permission to miss class at their discretion (particularly if the student has waited until the last minute).
The college admission representatives are often the ones reviewing your application.
To manage the room capacity, advance sign-up through MaiaLearning is required to attend.
The list of college admission representatives visiting Punahou, both in-person and virtually, are listed under “Events” on MaiaLearning.
Virtual College Presentations for Punahou Students
Punahou students who wish to attend a virtual session will be required to attend the session in a designated classroom..
On-Campus College Presentations for Punahou Students
Some etiquette tips to present your best-self to the college admission representatives:
1. Indicate your intention of joining the presentation by signing up on MaiaLearning.
2. Dress appropriately.
3. Be attentive to the speaker and when prompted, ask questions.
4. Do not eat during the presentation.
Evening and Weekend College Presentations
Some colleges will also offer evening and weekend presentations (virtually and in-person), with the hope that families will be able to join. Punahou does not always have advance notice of these events, but when we do, we will share the dates and times via MaiaLearning.
Visiting College Campuses
Things to consider if families are able to visit college campuses in person both locally and on the continent:
» Schedule campus tours early on the college’s website.
» Research ahead of time.
» Consider scheduling an admission interview if the colleges allows and have some prepared questions to ask.
» It’s okay if families don’t have the opportunity to visit the campus. Take advantage of virtual tours and information sessions, as well as connecting with admission representatives when they are visiting O‘ahu.
Potential Questions to ask College Admission
Representatives or Currently Attending College Students
General
» How did you decide to attend your college?
» Are you happy with your college choice?
» How is the college similar to Punahou?
» How is it different from Punahou?
» How have you adjusted to the weather?
» How easy is it to get to the college?
» How often do you come home to Hawai‘i?
» What do you do during holiday breaks when you cannot come home?
» What is your most memorable experience in college?
Social
» What did you do to make friends at first?
» What do you do when you get homesick?
» How has your experience been in the residence halls?
» Do most students live on campus?
» How is the food on campus?
» What is the neighborhood like around campus?
» How safe is it to walk around campus at night?
» What do students do when they are not in class?
» What do you do on a typical Wednesday night?
» What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
» What are the most popular off-campus activities?
» Is there a Hawai‘i Club at your college? Are you involved with it?
Academic
» Compared to Punahou, how challenging are classes?
» What is the size of the largest class?
» How easy is it to get into classes that you want or need for graduation?
» How often do you see your professors for office hours?
» How easy is it to participate in internships or study abroad programs?
Financial
» What types of on-campus jobs are available?
» What types of scholarships are available?
» How often do you need to spend money outside of your meal plan?
» Do the students at your school have access to free public transportation?
» How do you find ways to save on expenses at the college?
» Was your financial aid package easy to understand?
» What are some essential items that a student needs at your college?
» How have alumni helped you to get internships or jobs?
MaiaLearning
MaiaLearning, is a K – 12 college and career readiness platform that engages students in planning their futures. MaiaLearning lets students develop profiles, explore careers that fit those profiles, and build academic, college, and career plans. It helps students and College Counselors manage the college application process and keeps families involved. If you need any assistance with your MaiaLearning account, please contact the College Counseling Office at collcounseling@punahou.edu.
How does your student use MaiaLearning?
As a junior…
» Academic planning
» Assessments (Interest Profiler, Personality, and Work Values)
» Career exploration
» College database
» College search engine
» Build a college list
» Portfolio (goals, journals, experiences, galleries, and resume)
» Events Calendar
» Self-assessment reflections
» Resources for further information
As a senior…
» Career exploration
» College database
» College search engine
» Revise / finalize a college list
» Financial Aid/Scholarship searches
» Events Calendar
» Track application status (such as transcript and teacher recommendation letters)
» Resources for further information
A parent/guardian account in MaiaLearning allows access to the same tools.
For access:
1. Go to: www.maialearning.com
2. If the email associated with your parent account is a Gmail account, then you can sign-in using the “Sign in with Google” feature.
3. Otherwise, an activation notification was sent to the email account you have associated with your MaiaLearning account. The link expires after 7 days.
If you need the activation resent, please contact the College Counseling Office (collcounseling@punahou.edu).
