College Admissions 101

College Admissions

101

Colegio Americano de Guatemala

High School Code: 854200

Mr. Kevin Randolph Director of College Counseling

[email protected]

11 Calle 15-79, Zona 15 VH III Guatemala, Guatemala

Forthelatestupdatesoncollegeadmissionsinformationgoto:

http://connection.naviance.com/asg

username:_________________________

password:________________________

College Planning Timeline

Junior Year Senior Year Fall

• Take the PSAT in October • Talk to the college representatives, pick up literature, and start

visualizing what type of college would be right for you. • Take advantage of colleges visiting the school and listen to the pres-

entations, even if they aren’t in a part of the country you are interested in. You can learn about what characteristics of colleges are important to you.

• Prepare for the ACT plus Writing and the SAT. • Visit colleges and universities over Fall Break. • (Parents should attend the Junior Parent College Night)

Fall • Apply to any universities with rolling admission deadlines as soon as you

can in the fall. If applying to other colleges, organize your to-do list so you can do a quality job before each college deadline.

• Use Fall Break to visit colleges, and possibly stay overnight in the dorms, if offered. If colleges require or recommend interviews, set them up.

• Ask teachers early if they will write your letters of recommendation. Communicate with your counselor often; request transcripts in Naviance.

• Visit with university representatives on campus and at local college fairs. • Complete the CSS Profile (a financial aid form for many private

universities). • Don’t procrastinate! Get your applications finished before deadlines; all should be completed before November 30.

Spring • Schedule a meeting with your College Counselor • Consider taking an SAT Prep Course. • Sign up for both the SAT and ACT Plus Writing. Register for

SAT Subject Tests. • Use Spring Break/Semana Santa to take a college tour or research colleges. • Create a list of colleges you are thinking about in Naviance.

Spring • File any other financial forms by the required deadline. Apply for all

scholarships that you qualify for. (FAFSA is for US citizens only/CSS Profile is for all students).

• Pay the deposit at your state schools if you are accepted. Do not deposit at more than one university.

• If you filed your paperwork on time, you should hear about the financial aid (scholarship) packages during the month of April.

• Plan to visit your top college choices during April to make your final deci- sion, especially if you are thinking of attending a college that you did not get the chance to visit earlier.

• If you are attending a public university, enroll early for orientation. The earlier you attend orientation, the better choice you will have in your first semester classes. (This may also apply to other colleges.)

• Students must let colleges know by May 1st if they are accepting or declin- ing the offer of admission.

TheGapYear

Agapyearisanaturalbreakintheeducationalprocessafterhighschoolforstudentswhowouldliketoexploreinterestsbeforeembarkingonanotherfour‐plusyearsofschool.Manystudentshavebeenengagedineducationsincepre‐school–resultingin15yearsofaneducationalexperience.

Morestudentsaretakingthetimetodiscoverwhotheyareandwhattheywouldliketodowiththeirlife.Theyaregettingofftheeducationaltreadmilltogainadirectionandfocusintheirlife.Agapyearcanhelpastudentdiscoverapassion,buildself‐confidenceandindependence,andexploreopportunitiesthroughhands‐onlearning.TheOfficeofCollegeCounselingrecommendsthatstudentsgothroughthecollegeapplicationprocessandthendecideiftheywouldliketoparticipateinagapyear.Collegesgenerallyallowacceptedstudentstodefermatriculationforayearofplannedactivities.Ayeartogrowandmatureinadifferentenvironmentcanresultinafreshcommitmenttoacademicsonthecollegelevel.

Inplanningagapyear,itisimportanttohaveastructuredplaninplace,similartoaschoolyear.Studentswilloftenbreaktheyearintotwosemestersorthreetrimestersandincludesometimeworkingtooffsetthecostofsomeofthemorecostlyprogramsorsavefortheircollegeeducation.Agapyearisforstudentsofalllevelsofabilityandinterests.Opportunitiesareendless.Studentscanexperienceinternships,volunteerservice,travelandlanguageimmersionprograms,outdoor/farming/conservation/sustainableprograms,thearts,helpingchildrenanddevelopingskillsandtraininginthebuildingtrades,cooking,sailingandSCUBAandEMTinstruction.Nowisthetimetogettoknowwhoyouareandwhatyouwantinyourlife.Usethisopportunitytoplanyourfuture.

ThingstoConsiderBeforeTakingaGapYear•Whydoyouwanttodoagapyear?•Whatdoyouhopetolearnfromyourgapyear?•Whattypeofprogramareyouconsidering–local,national,international?•Whatistheemphasis–academic,volunteering,internship,teaching,gettingcertifiedinaskill,etc?•Whatisthecost,isitafactorandhowcanIhelpsupplementthecost?•WhattypeofhealthinsurancedoIneedtohavetomakesureIamcoveredforemergencies?•Whatarethehealthrequirements(vaccinations)needed?•WhataresafetyissuesIneedtobeawareofwhentravelling?•HowwillIstayintouchwithmyfamilyandfriends?•HowwillIadjusttocultureshockgoingandcominghome?

College Search Think about factors important to you.

Look broadly and choose potential colleges in a range of different options. What appeals to

you now may change by the time you graduate.

Consider that the most affordable college may not be the one with the lowest price tag on the website. By picking different types of colleges (public, private, local, foreign, larger, smaller, merit-based aid, etc.) you give yourself the best chance of a great college at an affordable price.

Utilize Naviance to help you find the best interest areas and possible colleges.

The best way to gauge the type of college that is right for you is to visit several of them. Plan

college visits when possible.

Planning a visit to a college is easy. Either fill out the form on the website, if available, or call the admissions office. Tours and information sessions are always available; meeting with professors, sitting in on classes, or possible overnight visits are some common options.

Visit all local Guatemalan universities before you begin your college search in other countries, to get an understanding of what options exist here.

Each Junior should have a list of “Colleges I’m Thinking About” posted in Naviance before the end of Junior year. Plans will often change, but it is easier to start Senior year with a list.

NavianceJuniorYearActivities

JuniorsshouldstartusingNavianceonaregularbasistobeginseriousconsiderationoftheircollegeoptions.Thecounselorscanhelpyoulearnhowtouseallthefeaturesifyouneedhelp.TherearesomefeaturesthatwillnotbeactivateduntilyouareaSenior,andwewillbeprovidinginformationonhowtouseNavianceduringtheapplicationsphaseinthespring,closertowhenyouwillusethosefeatures.Inthemeantime,herearethesuggestedactivitiesforJuniors:

The“AboutMe”Section

1. Logontothesystemathttp://connection.naviance.com/asgYouraccountnameisusuallyyourfirstandlastname,nocapsrequired(example:kevinrandolph).Bookmarkormakethislinkafavoriteonyourcomputer.

2. Clickonthe“aboutme”tab,thenthe“profile”link.CheckyourpersonalinformationandGPA.Ifanyotherinformationiswrong,pleaseletoneofthecounselorsknowsotheycanchangeit.

3. Ifyouwouldliketore‐setyourpassword,clickon“account”underthe“aboutme”tab.

4. Findthe“personalitytype”linkunder“aboutme”andcompleteit.Itwilltellyousomethingaboutyourselfandsuggestpossiblecareers.Theresultscanalsohelpcounselorsassistyouinyourcollegesearch.

5. Clickon“gameplan”andupdateitregularlyasyouropinionschangethroughoutthecollegesearchprocess.

6. Starttocompletethe“resume”sectiontobuildyourresume.Youwillneedtheinformationtoapplytocolleges,scholarships,jobs,summerprogramsandmore,sogetstartednow!Thecounselorsandteacherswhowillwriteyourrecommendationswillfindthisinformationusefulwhentheyhelpyouwithyourcollegeapplications.

The“Careers”Section

1. Usethe“careerinterestprofiler”assessmenttoalsohelpdefinesomepotentialareasofstudyforcollege.Youcanthenlookatcareersinthe“explorecareersandclusters”section.

The“Colleges”Section

1. The“collegesearch”featureallowsyoutoputinavarietyofattributesandgetlistsofpotentialcollegesthatyoumaywanttoconsider.Youcanlookbyregion,major,size,andalotmore.Pleasedon’thesitatetoaskthecounselorsforhelpinmakingthebestuseofthistool.Youcanalsogetalotofspecificinformationabouteachofthecollegesbyclickingonthecollegenamefromthesearchfeatureorusingthe“collegelookup”andusingthetabstoseekeyinformationaboutthem.

2. Asyouidentifypossiblecolleges,putthemonthe“collegesI’mthinkingabout”listinthe“colleges”section.Nextfall,youwillbemovingsomeofthesecollegestoanewlistcalled“collegesI’mapplyingto”.Thispotentialcollegelisthelpsthecounselorsworkwithyouonyourcollegesearch,sopleaseaddthemasyouseepossibleonesyouthinklookinterestingtoyou.

3. Usethe“enrichmentprograms”linktofinddifferentopportunitiesthatmightbeofinteresttoyou,especiallyforsummerprograms.

TestPrep

OntheNaviancehomescreen,clickonthe“PrepMe”linkonthefarleftofyourscreentoaccessfreeSATandACTtestprep.

JuniorYearTimelineClassof2017

August‐November Makealistofyourabilities,social/culturalpreferences,andpersonalqualities.Listthingsyou

maywanttostudyanddoincollege. Getinvolvedinleadershipopportunitiesinsports,clubsorcommunityserviceifinterested.

Collegesandscholarshipsoftenlookfortheseattributesinapplicants. Learnaboutcolleges.Lookattheirwebsites,talktofriends,family,teachers,andrecentgrads

nowincollege.Listcollegefeaturesthatmayinterestyou. September25—CollegeFairatCAG(morning) Wednesday,October14‐‐PSATatCAG PracticefortheACTplusWritingandSAT MeetwithyourCollegeCounselortobegindiscussingyourspecificcollegeplansandgoals. Considercreatinganemailaddressjustforcollegeadmissionsandscholarshipinformation. Createafilefolderorboxtomanageyourcollegesearch,testingandapplicationdata. Ifappropriate(forexample,ifyouareinterestedinart,drama,music,sports,etc.)starttogather

materialforaportfolio. Withyourfamily,discussyourcollegebudgetandwhatpricerangeispossible.TypicalUS

universitiescanrangefromUS$40,000toUS$70,000peryear.Othercountriestendtocostless.

December‐February MakeanappointmentwithyourCollegeCounselorwithyourfamilytodiscusswaystoimprove

yourcollegepreparationandselectionprocesses. December18,2015—RegistrationDeadlineforJanuary23,2016SAT

(sat.collegeboard.org/register) MeetwithyourCollegeCounselorandconsidertakingSATSubjectTestsinJune.Youshouldtake

themwhilethematerialisstillfreshinyourmind.Downloadstudyguidesfromcollegeboard.comanduseNaviancePrepME

Pursuesummerenrichmentopportunitiesincludingsummercamps,internships,orfull/part‐timejobs.ApplynowandseetheOfficeofCollegeCounselingwebsiteforoptions.

March VisitsomecollegesoverSemanaSantaoranyopportunityyouget—visitsmall,large,publicand

privateuniversitiestogetafeelforeach.Attendcollegefairsandvisits. March4,2016—RegistrationDeadlineforApril9,2016ACTPlusWriting March31,2016—RegistrationDeadlineforMay7,2016SAT Scanlocalnewspapersandlocalwebsitesofbanks,stores,andcommunityorganizationsto

prepareforscholarshipopportunitiesforSeniors.Startafile. Developalistof15‐20collegesthatattractyouandcontinuetoresearchthem. Ifyouareconsideringanyspecialtyschools(military,arts,cooking),contactyourCollege

Counselorbeforeleavingschoolforsummervacation.Ifyouareanathleteplanningtoplaysportsincollege,youmustmeetwithyourcounselorbeforevacation.

April‐July April28,2016—RegistrationDeadlineforJune4,2016SATSubjectTests May6,2016—RegistrationDeadlineforJune11ACTPlusWriting

TaketheTOEFL(forUSA)orIELTS(forEngland)orTOPIK(forKorea).TheselanguageexamsshouldbecompletedbeforeyoureturntoschoolforSenioryear.

