College Planning - What About College

Questions and Answers about the College Application and Admission Process for high school students and their parents. Prepared by Cape and Islands Guidance Association with special thanks to the following committee members: David Marzelli, Co chair, Jennifer Just, Co chair, Jodi Conway, Richard Cooper Mayer, Karen Kennedy, and Cam Marzelli.

Permission to reproduce material included in this book granted by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Decisions about education following high school are some of the most important (and most difficult) a student may make. Critical thinking and decision-making skills developed in high school become an important asset as you consider your options and make choices. The Guidance Department will provide current information, direction, and perspective as we work with you to clarify your personal goals.

The college admission process is time-consuming, often confusing and complicated, and frequently stressful for students and their parents. It may also be helpful to see it as an opportunity for greater self-knowledge and increased family communication, a time of tremendous growth as you prepare to experience greater independence away from home. While you, the student, shoulder the burden of responsibility to complete all admission materials on time, we hope you remember that we care. We offer our expertise, our support, and our encouragement to all of you.

Those students preparing for college take challenging, college preparatory courses, SAT and PSAT preparation courses, and work hard to do well. Formal exploration of colleges usually begins in March of the junior year in meetings with your counselor to examine possible academic and career interests as well as size, type, and location of suitable college choices. Students have the opportunity to attend two college fairs, one on Cape Cod in the fall and one in the Boston area in the spring. April vacation provides an excellent opportunity to start visiting colleges while they are still in session. By June you should have developed a list of colleges for further exploration over the summer.

In the fall of your senior year, you will finish college visits and begin final preparation of application materials, including personal essays. Regular meetings with your counselor are important. Seniors contemplating Early Decision or Early Action must get organized quickly as those deadlines fall as early as November 1^st. Application materials are mailed throughout the winter according to relevant deadlines. In the spring, students receive notification from colleges and make a decision by May 1. Your counselor may help at this time with planning additional college visits, wait list procedures, and information about financial aid.

We encourage parental involvement. Meetings can be scheduled at any time, and phone calls are always welcome.

At some colleges, admissions decisions are often made by a committee comprised of admissions counselors, faculty members, and administrators. The Admissions Committee members review each application carefully and together make a decision. This process usually occurs between January and April, but an application cannot be reviewed until it is complete. For this reason, it is important to complete your application on time. Many applicants are never considered by the Committee because of missing recommendations, SAT scores, etc.

Other colleges may use an open admissions policy. All students who meet the minimum grade and test requirements will be accepted. Decisions are made throughout the year on a rolling admissions basis. As applications become complete, they are reviewed and decisions are made.

When the letter from the college?s Admissions Committee arrives, most students will receive one of three responses:

Yes: Congratulations! With your acceptance letter you will probably receive your financial award letter. (In the case of rolling admission, the award letter may come later). The letter includes the deadline by which you must respond to the college if you would like to attend. When you accept an admissions offer, you must send a deposit to the college to hold your place. If you plan to live on campus, the college will require both a tuition deposit and a room deposit. Be sure to mail your deposit so that it will arrive before the deadline stated in your acceptance letter. If you cannot afford to pay the deposit by the deadline, contact the college and ask about the possibility of a deadline extension. As a courtesy, send a note to the other colleges to which you?ve applied to let them know you have decided to attend another college.

NO: Rejection for admission is not necessarily an indication that you lack the ability to succeed at the college. Because of the large number of applications and limited space in the freshman class, not all of the applicants can be accepted. If you are really determined to attend a college to which you have not been accepted, you might contact the Admissions office and investigate the possibility of attending another college and transferring after a year or two. Ask them to recommend the courses you should take to avoid losing credits and find out if financial aid is offered for transfer students.

Wait List: This means you are qualified to enter the college but there is not enough room in the class. Based upon previous years? experience, colleges accept more students than will actually enter the college because not all the students they accept decide to attend. If the college?s calculation is not on target, it may be that fewer students than they expect will choose to attend and they will be able to accept some from the Wait List.

