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Q
What does it mean if I am deferred or denied in Early Action, or wait-listed in Regular admission?
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A
If you are deferred under an Early Action admission plan, then your application will be reviewed with the Regular applicant pool in the spring. An acceptance remains a possibility, as does a denial. You should continue to work diligently in your classes and send any updated information to the admission office to update your file. If you are denied in Early Action, then you have been denied from that institution. You should proceed with your applications to other universities. If you are wait-listed under the Regular admission plan, then you are placed on a list of students to whom the admission committee may turn sometime in the summer when they need to fill their freshman class. Most colleges will request a written intention if you desire to remain on their active waitlist, meaning if you are taken off the list during the summer, you would like to attend their institution.
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Q
What is the difference between Early Action, Early Action Single Choice Plan, Early Decision, Early Decision II, Rolling, and Regular admissions?
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Early Action is when you apply to a school in November or December and are notified of the committee’s decision within a month. During that month, you are allowed to apply early action or early decision to other schools. There is no binding contract when accepted, and you have the choice to wait until you hear from ALL your schools before making a final decision. Early Action Single Choice Plan is a new plan under which students apply to a school early, but are not allowed to apply Early Action or Early Decision to another institution. If accepted, students are not bound by a contract to attend and can wait for all pending decisions and select their college of choice by May 1st. Early Decision (ED) is a binding contract agreement under which a student applies and, if accepted, must attend that university. The deadline usually falls around November or December. Committee decisions are revealed within one month. Early Decision II is a binding agreement whose deadline usually follows the Early Decision I option. ED II is for students who were not prepared to commit to a select institution in November but are ready by January, or were denied from their number one ED choice and are now considering the ED II option for their second choice. Rolling Admission refers to an admission plan that reviews applications on a rolling basis from September until April. Once an application is received and reviewed, the decisions are mailed to the student. Please note that it is important to apply early to such schools because available space in the freshman class will be limited as spring approaches. Regular Decision is the basic college admission process. Deadlines vary from January to March and committee decisions are usually mailed in bulk by the end of March. The national notification and enrollment deadline is May 1st.
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Q
When should I use the Common Application vs. an institutional application?
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If a college or university has an institutional application but is also one of the 320 schools listed on the Common Application (CA), you are able to use either application. Schools listed on the CA have agreed under good principle to accept the CA in place of their own application and conduct an equivalent review. Acceptances are actually 2% higher for Common Application users vs. those who send institutional applications when the option for both is available.
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Q
How do I receive testing accommodations such as extended time or use of a computer for standardized testing?
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You must be tested by a qualified psychiatrist or educational psychologist who has documented a learning disorder and you must have a filed accommodation plan with the school. You submit one Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Eligibility Form along with supporting documentation to the College Board through the College Counseling Office to request accommodations. As long as you attend the same high school for 4 years, you do not need to repeat this process. If you are approved, you will receive a SSD code which is then used when communicating with the College Board office. You must register for tests at least one month in advance to ensure all paperwork is eligible. Forms are available at www.collegeboard.com.
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Q
What is the difference between an evaluative and an informational college interview?
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Many selective liberal arts colleges offer campus interviews to candidates who wish to apply to their institution. Keep in mind that most large universities do not offer campus interviews due to limited staffing. An evaluative interview is when the admission counselor evaluates you based on your academic motivation, personality, character, leadership skills, extracurricular involvements, etc. They want to know if you are a good “fit” for their campus both in and out of the classroom. An informational interview may be one-on-one with an admission counselor or in a room with several prospective students. You are there to learn about the college while also asking questions about areas that concern you most, for example, academic majors, athletic programs, clubs and organizations, and research or study abroad options.
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Q
How and when do I arrange for a college visit?
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It is best to begin visiting colleges during the sophomore and junior years. Spring breaks and summer vacations are opportune times to explore college campuses. To set up a college visit, you should first check the college’s website or call their Admission Office to find tour times and information session availability. Most schools offer tours at least 3 times per day during the week and at least one or more on Saturdays. Tours are conducted by current students, and information sessions are given by admission counselors who will offer more admission, financial aid and academic details about the institution, while also answering specific questions you may have. You can take advantage of your visit by observing a college class or meeting with an athletic coach of your choice. Again, you must call ahead and make appointments for these activities.
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Q
What should I do to prepare for a college interview?
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During an interview, you want to express any unique talents that you possess which could ultimately set you apart from the average applicant. Consider your academic, musical or athletic talents and how you have nurtured these throughout your high school career. Also, it’s good to have a mental list of academic projects you have completed and exciting books you may have read (both in and out of school). You should bring a copy of your resume/brag sheet and transcript to offer the admission counselor during your interview. At the conclusion of any interview, you are given the opportunity to ask questions, therefore it would be beneficial to have questions prepared (either mentally or in written form).
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Q
How do I release and send SAT I, SAT II, and AP scores?
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It is the student’s responsibility to release test scores to colleges during the application process. To officially release SAT scores, you must call the College Board and request your scores to be sent to the colleges you indicate. You have the option of using an automated phone service (800-728-7267) or connecting with an operator (609-771-7600). You will need a credit card number and the college code numbers (which are found in the SAT I/II Registration Bulletin). Scores are sent within 3-5 weeks. For more information, please visit the official College Board website at www.collegeboard.com. For releasing AP exam scores, you need to contact AP Services at (609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427 and have a credit card ready.
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Q
What should I know about getting teacher and secondary recommendations?
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Most colleges require 2 teacher recommendations or evaluations as part of the application. Students choose their recommenders in April of their junior year. It is your responsibility to meet with each teacher at the beginning of senior year, supply them with addressed and stamped envelopes and all required forms, in a blue folder from the college counseling office. You must give your teacher all forms for all the colleges on your list at the same time. It is also helpful to provide a brag sheet/resume so they have a comprehensive view of your high school achievements outside their classroom. Give your college counselor all secondary school report forms at the same time in a pink folder from the college counseling office. If you plan to apply to one college under Early Action or Early Decision, give your counselor all forms by October 15. If you plan to apply under regular decision, give your counselor all forms by November 15.
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Q
How do I register with the NCAA Clearinghouse?
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The NCAA Clearinghouse is for those student athletes who plan to participate in sports at the collegiate level. Students can register anytime after the completion of their junior year by going to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and completing the student release form and paying a $30 fee with a credit card. The student must provide the college counseling office with the transcript release form found online. You must also contact the College Board to release your SAT scores to the Clearinghouse by using the college code 9999.