4. You will then be prompted to enter a permanent password of your choosing.
5. If you have already activated your account, use the “forgot password” option to access your account.
6. If you have multiple students in the Academy (11th and 12th), then your parent account will be linked to all of them. On the Parent Dashboard, you will choose which student you want to view.
Eligibility for Fee Waivers
Punahou School offers a FULL or PARTIAL fee waiver status for various fees required for the college application process. This status applies during the student's enrollment at Punahou. The following chart lists the eligibility criteria for Full or Partial status and the corresponding fees that are waived.
Fee Waiver
Eligibility Criteria
The student meets one of the following criteria for College Board / ACT
» Student is enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
» Student’s family annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.
» Student is enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families, for example, TRIO programs like Upward Bound.
» Student’s family receives public assistance.
» Student is homeless or live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home.
» Student is a ward of the state or an orphan.
The student does not meet the criteria for College Board / ACT, but instead meets one of the following criteria found on the Common Application / NACAC Fee Waiver form.
Essentially, these two added criteria allow for more students to be eligible:
» Student has applied to FAFSA and is eligible to receive a Pell Grant (provide a copy of the most recent FAFSA Submission Summary – FSS).
» Other request from high school principal, high school counselor, financial aid officer, community advisor/leader or other official who can attest to the student's circumstances.
Fee Waiver Benefits
Fee waivers for the following:
» Registration for standardized testing (SAT / ACT).
» Sending of standardized test scores.
» College application submissions.
» CSS Profile submissions.
» Reduced Advanced Placement (AP) exam fee instead of the standard exam fee.
» NCAA Eligibility Center submission.
» NAIA Eligibility Center submission.
» Waived Punahou School processing charge ($15) for sending transcripts.
Fee waivers for the following:
» College application submissions
» NCAA Eligibility Center submission.
» Waived Punahou School processing charge ($15) for sending transcripts.
Junior Year
College Guidance Class » First Semester
All students are required to take College Guidance in their first semester of junior year. Students will be introduced to their assigned College Counselor through this class. The course teaches students about the college admissions process and encourages good decision-making by students and their families through careful student self-assessment and reflections, and facilitating preparedness for the senior year application timeline. Throughout the semester, students and their College Counselor explore the concept of academic, social, and financial matches and help guide the student with their options following graduation from Punahou.
Topics covered include decision-making steps and the process of choosing a college, self-assessment (what college environment is best for the individual student), admission factors, admission plans, standardized tests and their role in the college application process, college costs and financial aid, and current resources.
Junior College Conference » Second Semester
Customization of Punahou’s College Counseling program is most evident in individual college conferences. Students are required to schedule their own Junior College Conference. The conference is comprehensive and lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. This appointment occurs during the school day; students are not allowed to miss class for a college conference and should schedule accordingly. At least one parent or guardian is required to attend.
Who attends?
» The student, College Counselor, and at least one parent/guardian is required to attend. Parents/guardians should work with their student to find an agreeable date so they are able to attend the conference.
What is covered?
» Interpret the high school transcript and discuss how the admissions committee is likely to read it.
» Review programming of courses for senior year.
» Develop a standardized testing plan1
» Review the student’s individualized search criteria (academic, social, financial).
» How to research colleges.
» Acquire teacher letters of recommendation.
» Discuss “Considering” list of colleges in MaiaLearning (those of interest to the students and family, as well as the College Counselor suggestions).
» Discuss admissibility for individual colleges (likely, target, reach).
» Financial aid process.
» If appropriate, student-athlete recruiting, portfolio submission for visual arts programs, audition process for performing arts programs, service academics/ROTC Scholarships.
» Other areas of individual concern.
1Many institutions adopted some form of test-optional, test-flexible, or test blind policy beginning with the Class of 2021. Punahou’s College Counselors continue to stay current with this aspect of the college process.
Post-Junior College Conference
Students and families are encouraged to continue discussions around what entails a good match for the student and take further steps to ensure that they are ready for the application process upon return from summer break.The chart below outlines the various phases students should take after the conference and into the start of their senior year.
Review your criteria
Consider all aspects of life at college: academic, social, and financial. Examples: “offers Biology and Art majors,” “small, discussion-based classes,” “easy access to the city,” “has a Div. I volleyball team,” “offers merit scholarships.”
Phase 2
Continue your research
Access information about colleges from reliable sources and compare what the college offers to what is on the student’s college criteria list.
This is the key aspect of this process so do it well!
Phase 3
Narrow your list
At this stage, shrinking your list to about 8 – 10 colleges is appropriate. Don’t expect all your colleges to meet 100% of your criteria; 80% is a good fit!
Phase 4
Senior Conference
By the time you meet with your college counselor in the first semester of senior year, students should have prepared a list of colleges (8 – 10) that they feel meet their criteria and devise their application plan.
Punahou College Counseling
Junior
Timeline
August – December
Attend College Guidance class
Complete class reflections on time with thorough and thoughtful responses
October • Attend NACAC College Fair
October • Take the PSAT/NMSQT exam
October • Register for a SAT/ACT exam
October • Attend “College Funding Night”
November • Attend the “College Guidance Information Session” for junior families
December • Attend “College Previews”
January
Schedule Junior Conference with your assigned College Counselor (1 parent or guardian required to attend)
Update “Considering” list in MaiaLearning
Continue working on Junior Conference slide deck
Continue test preparation and register for future SAT/ACT exams (if applicable)
February – March
Meet with assigned College Counselor and parent/guardian for the Junior Conference
Identify teachers you might ask for a letter of recommendation and continue to foster those relationships
Formally request teacher recommendation letters
Continue to do well academically
Program an appropriately rigorous curriculum that aligns with possible college majors/careers
Connect with colleges through virtual fairs, college campus tours, online or printed sources
Register for any future SAT/ACT exams (if applicable)
Continue current extracurricular activities (or explore new ones)
April
Attend “Athletics at the Next Level” (offered every other year)
Attend HACAC College Fairs
Formally request teacher recommendation letters
Attend “Federal Military Academy & ROTC Scholarship Night”
May
Check-in meeting with your College Counselor Begin to brainstorm personal essay ideas/topics
Student-Athletes: Complete NCAA and/or NAIA Eligibility Center(s) and request your transcript be sent with junior grades (if plan to play in college)
Summer
Draft your personal essay
Continue working on your Common Application
Refine your “Considering” list based on your research Visual/Performing Arts: Identify portfolio or audition requirements for each of your colleges
Ongoing
Research colleges & scholarships: log them in your College Planning Sheet
Attend College Workshops provided by College Counseling
Attend college presentations
Senior Year
Senior College Conference » First Semester
Customization of our program is most evident in individual college conferences. Students schedule their own Senior College Conference. The conference is more directed, focusing largely on the list of institutions and the mechanics of applications. This conference is approximately 1 hour. This appointment occurs during the school day; students are not allowed to miss class for a college conference and should schedule accordingly. Parents should work with your student to find an agreeable date so you are able to attend the conference. The student and College Counselor. Parent(s)/guardian(s) have the option to attend.
What is covered?
» Review the updated high school transcript.
» Understand application procedures.
» Overview of an application.
» Set internal deadlines.
» Finalize teacher letters of recommendation.
» Send/self-report standardized test scores (if necessary).
» Request official documents to be sent.
» Discuss “Applying” list of colleges in MaiaLearning.
» Map out application plan deadlines.
» Other areas of individual concern.
1Many institutions adopted some form of test-optional, test-flexible, or test blind policy beginning with the Class of 2021. Punahou’s College Counselors continue to stay current with this aspect of the college process.
Elements of a College Application
Letters of Recommendation
Confirm number of letters required
» Some colleges require 1 teacher letter, some require 2. Letters should be from teachers of core courses (not electives or advisory teachers).
» Some institutions specifically require a math/science and a humanities teacher letters of recommendation. Additionally, they may require letters of recommendation to come from 11th and/or 12th grade teachers.
Complete student questionnaire
On the MaiaLearning landing page, refer to the “Dashboard” section. Then click the “FACULTY QUESTIONNAIRE LINKS” to access the Google Doc with links to the teacher questionnaires. Share with the teacher by the end of Junior year or ASAP.
Thank your teachers
Once the student has completed their letter request(s), giving a thank you note to their teacher(s) the week of your first due date is a good opportunity for them to confirm the submission of the letter.
Required letters of recommendation are sent by the College Counseling Office via MaiaLearning or a direct-link upload. “Other Recommenders” - arts teachers, employers, or coaches, etc. will upload their letters into the Common Application or send them via email.