Usually this decision is made around May 1, but it is possible that students on the Wait List will be contacted well into the summer. If you are on the Wait List for your first choice school, discuss your options with your guidance counselor, parents, and the Admissions office. In general, colleges that put you on the Wait List want to hear from you that you want to attend. Write and call them. Send updated information. There is no guarantee that once put on the Wait List you will be taken off and offered a space in the class.

Deferred Decision: This decision occurs at colleges that use the rolling admissions system. They are making admissions decisions before they receive all the applications. There are some applicants who are clearly going to be at the top of the applicant ?pool? and can be offered acceptances right away. Others may be denied admission immediately. There are also a large number of students upon whom decisions cannot be made until a larger percentage of the expected applications have been received. These students are ?deferred? and will receive a more definitive decision later. Don?t confuse a deferred decision with deferred admission. (Deferred admission is when a student who has been accepted decides to take time off, usually a year, before entering the college).

There are even more variations than these. For instance, an applicant may be accepted to the college but denied admission to a particular program because of limited space. If you have questions about the college?s decision, talk to your guidance counselor or an admissions counselor.

If accepted to several colleges, make a careful decision as to where you will matriculate. Consider financial aid packages and discuss finances with your parents. Where will you receive the best education for your money? Consult with your counselor and, if necessary, re-visit some colleges. Compare majors. Which school is offering the best program for what you want to study? Are sports and extracurricular activities a factor? Once you make the decision, be at peace with it. You have made the best possible decision for you at this time.

As preparation for a first meeting with the college counselor, you may find it helpful to respond to the questions below. After answering the questions honestly to the best of your ability, share your ?findings? with other family members and your son or daughter. This can lead to some productive conversations and a more truly adult relationship between you and your child.

Colleges can be ranked according to the selectivity of admissions. Some have higher selectivity standards than others. For example, some colleges only consider students with a grade point average of 3.5 and above and high SAT scores. Others require high school graduation only. You should try to match your academic abilities to the school?s selectivity. If you are a very good student, then a more selective college may offer you the appropriate challenge. If your record is less competitive, a less-selective school may fit your needs best. Be sure that you apply to at least one or two schools you are sure you can get into (SAFETY SCHOOL), one or two that may be a long shot (REACH SCHOOL) and several that fall between these extremes (MATCH SCHOOL).

Like any group of people working and living together, colleges create their own atmosphere. Each college has a particular atmosphere or environment that affects the performance and satisfaction of each student there. Some factors that go into creating a college?s atmosphere are: single-sex or co-educational student body, academic or less-serious mood among students, personal or impersonal approach to handling student scheduling, questions, and concerns, fraternities and/or sororities, residential or commuter student life, extracurricular and intercollegiate activities/athletics.

What kind of surroundings are essential to your well-being? Are there certain places, activities, climate, or pace of life which make you happy? Do you prefer a fast-paced environment where something is happening most of the time? An organized environment where you can join a wide variety of planned activities? Do you prefer a more serene and relaxed environment where you can go your own way?

The ?right? size school will vary for each individual. However, the College Board uses the following guidelines to determine college size: Small-750-1,999 students, Medium-Large-2,000-7,499 students, Large-7,000-14,999 students, Very Large-15,000 or more students. Small schools offer you more personal involvement, a community atmosphere, and small classes (from 5 to 50 students). Large schools tend to be more impersonal, allow you to be more anonymous, and offer class sizes of anywhere from 20 to 350 students.

Although you should not let the cost of a college keep you from applying, it is advisable to review the costs at the schools that interest you and include at least one or two that are low cost. This will provide a ?financial aid safety net? for you. While cost is very important, don?t limit your choice of colleges to only those you can afford without financial assistance. Many of the more expensive private schools have extensive financial aid programs; some of them may meet your full financial need. Every student should apply to at least one state college because these offer the ?best buy? in colleges.

