Here we are cruising into this fall season…classes are in full-swing and it’s likely dawning on you that you’ll need to step up your college app game very soon. As long as you’re consistently working on those essays and chipping away at the apps themselves, you still have plenty of time–even for November 1st deadlines!
This means you should have solidified your final list by now. Continue working on your main college essays while gradually working on supplemental questions/essays based on your chosen app deadlines. If you’re just getting around to taking a look at the supplemental essays piece, keep in mind that you can find information about college-specific essays in Maia Learning by pulling up a college’s profile page (University Factsheet) and then clicking on the “Essays” tab.
Key Task
- Email Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire - Once your teacher has agreed to write for you, make sure you email them the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire or whatever else they request from you as soon as possible.
- Input Recommendations in Maia Learning - Make sure you input those teacher recommendation requests (in Maia Learning) at your earliest convenience, as well, so your teacher/s can submit their recommendations on time.
Note: In order for teachers to submit their recommendation materials, you must complete all the setup tasks outlined below. Additionally, make sure your “Applying” list in Maia Learning is accurate. This means your app type, enrollment term, and admission plan/deadline should be filled in accordingly for each college listed!
Reminders & Upcoming Events
College App Setup, Tasks & Resources
| Linking your Common App & Maia Learning Accounts |
|---|
|
Want to make sure all of your supporting materials get to the colleges that need them? Be sure to address all of the following:
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor if you have any questions related to app set-up or anything else. |
| Letters of Recommendation |
|
To ensure that your teachers can submit your rec letters on time, please make sure you do all of the following ASAP for any 2025 college deadlines or by 12/1 for any 2026 college deadlines:
Don't forget that you should NOT request recommendations from Saint Francis teachers or other personnel through the Common App! |
| Counselor Recommendation Letters |
|
To ensure that your counselor materials are submitted to the correct colleges by the deadlines you have chosen, make sure you have done all of the setup work outlined above. In addition to moving all of your colleges to "Applying" in Maia Learning, make sure you have indicated app type, term, and admission plan/deadline for EACH college at your earliest convenience for any Early Action/Early Decision deadlines or by 12/1 for any college deadlines that fall in 2026. In addition, please speak to your counselor directly about the Secondary School Report/Request for Evaluation form, which allows you to share this type of information with your counselor in another format. This is especially helpful if you have added more colleges to your "Applying" list since meeting with your counselor. |
Scholarship Spotlight
A variety of outside scholarships are available to help you with college expenses wherever you decide to enroll. While most scholarship application deadlines fall between December and March, some major scholarship apps are due as early as September!
Get familiar with different types of scholarships through MAIA Learning. Go to the "Financial Plan" area and then you'll see two lists--"Scholarships Search" and "Local Scholarships." This is where you can scan for any scholarships that interest you.
We also recommend that you set up a scholarship profile on a different website such as Fastweb or Going Merry or Bold.org to make sure you're seeing all that's out there. Paste those links into a separate spreadsheet so you can organize scholarships by deadline and get cracking on those apps!
If you're wondering about college-specific scholarships, know that your application for admission also serves as your application for various types of merit scholarships. Some colleges offer special awards that involve a separate application. In most cases, the colleges will reach out to you, inviting you to apply for one or more of those scholarships. In some cases, however, it will be up to you to initiate a separate application for one or more of those types of scholarships. You can find out if a specific college offers merit awards by visiting their financial aid page and following the "Scholarships" links.
#SAINTFRANCISDiscover: North Carolina State University
Founded in 1887, North Carolina State University is a large, public research institution located in bustling Raleigh, NC dedicated to hands-on, real-world learning and research to prepare students for professional success. NC State’s campus features iconic red-brick architecture, and the school is known for its outstanding science, engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and social science programs.
NC State blends a rich history of accessible education with a modern, research-driven, innovation-oriented approach. With broad academic offerings, strong industry ties, and a lively campus, NC State offers a compelling choice for students seeking both opportunity and impact in their college experience. NC State’s 28,400 undergraduates can choose from over 100 majors housed in 12 different colleges. Some of the most popular majors these days are engineering, business, biology, and computer science. NC State is ranked #1 in North Carolina and in the top 10 nationally for undergraduate entrepreneurship. So far, NC State undergrads have launched over 200 startups or spin-offs.
Widely touted as a “Best Value” college, NC State students benefit from outstanding instruction, modern facilities, a beautiful campus, and plenty of unique traditions and opportunities for extracurricular engagement. Since 2004, the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge has raised more than $2 million for the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Students start this Challenge at the Memorial Bell Tower, then run two and a half miles to the nearest Krispy Kreme, eat a dozen donuts, and then run two and a half miles back to the Bell Tower. The challenge must be completed in one hour. The Free Expression Tunnel located near Wolf Plaza is a place where anyone can express their thoughts and feelings by spray painting the inside of the tunnel. Anybody can paint—not just NC State students! When the temperatures rise, students flock to the Talley Market, Hill of Beans café, and the Bragaw C-Store to get Howling Cow ice cream. This delicacy is made on campus at the Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Science’s Feldmeier Dairy Processing Lab in Schaub Hall. The milk and cream used to make the ice cream is produced by over 300 cows at NC State’s farm in Raleigh. Red and White Week is NC State’s annual week-long Homecoming event that celebrates all things NC State. Some events include the homecoming football game, the Chancellor’s annual fall address, Pack Appreciation Day, and more! Being in Raleigh is exciting due to its vibrant tech, startup culture, arts venues, museums, parks, and restaurant scene.
NC State blends a rich history of accessible education with a modern, research-driven, innovation-oriented approach. With broad academic offerings, strong industry ties, and a spirited campus, NC State is a compelling choice for students seeking both opportunity and impact in their college experience.
How Can We Help?
Have questions about SAT or PSAT testing logistics, registration, or accommodations? Our Academic Office and Counseling Team are here to support your student’s college preparation journey. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to assist with any part of the testing process.
|
Guidance & Counseling |