Ifyouareanathleteplanningtocontinueplayingasportincollege,registerwiththeNCAAClearinghousewww.eligibilitycenter.org.

Pursuesummerenrichmentopportunitiesincludingsummercamps,internships,orfull/part‐timejobs.

Visitcolleges.Takecampustoursand,atcollegesyou’reseriousabout,meetwithadmissionscounselorsandscheduleinterviewsifpossible.

Finalizeyourresume—arecordofaccomplishments,activities,andworkexperiencessinceyoustartedhighschool.

Lookonlineatcollegeapplications(includingtheCommonApplicationandindividualuniversityapplications).Getanideaofwhattheapplicationslooklike,andcreateanaccountwithschoolsyou’reseriousaboutapplyingto.(Mostapplicationsarenotonlineuntillatesummer/earlyfall).

TheCampusVisit Visitoneormoreclasses–thisistheidealwaytodetermineifthecollege’sacademicprogramwillsuit

yourneedsandgoals. Arrangetomeetwithafacultymember–discussthepossibilitiesinaspecificmajororyourprogram

ofinterest.Meetwiththecoachorfacultymemberinanextracurricularareaofinterest. Eatamealinthedininghall–notonlytofindoutaboutthequalityofthefood,buttoobservehow

studentsinteractwithoneanother. Spendsometimewanderingthecampusonyourown–readsigns,posters,theschoolnewspaper,and

calendarsofeventsonbulletinboardstoobtainasenseofthehotissuesoncampusandthelevelofstudentinvolvementinactivities.

Makeitanovernightvisitifpossibletoassesstheintegrationofacademic,socialandculturallife.ContactstudentsfromCAGwhoareonthecampus.

Meetwithanadmissionscounselor.Discussadmissionrequirementsandyourpotentialforadmissionandsuccess.

Tips Manyfamilieswanttoknowwhentheyshouldstartvisitingcolleges.Bythetimestudentsbegintheir

Senioryear,itisourhopethattheywillhaveseenseveraldifferenttypesofschools.Itishardtodeterminewhichkindofschoolyouwilllikeuntilyouspendtimeonthecampus,sothecampusvisitisextremelyimportanttotheformationofasolidcollegelist.Inordertohaveaproductiveindividualcollegeconference,Fall,Winter,orSpringBreakofJunioryearisagreattimetostartvisitingcolleges.

Trynottojudgeacampusbasedonyourexperiencewithasingletour‐guideoradmissionofficer.Althoughitisimportantto“listentoyourgut,”youdon’twanttocrossagreatschooloffofyourlistbecauseofanegativeinteractionthatyouhavewithasinglecommunitymember.Thistipcarriesovertotherumor‐mill;youwillhearopinionsaboutcollegesfromneighborsandfriends–makesuretojudgeforyourself!

Taken,inpart,fromTheCollegeBoardandTheOfficeofCollegeRelationsatTheCollegeofWooster

Campus visitsThere’s no substitute for seeing a college yourself!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

There are lots of ways to findout about a college, from brochuresto videos to college fairs.

But the bottom line is that

nothing beats the test of going to acollege and seeing it for yourself.

Here are some ideas to helpyou make the most of a campus visit.

Beforeyou go Just as there’s no substitute

for seeing a college firsthand,there’s no substitute for advanceplanning.

When you call the admissionsoffice, tell them the date you’dlike to visit and the time of dayyou expect to arrive.

If you want to stay overnightin a residence hall, ask if they canmake arrangements.

Also, find out about liningup an interview (if they offer themand you’d like one) or attendingan information session, visitingclasses and talking with faculty.

Call the admissions office in advance

Go back through the infor-mation you’ve collected aboutthe college. Check the resourcesat your school’s guidance officeand browse the college’s Website, if possible.

This research will help you

think of questions to ask andaspects of the college to explorewhile you’re there.

The other side of this pagehas lists of questions to help youget started. As you think of otherquestions, write them down.

Read up on the college and think about questions

Whileyou’rethere

Once you’re on campus, tryto take advantage of a variety ofways to learn about the college:• Meet with an admissions officeror attend an information session• Take a tour of the campus• Sit in on a class

• Have a meal in the cafeteria• Pick up copies of the studentnewspaper and alumni magazine.

Throughout your visit, talkto as many students as you canand don’t be bashful aboutasking questions!

Talk to as many students as you can

If you have scheduled aninterview, take along your list ofquestions, so you're sure to covereverything you wanted to find out.

You’ll probably be askedabout your academic background,

interests, hobbies, goals and whyyou’re interested in the college,so be ready to talk about that.

As with any interview, be ontime, or call ahead if you knowyou’ll be delayed.

Prepare for the interview

A campus visit

is informative at

any time, but

it’s best to see a

college in action,

when students

are in classes.

Colleges encouragevisits, but theirschedules for tours,interviews andovernight staysmight fill upearly. Call ahead!

Nervous aboutthe interview?That’s natural.Try to look at itas a conversationin which you askquestions, too.You’ll be morelikely to relax, beyourself andenjoy it.

Have some extra

time during your

visit? Stop by the

campus coffee

shop or grill, read

bulletin boards,

try to strike up

conversations with

students, or go to

a play or lecture.

Take some time to explorethe campus on your own andabsorb the atmosphere. While

organized activities can give youinformation you can’t get on yourown, the reverse is true, too.

Take time to look around on your own

This College Guide handout is published by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. www.acm.edu

Beloit • Carleton • Coe • Colorado • Cornell • Grinnell • KnoxLake Forest • Lawrence • Luther • Macalester • Monmouth • Ripon • St. Olaf

© 2004

Lotsand lotsof ????

You’ve probably alreadythought of lots of questions toask during your campus visit.

Here are some suggestions,but be sure to ask the questionsthat are important to YOU.

1. How many hours a week doyou study? Is that typical here?2. Are faculty members interestedin students and accessible outsideof class?3. Do many students go home onweekends?4. Are the athletic facilities open toall students or only to athletes?5. Is it possible to study in yourdorm room?6. Is the food good?

7. Are campus jobs readilyavailable?8. Is there easy access to computers?Where are they located?9. What’s the library like as aplace to study? to do research?10. What do you like most aboutthis college? least?11. How easy is it to get theclasses you want?12. If you could change somethingabout this school, what would it be?

When you talk to students, ask . . .

1. Are students prepared for theclass? Do they seem interested inthe material?2. Do I feel that the students arelearning—either new facts or newways of thinking about a subject?

3. Is there time for questions anddiscussion? Do students participate?4. Am I intellectually challenged bywhat is taking place in the class?5. Is there good rapport betweenprofessors and students?

If you attend a class, ask yourself . . .

1. Are the buildings in goodrepair? the grounds well-kept?2. Are the residence halls pleasantand quiet enough to study in? Arethere laundry and kitchen facilities?

3. What’s the cafeteria like?4. Are computers and lab equip-ment up-to-date and plentiful?5. What’s the surrounding townor city like?

As you tour the campus, ask yourself . . .

1. Were the people you metfriendly? Did they answer yourquestions fully and candidly?2. What do you think of thequality of instruction and theacademic atmosphere?

3. Were the students the kind ofpeople you’d like to get to know?4. Did you like the socialatmosphere?5. Would you like to spend moretime there?

Afterthe visit

Write down your impressions

1. Does the college have academicprograms that fit my interests?2. Where are computer terminalslocated? Will I have to pay extrafor computer time?3. Will I have access to specialequipment (such as an electronmicroscope) as a first-year student?4. What are the strengths andweaknesses of the college’sadvising system?

5. How many students will therebe in courses I’m likely to take inmy first year? Are those coursestaught by professors or graduateassistants?6. What kinds of campus jobs areavailable for first-year students?7. Will there be any new programsor facilities in the next two years?8. What are the college’s recentgraduates doing now?

In an interview or information session, you could ask . . .

People's views

about a college or

university can

vary widely, so

try to talk with

as many people

as possible.

Write down yourquestions soyou’ll rememberthem and canrefer to themduring your visit.

As you tour the

campus and talk

with people, ask

yourself whether

this is a place

where you’d feel

comfortable and

able to learn and

do your best.

Are you interested inany extra-curricularactivities? If so, askabout them and tryto see the facilities.

If possible, write

down your

impressions of the

college while

they’re still fresh

in your mind.

This College Guide handout is published by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.Visit the ACM website for more pre-college planning materials. © 2004

www.acm.edu

Selection factorsEvaluate each college from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)

Academic program and atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Student-faculty ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accessibility of faculty outside of class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Faculty teaching reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities for independent study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities for international study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities for internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Academic counseling program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Career counseling program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Campus setting and architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Academic facilities (classrooms, labs, practice rooms) . . .

Availability of computers and Internet access . . . . . . . . . .

Library as a place to study and do research . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cultural facilities (theaters, galleries, concert halls) . . . . .

Opportunities to hear visiting lecturers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities to see visiting artists and performers . . . . . .

Personal counseling program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recreational facilities (gyms, tracks, pools, etc.) . . . . . . . .

Student health facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Location of campus and surrounding town or city . . . . . . .

Size of student population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities for part-time work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities to participate in clubs, sports . . . . . . . . . . .and activities (list all that interest you)

Residence halls or other types of college housing (special houses, fraternities, sororities, etc.) . . . . . . . . .

Opportunities for entertainment and social life (movies, concerts, dances, coffee houses, etc.) . . . . . . .

Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other factors of importance to you (list below)

College names

College evaluation chartAfter you’ve gathered

a lot of information fromcolleges that interest you,this college evaluationchart can help you put itall in perspective.

For each of theselection factors listed,evaluate each college ona scale of 1 (poor) to 5(excellent). You decidewhether a college oruniversity receives a 1, 2,3, 4 or 5 on each factor,such as location oracademic program.

In other words, acollege that you evaluateas a 5 on one factor mayreceive a 1 on that samefactor from someoneelse.

Now, for each factor,compare your evaluationsof the colleges. Keep inmind that it’s unlikelythat all of the collegeselection factors will beof equal importance toyou. Pay special attentionto those you think aremost important to yourinterests and needs.

www.acm.edu

BeloitCarleton

CoeColoradoCornellGrinnellKnox

Lake ForestLawrence

LutherMacalesterMonmouth

RiponSt. Olaf

This College Guide handout is published by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. © 2009

CollegeFairTopicsandQuestionsAreyouwonderinghowtostartaconversationwithacollegerep?Herearesometipsforconversingandgettinganswerstoimportantquestions.It'sagoodideatowriteoutalistofthingsthatareimportanttoyoubeforeyougo.Don'tfeellikeyouhavestrangeprioritiesorweirdquestionsifsomethingoff‐beatisinterestingtoyou.Collegerepresentativeshearthesamequestionsallthetime,sothey'llbegladtohearsomethingnew.

Startoffwith"Hello,howareyou?"or"Hi,mynameis..."forarelaxedbeginningtoyourconversation. Trynottoaskavaguequestionlike"Tellmeaboutyourcollege,"sincetherepwillhavenoideawhereto

start.Thatcanbefrustratingforthecollegerepandthestudent,becausetheconversationwillhavenodirection.

Bespecificwithquestionsbysayingthingslike"Tellmeaboutclassspirit"or"Canyougivemeexamplesofsomecampustraditions,"instead.Thosetypesofquestionswillgiveyouasenseoftheatmosphereandgivetherepsomethingspecifictotalkabout.

Askforalistofmajorsthatyoucantakewithyouandlookoverlater. AskabouttheenrollmentdeadlineandtherecommendationsfortakingtheSATandACTPlusWriting.

Somecollegeswillneedscoresearlier. AskifSATSubjectTestsarerequiredorrecommended. Askifthereareanyscholarshipsecrets.Therearemanylittle‐knowntricksthatdifferfromcollegeto

college,buttheconversationdoesn'talwaysgetaroundtothisinarushedenvironmentlikeacollegefair. Youwillwanttoknowtheadmissionrequirements,ofcourse,butyoumayalsowanttoaskwhether

admissionsofficersmakedecisionsonnumbers,oriftheyreallydoconsideractivities.Somecollegesgobyscoresandgradesandfollowaformula.Othercollegesreallygivegreaterweighttoactivities,experience,andinterests.

