Gaining admission to the college of your choice can be a very challenging and competitive endeavor. The best evidence of a student's college readiness is his/her transcript. In order to successfully prepare for college, students need to take college prep courses in English, math, science, social studies and foreign language. Students should see their counselor with questions about specific courses.
Another factor is the student's performance on college entrance exams, either the ACT or SAT. Registration is done online at act.org and collegeboard.com practice tests can be found on these same websites. Other factors considered include strength of character, maturity, stability, creative ability, capacity for leadership, a sense of responsibility, willingness to serve, and breadth and strength of intellectual curiosity.
Students should write their own letters and handle their own correspondence with colleges. Each application should be well thought out and neatly and carefully prepared. Students completing online applications should be careful to print out any pages their counselor needs and be sure to request that their transcripts be sent to the college.
Once a paper application is complete, it should be turned in to the student's guidance counselor along with the application fee and any other attachments the college has requested of the student, such as a list of extra-curricular activities or essays. The counselors will then complete their portion of the application, prepare a transcript and mail all parts to the college.
The student must allow plenty of time prior to any deadlines for the counselor or teachers who may need to write a recommendation to complete a quality product. Deadlines are the student's responsibility.
General Information for College Bound Students
- College bound students should take the ACT or SAT test at the end of their junior year.
- Students should be prepared to apply to colleges before November 1 of their senior year.
- All families with college bound students should seriously consider filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 of the student's senior year. These forms are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The guidance office has worksheets that will help you complete the form.
- The college-bound student should take all the English, math, science, social studies and foreign language that is possible. It is also recommended that students follow the College Prep Curriculum noted in the Program of Students with a bold CP indicator by each appropriate course.
How Colleges Select Students
Before they decide to admit a student, college admissions directors and their committees consider several factors which may include the following:
- Student's high school academic record.
- Types of courses pursued by the student during high school.
- Marked improvement in academic achievement from year to year.
- ACT or SAT scores.
- Personality and character.
- Indication of special ability in art, music, athletics or leadership.
- Service to the school by the student.
- Community service.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Attendance records.
- Neatness and accuracy of the college application.
- Letters of recommendation from high school faculty and others.
- A personal interview.