College Application Process
 

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

 

Levels of Selectivity

             Please remember that colleges vary a great deal in selectivity.  While it can be very difficult to obtain admission to highly selective colleges, many colleges will accept all students as long as they have earned a high school diploma or GED.

             Highly Selective- Most students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.  Even though many applicants are highly qualified, the school can only accept a small percentage of them.

Selective- Most students ranked in the top 25% of their high school class.  Because the number of students that the school can handle is limited, some qualified applicants must be turned away.

Traditional- Students must have earned a minimum number of core academic credits and have a minimum GPA in high school to college admission criteria.  As long as they’ve met these criteria they are accepted.

Open- any student is accepted who has earned a high school diploma or GED.

 

Additional Contribution Extraordinaire (ACE or WOW factor)

As students and parents look at all the information that follows on what colleges are looking for, remember there is NO guarantee that any student will get into the college of their choice. College admissions office sometimes do unique things. While it is important to have the best grades, test scores, etc. remember that if a student is applying to selective colleges you have to show something that makes YOU standout. This is called an “ACE”  (Additional Contribution Extraordinaire). Your ACE will set you apart from other students and shows up as an exceptional essay on the application or during an interview. These sorts of things are often the tie-breakers in cases where the student is a borderline case for admission. Students should start looking for the ACE early in their high school career. An ACE can be anything that a student can show passion and dedication for—above and beyond what other students are doing. It can be starting a successful club, planning an exceptional event, creating an original work of art  or music, doing outstanding volunteer work. Your ACE will be talked about in your essay and interview and pulled together as a theme for an exceptional student that a specific college wants. Remember that thousands of other students from across the United States are competing for the same limited spots as you at selective colleges.

 

Selection Criteria Terminology:

College and scholarship programs use the following criteria to evaluate students:

1. Transcript/ Strength of Coursework Completed/ School Profile

2. Cumulative Grade Point Average

3. Class Rank & Scholarship Rank

4. Strength of classes taken, especially senior year—did you take the most rigorous schedule available to you.

4. Standardized Test Scores

5. Teacher/ Counselor Recommendations

6. Resume (Use of leisure time, Activities, Leadership, Honors, Awards, Skills)

7. Personal Essays/ Goal Statements/ Writing Samples

8. Interviews/camps

 

Seniors sometimes voice disappointment that they didn’t understand these terms earlier in high school.  This guide explains these terms in relation to Steamboat Springs High School.  We hope you’ll spend time early in you high school years reading this section carefully. Each term is explained on the next pages.

 

Transcript

             A Steamboat Springs High School transcript outlines a student’s coursework, final grades, credits, cumulative GPA, and class rank for grades 9-12. the back of the transcript shows the results of most standardized tests taken during high school years.

             College and scholarship organizations often ask for “official transcripts.” This mean that SSHS must send transcripts directly to them that bear the principal’s signature and official school seal. Only transcripts marked “unofficial” can be given directly to students. This is standard practice throughout the nation. Students can fill out transcript request forms in the Career/College Center

Strength of Coursework

Highly selective programs ask school officials to evaluate the rigor of student’s coursework. Students should consider the postsecondary plans outlined to determine coursework that will best help them reach their goals. We urge students to select coursework that will keep as many post-secondary options open as possible. Schools want to know that students took advantage of what was offered, such as AP classes or special projects. This is especially true of the senior year. Colleges want to know that you were willing and did work your senior year and that learning was your most important goal, not having a good time.

 

School Profile

This document is often sent with official transcripts to provide additional information about our school and community. It explains our curriculum, average test score, grading scale, student body, and the percentage of students pursuing post-secondary education.  College and scholarship programs are evaluating not only students, but the educational environments they have experienced.  A sample Steamboat Springs High School Profile ear is in the back of this booklet. For the current year, contact the Career/College Center

 

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Beginning in 9th grade, SSHS calculates the average of all final grades. (Report cards will provide 4 ½ and 9-week grades plus final examination scores, but transcripts show only final semester grades.) Most courses are graded on a 4.0 in which A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, and F=0. (Plus and minus grades do not count as different values in our GPA. Weighted courses are calculated on a 5.0 scale (A=5.0, B=4.0, C=3.0, D=2.0, and F=0.) Pass/Fail grades are not calculated in the GPA. Courses graded on pass/fail basis include “non-seat” courses, independent study classes, and other special class offerings.

 

Class Rank

Class rank shows how a student rates academically in relation to his/her classmates. The student with the highest cumulative GPA is ranked number one. For example, the top student would be ranked 1/160 if there were 160 students in the class. Rank can be important for a variety of colleges or activities.  Some may stipulate that a senior must be in the top 50% of his/her class to be eligible. In our example, a student would need to rank at least 80/160 to be in the top 50%.

 

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized tests allow students to see how they perform in relation to same-age students throughout the U.S. Tests commonly taken by SSHS students include:

 

PLAN given to all 10th graders

PSAT optional in grade 10, urged in grade 11

ASVAB available in grades 11 and 12

ACT required in grade 11, urged in grade 12

SAT I urged in grades 11 or 12

SAT II optional in grades 11 or 12

AP optional in grades 11 or 12

SEE THE SECTION IN THIS BOOK ON STANDARIZED TESTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations

Many programs will ask for 2-3 letters of recommendations from teachers, school officials, employers, scout leaders, church leaders, neighbors, etc. Attaching an excessive number of letters to an application will usually have a negative effect. (Highly selective schools will ask specifically for letters from math, science, and English teachers as well as school counselor.) Students are urged to develop positive relationships with adults during high school years.  These not only add richness to your high school experience, they allow adults to become your best advocates in senior year.

