| Your high school guidance department probably has
specific procedures for you to follow. Some high schools require you to submit
all of your college application materials to them after you have completed your
part of the application. They will then enclose your transcripts and any other
necessary materials and forward the package to each college you have indicated.
Your guidance office will usually have a deadline date as to when they expect
to have materials from you, so make sure you check and understand all
procedures.
Remember to take time when completing your college applications. The
application is often times your only chance to show prospective colleges that
you have what it takes to attend their school. Proofread it for spelling and
grammar errors and make sure you have filled out all required areas. Note that
some schools accept the common application (http://www.commonapp.org/)
and others will require you to fill out the school's individual application.
Make sure you understand to which schools you can and cannot submit a common
application.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Admission Types |
|
Early Decision
The Early Decision option allows students to apply early to their first-choice
college. Early Decision deadlines range from mid-October to early January.
Mid-November is a typical deadline, with a mid-December notification of
acceptance, denial or deferral. Early Decision plans are binding. You commit to
attending that school if you are accepted and withdrawing all other
applications. Financial aid applicants will receive a tentative financial aid
package at the time of acceptance. If the financial aid is not what you
expected, you might be forced to refuse the offer of admission. You
should consider applying Early Decision only if you are certain that the
particular school is the best fit for you.
Early Action
This option, like Early Decision, allows for an early application and admission
decision, but without the commitment to attend. You may apply to other schools
and you will receive your financial aid package in the spring with all the rest
of the applicants.
Regular Admission
Regular Admission requires that students send in their application by a
deadline set by the college. Deadlines vary by school but generally begin in
early January. You should be able to find the school's admission deadline in
the catalog, on the website or by calling the admission office for the
information.
Rolling Admission
Rolling Admission means that the school has no admission deadline. Admission
decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, the college
notifies students of their decision within four to six weeks after the
application file is complete.
Early Admission
Early Admission allows a high school student to complete his/her high school
graduation requirements while enrolled at a local college. Check with your
guidance office for details.
Back to Top
|
|
College Visits
Without a doubt, college visits are very important. If possible, you should
visit all of the colleges to which you are applying. If a school is to far away
to visit, contact the admissions office to see if there is a website you can go
to for a virtual tour. When planning a visit, contact the college admission
office and let them know that you are coming to campus and inquire about how
often tours and information sessions are scheduled and where they begin. If you
have a particular major in mind, request that the admission representative
arrange a meeting for you with a member of that department. If you are
considering college athletics, arrange a meeting with a coach. Sometimes, at
the conclusion of a college tour you will have the opportunity to speak with an
admission officer. This is an excellent opportunity for you to market yourself
to the college. Be prepared with a list of questions to ask.
Back to Top
|
|
Admissions Tests
Most colleges will require you to take either an SAT or an ACT. Some schools
may also require SAT II subject tests. Contact the college admission office to
inquire about standardized test requirements and consider enrolling in a test
preparation course or book. Usually, the tests are offered in the junior
and senior years and can be taken more than once if you wish to improve your
score.
Back to Top
|
|
Essays
Your college essay is a very important part of your application. It
allows the college to get to know you better, evaluate your writing skills and
determine if you are an effective communicator. You should start the
first draft of your essay in the summer before your senior year. Essay
topics can be found on the college applications or the common
application. If guidelines are not given on your applications, your essay
should be approximately one page single-spaced or two pages double-spaced.
Three paragraphs tend to work better than the five-paragraph essay you learned
to write in high school. Show a draft of your essay to your English teacher. Do
not let anyone else write your essay. College admission officers are usually
able to detect an essay not written by the student. The result is usually
immediate rejection.
Back to Top
|
|
Interviews
Most colleges do not require interviews. However, if you can schedule one, it
is an excellent opportunity for you to market yourself to the college. An
interview is considered an exchange of information between student and college
except when used by the college as an evaluation tool for certain scholarships
or academic programs.
Back to Top
|
|
Recommendation Letters
A guidance counselor recommendation will usually be provided with your
transcript. Ask teachers, employers or coaches to write your letters of
recommendation. Give them ample time and deadline dates, along with any forms
that the colleges require. Provide them with a list of your activities, sports,
employment and accomplishments, in addition to a stamped envelope addressed to
the college admission office. Follow up to make sure the forms are completed
and forwarded to the colleges in a timely fashion.
Back to Top
|
|
Resume
Complete a resume that outlines your accomplishments throughout your high
school career. These can include any honors, awards, sports, community service
or employment.
Back to Top
|
|
College Fairs
College fairs are an excellent way for you to get college information and meet
representatives from schools in which you are interested. Talk to your guidance
office to learn about any upcoming college fairs.
Back to Top
|
|
Student Athletics
If college coaches at either the Division I or the Division II level contact
you, you can feel confident that you may have the ability to compete in
college. If you have not heard from any coaches but hope to play a sport in
college, we suggest the contacting the college coach directly. Let them know of
your interest in applying to their school and your intention to participate in
their program. You might want to consider sending an athletic resume or setting
up a visit to meet with the coach. The NCAA has established a clearinghouse for
both recruiting and eligibility purposes for student-athletes in Divisions I
and II. This does not apply to Division III applicants. All students with an
interest in Division I or II programs, but especially those interested in
making official visits to colleges (expenses paid) in the fall of their senior
year, should pick up clearinghouse forms at the college office at the end of
their junior year.
Back to Top
|
|
AP/Honors
Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses are designed to meet the needs of
the above average student. AP courses are the most challenging courses in which
the student is introduced to college-level material. At the conclusion of the
course, the student has the option to take the test offered by the College
Board in May. Successful performance on the exam may result in college credit
or academic acceleration, as determined by the individual college.
Back to Top
|
| |
| |
