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Frequently Asked Questions about the Application Process
In the application process, what things can a student do to distinguish their
application over the thousands of other applicants?
It is important to follow the guidelines established by the college or
university when submitting applications. Schools will receive thousands of
applications, so unrequested materials may not be considered. Ways to make
your application stand out while following the guidelines include making your
application neat, writing an exceptional essay, and including a resume of
your activities, work experience, and awards received. The resume is a nice
addition and is a good way to answer the question about activities, etc.
What exactly are schools looking for in the "College Essay" that’s required
on some applications? How important is it?
In some cases, the essay question is very specific and is used to help the
application committee learn why an applicant wants to be in a major or follow
a specific career. The essay can also be a tool for discerning how creative
an applicant is, how well she/he communicates, organizes ideas, and/or
writes. If you have questions about a school's essay question, do not
hesitate to call and ask the admissions office. The essay gives the applicant
a chance to express something personal, which may not show elsewhere. Take
your time and have fun writing your essay. Also, write from your head and
your heart. The essay is a direct reflection of you. Have someone read it
before you send it in and have it proofed. The essay should be original and
well written. An excellent essay can make a difference and most admissions
officers look forward to reading essays.
Should I include a letter of recommendation in my application even if the
school didn't request one in the applying process?
It is best to follow the guidelines established by the college or university
when submitting applications. Most schools will not mind an extra letter of
recommendation but check with the individual schools you are considering
before submitting such a letter.
Is it easier to get in a college on early decision?
Colleges and universities admit students who they feel will be successful in
their school. Before reviewing applications, each school establishes criteria
that it follows. All things being equal, if you are "on the bubble" in the
eyes of the review committee, the fact you have applied early may have a
positive impact on the decision. You are telling the school "you are my first
choice" and colleges and universities want students who want them. However,
check with the school to which you apply to see what the early decision rules
are.
How important are extracurricular activities? How do I make the activities in
which I am most active (at most, two or three) truly reflect the time I put
into them?
Colleges look favorably on students who have done well in high school and
balanced that with an interest in outside activities. In viewing outside
activities, colleges like to see offices you have held, how many years you
have participated in each organization and a brief list of accomplishments in
each organization. That would favorably reflect on the time you have spent in
each activity.
Does it really matter what college I go to?
It is important for a student to choose a college where he/she is comfortable
both academically and socially. It does matter what college a student attends
because he/she will live there for at least four years and carry the degree
forward into graduate school or jobs afterwards. The actual name or
reputation matters differently from student to student and region to region.
A student must attend the college that feels right for them.
How much importance should I give to the college rankings that appear in
several of our country's mainstream, magazines?
The college rankings are determined by using different factors, some of which
are researched by the magazines, others which are self-reported by the
colleges and universities. It is always best to contact the individual
colleges and universities for specific information about academics, admission
requirements, financial aid and residential or student life issues.
If the college gives the option should I use the paper or “on-line” version
of their application?
The trend is increasingly toward “on-line” applications. The “on-line”
application, typically accessed through the college’s web site, is treated
exactly the same as the paper version. On-line applications typically have
the advantage that they are processed much faster and more accurately than
the paper version. If an individual is comfortable navigating the Internet
applying “on-line” is a good choice.
The largest challenge in completing the “on-line” application is to be sure
you have all the information necessary to complete the application completely
during your “on-line” session. It is strongly recommended that a student use
the paper version of the college’s application as a rough draft, get all the
necessary information, and then transfer the information during the “on-line”
session. It is very important that the student contacts the counseling
office to let them know they intend to complete their application “on-line”.
The student will receive specific instructions to be sure their test scores
and transcripts are sent to the college properly and timely.
Frequently Asked Questions about College Entrance Tests
How often and when should I plan on taking the ACT and the SAT?
Ideally you would have taken one if not both of the tests in the spring of
your junior year. You should plan on taking these tests again in October or
December of your senior year. Schools will typically take the highest score
you achieve regardless of the date the tests were taken. If you have not
take any test yet DO NOT DELAY.
What is the difference between ACT & SAT? How important are they? What about
high school grade point averages – how much emphasis is placed on those by
school admission offices?
The ACT and SAT are both college entrance exams used by most college and
universities in the country. The ACT is more prevalent in the Midwest while
the SAT is more used on the East and West coasts. Different schools place
different emphasis on the importance of the tests. However, students should
keep in mind that the tests are only one criterion and that their high school
transcript is equally, if not more, important. Grade point averages and
particularly class rank are important to the extent that they reflect a
student’s performance, however the content and sequence of the courses he/she
takes are equally important.
