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:
- College Counseling Office
- College Night Programs & Presentations
- College Search Process
- College Application Process
- Letters of Recommendation, Secondary School Reports, & Transcripts
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Committing to College & Preparing for Enrollment
- Other Resources & Links
We’re always looking for fresh content! If you’d like to contribute to the WACAC Toolkit, please email your documents or ideas to the WACAC Professional Development Chair, at wacacpd@wacac.org.
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.
College Board School Counselor Strategic Planning Tool
College Counselor Calendar (for LAUSD)
College Counselor Responsibilities (for LAUSD)
NACAC’s Counselor Competencies
NACAC’s Role of School Counselors
NOSCA’s Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling
College Ed 9-10 Educator Book (College Board)
College Ed 11-12 Educator Guide (College Board)
Family Guide to College in Spanish (College Board)
Family Guide to Making College A Reality (College Board)
School Profile Sample
Total College Handbook
2. College Night Programs & Presentations
This section contains sample presentations and presentation outlines to use at college nights and other student and parent programs.
Awards Night Outline
Community College Overview Presentation
Letters of Recommendation Presentation
Testing Presentation
Where Did They Go To College Presentation
Planning A Financial Aid Awareness Program
Financial Aid Presentation Outline
9th-10th Grade Presentation
Senior Parent Night Presentation
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
Preparing Students for College (NACAC)
What Are You Looking for in a College (Self-Evaluation)
College List
Factors to Consider in Making Your College List
Preliminary College Interest List
Safety, Target, and Reach Colleges
Gathering Information
College Information Chart 1
College Information Chart 2
College Visits
College Visit Form
Top Ten Ways to Test Drive a College
College Fairs
Helping Students Prepare for WACAC
Questions to Ask at College Fairs
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
Application Fee Waiver (NACAC)
Importance of Factors in the Admission Decision (NACAC Trends)
Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look for in a High School Student
Calendars & Timelines
Junior Calendar 1
Junior Calendar 2
Senior Calendar 1
Senior Calendar 2
So You’re Applying to College (Simple Guidelines)
Private Schools
The Application Process at Private Schools
University of California
The Application Process at the UC System
Pathways to the UC
UC Personal Statement 2013-2014
What UCs Look for and Specific Tips for AB540 Students
California State University
The Application Process at the CSU System
CSU Academic Preparation Worksheet
CSU Eligibility Index
Community College
Helping Community College Bound Students Develop a Proactive Approach
Application Tips for Students
Tips for a Successful College Application Process
Helpful Hints for Your College Resume
Tips on Writing Your College Admission Essay
Checklist and Track Forms for Students
My Personal Checklist for High School Graduation and College
Application Materials Checklist 1
Application Materials Checklist 2
Record of Activities
Record of Community Service
Record of Personal Honors and Awards
Special Populations
College Policies for Undocumented Students
Resources for Undocumented Students
NCAA Requirements for College Athletes
Preparing Foster Youth for College
Structured Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities
Post Admission Senior Survey
Senior Survey 1
Senior Survey 2
Senior Survey 3
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.
Student Self-Evaluations
Student Self-Assessment 1
Student Self-Assessment 2
Third-Party Assessments
Academic Evaluation Report
Activity Evaluation Report
Parent Questionnaire 1
Parent Questionnaire 2
Peer Reference
Midyear Forms
Midyear Form
NACAC Midyear Form
Secondary School Report & Transcript Request Forms
NACAC Secondary School Report Form
Recommendation and SSR Request Guidelines
Recommendation Request Form for Early Programs
Recommendation Request Form for Regular Decision
Recommendation Request Form Instructions
Recommendation, SSR, and Transcript Request Form
Secondary School Report Form
Transcript Request Form for Early Programs
Transcript Request Form for Regular Decision
Other
Recommendation Tracking Form
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.
How Financial Aid Works
Student Aid Report
Free Online Scholarship Searches
AB 540 Fact Sheet in English
AB 540 Fact Sheet in Spanish
MALDEF Scholarship 2014-2015
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.
Ten Tips for Accepting a UC
From Acceptance to First Day of College for UC and Cal State
Transfer Get Set Ready Go
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
Resources I Could Not Live Without
WACAC Professional Development Information