Askifastudentleadercancontactyoutogiveyouastudent'sperspective.Provideanemailaddressforthis.

Goaheadandaskaboutthefood.Sometimestherearemanychoicesandothertimestherearen't.Remember,you'llhavetolivewithitforfouryears.

Askhowmanyofthestudentsdropout,transferaway,orhowmanystayandgraduate.Collegerepsmaycringeatthisone,becausestudentretentionisatouchyissueatmanycolleges.Alowretentionratemaybeawarningsign,though.

Ask:"What'sthebiggestcomplaintfromcurrentstudents?" Istutoringavailable? Askforadirectphonenumberforanadmissioncounselorandafinancialaidcounselor,toavoidgetting

caughtupinanautomatedphonequagmireatsomepoint.Smallercollegeswillbehappytoprovidethis,butlargercollegesmaynot.It'salwaysworthatry.

Findoutiftheadministrationlistenstostudentconcerns.Thisisoneofthethingsyoumightwanttoaskastudentleader.

Askifyou'llhavetopayforparkingorifyou'llhavetowalkamillionmilesfromparkinglottoclasses. Ifyouareveryconservativeorveryliberalinyourthinking,askaboutthepolitical/socialclimate.Thisis

oneofthethingsthatcouldcauseafeelingofdiscomfortoralienationdowntheroad.It'snotasillyquestion.

CollegeFairsBooths,Crowds,Noise,andCollegeAdmissions

Collegefairsgiveyouthechancetotalktoadmissionofficersandgetthescooponeverythingfromwhatcoursesareofferedtolifeoncampus.Fairscanalsohelpyouruleoutcolleges,aswellasintroduceyoutonewones.Youfindnoiseandcrowdsatmostfairs,andcollegefairsarenodifferent.Whetherit'stencollegesinyourhighschoolgym,orhundredsataconferencecenter‐‐likethefairssponsoredbytheNationalAssociationforCollegeAdmissionCounseling‐‐fairscanbeoverwhelming.So,haveaplanforbefore,during,andafteryougo.BeforetheFairAskyourhighschoolcounselorwhenandwherecollegefairsarebeingheldinyourarea.Plantoattendasmanyaspossible.CharacteristicstoConsiderBeforeyousetout,itwillhelptoconsiderwhatyouwantfromacollege.Writedowncollegecharacteristicsthatareimportanttoyou.Reviewwebsitesandcatalogsofcollegesonyourlistandwritedownquestionsthataren'tansweredinthematerials.Youshouldalsoaskquestionsaboutyourowninterests,suchasactivitiesyou'dliketopursueandcourserequirementsforthemajorsinwhichyou'reinterested.WhattoBringBeforeyouheadoutthedoordon'tforgettobringapenandsmallnotebook,yourquestions,andabagtoholdallthecollegebrochuresandinformationyou'llget.Considerprintingoutself‐sticklabelswithyouraddress,contactinformation,andgraduationdatetosticktocollegeinformationcardsatthefair.DuringtheFairNavigatingacollegefaircanbechallenging.Therearemanyboothstovisitandpeopletotalkto.Focusyourvisitsoyoucangetsomein‐depthknowledgeaboutthecollegesthatreallyinterestyou.

Reviewthelistofcollegesatthefairandplantovisitthecollegesthatinterestyoumost Ifthefairprovidesamapshowingwherecollegesboothswillbe,planoutaroutetoavoidback‐tracking Ifthefairhasinformationsessionswithexpertsblockouttimetoattendthosethatinterestyou Afteryouvisitacollege'sboothtakeafewminutestojotdownwhatyou'velearned

Trytoleavesometimeattheendjusttobrowsethroughsomeoftheboothsyoudidn'tgetto–youcouldstumbleonagreatcollegeyouhadn'tconsidered.AftertheFairSpendingthedayatacollegefaircanbeexhausting.You'llprobablycomehomewithabagorbagsfullofinformation.Herearesomepost‐fairdosanddon'tstokeepyouontrack:

DOrelaxwhenyougethome.Takeabreak‐‐you'veearnedit! DON'Tputthecollegematerialsinthebackofyourcloset.Keepthemonhandforwhenyou'rereadyto

reviewthem. DOlookthroughthematerials,andyournotes,withintheweek. DON'Tkeepeverything.Weedoutcollegesthataren'tagoodfit. DOresearchcollegesthatinterestyou.Explorewebsites,requestmoreinformationfromadmissions

offices,andplantovisit.Thanksto:TheCollegeBoardandGraceFlemingforthearticle“InsiderSecretsfromaFormerCollegeRepresentative

TheCollegeInterviewTypesofinterviews“Evaluative”interviewsarethoseforwhichnotestakenduringaninterviewbecomepartoftheevaluationofyourapplication.“Informational”interviewsallowstudentstoaskquestionsaboutthecollege,buttheconversationneverbecomesaformalpartoftheadmissionprocess.“Alumni”interviewscaneitherbeevaluativeorinformational.Theseinterviewsenablestudentstointerviewwithalumnineartheirhometown.Itisimportantthatstudentsrememberthatthealum’sexperienceofthecollegemaybeverydifferentthanwhattheuniversityofferscurrently.Whydocollegesofferinterviews?Ifyoupreparewell,interviewscanbeaverypositiveexperience.Itallowstheadmissionreviewertoknowyoubeyondyourtranscript,anditallowsyoutoknowthecollegebetter.Whenpossible,interviewwithanadmissionscounselorandalwaysinterviewoncampusorinapublicplace.HowshouldIprepare?Knowyourself,knowthecollege,knowwhattoaskandwhatmaybeaskedofyou.Seelistofsamplequestionsbelow.Collegesanticipateacertainlevelofnervousness,buttrytorelaxandbeyourself.Arriveattheinterviewfifteenminutesbeforethescheduledappointment.Talktoyourpeerswhohaveexperiencedtheinterviewprocesstogainvaluabletips.CollegeCounselors,GuidanceCounselors,andfamilymemberscanalsohelpyouprepare.Bringacopyofyourunofficialtranscriptandactivitiesresume,ifyouhaveone.Dressneatlyandcomfortablyandmaintainappropriateeyecontact.Beyourself!Thereareveryfewwronganswers–collegerepresentativeswanttoseehowyouthinkonyourfeetandwanttoseeyourpersonalitycomethrough.Remember,though,thatinterviewersarenotyourfriends,souseappropriatelanguageandmannersatalltimes.Whowillbemyinterviewer?Youwillusuallymeetwithanadmissionsofficer,butitmaybeastudent,alumorprofessionalinterviewer.Treateachwithrespect–whetheritistheDirectorofAdmissionorastudent.Berelaxed,butdon’tbetooinformal,evenifyouaremeetingwithastudent.WhatdoIdowhenIgettotheinterviewsite?Checkinwiththereceptionistyourself(donothaveasiblingorparentdoso).Waittobecalled.Meettheinterviewerwithafirmhandshakeandintroduceyourparents.Bepreparedforaninterviewthatcouldlastaslittleasfifteenminutesandaslongasanhour.Parentsareusuallyaskedtowaitoutsidebutmayhaveanopportunityattheendoftheinterviewtoaskquestions.HowshouldIanswerquestions?Thereareno“right”answers–behonestandpositive.THINKbeforeanswering,takeyourtime—listencarefully.Speakconfidentlywithoutboasting.Phraseyourcommentsintermsofaccomplishmentsthatmeanthemosttoyou.Alsobewillingtoinitiateconversationaboutyourachievementsiftheinterviewerfailstodoso.Beanadvocateforyourself.Ifyouknowthattheschoolisareachschoolorifyouhavedeterminedaweaknessinyourapplication,talkhonestlyandframeyourconversationinapositivelight.Watchyourlanguageandavoidusingtoomuchslang.Useyourbestvocabularywhilestillsoundinglikeyourself.Knowthatcollegesarehopingtofindagoodfitinyou–theywantyoutosucceed!WhatdoIsaywhentheyaskmeifIhavequestionsforthem?Thisisaveryimportantpartoftheinterview.Itwillindicatetotheinterviewerhowmuchtimeandpreparationyouhaveputintothecollegeselectionprocess.Don’taskwhatisalreadystatedintheliterature,unlessyouneedclarification.Askquestionsthatallowyoutobringupyouraccomplishments/talents.WhatdoIdowhentheinterviewisover?Thanktheinterviewerandaskforhis/herbusinesscard.Sendathankyounotetotheinterviewer–itcanbetypedorhand‐written.

PossibleInterviewQuestionsDescribeyourhighschool.Whathaveyouliked/dislikedaboutyourschool?Whathasbeenyourmost/leastfavoriteacademicsubjectandwhy?Howwouldyourbestfriend/favoriteteacher/parentdescribeyou?Whatareyourstrengths?Whatwouldyouliketoimproveaboutyourself?Whatmajorsareyouconsideringatthispoint?Whathasledtothatinterest?WhatcoursesareyoutakinginyourSenioryearandwhy?Whatothercollegesareyouconsideringandwhy?Whatareyoulookingforinacollegeandwhy?Howdidyoubecomeinterestedinouruniversity?Tellmeaboutyourco‐curricularactivities.Whatactivityhasmeantthemosttoyouduringhighschoolandwhy?Whatisasignificantcontributionyouhavemadetoyourschool/community?Whatcanyoucontributetoouruniversity?Whatissuesinthenewsdoyoucareabout?QuestionstoAskCollegeRepresentativesWhatareyourstrongestmajors?Whatareyourcriteriaforadmission?Howimportantaregrades,strengthofcurriculum,testscores,personalqualities?Whatistheaverageclasssize?Howaccessiblearethefacultymembers?WhendoIhavetodeclareamajor?Howeasyisittochangemajors?IsitmoredifficulttogainadmissionifIapplyintoacertainmajor(i.e.engineering,biology,business)?Doesyourcollegehavearequiredcorecurriculum?Whattypesofinternshipopportunitiesareavailable?Inyouropinion,whatarethestrengthsandweaknessesofyourcollege?Whatisdiversitylikeonyourcampus(ethnic,religious,political,geographic,etc.)?Whatothercollegesdoyoucrossapplicationswith?Whatsupportservicesareavailable(tutoring,careercounselors,writinglabs,personalcounseling,supportgroups)?HowareAPcredits,testscores,andcoursestreated?Howmanyapplicationsdoesyourcollegereceive?Whatistheacceptancerate?Whatpercentageofstudentscomesbackfortheirsophomoreyear(retentionrate)?Arecoursestaughtbyprofessorsorteachingassistants?Whattypeofhousingisavailable?Ishousingguaranteed?Whatpercentageofthestudentbodylivesoncampus?Dostudentsstayoncampusontheweekends?Whattypesofactivitiesandsportsdoesyourcollegeoffer?Howsafeisthecampus?Whataretheincidentsofcrimeoncampusandinthesurroundingcommunity?Whatarethecurrentissuesoncampus?CanIhaveacaroncampus?Isacarnecessary?Howdostudentsgetaroundtown?Whatkindofannualtraditionsdoyourstudentscelebrate?Doyouhaveapplicationdeadlines?FinancialAiddeadlines?Whattypeofstudentdoeswellhere?

TopFiveWaystoImpressanAdmissionsOfficer

ByLiluyeJhala

It'sSeptemberandthestartofanotherbusyfallsemester.IfyouareaJuniororaSenior,youprobablyalreadyknowthatthisisthetimeofyearwhencollegerepresentativesareinyourhometownvisitingyourhighschool,havingeveningreceptions,andattendinglocalcollegefairs.Theseareallexcellentwaystogetinformationwithouthavingtovisitthecampus.Itisalsoanopportunitytomakeagreatimpressionontheadmissionsofficerwhomaybeevaluatingyourapplicationinafewshortmonths.

AsaformeradmissionofficeratBrown,Iknowhoweyeopeningitistomeetstudentsintheirschoolsorhometowns.Whilethesheervolumeofstudentscanbeoverwhelming,itwasalwaysrefreshingtomeetsomeonewhowasenthusiastic,sincere,andknowledgeableaboutBrown.Evenafterweeksawayfromhome,IcamebacktoProvidencerememberingahandfulofstudentswhomadeapositiveimpressiononme.Herearemytopfivetipsformakingyourselfamemorablecandidatetoanyvisitingadmissionsofficer.