The college application consists of several sections which gives the college an idea of what talents and skills you offer. The application form may be a few pages or part of a booklet. Be sure to read the instructions for each college to which you are applying because application requirements vary with each college. In many cases, an application will not even be considered if you have not properly followed the instructions.

The application form asks for personal information such as your address, family information, school information, and your academic interests. It is possible to apply to colleges on the Internet. The Common Application is an application that can be used to apply to several colleges. Many colleges now accept the Common Application. Some of these schools require supplemental information such as an essay. You can obtain copies of the Common Application at your school?s guidance office, or you can download it from several web sites. (such as www.collegeboard.com)

There are different types of deadlines for colleges: rolling admissions, regular admissions, early action, and early decision. Rolling admissions means a college considers each application as soon as all the required credentials are received. These colleges usually have no deadline at all. It is still important to apply as early as possible in order to receive the maximum amount of financial aid. The regular admissions deadline is usually around February 1^st, and all students are notified of a decision at the same time, usually around April 15^th. With the early action plan, students apply early and receive a decision earlier than the standard response date, but they are not required to enroll at that college or make a deposit prior to May 1^st. The early decision plan enables students who have a strong academic record and a strong interest in one college to apply with the understanding that if they are accepted, they will attend that college and withdraw all other applications. Usually, these students must apply by November 1^st,and they will be notified of a decision in December. This plan is recommended only if you are sure you want to commit yourself to a particular college.

You will have until May 1^st to decide which college you want to attend (unless you apply Early Decision, providing you have completed the financial aid application process, and get accepted). You should receive all admissions decisions and financial aid awards by April 15^th, so you will have about two weeks to make a decision. You indicate that you want to attend the college by making a deposit, which is indicated on your acceptance letter. The college must receive the deposit by May 1^st. If you cannot afford to send this money, call the admissions office immediately and explain your situation. Do not wait too long and risk losing your place in the freshman class.

You may begin to receive information from colleges in the mail as early as the first time you take the PSAT. However, chances are there will come a time when you need to request materials from schools in which you are interested. There are many ways to approach this.

College websites often have a link where you can request that information be sent directly to you. You can also write letters and mail them to colleges. In either case, be sure to include your full name, address, year of graduation, and high school.

Communicating with admissions representatives through e-mail can be very beneficial. Using e-mail eliminates the hassle of playing ?phone tag? and leaving messages. Although e-mail is informal in nature, remember that these contacts may become part of your admissions file. Some guidelines:

Some high schools offer students an opportunity to meet with admissions representatives by inviting colleges to come to the high school. Ask your guidance counselor or college counselor if your school hosts individual visits or mini-fairs.

College fairs are another great way to meet representatives personally and have your questions answered. These fairs are usually held in a large space and each participating institution hosts a table. On nearby Cape Cod, the Cape and Islands Guidance Association hosts a college fair each October. Representatives from more than 200 colleges and universities as well as military branches are available to speak with students and parents about their institutions. The National College Fair occurs at Boston?s World Trade Center every Spring as well. Check with your guidance counselor for other local fairs.

The interview is an opportunity for you to meet face-to-face with a representative of the college. Interviews are informative opportunities for you to ask questions, and some colleges use the information during your interview in the admissions process. Some colleges require an interview while others recommend it. Larger schools offer group interviews only. The interview is a great chance for you to demonstrate personal qualities that may not show up on paper and/or explain any inconsistencies in your school record.

Check the college literature to see if an interview is required or recommended. If it is a college far away from home, you can ask for an alumni/ae interview in your area.

Preparing for the Interview

The Interview ? Some questions you may be asked

(Note: If there are weaknesses in your application or transcript, such as poor grades one term or low SAT scores, the interview is a good time to explain them. Perhaps you were ill when you took the SAT but plan to take it again. Let the interviewer know that. Or if there is a special honor or talent you didn?t mention on your application, this is a good time to mention it.)

