COLLEGE SEARCH 101

The College Application Process

HUGH CUMMINGS HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

How to be readyPursue a challenging curriculum: Honors and

AP coursesMaintain your GPAAudit your transcript yearlyDevelop strong study habitsLearn time management skillsKnow your career interestsVolunteerVISIT THE COUNSELING OFFICE

The right collegeThink about where you want to be, the state,

climate..Decide whether you want a large or small

schoolTalk with people you knowLook for colleges with your possible majorsDetermine if the school matches your

personalitySpeak with current studentsLearn about the campus environment

Visit the campus or virtual tourTake a campus tour, you and parents-it’s a

TEST DRIVEMeet with an Admissions CounselorAttend a classEat a meal on campusStay overnightMeet with a coach or professorPick up a student newspaperVisit again once you’ve narrowed things

down

Always consider….Environment - location, size, etc.Admission Requirements AcademicsCollege Expenses & Financial AidHousingFacilitiesActivitiesColleges, like people, are different in

many ways so choose carefully

The applicationReview all deadlines; Apply as early as possible Note special admission processes such as Early

Action or Early DecisionProofread your essays, personal statement,

resume, addresses…everything!Check to see if they offer fee waiversGive your recommendation writers at least

2 weeks noticeDon’t apply to more than 5-7 schoolsKEEP up with PASSWORDS and USERNAMESNo gimmicks-follow directions

Early Decision, Early ActionEarly decision plans are binding — a student

who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college; usually requires a non-refundable deposit at time of application

Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.

Discuss with your counselors to make sure that you understand the difference between the two plans

Admissions criteriaHigh School Grades/Rank (GPA)ACT/SAT ScoresHigh School CourseworkSchool/Community InvolvementLeadership OpportunitiesFamily ConnectionsLetters of RecommendationPersonal StatementResume

SAT vs. ACT General Reasoning

/Problem solving test - reflects content used in all strong college preparatory courses

Test Time-3 hours, 45 minutes, including an unscored 25 minute experimental section.

Ten Sections: 3 Critical Reading 3 Math 3 Writing 1 Experimental (masked

to look like a regular section)

Curriculum-based Test that measure achievement in core content areas

Test Time-2 hours, 55 minutes, including an optional 30-minute Writing Section

Five Sections: English Math Reading Science Optional: Writing

(required by most) 1 Experimental section

(only added to certain test dates)

All colleges will accept either test. The ACT with writing is often accepted by schools who require SAT I & II. Hundreds of colleges require neither.. Students must send scores to colleges/universities directly from the College Board.

SAT and ACT future dates:SAT here:November 3, 2012/Register by Oct 4March 9, 2013/Register by Feb 8May 4, 2013/ Register by April 5ACT here:December 8, 2012/ Register by November 2April 13, 2013/ Register by March 8

TIMELINES…Now – Spring: Visit, visit, visit; Juniors use your

summerSeptember – December: Submit applications and visitSeptember - November: Apply EarlyJanuary – February: Submit FAFSA and other

scholarship applications; apply for campus housing Mid-march usually deadline for FAFSA most

schoolsMarch – April: Review options and visit again; campus

housing May 1: Decision DayMay – August: Register for classes, receive housing

assignment, participate in orientation

Family affair and …Make college visits a time to see a new place

and do a little sight-seeingMake it an outing for the whole familyShow off your accomplishmentsCelebrate the transitionShare with your younger family membersTake a buddy: you can share cost of gas for

visits and share ideas

Helpful sites/linkshttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidan

ce/applications/earlyhttp://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/

admissions_deadlines.pdfCFNC.orgCollegeboard.orgAct.orgSat.collegeboard.orgFafsa.ed.govhttp://www.usnews.com/educationFastweb.comYour school counselor’s office