The decision
After everything is submitted, the only thing left to do is wait! It is a good idea to apply to at least one school that has rolling admission so that you hear from one school earlier in the year. Many very selective schools will not let you know whether you have been admitted until late March or early April.
How does a college make its decision? The criteria used will vary from college to college. Most college handbooks will list the relative importance each college places on such factors as SAT scores, grades, interviews, recommendations, etc. The best things for you to do is build as strong a set of credentials as you can over four years and then to make sure that the college knows just how good you are.
Most very selective colleges have many more qualified applicants than they can accept. A rejection may not mean that the college feels that you cannot do the work. These very selective colleges may be looking for a specific trait or quality. Few students get into a very selective college on grades and SAT scores alone.
Some students are placed on a waiting list that basically means that the college wants you but does not have the room. After they get responses from accepted students, most schools accept a few students from the waiting list.
How do you decide?
If you have been fortunate to be accepted by more than one college, you then have to make the decision! Create a list of all of the pros and cons of attending each school. This may help to eliminate some. Most colleges have visitation days. Take advantage of these; however, do not be limited by these dates alone. Don't hesitate to visit at other times. In addition, if the college allows you to stay overnight, do so. Sometimes the college that looks good during the day grows warts at night.
Colleges will usually inform you of your financial aid award between April 1 and May 1. This may be a key factor in your decision-making. You will need to reply to your first choice college by May 1. Make sure you inform all other colleges to which you have applied about your decision to go elsewhere. Remember that you are well prepared for all of the colleges to which you have been accepted. Look for the college that has the right "feel"; however, also challenge yourself. U.S. News & World Report allows you to compare your college choices at this site: www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/coworks.htm.
Testing
Although the validity of the SAT I is being questioned, your score is still an important factor in determining your acceptability at most colleges. There are a few schools that do not require the SAT I; however, many of these schools are still highly selective, often using the SAT II or expect very high grades in an AP course of study. The SAT I will change in 2005 to include a writing section as well as more advanced math. The SAT II which tests achievement in specific subjects are required by only the most selective colleges.
A third test, the ACT, is now accepted by most colleges. Because it is more curriculum-driven, students who are strong students often do better on the ACT.
When should you take the SAT or ACT? Most colleges do not want you to take the SAT I more than three times. As a result, we do not encourage you to start taking the SAT until the middle of the junior year. If you need to take the SAT II, good time to take it is during the May or June test date when the material learned in class is freshest in your mind. These two test sites provide a wealth of information and allow you to register online:
College visits
Representatives from many colleges visit campus throughout the year. Attending these meetings is an excellent way for students to familiarize themselves with specific colleges or with the application process. In order to attend these meetings, most of which occur in the Student Meeting Room, a student must obtain a pass from one of the counselors or from Ms. Blow and give it to the classroom teacher prior to the time of the meeting.
An updated list of visiting colleges may be obtained from either the Naviance site or from the department's eBoard. In addition, many colleges hold gatherings at local hotels, school, or clubs. Please check out our eBoard to find a complete listing of these gatherings.
Financing college
Like everything relating to the college admissions process, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to financing a college education. Just as important, what is good advice today may not apply tomorrow. The situation can change each year.
Different advice applies to different people. As an example, parents who will qualify for need-based aid and those who will not probably should approach the whole process very differently. If you are not sure if you will qualify, look at the College Board web site. The site includes an excellent program that will allow you to calculate how much a typical college, using the FAFSA form, will determine how much your parents can contribute to your college education (estimated family contribution). An EFC calculator will also be available on the FAFSA web site in 1999.
If you will not qualify for need-based aid, perhaps the best thing to do is to have your parents talk to an accountant to determine how you can best save for a college education. Remember that the cost of an education is increasing much more quickly than the cost of living. However, do not give up on receiving some financial aid. Merit scholarships are becoming more and more commonplace for students who are meritorious, either in the classroom, on stage, on the athletic field, or through community service.
If you do qualify for need-based financial aid, you must plan ahead. As an example, when a college is determining how much you and your family can contribute for a year of college education, a much higher percentage of your assets is included than your parents' assets. In other words, if you qualify for need-based aid, it is best to have the college money in your parents' accounts at the time of college entry.
In conclusion, approach the financing of education energetically. Although there are scholarships available in the community, the best sources of both merit and need-based aid is the college to which you are applying. The largest source of financial aid (grants and loans) is the federal government; however, most of this money is obtained through the college to which you have applied. Using all available federal and nonfederal aid, the federal aid administrator at your chosen college will put together a financial aid package that comes as close as possible to meeting your demonstrated need. The financial aid office wants to make college affordable for you, so make sure you use the office as a resource.
A great source to find out information about financing a college education is www.finaid.com
Some sites to find information about merit scholarships: