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Introduction
In this area you will find links to various "college planning" calendars, based on your grade level in high school. Please use these as general guides, understanding that each student will approach her college application process from a slightly different angle.
Calendars
College Planning Calendar
Application Process
Deciding Where to Apply
Deciding where to apply is probably the toughest part of the college application process. Remember that even simple applications take time out of a very busy senior year, so you shouldn't waste that time applying to colleges in which you have no genuine interest.
Finding out about yourself
The first step in the college application process is finding out who you are. What are your interests, character strengths, special skills or talents? What kind of person are you? The Senior Self Evaluation should help to focus these questions for you and for the college counselor.
How many colleges should I apply to?
Six to eight colleges is a good number. Try to choose two schools from three categories:
1) Reach Schools Colleges that you would really like to attend but which have very competitive admission policies.
2) Target Schools Colleges that would be a good substitute for your first choice schools and to which you will more likely be accepted.
3) "Sure Thing" Schools Colleges for which you are clearly qualified and where there is little doubt of your acceptance.
How to choose?
Start by reading college catalogs and looking at viewbooks in the College Center. The College Center also has several College Guides, which list U.S. colleges, public and private, with a synopsis of essential facts about each. Viewing video tapes of various colleges can also give you a sense of what different college campuses look like.
Use the Internet. This is the one place where you will find anything and everything about every college in the U.S.... and beyond! Many colleges offer virtual tours of their campuses and online chat opportunities with current students and admission representatives.
Talk to teachers, alumnae, and any other college graduates you know; find out about their experiences and impressions. Talk to the many college representatives who will be visiting the Loretto campus throughout the school year.
Finally, visit as many of the colleges as you can. Call ahead to schedule an interview whenever possible. Colleges keep track of the number of contacts you make with them. Your efforts in this regard reflect your level of desire and commitment.
Get Organized
Keep a file for each possible college choice. Compiling a final list of schools which interest you will be the end result of the above process. It is important to be well organized throughout this process; the last thing you want to do is to search for a vital piece of your application the night before it's due.
Applications
Review all applications as they arrive. Set up a schedule for completing them. Make sure you understand the directions completely before you start to work on it. If you are applying on-line be sure to save a draft of your application to a disk. Completing applications may not be fun and you may be inclined to set it aside for a later date. Remember there is a lot to do, especially if you have several essays to write. In addition, you want to leave enough time for correcting and revising. We do not advise you to wait to the last minute.
Always be accurate, honest, and neat. If you do not believe that you can write neatly and legible, we advise you to type sections of your application. However, if you believe that you do a great job by hand go ahead and do so. Black ink is preferred.
When you complete you application, ask someone to review it and check for errors. You may want to keep a blank copy on hand in case you need to redo the application. If you are applying electronically, print a copy of the completed application before you send.
TRANSCRIPT REQUEST AND LETTERS OF RECCOMENDATION
School Recommendations and Transcript
The applications for most colleges and universities will include a Secondary School Report or Counselor Evaluation Form. Give this sheet (Secondary School Report/Counselor Evaluation) to the Director of College Counseling, along with a stamped envelope (two stamps, please) addressed to the college as soon as you decide to apply. It is highly advised that the address be printed via computer on each envelope, rather than handwritten. Please leave the return address blank (this will be stamped with Loretto's address). It will be forwarded to the admission office with a copy of your transcript, and a copy of the Loretto Class Profile. Colleges will not accept a self mailed transcript it must have the official school seal on it. All transcripts must be requested from the Registrar in the Main Office.
Teacher Recommendations
If you are applying to schools which are at all competitive, one of your most important tasks will be to request teacher recommendations. The teacher you choose should know you well enough to give several anecdotes about you, your work, the degree and quality of your class participation, and your interest in the subject. It is usually best to select teachers from your junior or senior year. The best way to insure that the teacher has all the necessary information to write a well balanced evaluation is to set up a meeting beforehand; during this meeting with the teacher, you might discuss the college/s to which you are applying, the program/s which most interest you and any other aspects of the school/s which especially interest you. Also, the Teacher HELP SHEET will enable each teacher to know a little more about you.
Instructions for Teacher Recommendation forms
Fill out the top of the college's recommendation form completely and legibly. Many colleges require you to sign this form if you wish to waive your right to see the recommendation after you enroll. The decision is yours, but you will probably receive a more candid evaluation if you do choose to waive your right.
Provide the teacher with the recommendation form, the HELP SHEET and a stamped envelope (one stamp is sufficient), addressed to the college or university admission office; leave the return address blank (this will be stamped with Loretto's address). Again, it is highly advised that the address be printed via computer on each envelope, rather than handwritten.
