School Counseling Department

The College Admissions Process

Planning for College

3700 Colleges in the U.S.

• Community Colleges (Associates Degree)

• Two Year Private Colleges (Associates Degree)

• NJ State Colleges/Universities

• Other State Colleges/Universities– PA, DE, MD, NC, VA, etc

• HBCU

• Liberal Arts Schools

• Major Prestige College and Universities & Ivy League Schools

• Progressive Colleges

• Specialized Institutions(art, music, culinary arts, technology, etc.)

Decision Factors

• Size of school• Location• Distance from home• Activities/Athletics• Public/Private• Coed/Single sex• Entrance requirements• Facilities• Rules

• Entrance difficulty• Reputation of School• Faculty/Class Size• Majors available• Commitment to major

by school• Services• Cost• Campus personality

Your search should include:

• Guidebooks• College brochures &

viewbooks• Internet searches• College Fairs• Videos• Counselor conferences

• Recommendations from parents, friends, etc.

• School visits– Campus Tour

– Open House

– Interview

– Overnight stays/class visits

How Colleges Evaluate Candidates:

• Course selection (difficulty, extended languages, extended math & science, honors & AP courses)

• Grades/GPA• Rank in Class• SAT or ACT scores

– Take the SAT or ACT in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year.

– Review for the SAT /ACT or take a prep course. Scores will improve with practice.

– Check schools for SAT II requirements.

Evaluation, con’t.

• Leadership positions

• Activities– sports

– clubs & high school activities

– community/church activities

– volunteer community service activities

– part-time jobs

Evaluation, con’t.

• Essay

• Recommendations

– ask for letters of recommendations from two teachers early in the fall

– remember to thank them and let them know where you have been accepted

• Interview

Hearing from the colleges:

• Regular Decision (April 1)

• Rolling Admission (reviewed as received)

• Early Decision (early application & commitment)

• Early Action (early application & no commitment)

Three most important actions before choosing a school!!!

• Visit

• Visit

• Visit

Visit your School Counselor often!

FOR MORE INFO...

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