College Advisor

Recent Updates and Notices

Discover Your Shining Path: College, University, or Technical College?

Make an Impression: How to Make Your Application Shine!

Paying for College: How to Save Big, Stress Less, and Make College Affordable!

Have your outstanding seniors apply to earn a $40,000 college scholarship. Applications for the 2026 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will be accepted online until noon CST on January 5.

Learn More

Ms. Lizbet Concepcion

College Advisor

lizconcepcion@dadeschools.net
(305) 573-7135

Hello Phantoms! I'm Ms. Concepcion, your College Advisor.

I feel every student's journey to higher education should feel exciting, achievable, and filled with every possibility of navigating into the college of your dreams. I have a passion for guiding each of you through the maze of applications, financial aid, and career exploration. Together we will discover your strengths, set meaningful goals, and take confident steps towards your future! I'm committed to making the path to college not just accessible but also inspiring.

M-DCPS CAP Scholarship Bulletin

This is the most important link! It is a "live" document, updated constantly by M-DCPS with hundreds of local, state, and national scholarships.

Click Here

FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The official U.S. government site to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study. This is a "must-do" for nearly all seniors.

Click Here

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

The official state of Florida site detailing the requirements and application process for scholarships based on academic merit.

Click Here

The College Application Checklist

This timeline breaks down your senior year.

Summer (Before 12th Grade)

Summer (Before 12th Grade)

Research & Refine: Finalize your list of 6-10 colleges. Create a spreadsheet with their deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision), application requirements (essays, letters of rec), and testing policies (test-optional or required).

Draft Your Main Essay: Start writing your main essay for the Common Application. This single essay will be sent to most of your schools.

Create Application Accounts: Create your accounts on the Common Application and Scoir.

Common Application: https://apply.commonapp.org/

SCOIR: https://www.scoir.com/

Request Letters of Recommendation: Email 1-2 teachers who know you well. A polite "ask" before the school year starts is highly recommended. Provide them with a "brag sheet" or resume to help them write a strong letter.

Register for Tests (If Needed): If you plan to retake the SAT or ACT, register for an early fall test date (August/September/October).

Early Fall (September - October)

Early Fall (September - October)

Meet with Your CAP Advisor: Share your college list and application plan. Discuss your eligibility for fee waivers and confirm the school's process for sending transcripts.

Link Your Accounts: On the Common App to SCOIR. This is how your counselor sends your transcript and letters of recommendation.

Finalize Essays: Revise your main essay and write any "supplemental" essays required by specific colleges on your list.

Submit Transcript Requests: Follow your school's official procedure to request that your transcript be sent to the colleges you are applying to.

Prepare for Financial Aid: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1st. You and a parent/guardian will each need to create an FSA ID, which acts as your electronic signature.

Late Fall (November - December)

Late Fall (November - December)

Submit Early Applications: If you are applying Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (non-binding), your deadlines are typically November 1 or November 15.

Submit All Applications: Submit all applications at least one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Most Regular Decision deadlines are January 1 or January 15.

Complete the FAFSA: Work with your family to submit the FAFSA. The earlier, the better, as some aid is first-come, first-served.

Confirm Your Applications: After submitting, log in to each college's "applicant portal" (which you'll get an email for). Check the portal to ensure all materials have been received (application, transcript, letters of rec, test scores).

Winter (January - February)

Spring (March - May)

Spring (March - May)

Receive Decisions: Most decisions are released in March.

Compare Financial Aid Awards: Review your financial aid offers from each school.

Make Your Decision: Commit to your chosen college by the May 1st "National College Decision Day" deadline and pay your enrollment deposit.

Notify Other Schools: Politely decline the offers from the schools you will not be attending.

College Application Fee Waivers

Application fees ($50-$90 per school) can add up quickly. Fee waivers allow you to apply for free.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

You are likely eligible for a college application fee waiver if you meet one or more of these criteria:

You are enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch program.
You have received an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Your family's annual income falls within USDA guidelines for free/reduced lunch.
You are enrolled in a program that aids low-income students (like TRIO or Upward Bound).
Your family receives public assistance.

The simplest way to prove eligibility is by qualifying for an SAT/ACT waiver or the Free/Reduced Lunch program.

https://incomesurvey.dadeschools.net/

Step 2: How to Use Fee Waivers on Your Applications

Step 2: How to Use Fee Waivers on Your Applications

You do not need a separate "waiver" for each college. You simply attest to your eligibility on the application platform itself.

On the Common Application:

Go to the "Profile" section.
Find the "Common App Fee Waiver" subsection.
The system will ask, "Do you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver?" Select "Yes."
You will then be asked to check the box(es) that apply to you (e.g., "I am eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch program" or "I have received an SAT/ACT fee waiver").
That's it. When you are ready to submit your application to a college, the payment page will be bypassed, and your fee will be listed as $0.
Verification: Your CAP Advisor (your counselor) will receive a notification to electronically verify your waiver status. Since you've already discussed this with them, they will be prepared to approve it if your eligible.

Upcoming College Visits

OCT 29 - ART CENTER OF DESIGN - 9:15AM - 9:50 AM