1.BefiveminutesearlyAfteryou'vedecidedwhichcollegesyou'dliketogettoknowbetter,planaheadandtrytogetthereearly.Ifyouaretherefirst,youmighthavetheopportunitytospendone‐on‐onetimewiththeadmissionsofficer.Ifit'sapresentation,getagoodseatclosetotheofficerandtakethattimetointroduceyourself.Ifit'sacollegefair,trytobeoneofthefirstindividualstospeakwiththeadmissionsofficer.

2.Dress(andbehave)toimpressAttheendofoneofmytypicalpresentationstoaclassroomof150students,mostdressedverycasually,Iwanderedtothebackoftheroomandwoundupchattingwithasoft‐spokenmaninasuit.HefollowedeverywordIsaidandIassumedhewasateacher.Attheendofourdiscussion,though,hethankedmeformytalkandaskedformye‐mailaddress.Hiswholepresentationreallymadehimstandoutfromhisclassmates.Remember,it'syourjobtomakeapositiveimpression.So,dresswellandspeakintelligently.You'llnotonlyimpresstheadmissionsofficer,butyourclassmatesandteachersaswell.

3.PrepareyourselfforthoughtfulquestionsDoyourresearchoneachcollegebeforetheyvisit.Youshouldbepreparednotonlytoasktheadmissionsofficerafewquestionsyourselfbuttobeaskedsomebasicquestionsinreturn.Restassuredthatunlessitisaformalinterview,theadmissionsofficerisnotinterviewingyouand,consequently,youprobablywillnotbeforcedtospeakonyourgreatestdisappointmentsoracademichurdlesduringyourverybrieftimetogether.However,youmightwanttohavetentativeresponsestotheseverycommonquestions:

Whatfirstdrewyoutothisschool?

Whydoyouwanttoattend?

Whatareyouracademicinterests?

Whatdoyoudoforfun?

Whatbooksdoyoureadforfun?

Remember,beasspecificaspossible.Thefirstandsecondquestionaresimilar;thedifference,however,isthatthesecondquestionasksyoutodefinewhatexactlymakesaparticularschoolspecial(i.e.TheNewCurriculumatBrown).Yourresponsetothefirstquestion,however,couldbebaseduponyourownpersonalexperiencewitha

school(i.e."itwassobeautifulandIjustlovedthesmallcommunity.")Also,besuretoincludewhyaparticularfeatureisappealingtoyou.Theadmissionsofficeris,afterall,tryingtogettoknowyouasaperson.Behonest.

Foryourpart,asktheadmissionsofficerafewqualitative,NOTquantitative,questions.AquantitativequestionmightbeaboutBrown¹saverageSATscore,ananswertowhichyoucouldeasilyfindonBrown'swebsiteorinanycollegeguidebook.Asamatteroffact,beforeyouattendanykindofuniversityfunctionforprospectivestudents,youshouldalreadyknowthefollowingabouttheschool:

Requiredtestsandcourses.DoyouhavetotakeSATSubjectTestsorfouryearsofaforeignlanguage? Theschool'sgeneralcurriculumandgradingbasics.Auniversitymayofferarangefromacorecurriculum

toanopencurriculumtoagreat‐booksprogram.Alsofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeuniversity'sgradingsystem.

Theircurrentadmissionstats:theacademicandstandardizedtestaveragesofadmittedstudents(i.e.themeanclassrank,GPA,SATetc.).

Themajors,minors,orconcentrationsoffered.Afterall,youcannotstudyEgyptologyeverywhere. Theirfinancialaidand/orwork‐studyprograms.

Ifyouhaveafirmgrasponalloftheabove,youwon'tbetemptedtoaskquestionsyoushouldalreadyknowtheanswerto.Here'sanexampleofaqualitativequestionthatimpressedme:"HowhasPresidentSimmons'pushforglobalizationinfluencedtheresearchareasintheinternationalrelationsdepartmentorexpandedstudyabroadoptions?"Trytoaskaquestionthatdigsdeeperintotheacademicandsocialexperienceofbeingastudentatthatspecificschool.

4.EndtheconversationonagoodnoteHarassingtheadmissionsofficerbydominatingtheconversationormonopolizinghisorhertimewillleaveabadimpression.Instead,afteraskingyourthreethoughtful,qualitativequestions,endtheconversationbysaying,"Idohavemorequestions,butletmegiveyoutimetomeetwithotherstudents.CanIhaveyouremail/businesscardsoIcankeepintouch?"Besuretosaythankyouandgoodbyewithafirmhandshake.

5.Followupwithin48hoursWhenyougethome,reviewyournotesfromtheday.Then,writetheadmissionsofficerashortthankyoue‐mail,mentioningafewdetailsfromyourpriorconversation.Makesureyouincludeyourfirstandlastname,highschool,andthedateofyourconversation.Thiswillhelpyouradmissionsofficerrememberyourfaceoutofthehundreds,maybethousands,ofstudentsfromhisorherfallrecruitmenttravels.Usethise‐mailtoaskanotherfollow‐upquestionandmakesureyouconveyhowgenuinelyenthusiasticyouareaboutthepossibilityofapplyingtotheirschool.Don'tbedisappointedifyoudon'tgetaresponse.Remember,youaredemonstratingsincereinterestandthatleavesalastingimpression.

Armedwiththesetips,youwillmakeawonderfulfirstandlastingimpressionontheadmissionsofficersofyourtopschools.Workhardthissemesterandremembertohavefunwhileresearchingschools.Goodluck!

Testing Meet with a counselor after getting your PSAT results to discuss a testing strategy

appropriate to your goals.

Register for the SAT and ACT Plus Writing beginning in December of Junior year.

Take both the SAT and ACT plus Writing. Colleges will take either test and you may score significantly differently on them.

Register for SAT Subject Tests before May/June of your Junior year.

Register for TOEFL (for USA); IELTS (for England); and TOPIK (for Korea). These are language exams and are required.

Use the summer after Junior year to prepare for SAT/ACT plus Writing re-takes if

necessary to achieve your goals. Take any additional tests as early in the fall as possible in order to have results available before college application deadlines.

TheSATvs.theACTCollegeswillaccepteithertheSATorACT.Sowhichshouldyoutake?

It'sallaboutthenumbers.SomestudentsendupscoringsubstantiallyhigherontheSAT;othersdobetterontheACT.Inlieuofacrystalball,wecreatedThePrincetonReviewAssessment(PRA)designedtohelpyoudeterminewhichtestisbetterfitwithyourabilities.Tohelpyouzeroinontherightexam,herearesevenkeydifferences:

1.ACTquestionstendtobemorestraightforward.ACTquestionsareofteneasiertounderstandonafirstread.OntheSAT,youmayneedtospendtimefiguringoutwhatyou'rebeingaskedbeforeyoucanstartsolvingtheproblem.Forexample,herearesamplequestionsfromtheSATessayandtheACTwritingtest(theirnamefortheessay):

SAT:Whatisyourviewoftheclaimthatsomethingunsuccessfulcanstillhavesomevalue?ACT:Inyourview,shouldhighschoolsbecomemoretolerantofcheating?

2.TheSAThasastrongeremphasisonvocabulary.Ifyou'reanardentwordsmith,you'lllovetheSAT.Ifwordsaren'tyourthing,youmaydobetterontheACT.

3.TheACThasaSciencesection,whiletheSATdoesnot.Youdon'tneedtoknowanythingaboutamoebasorchemicalreactionsfortheACTSciencesection.Itismeanttotestyourreadingandreasoningskillsbaseduponagivensetoffacts.

4.TheACTtestsmoreadvancedmathconcepts.Inadditiontobasicarithmetic,algebraIandII,andgeometry,theACTtestsyourknowledgeoftrigonometry,too.Thatsaid,theACTMathsectionisnotnecessarilyharder,sincemanystudentsfindthequestionstobemorestraightforwardthanthoseontheSAT.

5.TheACTWritingTestisoptionalontestday,butrequiredbymanyschools.The25‐minuteSATessayisrequiredandisfactoredintoyourwritingscore.The30‐minuteACTwritingtestisoptional.Ifyouchoosetotakeit,itisnotincludedinyourcompositescore—schoolswillseeitlistedseparately.ManycollegesrequirethewritingsectionoftheACT,sobesuretocheckwiththeschoolswhereyouareapplyingbeforeoptingout.

6.TheSATisbrokenupintomoresections.OntheACT,youtackleeachcontentarea(English,Math,ReadingandScience)inonebigchunk,withtheoptionalwritingtestattheend.OntheSAT,thecontentareas(CriticalReading,MathandWriting)arebrokenupinto10sections,withtherequiredessayatthebeginning.Youdoalittlemath,alittlewriting,alittlecriticalreading,alittlemoremath,etc.WhenchoosingbetweentheSATandACT,askyourselfifmovingbackandforthbetweencontentareasconfuseyouorkeepyouenergized?

7.TheACTismoreofa"bigpicture"exam.CollegeadmissionsofficerscareabouthowyoudidoneachsectionoftheSAT.OntheACT,they'remostconcernedwithyourcompositescore.Soifyou'reweakinonecontentareabutstronginothers,youcouldstillendupwithaverygoodACTscoreandthusmakeastrongimpressionwiththeadmissionscommittee.

ACTPlusWritingandSATDatesandDeadlines2015‐2016

**SATSubjectTests

June4,2016—RecommendedSubjectTestDate

WestronglyencouragestudentstotakeSATSubjectTests.Manyselectiveuniversitiesrequiresubjecttests.

ThebesttimetotakeaSATSubjectTestiswhenyouhavecompletedstudyingthecourseforwhichyouaretesting—usuallyJune.

ACTPlusWritingTESTINGDATESFOR2016

TestDate RegularRegistrationDeadline CheckwhenRegistered

April9,2016 March4,2016

June11,2016 May6,2016

BesuretoregisterfortheWritingtest—manycollegesrequireit.

Sendscoresandregister:www.actstudent.org

SATTESTINGDATESFOR2016

TestDate RegularRegistrationDeadline CheckwhenRegistered

January23,2016 December18

May7,2016 March31,2016

June4,2016** April28,2016

Sendscoresandregister:www.sat.collegeboard.org

CAGCEEBcode/schoolcodeis854200

ACT–SAT ConcordanceThe ACT and SAT are different tests that measure similar but distinctconstructs. The ACT measures achievement related to high school cur-ricula, while the SAT measures general verbal and quantitative reasoning.

ACT and the College Board (producers of the SAT) have completed aconcordance study that is designed to examine the relationship betweentwo scores on the ACT and SAT. These concordance tables do notequate scores, but rather provide a tool for finding comparable scores.

You can also find the concordance tables and guidelines for proper useon our website at www.act.org/aap/concordance.

A tool forcomparing

scores

ACT–SAT Concordance Study: June 2008

3635343332313029282726252423222120191817161514131211

16001540–15901490–15301440–14801400–14301360–13901330–13501290–13201250–12801210–12401170–12001130–11601090–11201050–10801020–1040

980–1010940–970900–930860–890820–850770–810720–760670–710620–660560–610510–550

800800

770–790730–760710–720690–700660–680640–650620–630

610590–600570–580550–560530–540510–520480–500

470450–460430–440410–420390–400

380360–370340–350320–330300–310

ACTComposite

Score

SAT ScoreCritical Reading +

Math(Score Range)

ACT ScoreCombined

English/Writing

SAT ScoreWriting

(Score Range)

3635343332313029282726252423222120191817161514131211

160015601510146014201380134013001260122011901150111010701030990950910870830790740690640590530

800800770740720690670650630610590570550530510490470450430420400380360340330310


Math (Single Score)

SAT ScoreWriting

(Single Score)

College Readiness Benchmark Scores

An ACT College Readiness Benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject area test toindicate a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C orhigher in the corresponding credit–bearing college courses. These scores were empirically derived based onthe actual performance of students in college. ACT College Readiness Standards are subject–basedknowledge skills statements that are informed by the ACT National Curriculum Survey®, directly measured bythe ACT, and grouped by ACT score range. They may be found at www.act.org/standard/instruct/index.html.

