College and University Information
- The Common Application
- Letters of Recommendation
- College Essays
- FINANCIAL AID
- Scholarships
- Fee Waivers
- "Most Demanding Curriculum"
The Common Application
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Our high school CEEB code is 231255.
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We report GPA, we DO NOT report class rank
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Your GPA and class rank are determined using a “WEIGHTED” system.
OTHER APPLICATIONS
If you’re applying to colleges/universities that don't use the Common App, they may have a Counselor Recommendation page that you will need to print and take to your counselor to complete. However, all transcript requests are sent online.
Letters of Recommendation
College Essays
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EssayEdge (samples to start you thinking)
FINANCIAL AID
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federal application for financial aid. It is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as from the state or school you will be attending. The FAFSA is required for most college aid applications. It is available starting December 2023.
Remember to apply early before funds run out! Check the resource links below to view additional resources for filling out your FAFSA.
FAFSA Resources
- FinancialAidToolKit.ed.gov
- StudentAid.gov
- Create your FSA ID for your FAFSA
- Predict Potential Financial Aid
- FinAid! Financial Aid Information Page
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration
- College Boards PROFILE OnLine
- College Board Paying for College
- US Dept of Ed: Loans and Grants
- www.SallieMae.com
Scholarships
Throughout the year, the DHS Counseling Office receives notice of available scholarships. Check the Scholarship Board outside the Counseling Office for information on scholarships available to our students. Many opportunities will be posted throughout the year! You can also check out scholarship opportunities by going to the websites of your prospective colleges/universities. They will have them listed with filing deadlines.
Local Scholarships are posted in the spring. Generally, local businesses and organizations notify DHS of the scholarships available for that graduating class. The local scholarship packet and applications will be distributed to all seniors at their class meeting in late March/early April. All applications completed by students are copied and forwarded to the businesses and organizations sponsoring the scholarships and then they will select the recipients. Subsequent to reviewing your application (which often includes an essay explaining why you would benefit from the scholarship), they may elect to conduct personal interviews with the students before making their final decision.
Fee Waivers
"Most Demanding Curriculum"
DHS has offered Advanced Placement (AP) courses since the 1990s, but starting with the graduating class of 2014, we also offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Both AP and IB classes are part of a criteria some college applications use known as "Most Demanding Program."
DHS counselors are often asked whether they recommend AP or IB courses. It really comes down to what the individual student needs and/or wants. Please review the A.P. and IB considerations in below as you plan your high school courses and think about college applications. The Canvas link below is a dashboard for all things AP and IB: courses, deadlines, calendar, etc.
Program Designations
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DHS students who've earned credit in six AP courses that DHS currently offers, in addition to four years of a world language, will earn the "Most Demanding" designation.
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Students who complete the full IB Diploma Programme, will also earn the distinction of "Most Demanding."
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Students who take a combination of 6 IB (HL) courses and AP courses, plus the fourth year of a world language, will also earn the "Most Demanding" designation.
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It is important to note that unless a student falls into a special category (recruited athlete, underrepresented minority, VIP, legacy, etc.), often times the students within the "Most Demanding" category are the ones that get serious consideration at the most competitive colleges such as the "Ivy League" schools.
University Credit Transfer Policies
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Some colleges award college credit for IB (HL) courses and IB (SL) courses. However, some colleges only give college credit for IB classes taken at the "Higher Level." IB diploma students take three classes at that level and the rest at the Standard Level ("SL").
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Some colleges give credit only for IB exam scores of 7 (the top); some give credit for lower scores. Again it depends on the individual college.
The Overall High School Experience
For many AP and IB students, earning college credit is not necessarily a priority. Many students are focusing primarily on having an engaging high school experience and on impressing admission officials in the process. If a student is shooting for the Ivy League schools, and/or other hyper-competitive colleges, generally she isn't necessarily looking to arrive with credits under her belt. Nor does she intend to rush through college in three years (even though it might save Mom and Dad some money).