Teachers are not obligated to write letters of recommendation. They write them on their own

time as a service to deserving students. To make this an easier task for them, we ask that you:

· Fill out the “Profile” available in the Career/College Center at the start of your senior year, or when you ask for letters of recommendation. This gives the adult information about you to help make the letter more personable. Fill this out once and make copies for anyone you ask for a letter.

· Allow teachers 3 weeks or more. Provide a specific deadline.

· If the recommendation includes a form to be completed, be sure to complete and sign the student section BEFORE giving it to the teacher. It’s best to waive your right to see the recommendation. It gives the writer greater credibility in the college’s eyes. You may provide an envelope that is already stamped and addressed, or have the person writing the recommendation give it to the Career/College Center to be mailed as a packet with your other information.

· Ask the same teacher if they will write a slightly modified letter that can be used later in the year for general scholarship purposes. Let them know that these letters should be addressed “To Whom it May Concern.” Ask permission to make multiple photocopies of this type of letter.

· Drop them a friendly reminder by note or in person one week before your deadline.

· Promptly write a thank you note once your letter is finished. Be creative! Be memorable! Thoughtfulness is a great lifelong skill to acquire.

· Gather letters that will add different elements to your package. Do NOT make this a hobby, however. Asking for an excessive (and unnecessary) number of letters is rude and self-centered.

 

 

Personal Interviews/Camps

 Some college, scholarship, and employer programs will include interviews as part of their selection process. Extracurricular activities like FBLA, and Speech/Debate offer excellent training in these skills. A special workshop on how to do college interviews will be offered in the fall.  SSHS staff can sometimes arrange special practice opportunities for students facing particular stressful interviews, such as those required for military academies and highly selective colleges. Check with the Career/College Center for handouts on practice interview questions.

Additionally, some institutions use summer camps as an opportunity to evaluate students. This is especially true for military academies and performing arts programs. Attending these camps in the summer before your senior year may make the difference between acceptance and denial for your application. Be sure you know if such a camp exists at the school of your choice and what is required to get accepted into these camps.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA TERMINOLOGY—CONTINUED

 

Goal Statement/Personal Essays

             Many colleges and most scholarship programs for Steamboat Springs High School seniors expect written statements that “describe a student’s college/career goals.” In most cases, these should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced.  Include a heading such as “Goal Statement” or “College/Career Goals” and your name at the top of every page.

The goal statement is an opportunity to introduce yourself to a group of friendly strangers. Tell them who you are and what you plan to accomplish in the next 2-10 years. Help them understand how you arrived at these goals- what influenced you? A special person or experience? Research into career options? Personal values? A good goal statement will have a focus, or a clear core concept. A good idea to come up with a concept is to list all your strengths and decide which ones are your best. 

Does your goal statement assume that the reader knows too much about Steamboat Springs or the state of Colorado?  References to local spots will need to be explained. These features add to your uniqueness, so use them, and capitalize on that! Don’t simply answer the question, but identify what you want to communicate about yourself. Give explanations to your statements.

Would your essay be interesting to a tired adult who has been reading 20-40 applications for the same scholarship? You don’t want yours to be generic. This means that the same package, without a name provided, could apply to lots of seniors; it has failed to capture something unique or one-of-a-kind. You can avoid this by telling specific stories that illustrate you. If you claim to be creative, describe a project when your creativity was evident. It is the specific examples that will set you apart from the other creative applicants.

Be genuine to who you are in your goal statement. Don’t let it become someone else’s words. Most senior English classes at SSHS will work on goal statements and college essays. Use this expertise and time wisely. Finally, don’t forget to proof, fine tune and polish your final essay before submitting. Have someone else read it. A fresh pair of eyes can turn a good essay into to an exceptional essay.

SEE THE SPECIFIC SECTION IN THIS BOOK ON HOW TO WRITE COLLEGE ESSAYS

Taking care with application forms

Application on line ****

Neatness counts. A handwritten application amongst a stack that is typewritten will usually be a disadvantage. Typing it shows you care and that you’re considerate of the reader. Make sure that your documents are printed nicely. A pale typewriter/printer ribbon should be replaced. Could a committee of six make legible copies of your application materials?

Follow the directions carefully. Do what they say. It’s their money so they can insist on whatever rules they want.

Note all leadership roles on applications and resumes. Don’t forget things like 1st and 2nd chair in band and team captain, etc.

Ask adults to read your whole admission or scholarship packet and offer feedback. Ideally, each component (resume, goal statement, application responses, and letters of recommendations) should breathe life into your application. Does the whole package give the reader a vivid picture of you as an individual? Seek this feedback while there is still time for revisions.

 

Common Application **** The Common Application is the recommended form for 288  colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs. Many of these institutions use the form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college’s own form.  Experience with the Common Application for 25 years has demonstrated its advantages. The concept is simple. Students complete one Common Application, photocopy it, and send the form to any of the participating colleges.  Many colleges will require additional supplementary material, unique to their institution. DO NOT USE THE COMMON APPLICATION FOR SCHOOLS THAT DON’T SUGGEST IT

REMEMBER: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EXCUSED LATENESS ON APPLICATIONS OR FINANCIAL AID FOR MOST POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS.  SOME SCHOOLS USE POST MARK DATES.              OTHER SCHOOLS EXPECT THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO BE IN THEIR HANDS BY THE DUE DATE.