The essay is your chance to take charge of the information the college receives about you and to provide information that does not appear in grades, test scores, and other sources. It allows you to demonstrate your personality, enthusiasm, creativity, talent, sense of humor, and writing ability. These traits will be considered in the admissions process.

Plan your essays during the summer before or early in your senior year. Write an individual essay for each college.

Before you begin your essay, write down your goals and how you think the college will help you meet those goals. Make lists of your school activities, honors, awards, achievements, work experiences, travels, volunteer work, community service, and personality traits you value about yourself. (or have your transcript/student activities sheet in front of you)

Write a draft. Put it aside for 24 hours, then read it again for clarity and errors. Ask these questions: Does it have a main idea? Is it interesting? Does the introduction catch the reader?s attention? Rewrite it based on this evaluation, and ask someone whose opinion you respect to read your essay and give you his or her impressions.

Type your essay, (unless the college requires a handwritten version) and proofread it for errors. Mail it out on time.

The CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) is the organization that sponsors the most widely accepted battery of tests for college admission. Registration materials are available in the Guidance Office and online at www.collegeboard.com. These publications will be helpful to you and your parents in keeping track of registration dates, understanding the format of the tests, and interpreting scores.

Each high school is assigned a CEEB code number to be used on SAT I & SAT II test registration forms and college applications.

Each school that serves as a test center for the SAT I & SAT II is also assigned a test center code number.

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is an October practice test for juniors (and some sophomores) designed to give you an idea of the procedures, questions, and scope of the SAT. Detailed results are reported in a way that helps you to see your strengths and weaknesses. Approximately 15,000 of the 1.2 million students who take the PSAT/NMSQT will be designated as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. This test is given every October, and your high school should advise you of sign-up procedures. PSAT results are not mailed to colleges.

Registration forms are available in the Guidance Office. To avoid paying extra charges, applications for the SAT I/SAT II test should be mailed long before the registration deadline. Deadline dates and fees are listed on the back cover of the registration booklet. You will receive confirmation immediately if you register online.

On the day of the test, the student should bring the admissions ticket (or a printout of the online confirmation), a picture ID, several #2 pencils, and a calculator.

NOTE: Fee waivers for the SAT and PSAT are available from your counselor if you meet certain economic guidelines.

If you are thinking about the value of special coaching for the SAT outside of your regular classroom activities, the following 6 points (written by the College Board) are worth considering:

Becoming increasingly more common in the East and Northeast, the ACT program is a college entrance examination that was initially used by many Midwestern and southern colleges and universities. It tests English, Mathematics, Social Science, and Natural Sciences. ACTs are now accepted in place of the SAT I and/or SAT II at many colleges and universities nationwide. A composite score of the four areas is also given. Some students prefer the ACT to SATs. Your counselor can advise you on this. Registration forms are available in the Guidance Office, but test centers are limited in this area.

TOEFL/TWE (Test of English as a Foreign Language and the Test of Written English)

This test is a test to evaluate the English proficiency of students for whom English is not their native language. This can be helpful if SAT scores are a bit low. The test consists of listening comprehension, structure and written expression, and reading comprehension. You can register by mail, and booklets should be available in your Guidance Office.

ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test)

Similar to the TOEFL, it is offered as an SAT II, but not all colleges accept it.

A: The SAT is a three-hour exam that measures three sets of skills ? critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing ? that you need to do college-level work in any academic area. About 2 million students take it every year.

A: There are more than 25,000 high schools in the United States, and their courses and grading standards vary widely. Since the SAT is standardized and objective, and most questions are multiple choice, it gives colleges a common yardstick that complements the high school curriculum in a consistent manner. Your scores show colleges how ready you are to handle the work at their institutions and how your verbal and math skills compare with those of other applicants.

A: The SAT measures your verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities. It does not seek to determine how much information you have accumulated during school, and it is not a measure of innate intelligence (assuming there is such a thing). Nor is it a measure of other important skills ? such as motivation, creativity, or special talents ? that can help you succeed in college and in life.