Transcripts
All colleges will require an official transcript, and students must submit an Application Notification Form (ANF) authorizing us to send.
Request at least 4 weeks prior to deadline.
» Complete and submit the Application Notification Form (Google Form).
» One form for EACH college or scholarship (e.g. NCAA, UH, UW, UCLA, Cal Poly SLO, Regent’s Scholarship, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, etc.) is required.
Status of the student’s transcript mailing is in their MaiaLearning account under the “Universities” section, then click “Send Summary”. Documents are submitted prior to the college’s deadline.
Each student’s account will be billed a one-time charge of $15.00 for transcript processing. *If you are applying to an international school, there will be an additional charge ranging from $20 to $30 (price is subject to change) for transcripts to be sent abroad.
The College Counseling Office will submit all required documents prior to the college’s deadline. Requests made less than four weeks before the deadline are not guaranteed to meet the college’s deadline.
Test Scores
Confirm testing requirements
Many colleges are test optional. Students are responsible for checking the testing requirements at each college’s website and determining if test scores will be used in their application.
» Not all colleges allow you to use “Score Choice,” meaning any and all test administration results are required to be submitted.
Send minimum 2 weeks before deadlines
Delivery is neither instantaneous nor is it guaranteed by a specific date, yet colleges require score reports by the application deadline. Sending early is best.
Test Scores
Confirmation of your requests is visible in your online account under “see sent scores”. Delivery is NOT instantaneous. Once requested, score reports may take up to two weeks to arrive at colleges.
Applications
There are several different application platforms. The Common Application is used by over 1,000 colleges. Some colleges have their own application online, such as UH, UCs, CSU, many public colleges.
“Personalized applications” like those from Creighton University or University of Portland may waive the application fee or ess ay requirements. HOWEVER, if the college offers a free application, then the Common Application is most often ALSO FREE. The Coalition Application is another platform and only a few colleges use this application exclusively.
If a college’s application is on multiple platforms, we recommend the Common Application as the preferred application.
Confirmation numbers are commonly displayed when the application is submitted. Take a screenshot for record keeping.
To Track Progress …
Many colleges will give students access to their online portal to track the four parts of their application, while others might email applicants if items are missing.
FAQs
Submit Docs 2+ Weeks Receipt Status
Q: Deadlines. Where are they listed?
A: In the Common Application, on the college’s website, and MaiaLearning.
Q: Costs. How much to apply?
A: Each sending of a test score report has a charge. Processing fee is charged to the student’s Punahou account at year’s end. Each application can have a fee (range from $0 to $100 per application).
Q: How many Letters of Recommendation should students send?
A: Punahou sends your Deans’ letter to each college automatically. The Common Application will list the number of teacher recomendation letters required.* More is not better.
* Most PUBLIC colleges do NOT require teacher recomendation letters, some will not accept them.
Q: Should I use the Common Application or the College’s free application?
A: If a college offers a personalized “free” application, then the Common Application is often also free. If a college offers a special application with no essay, but the college is also a Common Application member, the student may be better served by submitting the Common Application with its additional information.
Other Admissions Factors
Citizenship Grade
Colleges have varying points of view on the citizenship grade. In all cases, the student is best served by addressing a lower citizenship grade proactively. Students should explain the circumstances surrounding the grade BEFORE the college asks about them. If students have a Citizenship grade lower than a ‘B’, the College Counselor will discuss how to address this in the college application.
Portfolio & Audition
The insertion of this heavily subjective element into the process makes admission a 50/50 shot in many cases. Students must carefully follow instructions/ requirements as they usually differ from college to college.
Summer Programs
Summer opportunities in the arts are a great way for students who are considering a conservatory to test the waters. They can see what it is like to concentrate in one area. They can gauge how their talent will be viewed in a national applicant pool. And most importantly, the student can see if a conservatory setting is right for them. Consider the feasibility of a summer experience. Speak with your College Counselor about ways to find summer programs.
Athletics: Remember, the admissions office makes final decisions, NOT the coach.
Always balance being aggressive in self-promotion with being cautious in expectations. College coaches have pressures on them, too. They may paint a rosier picture than is usually possible, so take all the potential good news with a grain of salt. Students should pursue athletic goals but be realistic and keep ALL bases covered.