How important are the SAT Prep Courses? Are they really that much help?
SAT prep courses work for some students and not for others. It is important
for students to take the practice tests that accompany the registration
packets for the tests. It is recommended that students take the test and then
determine after the first attempt whether or not a prep course is necessary,
perhaps in a particular area like English or math. Many schools will take
into consideration the best score a student submits so it is OK for a student
to take the test more than once.
Do all colleges accept ACT scores in lieu of SAT scores? What are the
differences between these exams?
Most colleges and universities will accept either the SAT or the ACT.
Essentially, they say the same thing. The results are viewed in the same
context. Sometimes students do better on the ACT because they have more
opportunities to elaborate on the answer, as opposed to the SAT, which is
multiple choice. ACTs are especially popular in the Midwest, but they are
administered at various locations nationwide throughout the fall and spring;
check with your high school guidance office for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions on Financial Aid and Scholarships
How Financial Aid Can Help?
Financial aid helps meet the expenses of a college education, including
tuition, fees, books and course materials, housing, food and transportation.
It is designed to supplement the amount of money you have available to pay
for your college education. You should apply for financial aid if you have
calculated your total college expenses and estimated the help you can receive
from your family and then determined that you will need more money to pay for
your educational expenses. Even if you think that you are probably not
eligible for financial assistance, you should apply! Many students are not
aware that junior colleges or vocational/trade schools offer financial
assistance to qualified students as well.
Who Gets Financial Aid?
Basically, financial aid is given on the basis of need. Need is defined as
the difference between what it costs to attend a specific college and what
you can contribute to those expenses. If your education will cost more than
you are able to pay then you have demonstrated financial need. This also
means that the amount of financial assistance you receive will vary by the
costs of the college you select. For example, tuition and expenses are
usually higher at a private college than at a state school. If you commute
to a college the costs are considerable reduced. You could very possibly
afford to go to a higher priced private school if you qualify for financial
aid. With financial aid you can select the best college for your major in
pursuit of the best possible education.
What types of Financial Aid are there?
There are basically three types of financial aid available to college
students.
Grants and Scholarships
These are financial assistance awards that do not have to be repaid and are
available through many different sources such as federal and state
governments, professional and service agencies, private foundations and
colleges. Grants are bestowed on the basis of need, while scholarships are
based on either need and/or outstanding achievements.
Loans
Loans are financial aid available to both parents and students. They are
subsidized by the federal or state government, financial institutions or the
college and may have lower interest rates than regular loans. Generally, you
do not start paying on these loans until after college graduation. It is
easier for students with no established credit to qualify for student loans.
Work-Study Programs
These programs allow the student to go to school while earning money toward
their education costs. These jobs are usually 10 to 15 hours a week on
campus. Wages are based on federal minimum wage guidelines. Work-study
students have to be enrolled at least halftime and show progress in their
studies.
Usually, financial aid is a combination of different kinds of assistance and
called a "financial aid package." The financial aid administrator at the
college will put together your financial aid package and tell you if you
qualify for special aid such as vocational rehabilitation.
What qualifications, in general, are considered the most important to get
financial aid?
Qualification for federal programs is strictly based on need. As determined
by the FAFSA formula. Information on federal programs is available on-line or
by phone
Are services that charge a fee to search corporate grants and/or scholarships
worth the money?
While there are a few well-researched organizations, too many are borderline
fraudulent enterprises. There are a number of “freebies” you might consider
before paying a fee that can be accessed through the World Wide Web: (1)
using CollegeBoard Online, the “FundFinder” and (2) “FastWEB”. Through these
online services, you can actually register for the service and be presented
with names, addresses, etc. for matched sources. FastWEB will also prepare a
pre-addressed letter to the scholarship source. The Center/College Center at
the High School has access to all of these sources plus others.
If you are divorced and want your child to attend college, does the ex-
spouse’s income have to be included in the application for financial aid?
The standard financial aid application, the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) does not collect information from or about non-custodial
parents, whether they actually help the family or not. This means that for
any aid programs that use the FAFSA to determine eligibility, ex-spouse’s
information is not factored in at all. Some colleges may request such
information for distributing institutional funds (those would tend to be
higher-priced, private schools), but even those who do have such a policy
usually understand when the non-custodial parent is uncooperative.
Is the parents’ 401(k) plan figured into the formula when a dependent is
seeking financial aid for college?
The equity in a 401(k) plan is not considered in the determination of
financial need. However, the annual contribution is considered non-taxable
income that is reported.
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