Try to give the teacher all the forms you need at one time.
Check with each teacher a week to ten days BEFORE the application is due to ensure that the recommendation has been sent.
Please view the College Edge Handbook for additional tips on the Teacher Recommendation.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
SAT
ACT
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the idea of standardized tests. The result of this controversy is that test makers have been forced to revise their product to make it more fair and more objective. Both the ACT and SAT have undergone major changes very recently and will undoubtedly continue to make changes in the coming years. In addition, many colleges are taking a fresh look at the way they use standardized tests; a few schools (very few!) have even stopped requiring them. One thing is clear: No standardized test alone can predict academic success. Colleges must look at test scores in conjunction with school grades to arrive at some idea of a student's ability.
SAT REGISTRATION
In order to take the SAT, you must register via the internet: www.collegeboard.com.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Once you set up your log-in name and password... write them down! It is highly suggested that you use the same (or very similar) log-in and password for ALL of your college accounts that you set up.
Loretto's school code is 052718.
You cannot register for more than one test time in one sitting.
Please pay careful attention to the high school you put down on your registration. A great majority of you will choose to TEST at Jesuit... but every year a fair number of Loretto students indicate that they are STUDENTS at Jesuit as well!
Visit the College Center if you have any questions.
And remember, if necessary, you can also fill out and send in the SAT registration form, available in the College Center.
SAT Reasoning Exam: A few more thoughts...
Remember, the Class of 2006 is the first class worldwide to sit for this new version of the SAT exam. Students will now receive three scores when they receive their SAT Reasoning scores, ranging from a total of 600 - 2400 (the old version was scored 400 - 1600).
SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the SAT II: Subject Tests)
While the SAT Reasoning Test measures critical reading, writing and mathematical skills, the SAT Subject Tests are designed to measure knowledge, and the ability to apply that knowledge, in specific subject areas.
The following is a listing of the SAT Subject Test options:
United States History, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Chinese, English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Literature, Math Levels IC (Math Level I with calculator) and Math IIC (Math Level II with calculator), Physics, Spanish, World History
(The Writing test is no longer offered as it is now part of the SAT Reasoning Test)
If you are applying to a UC, you must submit TWO SAT Subject Tests, following the specifics listed below:
The admissions testing requirement calls for completion of two SAT Subject Tests in two different subject areas.
Effective fall 2006, completion of SAT Subject Tests in Writing and Math Level IC will not meet the fall 2006 requirement.
NOTE!! Success on the SAT Subject Tests has become extremely important, especially for the UC schools. The majority of selective colleges and universities scrutinize these scores.
Please view the College Edge Handbook for general SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject testing information and helpful tips.
ACT (formerly known as The American College Testing Program)
Loretto's school code is: 052718
The Class of 2006 was the first class worldwide to sit for the ACT with the NEW
optional Writing section. While the student cannot opt out of the writing section
on the SAT Reasoning exam, the ACT Writing section is truly optional.
The ACT Assesment is frequently confused with the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests. What's the difference? Quite a bit really. Please view the College Edge Handbook for general testing information and helpful tips.
Test Preparation
Most students will take the SAT Reasoning Exam (formerly known as the SAT I) twice - once in the spring of their Junior year and once the following fall (Senior year). It is strongly recommended that you take the test at least twice.
You can prepare for the SAT Reasoning Exam in a number of ways. The simplest and least expensive method (and one that most College Board Examiners recommend) is to thoroughly review the results of your most recent PSAT exam, and to spend time on www.collegeboard.com with the various free test-prep options that the website offers.
For further help, you can purchase SAT review books at your local bookstore (or borrow them from the College Center for free!) and take more practice tests. Have a friend or family member time each section just like in the actual SAT Reasoning Test. Speak with your teachers about specific test questions or concepts you don't understand. Continue taking TIMED practice tests so that time pressure won't fluster you when you take the real thing. Additionally, you might want to consider taking a test prep course.
If you have access to the Internet, check out the following links:
SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Test
TestPrep.com
Taming the SAT
Princeton Review Test Preparation
Kaplan
Most Important Hint:
Increase your outside reading! Reading comprehension is the most important part of the SATs good books increase your comprehension and your vocabulary!!!
Sending Your Scores
If you are a Junior you may want to send the report to schools in which you have an Interest - most will then send you an application and viewbook. If you are a Senior, decide which test date will be your FINAL sitting, and on that registration form indicate ALL colleges that should receive a report. Be sure to keep your own list of colleges you designate on the form.
When you send your SAT scores, the colleges will receive every SAT Reasoning and Subject Test you have taken, as well as the scores for the latest test.