1. Talk with the student’s current coach. What division level of play do they recommend? What programs can they suggest?
2. Do their paperwork. Potential NCAA Division I and II athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The NAIA also requires registration.
3. Do the research and contact college coaches. There may be college-specific forms to complete (check the college’s sport websites) and sending a sport resume cannot hurt. Work with the student’s current coach and your College Counselor for timelines and strategies.
Punahou College Counseling
Senior Timeline
August
Aug. 1 • Common Application & UC Application opens
Rollover Common Application to new application cycle
Complete Common Application FERPA waiver
Complete Punahou FERPA waiver
Finalize list of 5 – 10 colleges to which you plan to apply
Link Common Application & MaiaLearning
Update “Applying” list in MaiaLearning
Schedule Senior Conference
Complete Senior Conference Prep Survey
Complete Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form (final round as needed)
Schedule any SAT/ACT retake exams
Complete questionnaire(s) for teacher(s) writing recommendation letter(s) for you!
Complete first draft of personal essay
Attend “Fall College Application Information Session” for senior families
September
Confirm earliest application deadline
Confirm application plans (ED, EA, REA, Regular, Rolling)
Meet with your College Counselor for the Senior Conference (Sept. – Oct.)
Have Common Application ready for review
Complete first draft of supplemental essays and UC Personal Insight Questions (if applicable)
Create FSA ID [student + applicable parent(s)]
October
Oct. 1 • FAFSA & CSS Profile opens
Download FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) once FAFSA is completed
Research scholarship opportunities (college specific and those in the community)
CSU Application opens Oct. 1
Attend “College Funding Night”
Attend NACAC College Fair
KSBE Scholarship Applications open
November
Nov. 1 • First major deadline for early application plans (ED, EA, REA)
Nov. 15 • University of Washington application deadline
UH Mānoa Scholarship applications open (New Warrior Scholarship)
Hawai‘i Community Foundation Scholarship applications opens Nov. 30 • UC Application & CSU Application deadline
Send a thank you note to the teacher(s) who wrote recommendation letter(s) for you!
December
Outcomes available for early application plans
Continue working on applications (colleges & scholarships) with future deadlines
Attend “College Previews”
January – May
Outcomes available for regular application plans
Meet with your College Counselor to review options and financial aid awards
May 1 • Candidate National Reply Date (accept one admission offer and make deposit)
Ongoing
Submit Application Notification Form (ANF) for all colleges a minimum of 4 weeks before deadline
Attend College Workshops provided by College Counseling
Attend college presentations
Standardized Testing
Standardized Testing Options/Procedures
Which tests to take?
» The test(s) that the college requires. Admission requirements for each college will be on its website.
» If a college accepts standardized testing, either the SAT or ACT will be sufficient.
» Some decide to take both the SAT and ACT and then their highest score between the two options will be the score to share.
» Though there are colleges reinstating testing requirements, many colleges continue to have “test-optional” or “test-blind / test-free” admission policies.
General timelines / When to test?
Most Punahou students take a standardized test. A few take it two or three times. Check all available test dates to determine what the best plan for the student is. Consult the student’s College Counselor for further guidance.
All registrations are the student’s responsibility
Registering for the SAT is done via the student’s CollegeBoard account: satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
All registrations are the student’s
Registering for the ACT is done via the student’s ACT account: actstudent.org
Reimbursement Policy
The first standardized test taken in the junior school year (either ACT or SAT) will be reimbursed by Punahou.
» Once we receive a copy of the student’s official testing score from either ACT or SAT, we will work with the Business Office to reimburse the registration fee.
» Reimbursement will be posted to the student’s account either mid-year or near the end of the school year.
» Reimbursement only applies to the standard registration fee.
» Additional costs (for example, the optional writing section or test prep books) will not be reimbursed.
» Only a test taken in the junior year will be reimbursed.
» If fee waiver eligible, student needs to use a fee waiver code provided by College Counseling to not pay the registration fee.
When do you send score reports?
» Not until senior year when you know for sure where you are applying.
» Scores are made available to colleges after the complete score report is visible in your account.
» Be sure all your scores are listed in your online account. Contact SAT Customer Service at (866) 756-7346; ACT Customer Service at (319) 337-1270.
Should I use SAT Score Choice?
» MANY colleges do not allow students to use Score Choice, so don’t take any chance of doing the wrong thing.
