College Information

Admission Criteria-Colleges will use some, if not all the information listed below when determining whether or not to accept an applicant.  Individual colleges, however, differ in how they evaluate this information.

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Here are some guidelines that should help you secure better recommendations: 1. Start early.  2. Give your teachers and counselors all necessary materials, including your application deadlines and stamped, addressed envelopes. 3.  Waive your confidentiality rights.  4. Pick your recommenders wisely.  5. Promptly send a thank you note or a word of thanks to each person.

Early Decision: Is It For You? If you found the school of your dreams and you’re happy with your grades and test scores, consider filing an Early Decision application to that school.  More and more colleges are committing a significant percentage of their admissions spots to Early Decision applicants.  To take this route, you must file your application in early November (check with your chosen school for their exact deadline).  Then in mid-December, you’ll find out whether you got in.  If you have any doubts about your commitment or serious concerns about financial aid, don’t use Early Decision.

Scholarship Applications:  When filling out scholarship forms, be complete, concise, and creative.  People who read these applications want to know the real you, not just your name.  Scholarship applications should clearly emphasize your ambitions, motivations, and what makes you different from everyone else.  Be original!  Your application should be neat.   Once your essay is finished, make a master file of it and other supporting items.  Photocopy your essay and attach it to each application.  If requested, also include: a resume or curriculum vista, extracurricular activities sheet (usually one page), transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation (usually one each from a teacher, employer, and friend) outlining your moral character, and if there are any newspaper articles, etc., about you, it is a good idea to include them as well.

Scholarship Steps In Applying to College:

• Research exactly what the college you are applying to require from you.

• Read the application.  It provides details about application fees, deadlines, interview requirements and essay option.

• For those programs that require a portfolio or other creative work, research the requirements, deadlines and point of contact.

• Give those individuals you have requested letters of recommendations from plenty of time to review, complete and forward those letters to the college.  Also provide them with the contact at the college that will receive the recommendation.

• The essay is an important piece of the application process.  Take time to research, review, write and submit it.

• Arrange a campus visit and take the time to investigate the campus and the surrounding community.