The ACT is the only test with College Readiness Benchmarks directly measuring CollegeReadiness Standards™. The Benchmarks are based on actual college performance of studentsand reflected by specific test scores.

In addition, ACT is providing an ESTIMATED Relationship Table for institutions that also use theSAT (Critical Reading + Math + Writing) Score. This table provides a score on the SAT that issimilar to an ACT Composite score. The values given are a very accurate representation of whatyou might get from a concordance table.

23902330225021802120206020001940188018201770171016501590153014701410135012901230117011001020950870780


Math + Writing(Single Score)

3635343332313029282726252423222120191817161514131211

ACTComposite

Score

Estimated Relationship Between ACT Composite Score and SAT CR+M+W Score

2380–24002290–23702220–22802140–22102080–21302020–20701980–20101920–19701860–19101800–18501740–17901680–17301620–16701560–16101510–15501450–15001390–14401330–13801270–13201210–12601140–12001060–1130

990–1050910–980820–900750–810


Math + Writing(Score Range)

www.act.org

College Course/Course Area ACT Test Benchmark Score

English Composition English 18Algebra Mathematics 22Social Sciences Reading 21Biology Science 24

© 2011 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved.

17640

*05010112A* Rev 1

TheACT

SAT Subject Tests

This table is meant to provide information on the testing requirements for every major college and university that requires, recommends, or considers the SAT Subject Tests as part of the admissions process. No list can replace the nuances of a school's specific policy. Please visit the school website or call the admissions office for the most accurate information.

School Subject Tests

Required Subject Tests

Recommended Subject Tests Considered

Allegheny College * X

American University * X

Amherst College 2*

Babson College * X

Bard College * X

Barnard College 2*

Bates College * X

Beloit College * X

Bennington College * X

Boston College 2*

Boston University 2*

Bowdoin College * X

Brandeis University 2*

Brown University 2*

Bryn Mawr College 2*

Bucknell University * X

California Institute of Technology 2*




Carleton College * X

Carnegie Mellon University 2*

Case Western Reserve University * X

Claremont McKenna * X

Colby College * X

College of the Holy Cross * X

College of William and Mary * X

Colorado College * X

Columbia University 2*

Connecticut College * X

Cooper Union * 2

Cornell University 2*

Dartmouth College 2*

Davidson College * 2

Duke University 2*

Emory University * X

Franklin Olin College of Engineering 2*

George Mason University * X

George Washington University * X

Georgetown University * 3

Hamilton College *




Harvard 2*

Harvey Mudd College 2*

Haverford College 2*

Hollins University * X

Ithaca College * X

Johns Hopkins University * 3

Kenyon College * X

Lafayette College * X

Lehigh University * X

Macalester College * X

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2*

McGill University 2*

Middlebury College * X

Mills College * X

Mount Holyoke College * X

New York University * X

Northwestern University * 2

Oberlin College * 2

Occidental College * X

Pomona College 2*

Pratt Institute * X




Princeton University 2*

Randolph-Macon College * X

Reed College * X

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute * X

Rice University 2*

Scripps College * X

Skidmore College * 2

Smith College * X

St. Lawrence University * X

Stanford University * 2

Swarthmore College 2*

Trinity College (CT) * X

Tufts University 2*

Union College * X

University of Arizona * X

University of California, Berkeley * X

University of California, Davis * X

University of California, Irvine * X

University of California, Los Angeles * X

University of California, Merced * X

University of California, Riverside * X




University of California, San Diego * X

University of California, Santa Barbara * X

University of California, Santa Cruz * X

University of Chicago * X

University of Delaware * 2

University of Georgia * X

University of Mary Washington * X

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill * X

University of Notre Dame * X

University of Pennsylvania 2*

University of Rochester * X

University of Southern California * X

University of Texas, Austin * X

University of Virginia * 2

Ursinus College * X

Vanderbilt University * 2

Vassar College 2*

Wake Forest University * X

Washington and Lee University * 2

Washington University in St. Louis * X

Webb Institute 2*

Wellesley College 2*




Wesleyan University 2*

Whitman College * X

Williams College 2*

Worcester Polytechnic Institute * X

Yale University 2*

* If an ACT (plus Writing) score is submitted, SAT Subject Tests may not be required.

Check with each college to confirm.

TheApplication TheJunioryeariswhentostartbuildingtheframeworkforastrongcollege

application.UnderstandingtheprocesswillhelpyouprepareforyourbusySenioryear.

Onekeystepthatstudentscantakeistoassemblearésuméoftheiractivities,

awards,andhonors.Naviancehasaconvenientrésumé‐builder.

MeetwithyourCollegeCounselorbeforeyousubmitanyapplication.

AgoodgoalistogetyourfirstapplicationcompletedinAugust;usuallyonewithrollingadmissiondeadlinesisbest.

TheCommonApplicationisamethodoffillingoutcoreinformationformultiple

collegesandjusthavingsupplementaldatatoaddforanyspecificcollege.Hundredsofcollegesparticipateinthisapplicationmethod.TheCommonAppopensitsonlineapplicationonAugust1eachyear.

Thereareseveraldifferentdeadlinesforcollegeapplicationsanditisimportant

tounderstandthedifferencebetweensuchtermsasRollingAdmissions,EarlyAction,EarlyDecision,Priority,andRegularDecision.

TheApplication

(formostcountriesincludingAustralia,Canada,England,Spain,USA)

1. PersonalInformation2. EducationalInformation3. TestingInformation4. FamilyInformation5. ExtracurricularActivities6. VolunteerActivities7. WorkExperience8. ResidencyVerificationorCSSProfile/BankCertificateofFinances

Essays:(ifapplicable)

Lengthandnumbervarybyschool.

Recommendations:(ifapplicable)

TwoTeacherRecommendations(minimum)

CounselorLetterandSchoolReportForm

OfficialTranscript:

SentfromOfficeofCollegeCounselingwithschoolprofile,counselorletterandreport,ifapplicable

OfficialTestScores:

MustbesentfromSATand/orACTtothecollege

TOEFL(EnglishexamforUSA);IELTS(EnglishexamforUK);TOPIK(Koreanexam)

Guatemala,Spain,andothercountriesmayhaveadditionalexamsofferedonlineoroncampus.

Supplements:

Additionalitemsrequestedfromthecollege

(gradedwork,portfolio,etc.)

CollegeApplications

Threemainpartstoanapplication

ApplicationForm PersonalStatement/Essay ExtracurricularListofActivities/Resume

Tips

Ifyoumusthandwriteanything,useblackink(notblue) Fighttheurgetoprocrastinate Neatnesscounts Completelyanswerthequestions Followdirectionsexactly(iftheysayusehandwritingorusepencil,doit) Spellnameexactlythesameonallmaterials—beconsistent Useamatureemailaddress Keepacopyofeverything Submityourrequestsforrecommendationlettersearly.Teachersneed2‐4weeks. RequestalltranscriptsviaNaviance Proofread—Proofread—Proofread

Resumes

Whydocollegesrequirearesume?

Sometimestheformatofatypicalcollegeapplicationdoesnotallowthecandidatetohighlighthisorherstrongpoints.Aresumeisbasicallyabrief,at‐a‐glancebragsheetthatyoucanusetodrawattentiontoalloftheaccomplishmentsyoufeelareimportanttodefinewhoyouare,butthatdidn'tquitemakeitintoyourpersonalstatement.

Howshouldtheresumebestructured?

Professionalresumeswillgenerallyleadwithworkexperienceanddiscussanindividual'sprofessionalcareer.Collegesarenotinterestedinyouasaworkersomuchastheyareinterestedinyouasascholar.Assuch,manyofthetypicalrulesforresumestructuredonotapplytocollegeapplicants.Ingeneral,followingthisformatwillworkforyou:

■Heading:Makesuretoincludeaheadingonthetopthatstatesyournameandanyotherimportantidentifyinginformation.Manycollegeswillidentifyyouwithyoursocialsecuritynumber,soputtingthisinformationintheheadingishelpful.Auniversitymayalsoassignyouaspecialapplicantnumberthatcanbeusedinlieuofyoursocialsecuritynumber.

■Overview:Takeapproximately3shortsentencestowriteaminibiographyaboutyourself.Ifyouspeakmorethanonelanguage,mentionit.Ifyou'rethesciencefairchampionfouryearsrunning,mentionit.IfyouhavethehighestGPAatyourschool,mentionit.Highlightyourstrongestfeatures.Imagineyourselfasanewsreporterthatneedstocapturethereaders'attentioninonlyafewlines.Maketheadmissionsofficerwanttoreadmoreaboutyou.Naturally,anythingyouincludeintheoverviewshouldalsoappearinoneofthelatersections.

■Education:Aftertheheading,leadwitheducationalinformation.Thenameofyourhighschoolanditsaddresswillgohere.FollowthatwithyourGPA.Anysortofacademicdistinctionmaybeplacedhereaswell.Donotlistyouracademicawardshere,however,asthosewillcomelater.

■Activities:Anyclubs,programs,communityserviceorganizations,sports,orotheractivitiesyouwereapartofduringhighschoolshouldgohere.Youshouldtrytolimitthelisttoonlyabout8entries,soifyouhavemorethanthat,chooseonlyyourmostimportant8.Ifyouhavelessthan4,trytothinkofsomeorganizedeventyouparticipatedintoinclude.Remember,itdoesnothavetonecessarilybeaschool‐sponsoredprogram;activitiesthroughyourchurch,communitycenter,orofyourownpersonaldrive(bands,etc.)maybeincluded.Eachactivityshouldhaveashort,onesentencedescriptionusingstrong,activeverbs.Forexample,ratherthanjustsaying"Band",say,"MarchingBandFirstTrumpet3years,performingin57schoolgamesandintworegionalcompetitions."

■SpecialProjects:Somethingthatyoudidonceortwicebutthatcouldnotnecessarilybeconsideredan'activity'maygohere.Participationinasciencefair,historydayproject,one‐timevolunteereffort,orotherspecialeventsmaybeincluded.Thiscategoryisnotvital,soifyoucannotthinkofanyspecialprojectyouparticipatedin,youmayomitthissection.Youshouldlimityourlistto3entriesandprovideabitmoredetailabouteachthanyouwouldhaveintheActivitiessection(about2‐3shortsentences).If

youhaveheldasteadyjobduringhighschool,feelfreetoaddyourpositionherewithafewdescriptivesentences.Youshouldalsochangethissection'stitletosomethinglike"Experiences".

■Awards:Don'tlimityourselfhere.Thissectioncanbeasimplelaundrylist(thoughyoushouldexplainanyawardsthatdonothaveanobvioustitle)ormayincludemoredetaileddescriptionsdependingontheamountofawardsyouhavereceived.Feelfreetooverlapinthissectionwithothersections(forexample,youmaymentionthesciencefairinSpecialProjects,andthenalsomentionthatyougotfirstplacehere),butavoidlistingtoomanyawardsforthesameevent.MentioningyourplacementineachofthethreeyearsyouwenttoHistoryDayisfine,butoutliningeachofyour67SpeechandDebatevictoriesistoomuch.Rememberthatmanyaccomplishmentsmayfitinthiscategoryevenifyouneverreceivedatrophy,medal,orcertificate.

Youdon'thavetolimityourselftojustthesesections.Ifyouhaveaspecial,extraordinaryexperiencethatwarrantsitsownsection,feelfreetoincludeit.LookaroundontheInternetforotherstudentresumesandseethekindsofthingstheyincludeforsomeideasforwhatyoumightwantonyourownresume.

Howlongcantheresumebe?

Don'tlistentotheoldrulethataresumecannotbelongerthanasinglepage.Feelfreetogoupto2pagesifyouneedtheroom.Keepinmindthataresumeismorelikeanoutlinethananessay;itshouldnotbedensewithinformation,butratherbeaneasy‐to‐followbulletedlist.Ifyousimplyhavetoomanyactivitiesandawardstokeepyourselflimitedtoonepage,donotcutinformationout.Instead,expandontoasecondpagewithoutworry(unless,ofcourse,theapplicationguidelinestellyoutouseonlyonepage).

ShouldIincludestufffrombeforehighschool?

Generallynounlesstheactivitycontinuedintohighschool(suchasplayinginthemiddleschoolbandandinthehighschoolband).Collegesaregenerallynotinterestedinyourpre‐highschoolexperiences.