» There is no benefit to using Score Choice as colleges will always choose the score combination that is the highest. (This serves their ranking aspirations – coincidentally this helps you in admissions.)
What does it mean to superscore?
» For the ACT, superscoring is the process of averaging your four best subject scores (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) from all of your ACT test attempts.
» For the SAT, superscoring is the process of using your best section-level scores (Evidence Based Reading and Writing & Math), even if they were from different tests.
Testing Accommodations
For assistance with testing accommodations, please contact Ms. Tomoko Yokooji, Learning Support Specialist (tyokooji@punahou.edu).
Students must qualify for accommodations. Some students receive accommodations on Punahou tests, but do not qualify for standardized testing accommodations.
» For the ACT: Official paperwork must be submitted after the student registers for a test. This process must be completed for each ACT registration.
» For the SAT (CollegeBoard): Students approved for testing accommodations should have their unique SSD# entered in their CollegeBoard account. The SSD# is available for all future registrations.
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Students taking AP courses will register for their AP exam through their Advanced Placement class in the fall semester. Students not enrolled in an AP course may wish to take that course’s AP exam. If you are a strong student in English, world languages, or social studies, and are considering this exam, please check with your teacher and College Counselor. Exams are conducted during the first and second week in May and there is a charge PER TEST.
Sending Test Scores to Colleges/NAIA/Nominations
Students must send scores directly to each college themselves via their test service online account (www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org.) Here’s what to expect.
Log in to your account
» Check for accuracy of full legal name, address, date of birth, & test dates.
» If not correct contact customer service: SAT/ 866-756-7346, ACT/ 319-337-1270
Request score report delivery
Make payment
» Testing done? Click “send available scores now.” SAT automatically sends all of your scores from all of your SAT results ACT sends your scores per test date
» Testing again? Click “send scores when available”*
» If considering early application plans (ED, EA, REA) request score report to be sent no later than Oct. 15.
» Pay by credit card. Charges are per destination.
*When registering for new tests, the first four score reports are free; additional score reports incur a charge.
» SAT score reports list all SAT scores from all dates taken. Colleges will see all scores and are able to superscore if they choose. (Some colleges do not allow students to use the “Score Choice” option for SAT delivery – check each college’s website for confirmation.)
» ACT will now provide an automatically calculated ACT superscore to all students who have taken the ACT more than once since September 2016.
» AP scores may be self-reported on applications. Official score reports are sent from the College Board to the one college the student will matriculate. (apstudent.collegeboard.org)
Financial Aid
Common Terms
COA (Cost of Attendance)
Demonstrated
Financial Need
SAI (Student Aid Index)
Financial Aid
Package Gap Grants
Loans
Merit-based Aid
Need-based Aid
Net Price
Work Study
The amount it will cost a student to attend college. This is the sum of college tuition & fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.
Total COA minus SAI. Also called Financial Aid Eligibility.
It is the minimum “out-of-pocket” amount families contribute to college costs. It is determined by the college using the FAFSA and/or the CSS Profile. It is subtracted from the total cost and the remainder is what the college will consider when developing a financial aid package.
How a college structures Grants, Loans, and Work-Study to create a financial plan for a family to pay college costs.
Difference between financial aid offered and total Cost of Attendance.
Money offered to a student by the college or the government that does not have to be repaid. Grants may be Merit- or Need-based. Federal Grants include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Grant.
Money offered to a student by the college or the government that must be repaid. Federal Loans include Subsidized Loans and Unsubsidized Loans for the student. The PLUS loan is available for parents and will cover up to the COA.
Money offered a student based on exceptional talent (academic, athletic, etc.). Depending on the college, it can be difficult to qualify for and rare. Scholarships are a type of merit-based aid. Makes up less than 5% of all available financial aid.
Money offered to a student based on the financial status of the family. It is the most plentiful of available aid.
Or out-of-pocket cost, is an estimate of the actual cost that the student and the family need to pay in a given year to cover education expenses for you to attend a particular institution. Net price is calculated by subtracting the scholarships/ grants from the total cost of attendance.
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Every domestic college will need the FAFSA. (studentaid.gov)
This government form is an interactive online form. DO NOT PAY to file the FAFSA. The online form can be filed starting on October 1 of the student’s senior year. It will use tax information from two-years prior to graduation.