A: The best way to predict how a person will perform in a new situation is to observe how well he or she performed in similar situations in the past. That?s why the high school transcript ? judged both by grades received and the rigor of the courses ? is the most important factor in any admission decision.

To provide a more complete picture of you, admission committees also consider a variety of other evidence, including SAT I: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Subject Test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, and what your teacher and counselors have to say about you. The relative weight of the various elements varies widely from college to college. Some universities select a portion of the entering class by means of formulas that involve only grades and test scores. In rare situations, when two students appear similar with respect to grades and other factors, a few extra points on the SAT can be decisive. For the overwhelming majority of decisions, however, test scores are only one of several factors. At highly selective colleges, where most applicants have good scores, SAT scores generally become an important factor only if they are particularly high or particularly low.

As already noted, students will typically increase their combined verbal and math scores by about 30 points when they take the test a second time. One recent study using a random sample of test takers compared the score increases of students who had attended coaching programs outside their school with those of students who had not participated in such programs. The study estimated the effect of coaching on combined verbal and math scores at 26 points beyond the ?expected? gain of about 30 points. The average gains were greater on the math section (18 points) than on the verbal one (8 points). Such findings are consistent with other studies that have been carried out in accordance with standard academic procedures.

A: If you are disappointed with the scores you receive, by all means take the test again. Before doing so, make sure that you take the basic steps to prepare yourself, and think about factors that may have worked against you the first time.

Test anxiety can be dealt with through familiarity and practice with the test. Since the test puts some premium on speed, students who are perfectionists by nature can work on pacing themselves and doing intelligent guessing. Low scores on an SAT test taken during junior year can serve as a wake-up call to work on areas where you missed quite a few questions.

A: Don?t count on it. Selective colleges turn down large numbers of applicants with high test scores every year. A pattern of high scores/low grades suggests to admission directors that you are not working up to your capacity. If you took the easy road in high school, why should they expect you to act any differently in college? If you?re in this situation, the best approach is to dig in, take more rigorous courses, and get decent grades in the time you have remaining in high school.

A: Grades in college are influenced by many factors, from personal work habits to the rigor of courses. Thus no test can predict with certainty the grades that any particular student will achieve in college. Nevertheless, certain overall patterns persist over time. As already noted, admission directors have learned from experience how students with various patterns of grades and test scores are likely to do at their particular institution.

Social scientists use the term ?validity? to describe how well two factors correlate with each other. They express positive correlations on a scale of zero to +1.0, with zero indicating no correlation and 1.0 indicating a perfect match. The correlation of height to weight is +.68, for example, which means that, most of the time, tall people weigh more than short people. Extensive research shows that the average correlation between high school grades and freshman year grades is +0.54, while the correlation between SAT 1 scores and freshman grades is +0.52. The best predictor of all is a combination of high school grades and test scores, which has a correlation of +0.61, a level that social scientists consider high.

A: That depends on your particular needs. It makes sense to approach the test with a confident and positive attitude. To develop such an attitude, most students need only to familiarize themselves with the test and with basic test-taking techniques, try some sample questions, and get a good night?s sleep. Others, including many academically able students, may benefit from the reassurance that comes from systematic preparation. Some students are able to prepare for a test like the SAT on their own, while others need a more structured approach. It?s basically a matter of temperament, motivation, and personal learning style. Follow your own instincts.

If you do decide to take a coaching course, there is no reason to pay big bucks. Some high schools offer test prep at little or no cost, and self-paced courses are readily available from the College Board and other sources. As a general rule, math scores increase more than verbal ones.

A: Formal test-prep courses differ widely. Shorter courses (about 20 hours) tend to focus on familiarity with the test, test-taking skills, and practice questions. Longer ones (40 hours or more) teach content as well and are essentially extensions of schooling.