TenTipsforWritingaCollegeEssayByDavidBennett

DirectorofAdmissionsforEnrollmentLakeForestCollege

1.Realizethatwhatyouwriteandhowyouwritearebeingevaluated.Whiletheessay’scontentisimportant,wespendagreatdealoftimediscussingyourwritingskillsirrespectiveofthetopic.Grammar,spelling,andpunctuationmatter.2.Don’tbeaimless.Tellastorywithabeginning,middle,andend.Makesureithasanending.Welikewell‐toldstories.3.Theadmission’sapplicationgivesusagreatdealofinformation.Youressayshouldaddsomethingnewthatwecan’talreadyfindinthefile;oratleasttakessomethinginyourapplicationandgivesitmorecontext.4.Greattopicsforapersonalessay:afterschooljobs,travel,volunteering,quirkyhobbies,andexperiencesthatmadeyoulearningsomethingnewaboutyourself.5.Rarelyisanessayaboutrun‐inswiththelaw,breakingschoolrules,orbeingmeantootherpeopleagoodidea.Evenifbytheendoftheessayyoumakealifechangingrevelation,youhavealreadyputanegativeideainourheadandthat’stoughtoshake.6.Haveoneideaandworkit.Don’ttrytopacktoomuchinformationinto500‐ishwords.7.Youressayshouldnotbeonelongexcuseforacademicissues.Ifyouhavearoughacademicrecord,tellusquicklywhathappenedandthentelluswhythingsarechanging.Wehaveseentoomanyessaysabouthow“Ididn’tgetalongwithmyteacher.”Tellusthesolution,notjusttheproblem.8.Ifyouarearecruitedathlete,don’twriteaboutyoursport.Wewillhearfromallanglesaboutyouathleticprowess.Usetheessaytoshowussomethingdifferentaboutyourcharacter.WriteaboutyourloveofpoetryorwhytheGirlScoutshavechangedyourlife.9.Thepersonalessayisyouropportunitytoinjectyourvoiceintotheadmissionsprocess(assumingyoucan’tinterview).Makeitcount.Whilewehaveseenalmosteverytopicandtypeofessay,doyourbesttoconveythetextureofwhoyouare.Bebold.10.Remembertheessayisjustonepartoftheapplication.Rarelywillitmakeorbreakyourchancesofadmissions.It’stheessayinthecontextofyouracademicrecordthatweprincipallydebateincommittee.

TheCollegeEssay

Theessayisaverypowerfulpartoftheapplicationprocess.Ifthecollegestowhichyouareapplyingrequireanessay,youshouldlookatthisasanopportunitytoaddanimportantdimensiontoyourapplication.Essaysarereviewedbypeoplewhoaretryingtodiscerntherolethatyouwillplayintheircampuscommunity.Beyourselfandletyourvoicecomethrough.FindingtherighttopicTrynottowriteaboutsomethingjustbecauseyouthinkitiswhattheadmissioncounselorwantstoread.Thereisnoperfectresponsetoanyessayquestion.Writingforanaudiencemaycauseyoutowritesomethingthatdoesnotringtruetothereader.JustStartWriting

Thisisnotaclassassignment Don’tstartwithanoutline Answerthequestion–even“topicofyourchoice”mustaddressaspecifictopic Don’tworryaboutspelling,grammar,structurenow Writenowandreviselater Beflexibleandwillingtorewrite

HumanInterestStory

Writesomethingonlyyoucanwrite Goodmaterialinyourdailylife–payattention Providedetails Showthatyouseetheworldbeyondhighschool Depression/Drugs/Divorce:Reflectvs.Relay

Noonecantelltheexactsamestoryasyou.Assumethatsomeoneelseintheapplicantpoolwillbewritingaboutasimilarsubject;makeyoursspecifictoyou.Forexample,ifyouchoosetowriteaboutdoingcommunityservice,adddetailsthatmakeyourexperiencestandout.Notopicisboring…iftoldtherightway.Withenoughdetailandcreativity,almostanytopiccanbeagoodone.Staypositive!Youwantadmissionscounselorstowanttomeetyou.Ifyouarestillstrugglingtofindtherighttopic,askafriend,familymember,oryourCollegeCounselortohelpbrainstormideaswithyou.Takethetimetopayattentiontodetailsinyourdailylife–thepeople,thecircumstances,andtheexperiencesthatmakeyouwhoyouare.FormatoftheessayGrabthereader’sattentionrightaway.Theadmissionscounselorshouldn’thavetoworkhardtofigureoutwhatyouarewritingabout.AGoodBeginning

Beclear Gettothepoint Don’tmakereaderdecodeyourtopic/metaphor Createcuriosity Takebestpartofbrainstormingandputitinthebeginning

Whenindoubt,usethefirstperson.Thesentence,“whenyouvolunteer,youlearnmoreaboutyourself”soundsmuchstrongerifitiswritten,“asavolunteer,Ilearned...”“Show”ratherthan“tell”yourstory.Voice

Knowandexpectthatyouare17or18yearsold Betruetoyourself–don’twritewhatyouthinktheywanttohear Don’tworktoohardtoimpress;nottooformal,nottooinformal Don’ttrytobefunnyifthat’snotyourpersonality

AGoodEnding

Don’tendwith“Inconclusion…” Doesn’thavetobepredictableortooneatlytiedup Don’tendwith“…andthat’swhyIwanttoattendyouruniversity.”

LengthofessaysFollowtheapplicationinstructions.Mostcollegeswilltellyouwhatyoushouldbeaimingforineitherpage‐lengthorword‐count.Someschoolsmayexplicitlytellyouthatyoucannotexceedacertainlength.Ifso,sticktotheirrulesandseeyourCollegeCounselororanothertrustedadvisortohelpyoumeetyourgoal.Beconcise!Admissionscounselorshavelimitedtimetospendontheessay;makeeverywordcount.ProofreadingAsksomeonewhoknowsyouwelltoreadyouressay.Askthemtotellyouwhattheythinkyouwerehopingtoconvey.Readyouressayaloud–evenjusttoyourself.Youmightfindmistakesorawkwardphrasesthatyoureyeshaveglossedoverwhenreadingsilently.Onceyouhavefinishedyouressay,putitasideforafewdays.Comebacktoitinafewdays.Afreshperspectivewillbringnewenergyandnewinsighttoyourwords.Avoidprocrastination;carelessmistakesaremadewhenyoufeelthepressureofadeadline.ResourcesYourbestresourceswillbethepeopleinyourlifewhomyoutrust.Parents,teachers,friends,andCollegeCounselorsareallpeopletoconsider.Therearemany“college‐essay”websites‐somethataremorelegitimatethanothers.PleaseconsultyourCollegeCounselorbeforeusinganyon‐linehelp.Neverplagiarizeanyportionofyouressayorletanyoneelsewriteitforyou.Collegesinvestigatesuspectedplagiarism.ThingstoAvoid

TheRésuméEssay TheThirdPersonEssay TheSillyEssay TheGenericEssay

TheHotTopicoftheYearEssaySource:LoyolaAcademy,Illinois

Tips for writing your

College application essayHere’s advice from the people who read them!

Does writing a college application essay seem like a daunting task toyou? For most people, the answer is a resounding “yes!” However, the essayis also an opportunity for you to show your talents and creativity to their bestadvantage.

To help you get started, here are some insights on writing an essay fromthe people who read hundreds of them every year — admission officers atACM colleges.

• • • • •

Why do collegesrequire essays?

A college application includes a lotof information about you, such asgrades, recommendations, lists ofyour extracurricular activities and testscores. All of that information is veryimportant and helps admission officersform a picture of your accomplishmentsand abilities. However, while it tellsabout how other people see you, thereisn’t much about how you see yourself.It’s that inside view — how you seeyourself — that colleges hope to findin your essay.

The essay performs other functions,as well, such as:• The essay can be a way of showing

that you have researched and thoughtcarefully about the college to whichyou are applying. It shows, in yourown words, why you and the collegewould be a good “match.”

• An essay demonstrates your writingability, which is a key componentto success in college.

• In your essay, you can show thatyou are willing to put yourself intowhat you do. That kind of commit-ment is an important part of effectivelearning in college. And it showsthe admission committee that youare someone who is willing andable to be a contributing member ofa community of learners.

• Your academic record is the centraland most important part of yourapplication. For selective collegesespecially, your essay providesadditional insights about you — as astudent and as an individual — for acollege to consider as it reviewsyour application.

The essay is your chance to use your voiceThe essay is the living, breathing part of your application to a college. In

the essay, you can speak in your own voice and personalize your application.Here’s your opportunity to show something about you that doesn’t reallycome across elsewhere in your application.

So, step back and be reflective. Think about who you are as an individual.How do you view the world? What do you care about deeply? What experiencesand people have been important in shaping you as a person? What are youraspirations in life?

It is in such reflection that you can find your own, unique voice. That’sthe voice that will help you write an interesting essay that only you couldhave written.

Now, on to some nuts and bolts of writing the essay.

Show your command of the basicsof good writing

Here are some key points that admission officers look for in an essay:• Make sure to answer the essay question and to follow all the instructions

that are given.• Start off with a strong opening paragraph that captures the reader’s interest.• Use a style that you find comfortable and that is appropriate for the subject

matter.• Use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.• Make a point and stick to it; develop your argument or narrative.• Check all of your facts. Do you mention a date, place or event in your essay?

Make sure it’s correct.• Have you given your reader complete information, so he or she won’t be

confused?(continued)



© 2005

What to write about? Where to look for an essay topic

Does the application ask you to choose a topic to write about? There areas many (actually, many more) good topics as there are applicants. Here aresome ideas for where you might look for an essay topic:• Do you have hobbies and non-school pursuits that really excite you and

that engage your heart and mind? Writing about your out-of-classroominterests could help bring out a part of you that’s not covered — or not coveredcompletely and to your fullest advantage — elsewhere in your application.

• Is there a social cause that you hold near and dear? Remember, an essay isnot an academic paper; but a cause that you feel passionately about, andthat has been in your thoughts and activities, might be the basis for astrong essay.

• Perhaps there is an event (local, national or international) that has touchedyou in a personal way.

• Is there an academic subject that really sparks your interest? Why does thesubject engage you? Has it led to experiences or study outside of school?There may be essay material that goes beyond the courses you took orscores on AP tests.

How to handle a topicOften, colleges will ask you, the applicant, to write about an experience

you’ve had, an achievement in your life, or someone who has had a significantinfluence on your life. In handling such a topic — or, for that matter, any topicyou select — go beyond the what and dig into the how and why. In otherwords, don’t settle for simply providing a description of an event. Take thenext step and tell about the impact the situation had on you. For example:• This is a personal essay, not a travelogue. So, if you’re writing about a trip

to another country, tell about how your experiences effected you, and whythey were interesting or meaningful to you. In other words, the peoplereading the essay are interested in what makes you tick and how you gotthe way you are, not in how the trains run in Paris.

• Are you writing a tribute to your grandparents and their influence on yourchildhood? Be personal and specific, not just sentimental. Explain how theparticular things your grandparents did or said were important to you.

• Did you overcome an athletic injury and recover to perform well? Adescription of the type of cast you wore and your rehab routine is not likelyto make a compelling essay. However, your reflections on what it felt liketo be watching your teammates, instead of competing alongside them,might be the basis of a memorable essay.

Possible pitfalls whenwriting an essay• Writing a poem or making a

videotape in place of an essay isprobably not a good idea, unlessyou’re applying to a specializedschool that encourages such asubmission.

• Humor can be risky, so be carefulhow you use it.

• “Honor code” rules are in effectwhen you write an essay, so doyour own work and don’t makethings up.

As a practical matter, other itemsin the application, such as letters ofrecommendation, make it quitepossible that you would be foundout if you tried to make things up.

Some final tips• Leave yourself time to rewrite

and revise. For the great majorityof people, this is not an easyassignment. Start early and leaveplenty of time! Most likely thatmeans to give yourself weeks (notdays, and certainly not hours!) torework your essay.

• If your essay is longer than threepages (unless the instructions callfor something longer), then it hadbetter be interesting! Think hardabout what you really want to focuson, and take out whatever gets awayfrom your central point.

• The admission committee willtake your essay seriously. Youshould, too. You have a lot to gainby putting in the time and effort towrite a good essay!

Suggested readingThe College Application Essay bySarah Myers McGinty (The CollegeBoard, New York, NY).

• In general, it’s best to be succinct. If there a recommended length for theessay, pay attention to it.

• The essay should be neatly typed.• Remember that mistakes, especially sloppy mistakes, make it look like you

don’t take the essay (and, by extension, the application) very seriously.


www.acm.edu

MostCommonMistakesinCollegeApplicationEssays

Collegeapplicationsaresomeofthemoststressfulactivitiesthatstudentsendure.Youhavetotaketests,excelinschoolwithastrongGPA,askforlettersofrecommendation,andultimatelywritethatcollegeessay.Manypeopleglossoverthisportionoftheapplication,thinkingitthemostunimportant.However,itisyouronlytimetoshineasyourself.Yourpersonalitywillcomethrough.So,itisbettertowritethebestessayyoucan,otherwise,committeesmightsecond‐guessyourtopscoresorglowinglettersofrecommendation.Hereislistofcommonerrorswehavefoundwhileeditingcollegeapplicationessays.ReiterationofResumeExplanation:Studentssometimesre‐writetheirresumeintheiressay.Theproblemisthatittakesupsomuchspaceanddoesn'ttellthemanythingnew.Thecommitteealreadyhasyourresumeinfrontofthem.Theydon'twanttoreaditinprose.Theywanttohearsomethingnew.Fix:Lookatyouressayandifallofitcanbefoundonyourresume,thenfindanewstoryandtellittothem.Mainlywriteaboutexperiencesthatcannotbefoundonyourresume.ReiterationofGrades/ScoresExplanation:Studentsalsopraisethemselvesintheiressaysforstronggradesandscores.Donotdoso.Again,thecommitteealreadyhasyourscoreswrittenelsewhereintheapplication.Fix:Gothroughtheessayandtakeoutexcessivediscussionofyouracademicachievements.YoucanmentionyourGPAifyouwantto,butitisnotnecessary.ThecommitteewantstoknowYOUasaperson,notyouasagrade‐makingmachine.ExcessivePraiseExplanation:Whileschoolslovetohearpraiseaboutthemselves,theyalreadyknowhowamazingtheyare.TheywanttohearhowamazingYOUare.Theywillthinkyouhavelittlesubstanceorlittleself‐praiseifallyoudoisworshipthem.Fix:Lookthroughyouressaysolelyforbrown‐nosing.Whileitisimportanttoshowaschoolwhyyouwanttogothere,waysexisttodosowithoutlookingtooone‐sided.LackofPersonalGrowthExplanation:Ifyouressayissimplyaboutthingyouhavedone,withoutanypersonalgrowthorchange,youhavenotthoughtthroughthequestionlongenough.Schoolswanttoseehowyouhavechangedfrompeopleyouhavemetandexperiencesyouhavehad.Fix:Ifyouarefrustratedandfeelyouhaveneverchanged,thenjustmakeitup.Youhaveinevitablychangedsomewhatfromyeartoyear.Findsomeoneinyourlifeandcreateagrowth.Itwillbehard,butitisbetterthannotshowinganysortofintellectualand/orpersonalexploration.Doubt/AttentiontoWeaknessesExplanation:Moststudentshaveonethingthatislessthanstellarontheirapplications(beitSATs,GPA,lackofextra‐curricularactivities).Donotdrawattentiontothisweaknessinthisessay.Therewillbeotherplacesontheapplicationtoexplainaweakness.Fix:Readyouressaysolelyforweaknessandtakethemout!Spellingerrors/TyposExplanation:Typosandspellingmistakescanruinyourentireessay,flawlessasitmayread.Youdon'twantcommitteesthinkingyoucan'tspellwellenoughtogetintotheirschool.Fix:Donotsimplyusespell‐checkonyourcomputer.Doaword‐by‐wordspell‐checkandgiveittosomeoneelsetoreadforthesetypeoferrors.Sometimesotherpeoplecancatcherrorsthatyoumiss.

PunctuationproblemsExplanation:Likespelling,punctuationcanruinaperfectlywell‐designedessay.Becarefulofthosecommasandperiods.Fix:Readthroughyouressayforpunctuationonly.Ifyoudon'tknowhowtouseacommaorasemi‐colon,asksomeoneorpickupagrammarbook.Thisissomethingsoeasilyfixed,itwouldbeashametoruinyouressayinitsbasis.WhattheUniversitycandoforYOUExplanation:Somanystudentswriteaboutwhattheschoolcandoforthem.Somanyofthemforgettowriteaboutwhattheycandofortheschool.Schoolsknowhowgreatandpowerfultheyare.Theyknowhowmuchtheycanhelpeverystudent.Theydon'twanttohearjustthat.Theywantabitmore.Fix:Ifyoudon'talreadyhaveone,addaparagraphofhowyoucanhelptheschool.Yes,thismaysoundratherpompous,butschoolswantstudentswhowillbringpridetotheirname.LackofstructureExplanation:Ifanessayisjustabunchofthoughtsthrowntogether,itishardlycohesiveandconvincing.Fix:Writeanoutline,paragraphbyparagraph,onwhatyouwanttosayinyouressay.Followtheoutline!Self‐DoubtExplanation:Manyessaysareplaguedbyself‐doubt.Theinnerconfusionofthestudentmayinadvertentlycomethroughinthewritingoftheessay.Youdonotwanttheschool'sadmissioncommitteetothinkyoudoubtyourselfinanyway.Fix:Givetheessaytosomeoneelsetoreadtomakesureitisconfident.Donottalkaboutnegativeissuesinit.

SpecialSituations Somesituationsrequiremoredetailedplanning.Someexamplesincludeinterestin

playingsportsincollege,participatinginfinearts,andapplyingtomilitaryacademiesorROTCscholarshipprograms.

Athletics:CollegesareNCAADivisionI,II,III,orNAIAprograms.NCAADivisionIIIschoolsdonotofferscholarshipsspecificallyforsports.NCAADivisionIorIIschoolsrequirethatastudentapplythroughtheclearinghousetobepre‐qualifiedforrecruiting.Collegeshaveprospectivestudent‐athleteformsontheirathleticswebpagestostarttheprocessofcontactingcoaches.

FineArts:Ifyouarethinkingofstudyinganyofthefineartsincollege,thereare

additionalrequirementsforadmissionsincludingauditionsand/orportfolios.Inaddition,therearemanycollegeswhichofferscholarshipsforthosewillingtoparticipateinfineartsareasincolleges.

ServiceAcademies:TheprocessforapplyingtoServiceAcademiesstartsearlierthan

mostcollegeapplicationsandhasmorestepstotheapplication.Inaddition,therearecompetitivesummeropportunitiesthatgiveavaluableglimpseintoacademylife,butstudentsmustapplyinDecemberorJanuaryoftheirJunioryear.Youmayneedtostarttakingcollegetestsafewmonthsearliertohaveplentyoftimeforre‐takes.

ROTCScholarships:TheprocessforapplyingfollowsapathsimilartotheAcademies.

Source: Phillips Exeter Academy and US Military Academies

ServiceAcademiesandROTC

IfyouareconsideringattendingaServiceAcademy,speakwithyourCollegeCounselor,family,andteacherstogetafullunderstandingofthecommitmentitrequires.BesurethataServiceAcademyisagoodfitforyoupersonally,academically,physically,andvocationally.ApplicationProcessYoumustreceiveanominationfromyoursenatororcongressperson.Also,anevaluationofacademiccredentials,personalcharacterandphysicalexaminationareconsideredintheapplicationreview.ConsidertakingtheSAT/ACTPlusWritingearlyinthesecondsemesterofyourJunioryear.TheapplicationisextensiveanditisessentialthatyoumeetwithyourCollegeCounselorearlyinyourJunioryeartobegintheprocess.AcademicProgramsMath,engineering,andthephysicalsciencescontinuetobestrongattheServiceAcademies.ConsiderapplyingforsummerprogramsattheacademyofyourchoiceinDecemberorJanuaryofyourJunioryearinordertobetterexploretheoptionofattendingaServiceAcademy.ObligationsTheServiceAcademyrequiresachangeinlifestyle.Itisverydifferentfromthetraditionalundergraduateexperience.Investigateandcomprehendthemagnitudeofthechangeandwhetheryouarereadytofullyembraceitonadailybasis.AsaServiceAcademygraduate,youareobligatedtogiveatleastsixyearsofmilitaryserviceinreturnforyourfreeeducation.Determinewhetherthisobligationisreasonabletoyou.53StartingtheApplicationProcessRequestandsubmitapre‐candidatequestionnaireduringyourJunioryear.Youmayobtainaquestionnairefromoneoftheserviceacademiesorasenatororcongressperson.MeetwithyourCollegeCounselorandindicateyourinterest.ListedbelowaretheaddressesfortheServiceAcademies:CandidateGuidanceOfficeUnitedStatesNavalAcademy117DecaturRoadAnnapolis,MD21402‐5018(410)293‐4361www.usna.eduU.S.MilitaryAcademyDirectorofAdmissionsWestPoint,NY10996(845)938‐4041www.usma.eduU.S.AirForceAcademyDirectorofAdmissionsUSAFAcademyColoradoSprings,CO80840(800)443‐9266www.usafa.edu

Source: Phillips Exeter Academy and US Military Academies

NominationProcessYoumustbenominatedinordertoapplytoaserviceacademy.Writetoeachofyoursenatorsandyourcongresspersontoaskiftheywouldconsideryouasoneoftheirnominees.Thelettermustincludethefollowinginformation:yourname,address,phonenumber,dateofbirth,SocialSecuritynumber,secondaryschool,yearofgraduation,nameofyourparents,andyourfirst,second,thirdandfourthchoicesforacademies.Inturn,thesenatororcongresspersonwillcontactyoubyletterwithinstructionsonwhattodonext.TheU.S.CoastGuarddoesnotrequireanominationbyasenatororcongressperson,althoughtheevaluationprocessdoesusethesameselectioncriteriaastheotherServiceAcademies.U.S.CoastGuardAcademyDirectorofAdmissions15MoheganAvenueNewLondon,CT06320(800)883‐8724www.uscga.eduCompleteServiceAcademyApplicationWritetotheindividualserviceacademyforanapplication.CompleteFitnessExamYouwillbesentinformationabouthowtocompleteyourphysicalexaminationuponinitialinquiry.ROTCScholarshipsIfyouareinterestedinaROTCscholarship,contacttheNavyROTC,ArmyROTC,and/orAirForceROTCatthefollowingtelephonenumbersformoreinformation.Navy–ROTC(800)USA‐NAVYArmyROTC(800)USA‐ROTCAirForceROTC(866)423‐7682MarineROTC(800)MARINESROTCwillprovideabookletthatindicateswhatmajorsatparticularcolleges/universitiestheywillsponsor.UpongraduationfromcollegewithaROTCscholarship,youwillberesponsibletoserveinthemilitaryforeightyears(activedutyand/orReserves).