Prior to starting the form, both student and one parent/guardian must have their own FSA ID which they use to electronically sign the FAFSA. The FSA ID can be created at studentaid.gov
CSS Profile (College Scholarship Search Profile)
Many colleges also require the CSS Profile. (cssprofile.collegeboard.org)
Check the above website to see if the college requires it. Also check the college’s financial aid website to verify which forms must be filed. Though many questions will overlap, the CSS Profile will ask questions that the FAFSA doesn’t – such as those pertaining to home equity. The CSS Profile can be filed based on yearly estimates from October 1.
Institutional Forms
Does each college have its own institutional form?
A few colleges have their own institutional form(s) that must be completed before they can process your application for financial aid. Many colleges (particularly those which use the CSS Profile), will also want a copy of tax forms to be submitted. This is especially true for international students.
How Does Financial Aid Work?
SAI is an important figure that colleges calculate each school year using FAFSA and/or CSS Profile calculations. Think of it as the family’s minimum out-of-pocket payment. The SAI will then be subtracted from the COA. The difference will be the amount of the family’s financial aid eligibility. That amount is what the college will use to create a financial aid package.
COA
– SAI = Financial Aid Eligibility (also known as the family’s “Demonstrated Financial Need”)
College costs can vary from college to college, but the SAI will be relatively the same. The financial need increases as the cost increases. For an estimate at what the family’s SAI is likely to be, use the colleges’ Net Price Calculator (bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/calculate-your-cost/net-price/focus-on-net-price-not-sticker-price) or MyIntuition (myintuition.org) tools, which can be found in the financial aid websites of colleges/universities. Note that you will need to complete the Net Price Calculator or MyinTuition for each of the college the student plans to apply to as each college uses their own internal formulas for these calculators.
What is a Financial Aid package?
The financial aid package is the institution’s attempt to meet your demonstrated financial need”. It will be comprised of several types of aid, including:
» Grants and/or Scholarships – gift monies that do not have to be repaid
» Loans – available to families regardless of qualifying for need-based aid
» Work-Study – monies students earn through on-campus jobs
The fiscal strength of the college and/or the competitiveness of the student impact is how a college balances grants/ scholarships with other aid. Most colleges cannot afford to meet 100% of Demonstrated Financial Need. They leave a gap between what they offer and what the family is expected to pay.
Financial aid packages that are heavier on gift monies are more desirable than packages that are heavier on loans. Families may want to check the averages offered for each type of aid for individual colleges at College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator). This can give you an idea of how a given institution prioritizes their aid delivery.
As students start their college search, questions about how much college is going to cost will rise and we encourage conversations about whether you’ll need financial assistance. Additional resources and information are provided below:
Lower-cost alternatives
» In-state options
» Community college options
» Military Academies/ROTC Scholorship (tuition remission in exchange for military service)
» WUE* – Western Undergraduate Exchange wiche.edu/wue
» NSE – National Student Exchange (for public universities) www.nse.org
Estimate tools
» Federal Student Aid Estimator
» CollegeBoard’s Net Price Calculator
» MyIntuition
Merit-based scholarships
» <5% of the monies available
» Be aware of scams
» NEVER pay for a scholarship search or application
» Can be from the college itself or private organizations
» For students with exceptional academic marks or exceptiona l talent (sport, music, art)
Scholarship sources
» scholarsapp.com
» hawaiicommunityfoundation.org
» MaiaLearning scholarship list
» collegeboard.org
» fastweb.com
» studentaid.gov
Need-based financial aid
» Must complete application forms to be eligible
» >95% of the monies available
» FAFSA (for all colleges – free to file)
» CSS Profile (some colleges may require – costs to file)
» Institutional Form (if more info is required by specific colleges)
Need-based forms
» Studentaid.gov (FAFSA)
» cssprofile.collegeboard.org (CSS Profile)
» Institutional Form(s) (if any additional) are found on the college financial aid webpage
*WUE participation is limited. Individual colleges administer their own programs and have different criteria at each campus. Check WUE and college websites.
Always be informed and seek information that is relevant. Keep these questions in mind as you research individual colleges.
1. Does the college offer financial aid programs (grants and/or scholarships) that are not need-based? Is there a separate application for those programs? What is the application deadline in order to qualify for those programs.
