• Admissions Timeline for Seniors
• Application "To Do" List
• Application of Choice
• Standardized Test Scores
• Sample Essay Questions
• Guide for Parents

Admissions Timeline for Seniors
As students begin the application process, the following timeline can keep them on track. Bear in mind this is a very general list.

September

• Obtain school applications.
• Make copies to use for rough drafts/practice.
• Decide who will write recommendations.
• Check with your guidance office about requesting transcripts.
• Mark your calendar with specific due dates for all the schools to which you will apply.

October

• Ask references for letters of recommendation.
• Begin filling out applications and working on essays.
• Submit Part 1 of the Common Application, if applicable.
• If you are applying for Early Decision, complete and submit the application. (November 1 is often the deadline.)
• Make copies for your records.

November ~ December ~ January

• Complete applications for normal admissions, either online or by mail. If submitting by mail, allow plenty of time for delays.
• If required by the school, apply for housing when you submit the application.

February ~ March

• Request that your guidance counselor send transcripts with first semester grades to your intended schools. Be sure to provide instructions and address information.
• If you have received no confirmation from your school, verify that the admissions office received all your documents.

April ~ May

• Review your admissions information to ensure you have completed the application process. (For example, have you settled your housing and meal plan situation?)
• Register for the Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if needed.
• Request that your final transcript be sent to your school.

back to top ^

Application "To Do" List
A list of "To Do" items can help keep students organized.

• Determine what is required by each school (include the application fee and acceptable method of payment).
  
• Create a list of tasks associated with each school's requirements (e.g., obtaining the correct number of recommendations and writing required essays).
  
• Assign a begin and end dates for each task.
  
• Check off tasks as completed.
  
• Keep copies of everything submitted.
  
• Organize information in a filing folder, box, or cabinet.

back to top ^

Application of Choice
Each college has a preferred application method. Basically, there are four types of applications:

Customized: Many schools create their own admission applications. Contact the school to request a copy.

Common Application: Recommended form of nearly 300 colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs. Many of these institutions use this form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own application.

• View frequently asked questions.
• Learn about the application requirements for all Common Application member colleges and universities.

Online: Many schools offer their college applications on the Web. Encourage your students to use College Answer's Online Application Search when looking for school forms online.

back to top ^

Standardized Test Scores

Score Report Dates
Students can view test scores online.

SAT
Students can view their SAT score history on the Web. Visit SAT Status after 8 a.m. ET on or after the dates listed below. This free service requires a user name and password for access.

ACT

View scores at ACT.org. For an $8 fee, scores can be viewed two weeks before the official score report arrives by mail.

Request Test Scores
Besides the score reports student chose to send when registering for the standardized tests, scores to additional colleges and scholarship programs can be sent for a small fee.

• SAT
  Educational Testing Service (ETS)
  609-771-7600
• ACT
  319-337-1313
  319-337-1701 (TDD)

back to top ^

Sample Essay Questions
Review a sampling of essay questions asked by various colleges.

Describe the future.
- New York University

Independent inquiry is the hallmark of an intellectually curious mind. How does an intellectual activity in which you have participated fit this criterion?
- University of Richmond

There is a significant difference between a stupid mistake and a clever one. Give an example of a "clever" mistake you have made and explain how it benefited you or others.
- Northwestern University

Describe and evaluate one experience that significantly influenced your academic interests. The experience might be a high school course, a job, a relationship, or an extracurricular activity. Be sure to explain how this experience led to the goals you now have set for yourself and why you think the academic program for which you are applying will help you reach those goals.
- Southwest Texas State University

Have you witnessed a person who is close to you doing something that you considered seriously wrong? Describe the circumstances, your thoughts, and how you chose to respond. If you discussed it with the person, was his/her justification valid? In retrospect, what, if anything, would you have done differently and why?
- Duke University

What you do in the classroom defines only a part of who you are. How do you spend your time when you are not in class or studying? Focus on one activity, two at the most, and discuss what you have gained from your involvement.
- University of California

How has your family history, culture, or environment influenced who you are?
- Florida State University

Albright offers a January Interim program. If you could spend one Interim working on a project in any part of the world, where would you go and what type of project would you pursue?
- Albright College

You are about to embark on a lengthy road trip in a two-passenger car with no radio. What person—real or fictional—would you choose to accompany you and why?
- Marquette University

Describe an event or idea in your intellectual life that has piqued your curiosity and tell how that idea or event has affected the way you see the world.
- Youngstown State University

back to top ^

Guide for Parents

How to Help Without Hurting
Things have certainly changed since you applied to college. College admissions is highly competitive, with most schools receiving many more applicants than they can accept. Since your son or daughter will soon be embarking on this difficult and stressful journey, it is only natural that you want to help. Here are a few things you can do as a parent:

Helping with the application form: Since the application form is usually the last thing that gets done (often in the wee hours of the night), it is also where most of the carelessness occurs. Be a final proofreader of the application, checking for errors and ensuring that every blank is filled and every box checked.

Helping with the essay: Although only about 500 to 800 words, the essay is the admissions officers' window into applicants' thoughts, hopes, and experiences. When editing the essays be careful to not inadvertently re-write them.

Helping with grades and coursework: This is not a radical idea, but naturally the harder the courses and the higher your child's grades the better. In most cases, grades are more important than test scores in predicting a student's academic potential. Be supportive and encourage your son or daughter to take challenging courses, but avoid pushing your student to take classes that are too difficult.

Helping with test scores: Your child will take an alphabet soup of standardized tests which may include the SAT I or ACT, SAT II Subject Tests, AP exams, and if he or she is not yet a senior, the PSAT. These tests allow colleges to compare students against similar criteria. While no one score guarantees admission or rejection, the one thing that is certain is that studying and preparing for the tests will improve your child's score.

Helping with the interview: The interviews required by many schools can be downright frightening. Unlike the other components, they require interaction with real life admissions officers or alumni. Interview topics include everything from academic interests to current events. Help prepare your child by doing a mock interview. This is the best way to improve interview skills.

However you decide to help, give your student positive encouragement and even consider cutting him or her a little slack when it comes to chores during this busy time.

By Gen and Kelly Tanabe
Founders of SuperCollege.com

back to top ^