The College Admissions

Process

November 17, 2007

 Requirements
• Application
– Online or paper
– Common or individual
• Personal statement
– Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
– Follow prompt and word limits
– Personalize it, specific to that school
• Activities List
– Be as detailed as possible
• Fee
 Requirements (cont.)
• Test Scores
– ACT or SAT or both?
– On transcript or from CollegeBoard?
• High School Transcript
– Submitted directly from your high school
• College Prep Form
– Prepared by your guidance counselor

• Recommendation letters
• Interview, audition, portfolio
 Review Process
• Begins once the college has received a
completed application
• Based on set criteria
– The college should be able to tell you what
the criteria is that they use
• Individual, committee, or panel review
• Quantitative and/or qualitative
• Could take 3-6 weeks, on average, or
after a deadline has passed
 Deadlines
• Rolling admissions
– Decisions made as applications are
completed
– “First-come, first-serve”
• Early action, early decision
– Can be a binding decision
• Solid or suggested
• Program-specific
• Financial aid consideration
– Scholarships, FAFSA
 Keep in Mind…
• Senior year can be stressful & busy
– Allow extra time for everything
– Don’t be discouraged
• Who will help you through the process?
– Guidance counselors, parents, teachers
• Interactions with staff at college and
universities
– E-mail address, phone etiquette
• Every detail counts!
 Offers and Decisions
• Acceptance
• Wait-listed
• Referral
– Admitted to program not in your top choices
• Decline
– Appeal? Transfer?
• Confirmations and matriculation
– Officially holds your place
– Associated fees
Suggested Timeline: Juniors
• Focus on academics!
• Take the ACT and/or SAT at least once
• Make a list of what you’re interested in
– Type of school, programs, etc.
• Collect information from colleges
– Attend college fairs and visits
– Subscribe to mailing lists
• Visit campuses, if you’re able to
 Suggested Timeline: Seniors
• September and October
– Pick your top choice schools and programs
– Retake the ACT or SAT
• November
– Submit applications
• January
– Submit the FAFSA
• Winter/Spring
– Make a decision and confirm
– Enjoy your senior year!