The College Application–

What Should I Know?

FAST FACT Higher education attainment in young adults, ages

25-34, is associated with higher median earnings. Source – U.S. Department of Education, National

Center for Education Statistics (2012) Reported Average Earnings for Young Adults in

Year 2010 Bachelor’s Degree = $45,000

Associate’s Degree = $37,000

High School Diploma = $29,900

No HS Diploma or equivalent = $21,000

Where Do I Begin?

Much of the college application process is in the planning. The first step is for parents and students to talk about what the expectations and the possibilities are.

What do colleges expect?

Challenging course work

A good GPA/test score combination

A strong senior year

Community involvement

Leadership skills

Special skills or talents

An interest in their institutions

Do your research!

What are your career goals? Go to sites like www.collegeboard.com to do a

college search. If you can, visit the colleges that interest you –

at least a virtual tour. If you plan to major in performance arts, start

thinking about auditions or portfolios. If you’re interested in participating in college

sports, be sure to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center in the spring of your junior year.

College Admission Tests

After you have done your research and you know admission requirements for your college/university you have to decide which entrance exam you should take- SAT or ACT.

Admission Options

Four year institutions generally offer the following admission options:

Early Admission – A student of superior ability is admitted into college courses and programs before completing high school.

Early Decision – A student declares a first-choice college, requests that the college they’ve decided on ensures his/her acceptance early, and then s/he agrees to enroll if accepted. This is a binding contract! Students must rescind other offers!

Early Action – Similar to Early Decision, but if a student is accepted, he or she has until the regular admission deadline to decide whether or not to attend.

Regular Admission – This is the most common option offered to students. A deadline is set when all applications must be received, and all notifications are sent out at the same time.

Now you are ready to do your College Applications

Texas Common Application –use this application to apply to all Texas public colleges and universities – www.applytexas.org

The Common Application – use this application to apply to over 302 selective colleges and universities (including Austin College, SMU, Southwestern, TCU, Trinity and Rice) – www.commonapp.org

Less than 2% of colleges use paper applications, if yours is one of them then download the application.

Parts of the Application

Student Section

School Section

Teacher Recommendation Section

Mid-Year Report

Note: Not all applications will have ALL of these sections

Application Components

Required Items

Application

Fee

- FEE WAIVERS

SAT/ACT Scores

Official Transcript

Additional Items

Essay

Letters of Recommendation

Updated Resume

Portfolio

Interview

Some Helpful Hints

Make a copy of the application and do a draft

Apply on-line if possible Explain your activities Neatness counts Ask someone to proofread – spelling,

grammar, etc. Take your time – this is important!! Meet all deadlines!

The Student Section

Personal Data Family Information Educational Data Test Information Senior Year Courses Activities/Awards Essays Resume

The School Section

Transcript School Report/Counselor Section -- Rank/GPA -- Rating of Curriculum -- If Required: Recommendation -- Mid-Year Report – Not required by

all schools

Teacher Section

Background Information/Context Recommendation (academic and

personal characteristics, motivation, self-confidence, independence, written expression of ideas, work habits, potential for growth)

Remember to give your teachers/counselors three weeks to write a letter of recommendation

Give the request directly to the person, do not put in their mailbox or leave on their desk.

Application Fees

These range in cost from institution to institution

If you have qualified for an SAT/ACT waiver, you will qualify for an application waiver as well. Check with your college & career counselor or check with the institution that you are applying to-sometimes they have their own application fee waiver forms.

Once complete

Make a copy for your records If submitting a paper copy, mail application and

application fee Be sure to have test scores sent to the college

from the testing agency

ACT – www.act.org

SAT – www.collegeboard.com

Allow 4-6 weeks before the deadline for scores to reach the colleges

Again – Deadlines MATTER!!

Postmark

Received by

In Our office by

High School deadlines

Watch holiday times both for your high school and the colleges your are applying to !!!!

Now Wait for the Decision..

Decisions may be based on things you can’t control:

o Gendero Ethnicityo Regiono Other characteristics that create diversityo Another big part of their decision is based on

what YOU can controlo Majoro Essayso Activitieso High school course selectiono Grades GPA and test scores

Continue with your high academic endeavors… becauseyour future looks bright!

Good Luck!

QUESTIONS?