2. What application forms are required to complete the financial aid application process? What is the deadline to apply for financial aid? When will I be notified about financial aid decisions.
3. What percentage of demonstrated financial need does the college meet for most students.
4. What is the total COA (tuition, PLUS room & board, transportation, books, and personal expenses) for the first year? What are the expected increases for subsequent years.
5. What is the net price (COA – scholarships/grants).
6. What is the average financial aid award? How much is gift money and how much is loan money.
How Much Does College Cost?
It is important to know what a college education costs. It encompasses more than tuition and includes all of the following expenses to compute the total COA:
» Tuition and fees
» Books and supplies
» Room and board (whether living on-campus or off-campus)
» Transportation (airfare or local expenses)
» Personal expenses
Cost data, whether published by MaiaLearning, CollegeBoard (collegeboard.org), or from government reports (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator), may differ slightly from source to source. Sometimes cost data within a college’s own website can differ by a few hundred dollars. These resources give a pretty good, if not perfect, estimate.
Sticker price isn’t always Net Price, but everyone must recognize financial parameters.
Sticker price will be apparent in the college research – it includes all associated costs from tuition to transportation. Net Price, however, will not be apparent until the Financial Aid office at a given institution generates a Financial Aid Package. This arrives from the college as late as April. The Net Price may be substantially lower than sticker price if …
» The college has the financial resources to offer grant-based aid.
» The family is eligible for need-based aid (after filing FAFSA and possibly CSS Profile forms).
» The student is offered merit-based aid for exceptional academic, athletic, or other qualities. As a rule, the stronger the financial health of the college, the more likely they are to be in a position to offer a final price substantially lower than sticker price.
How Much Can Your Family Afford?
Financial resources are a very important part of the college decision-making process. We encourage families to have a very frank discussion about college costs at home, before senior year begins. Make sure everyone knows how much the family can afford.
Students need to know what is realistic and parents need to know what the student is envisioning. Reluctance to discuss finances often results in surprises when the final college decision must be made. Parents can feel guilty about not being able to afford a certain college and students can feel misled about what are viable options. Avoid these feelings by being upfront at the beginning of the process, but not limit selection of colleges because of sticker price. Remember, the COA may be in a different price range.
Additional Information
Reading
Suggestions
» “The Exceptional Applicant” by Dr. Deborah Bedor
» “The Truth about College Admission” by Brennan Bernard and Rick Clark
» “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be” by Frank Bruni
» “How College Works” by Daniel F. Chambliss and Christopher G. Takacs
» “I’m Going to College - Not You!: Sur viving the College Search with Your Child” by Jennifer Delahunty
» “Excellent Sheep” by William Deresiewicz
» “Fiske Guide to Colleges” by Edward B. Fiske
» “At What Cost? Defending Adolescent Development in Fiercely Competitive Schools” by Dr. David Gleason
» “Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years” by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger
» “How to Raise an Adult” by Julie Lythcott-Haims
» “Who Gets in and Why” by Jeff Selingo
» “College Unranked” by Lloyd Thacker and the Education Conservancy
Podcasts and Recordings
» College Essay Guy
» College Guidance Network
» The College Tour
» Inside Admission
» NACAC College Admissions Decoded
» “Resources” tab in MaiaLearning
• Arts
• Athletics
• Financial Aid
• Service Academies / ROTC
Independent College Counselors
Every student at Punahou School receives individualized and comprehensive support from their College Counselor and the College Counseling Department. We offer programs in 11th and 12th grades, build rapport with each student, and approach the college application process collaboratively not only with each student but also with their Deans, teachers, and advisors. We are the author of the student’s counselor letter of recommendation and we are the point of contact for college admissions officers who have questions about the application or the school.
We believe that these robust and comprehensive school-provided services are more than sufficient for our students and their families and that the services of an additional college counselor are unnecessary. And yet, we understand that families may still choose to purchase the services of an independent college counselor. In that case, it is helpful for your student’s College Counselor to be informed and know there are multiple voices offering guidance as this can sometimes be confusing for colleges and for students. Please note that the College Counseling Department at Punahou School will not communicate with independent college counselors about a student’s academic performance or their college admission process. Our goal is to support your student while empowering them to take ownership of their journey post-Punahou.
Punahou College Counseling Office