54

AthleticsandtheNCAA

Ifyouareconsideringcompetingincollegelevelathletics,itisimportantthatyoufollowtheguidelinessetforthbytheNCAA.Everyyear,thereareafewstudentswhoearnDivisionIathleticscholarships.However,therearealsomanyopportunitiestocompeteateithertheDivisionIIorDivisionIIIlevels.Keepyouroptionsopenanddoyourresearch.Itisimportantthatyoufindaschoolthatistherightfitforyouacademically,personally,andathletically.AlthoughmostcollegesanduniversitiesarepartoftheNCAA(NationalCollegiateAthleticAssociation),thereareahandfulofsmallerathleticconferences.TheinformationbelowpertainsprimarilytoNCAAathletics.TimelineFormanystudent‐athletes,theadmissiontimelinemaybeaccelerated,ascoachesstarttheirrecruitingearly.CoachesmayrequestunofficialtranscriptsasearlyasyourJunioryearofhighschool.PleaseconsultyourCollegeCounselorifthisisthecase,especiallyifyoufeelthecoachesareapplyingunnecessarypressure.RegisterwiththeNCAAClearinghouseathttps://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/commonthesummerafterJunioryear.PartofthisprocessisprovidingtheNCAAClearinghousewithofficialtranscripts.Youwillneedtoprintoutformsattheendofyouron‐lineregistrationtobringtoyourCollegeCounselor.Youwillalsoneedtosendofficialtestscores(seethe“StandardizedTest”sectionofthewebpageformoreinformation.TocompeteattheDivisionIlevel,studentsarerequiredtohaveatleast16coreclassesontheirtranscripts.Ifyouareconcernedaboutyourtranscript,pleaseseeyourCollegeCounselorbeforeyoubeginyourSenioryear.SomeathletesbeingrecruitedbyDivisionIathleticprogramsmightbeencouragedto“sign”withacollegeearlyintheSenioryear.Thissigned“letterofintent”servesasabindingagreementbetweenthestudentathleteandtheuniversity,similartothatofanEarlyDecisionagreement.Studentsneedtobesurethatthecollege,aswellastheathleticprogram,isthebestfitforthembeforesigning.InterestfromCollegeCoachesTherelationshipbetweencoachesandstudentathletesisoftenverypositive.Insomecases,though,collegecoachesmakestrongstatementsthatleadastudenttobelievethattheyhaveaguaranteedplaceonanathleticrosterandthattheywillbeadmittedtotheuniversity.Althoughcoachesoftenplayavitalroleinadmissiondecisions,itisimportanttomaintainproperperspectiveandrealizethattheinterestofthecoachmaywaverbasedonthestatusofotherrecruits.Ultimately,alladmissiondecisionsrestwiththeadmissioncommittee.Itisalwaysadvisedthatstudentsidentifyafewback‐upschoolstoapplyto,evenifacoachconvincesyouthatanofferofadmissiontoaparticularschoolisa“surething.”

TipsIfyouaredeterminedtoplaycollegelevelsportsandarecurrentlyahighschoolathlete,youareencouragedtoexploreoptionsofcollege‐levelplay.However,knowingthatalimitedamountofscholarshipsareoffered,youneedtobeopentoexploringanydivisionatanyschoolinthecountry—notjustthe“name”schools.Askyourcoachforhelp/guidancewiththecollegerecruitingprocess.Theymayhavedirectcontactwithcollegecoachesandcanprovideyouwithoptionsandadvice.Yourcoachmayalsobeabletoprovideyouwithanhonestassessmentofyourpotentialtoparticipateincollegeathletics.Checkcollegewebsitesforonlineinquiryforms,contactinformation,aswellasteamandrosterdata.Compilearésuméofyourathleticandacademicaccomplishments.Sendyourrésuméandaletterofinquirytothecoachesatthecollegesinwhichyouareinterested.Coachesareimpressedwhenyoutakeinitiative!Utilizewww.ncaastudent.organdhttps://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/commonasreferences.Thesewebsitesprovideessentialinformationoncollegeathletics,includingdivisionrequirements.FollowtherulessetforthbytheNCAAonhighschoolathleticrecruiting.Whenvisitingacollegecampus,meetwithboththecoachandmembersoftheteam.Afterall,ifyouchoosetogothere,youwillbespendingagreatdealoftimewiththem,whetheryouareplayingDivisionI,II,orIII.

Source: Loyola Academy

FineArts

Juniors MaketimetocommunicatewithyourCollegeCounselor,yourartsteachersandyourparentsabout

yourinterestincontinuingyourinvolvementinthearts,yourgoalsandyourplans.

Researchtypesofdegreesandprogramsavailableatspecificschools.Asklotsofquestionssuchas:Doesthevisualartprogramhaveaconcentrationinyourdesiredmedia?Canyouparticipateintheprogramwithoutmajoring?Istheprogram’sacceptancebasedonauditionsoracademics,orboth?

WithyourCollegeCounselor,teachersandparents,createalistoftargetedcolleges/programsand/or

professorsandtheiraddressesandemails.

Beginworkonyourresume.Presentyourhistory,includingallinformationrelatedtoyourart.Forexample,campsattended,privatelessons,curricularandco‐curricularactivities,repertoirelist,exhibitionsummary,accomplishmentsandawards,ifany.Besuretorecordyourteachers’andprivateinstructors’namesandemailaddresses.Haveyourteacherslookoveryourresumetogettheirsuggestionsonpresentationandwhatshouldbeincluded.

Writegenericlettersofinteresttothecollegesonyourlist,askingforinformation.Includeyourresume.Bereadytoprovideadditionalinformationuponrequest.

Ifpossible,visittheschoolsyouaremostinterestedinandtalkwiththeteachersthere.Trytoschedulealessonoraclassvisitbeforeyougo.

Dependingonwhattypeofdegreeyouarepursuingandwhichschoolsyouwillbeapplyingto,youmayneedtohaveanDVDorCDmade,createanonlineportfolio,orobtainaheadshot.

IfyouwillbeproducingaDVD,YouTubevideo,orCD,haveaparentorfriendrecordtheshows,concerts,contests,andrecitalsyouarein,includingyouroriginalchoreography,ifapplicable.

Source: Loyola Academy

Seniors

KeepcommunicatingwithyourCollegeCounselor,yourartsteachersandyourparentsaboutyourplans,especiallyiftheychange.

Keepanopendialoguewiththecollegesinwhichyoucontinuetohaveaninterest.

Updateyourresume,YouTubeaccountportfolio,DVD,CDorportfolioasneeded.

ManystudentspursuinganartsdegreewillberequiredtocompletetheArtsSupplementtotheCommonApplication.ThisiswhereyourDVD,CD,oronlineportfoliowillcomeinhandy.OtherapplicantsmaychoosetosubmittheArtsSupplement(eventhoughitisoptionalfortheirschool’sadmissionsprocess)inordertoprovideamorecompleteprofileofthestudent.

Investigatedeadlinesofschoolconservatories.Sometimesthesedeadlinesareearlierthantheregular

applicationdeadlines.

Scheduleauditions/portfolioreviews,ifrequiredbyyourtargetedschools’admissionsoffices.MostauditionstakeplacefromJanuarytoMarchofyourSenioryear.

Besuretoapplytosomeschoolsinwhichyouareastrongcandidateregardlessofyourvisualand/orperformingartsinterests.

Scheduleextratimetoworkwithteachersand/orprivateinstructorsasneededforauditionandportfoliopreparations.

FinancialAid Therearelimitedscholarshipsforinternationalstudents

Avoiddecidingthatanyoneschoolisyour“dreamschool”–itmaynotbethebest

overalloptionwhenconsideringtheaffordabilityfactor.

Ifcostisafactor,besuretoapplytoarangeofschoolsthatoffermeritscholarshipstoapplicantswithyourqualificationsandtalents.

Startyourscholarshipsearchwiththoseofferedbythecollegesyouwillapplyto.Thoseareusuallyworththemostamountofmoneyandyouhavethebestchancetoqualifyforthem.

Don’teverpayforfinancialaidorscholarshiphelpwithoutusingallfreeavailableresourcesfirst(askyourcounselors).Bealerttoscams.

Getting the information you need about

Financial aidQuestions to ask colleges

Although the process of applying for financial aid may seem complicated anddifficult, the financial aid officers at colleges and universities are there to help you.Don’t hesitate to contact them! Here are some questions you might ask.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1. What kind of financial assistance does the college offer: need-based, merit-based,or both?

2. Can the college provide an early estimate of what our financial aid award might be?3. What forms are needed in order to apply?4. When are financial aid applications due?5. What costs for a student are taken into account by the financial aid office? Tuition,

room, board, transportation? How about additional expenses like books, fees,computers and personal expenses?

6. What is included in the comprehensive fee? For example, do students have to payextra for computer time or to attend campus events (concerts, plays, films, lectures,athletic events, etc.)?

7. When will we be notified about the amount of assistance we can expect?8. Does the institution have an appeal process to review special circumstances?9. Is there a commitment for financial assistance beyond the first year?

10. How and when do we apply for financial assistance after the first year?11. What if we do not qualify for need-based aid? Are there alternative financing

options available?12. What grants, loans and work study opportunities are offered by the college itself?

Are there any we might be eligible for?13. What is the average student loan indebtedness of the college’s graduates?14. Is there a restriction to the length of time that financial assistance will continue?15. How long does it typically take a student to graduate from this college? Four years?

Longer?16. What impact do scholarships from outside sources have on other financial aid?17. Can we apply financial aid toward an off-campus study program, either in the U.S.

or another country?18. What happens if our family’s financial situation changes substantially during the

school year?19. Are there any payment options available (such as monthly or quarterly)?

The types offinancial aid

Financial assistancecomes in several types:grants and scholarships,loans and work-study.

Funding for financialaid comes from thefederal government,state government,private sources andfrom the colleges anduniversities themselves.• Scholarships andgrants are outright giftsof money. Most of thetime, they are basedupon need. Sometimes,though, they are awardedfor academic excellenceand promise, or forspecial achievements orabilities. This is alsoknown as gift aid.• Loans are a significantpart of most aidpackages. They must berepaid, but most oftennot until after yougraduate. Interest ratesare usually lower thanother types of loans.The payback period oncollege loans variesfrom two or three yearsup to 30 years.• Work-study is a part-time job on campus.For instance, you mightwork in the library, oras a resident advisor,lifeguard or food-serviceworker.



© 2004

Whereto go

on theWeb for

moreinfo

Here are some sites on the Web that provide further informationabout financial aid.

www.finaid.org A comprehensive Web site, including explanationsof different types of financial aid, a glossary of terms, and calculatorsfor estimating college costs and financial aid.www.studentaid.ed.gov This is the student financial aid site forthe U.S. Department of Education. The site includes resources andsuggestions for every step of the process, from beginning yourcollege search to financing your education to repaying college loans.The “Funding” section has links to information about the FAFSA,downloadable federal student aid publications, and links toinformation about financial aid programs in each state. This site hasa Spanish language version.www.studentaid.org The Web site of the National Associationof Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) features onlinefinancial aid brochures (some in Spanish), worksheets and checklists.www.fastweb.com FastWeb is a searchable database of morethan 600,000 scholarships.

Somefinancial

aidterms

Financial aid package The combination of gift aid, loans andwork-study that a student receives.

Comprehensive fee The total cost of tuition, room, board andstudent fees charged by a college or university. In addition, otherexpenses (such as transportation and books) are added to thecomprehensive fee to determine the cost of attendance at a college.

Need analysis Using information provided on the FAFSA (FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid) form and on other forms acollege or university might require, the income and assets of boththe parents and the student are analyzed. Many variables that affecta family’s financial situation are considered, such as the number ofpeople in the household, number of children in college, state ofresidence, age of the parents, and the types of assets and savings.

Expected family contribution The amount that the family,including the student, could reasonably be expected to contributetoward the cost of college education. This is determined by needanalysis.

Financial need The difference between the estimated familycontribution and the estimated cost of attendance at a college oruniversity. The amount of financial need is the basis for awardingneed-based aid.

Need-based aid Financial aid awarded on the basis of thefinancial need shown by a family, as determined by need analysis.

Merit-based aid Financial aid awarded on the basis of factorsother than financial need. This usually consists of scholarshipsawarded for academic performance or for special talents, such asartistic or athletic ability.

Tips fornavigating thefinancial aidprocess• Read each college’sbrochures carefully tofind out which form(s)to submit and when toapply for financial aid.• Fill out all formsaccurately andcompletely. Mistakes orincomplete informationon financial aid formscan cause delays.• If you have questionsabout filling out theFAFSA (FreeApplication for FederalStudent Aid), call theFederal Student AidInformation Center at1-800-4-FED-AID.• Make sure you don’tmiss importantdeadlines, as the datesmight vary. For example,merit scholarships oftenhave deadlines that aredifferent than those forother types of financialassistance.• Keep a copy of everyfinancial aid form andsupporting documentthat you send out. Also,keep copies of anycorrespondence andnotes of conversationsyou have with financialaid officers.• Beware ofscholarship scams. Asa general rule, if youhave to pay money toget a scholarship, it’sprobably a scam.• Reapply every year.Most financial aid awardsare not automaticallyrenewed.


www.acm.edu

College Admissions 101

Documents

Transcript of College Admissions 101