However, when you send your ACT scores, the student must choose which score report/s to choose as the report is not cumulative.
Colleges now require that all test scores be sent to them directly from the College Board or the ACT. If you forget to indicate colleges you want your scores sent to on test day you may visit the College Board or the ACT website and request the scores to be sent on a later date.
THE ESSAY
Writing the College Essay
Just how important is the college essay? It depends. The most important part of your application is your high school transcript, followed by your scores on the SAT and ACT. However, most colleges weigh the application essay as a deciding factor when choosing among many equally qualified candidates.
The essay is your chance to reflect the breadth of your personality, character, achievements and experience. It provides the college with a "picture" of who you really are, apart from grades, test scores, statistics. It humanizes the numbers.
How do I write an essay about myself?
You have already had experience writing about yourself in English class. Often a college or university will have a specific question rather than a request for autobiographical information. For example: "Please describe in detail a special interest, experience, or achievement that you would like us to know about." Or: "Please prepare an essay on a personal, local or national issue that is of particular concern to you."
Consider this statement from the Princeton University Admissions Office: "The essay makes the facts in a folder come alive for us. We don't know the applicants personally. We haven't taught them, or counseled them. All we have is the image presented in the portfolio, and the essays do much to shape our impression."
What makes a good impression? A good essay animates a candidate as a real person. It conveys what you have accomplished and fills in the gaps around grades and test scores. It presents honest insight into what is special about you, as well as a sample of your writing skill. Unless you are specifically asked to write in longhand, all essays should be typed.
What can you do right now to write a better essay?
1. Be honest. Be yourself. Don't try to write what you think they want to hear;
write something that is true to your experience, in your own "voice."
2. Think quality, not quantity. More words are not necessarily better.
3. If possible, try to write about something that really matters to you; if you're excited, your reader will be too.
4. Remember to state your thesis (main idea) clearly; support and develop statements with concrete examples.
5. Pay attention to verbs. Instead of "I walked into the room... " ("walked" is a dull generic verb), try to be more exact: "I strolled into the room... " I tiptoed into the room... " I waltzed... " I shuffled... " I stumbled... " etc.
6. Put your five senses to work; use imagery. For instance, if you are describing a picnic at the beach, don't forget the warm feel of the sand under your toes (or maybe it's cold, damp and foggy!) What other imagery might enrich your telling of the experience?
7. Revise. Good writers know how important the revision process is. Put your essay through several drafts. Get feedback from family or friends. Think about it-how can you improve on the original?
8. Read your essay aloud to yourself, to family, to friends. Reading out loud is a sure way to "hear" organizational problems, incorrect grammar or just plain dull spots. Good writers read their work out loud to themselves as part of the composition process!!!
9. Ask for help. If you're stuck, ask your teacher or the college adviser for help.
10. As Dr. Gary Ripple says in his helpful pamphlet Do It Write (available in the College Center), Crisp, Positive and Energized are the three words which describe good essay writing.
THE INTERVIEW
I'm accepted! Now what?
(Coming Soon)
Resources:
A multitude of weblinks to assist you in answering questions that you may have as you begin to look at and apply to college.
Loretto High School College Edge Handbook
Military, Career, and Vocational Schools
Association of Military Colleges and Schools in the United States
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)
This site is very helpful in helping students who are considering a career in art or design.
Nursing Schools
This site provides an online guide to nursing education and schools.
Assocation of Collegiate Schools of Archicture
This site is a great resource for students who are interested in finding an archictureal program.
The Assocation of American Medical College
This site is a great tool and has lots of information for students who are considering a career in medicainde as well as preparing for and applying to medical school.
Adventures in Education
Develop career goals, explore your interests, find information on occupations and getting a job. Find links to other career sources as well.
America's Career Infonet
What can I do with a major in.?
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Centers at Various Universities
Use this site to locate hundreds of colleges with web sites that have good career information.
CareerBuilder.com
This site posts more than a quarter of a million new jobs on the internet every month.
Career Resource Center
Links to thousands of career reference sites. Check out "Career Gems."
Career Talk
A weekly syndicated column on the internet dedicated to careers.
Job Web
Sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, this site provides good career planning information.
Monster Job Search
Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.careerexplorer.net
Federal Trade Commission - Chosing a Career or Vocational School
Recommended Books
(Coming Soon)
Other Help
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
NACAC is a professional organization of college admission professionals including high school counselors and admission counselors. This site includes information NACAC sponsored college fairs and where you can learn about your rights and responsibilities during the college admission process.
Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
WACAC is the professional regional organization of college admission counselors. Students and parents may use this site to find information on WACAC sponsored college fairs.
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