Roadmap to College: Roadmap to College: Understanding the College Understanding the College Admissions ProcessAdmissions Process

What Colleges Look For:What Colleges Look For:

Academic RecordAcademic Record Grade Point Average (WGPA)Grade Point Average (WGPA) Academic RigorAcademic Rigor Test ScoresTest Scores School/Community ActivitiesSchool/Community Activities Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation InterviewsInterviews Student EssaysStudent Essays

Other Factors Which May Other Factors Which May Be Considered:Be Considered:

Athletic AbilityAthletic Ability Special TalentsSpecial Talents LegacyLegacy DiversityDiversity Summer ExperienceSummer Experience InternshipsInternships

What Students Look ForWhat Students Look For

LocationLocation ProgramProgram SizeSize School Personality (Fit)School Personality (Fit) Cost Cost Special ProgramsSpecial Programs Admission SelectivityAdmission Selectivity

College Application College Application ProcessProcess

Completing the Completing the ApplicationApplication

Chance to make good impression on Chance to make good impression on collegescolleges

Read directions carefullyRead directions carefully Use same name on transcriptUse same name on transcript Think before answering questionsThink before answering questions Have someone to proofreadHave someone to proofread Have English Teacher proof essayHave English Teacher proof essay

Completing the Completing the ApplicationApplication

Be truthfulBe truthful Avoid errorsAvoid errors Answer all questions askedAnswer all questions asked Enclose application fee (unless there is Enclose application fee (unless there is

an application waiver enclosed)an application waiver enclosed) Pay specific attention to deadlinesPay specific attention to deadlines Make a copy of everything you sendMake a copy of everything you send

On-line ApplicationOn-line Application

College Foundation of NC (CFNC)College Foundation of NC (CFNC) Specific college websitesSpecific college websites Read directions prior to beginning processRead directions prior to beginning process Multiple sessions versus one sessionMultiple sessions versus one session Only use secure websitesOnly use secure websites Submit downloaded forms to School CounselorSubmit downloaded forms to School Counselor Print copy for your recordsPrint copy for your records Verification that college received applicationVerification that college received application

Common ApplicationCommon Application

Used by over 500 collegesUsed by over 500 colleges Used to apply for multiple collegeUsed to apply for multiple college Saves timeSaves time

How Many Applications:How Many Applications:

Reach School: those that are a reach for Reach School: those that are a reach for you academically or financiallyyou academically or financially

Probable School: those that will meet all Probable School: those that will meet all your needs and will likely accept youyour needs and will likely accept you

Safe School: those which will make you Safe School: those which will make you happy and will be sure to accept youhappy and will be sure to accept you

College EssayCollege Essay

College looks for skill using standard College looks for skill using standard written Englishwritten English

Ability to reflect true feelings or opinions Ability to reflect true feelings or opinions about a subjectabout a subject

Creativity and uniqueness evidencing Creativity and uniqueness evidencing fresh and original viewpointsfresh and original viewpoints

Letters of Letters of RecommendationRecommendation

Ask teacher, counselor, administrator, Ask teacher, counselor, administrator, employer or clergyemployer or clergy

Someone who will recommend the Someone who will recommend the student positivelystudent positively

Helpful to provide a “brag sheet” about Helpful to provide a “brag sheet” about yourselfyourself

The College InterviewThe College Interview

What is unique and distinct about the What is unique and distinct about the collegecollege

What is unique and distinct about the What is unique and distinct about the student applyingstudent applying

Types: Alumni Interviews, Group Types: Alumni Interviews, Group Interviews, Personal InterviewsInterviews, Personal Interviews

Understanding Types of Understanding Types of AdmissionAdmission

Early Decision- binding agreement, apply early, Early Decision- binding agreement, apply early, decision made early by college, must attend if decision made early by college, must attend if acceptedaccepted

Early Action- non-binding early decisionEarly Action- non-binding early decision Rolling Admission- applications evaluated upon Rolling Admission- applications evaluated upon

receipt, decision letters sent as decisions are receipt, decision letters sent as decisions are mademade

Regular Admission- school deadline (Jan/Feb)Regular Admission- school deadline (Jan/Feb)

Students notified early AprilStudents notified early April