A few rules of thumb: Beware of any courses that ?guarantee? to increase your score. (If your score stays the same or goes down, your refund is likely to be the right to repeat a course that didn?t help the first time.) Remember, too, that test-prep instructors do not have any secret insights that are not readily available from other sources at no cost. Learning tricks in order to ?beat the test? is a risky strategy that can backfire.

Think about the time involved in taking a course, especially the longer ones, and ask whether this is the best use of the time you have to prepare yourself for college. SAT scores are only one element in admission decisions, and getting into college is only the first step toward a college degree.

A: Research has shown that coached students are more likely than un-coached ones to experience exceptionally large score increases when they repeat the test. Having said this, some skepticism is in order. Coaching courses boast freely about clients who made big score gains, but they don?t talk a lot about clients whose scores went down (nor do they include negative numbers when calculating average gains).

Moreover, many claims are unscientific because they are not based on comparisons of scores from two actual testing situations. The initial score may involve taking an ?SAT-like? test in a setting where there is little motivation to get the highest possible score. Also, since many students who take formal coaching courses also engage in other preparation activities, it is not always possible to identify the exact cause of a big score increase.

A. There are three types of verbal questions: sentence completion, analogies, and critical reading. These questions test your vocabulary as well as your ability to understand and analyze what you read, and to recognize relationships between parts of a sentence and between pairs of words.

There are also three types of math questions: multiple-choice, quantitative comparisons, and those that require you to generate your own answers. These measure your ability to solve problems, and they are designed so that a year of algebra along with some geometry is the most advanced course work you need to answer them. You should bring along your calculator.

A: The two tests measure somewhat different things. The SAT tests general verbal and mathematical reasoning skills, while the ACT exam is somewhat more closely tied to the high school curriculum. Whether one test would be easier, harder, or about the same as the other will vary from student to student. However, most students will perform similarly on both tests.

A: No one should take the SAT test ?cold,? and very few students try to do so. Common sense says that you should familiarize yourself with the format of the test, the types of questions, how they are grouped, directions for each type, how to manage your time, and how to respond on the answer sheet. You should also read up on basic test-taking skills, such as answering the easy questions first and knowing when to make an intelligent guess. Then go over sample questions and take some practice tests.

The best preparation of all, of course, is to take challenging academic courses and to work hard in them. Extensive reading will also increase your vocabulary and comprehension skills.

As testing time approaches, it?s a good idea to brush up on your algebra and geometry. One of the best ways to practice for the test is to take the PSAT/NMSQT in your sophomore and/or junior year. You?ll get feedback on your strong and weak areas as well as a predicted SAT score.

A: As a starter, ask your school counselor for a free copy of the booklet Taking the SAT 1 Reasoning Test. It?s full of tips on how to approach the test and includes a complete practice test that you can take and score by yourself.

Other materials are available for purchase or on loan form your school or public library. 10 Real SATs is a paperback book with 10 complete practice tests. You can find this and other test-prep materials and download the software by logging on to www.collegeboard.com.

A: The SAT is given seven Saturdays a year, usually in a high school, in October, November, December, January, April, May, and June.

A: At least half of all students take the SAT exam twice?in the spring of the junior year and in the fall of the senior year. All scores are reported, but colleges generally look only at the highest one. Some students take the test three or more times in hopes of getting a better score.

A: Your reasoning abilities continue to grow over time as you mature, gain knowledge, and accumulate life experience. Careful studies have shown that, on average, test takers increase their combined verbal and math scores by about 30 points between spring of the junior year and fall of the senior year. As you might expect, students with lower scores the first time are more likely to see large increases than students with high initial scores.

A: Several ways. You can register online by logging on to www.collegeboard.org or collegeboard.com. Alternatively, you can obtain a Registration Bulletin from your high school guidance counselor and drop it in the mail. Students who have previously registered for the test can register by calling 800-SAT-SCORE, and students living overseas (but no others) can fax their registration to 609-683-1234.

A credit card is required for online and telephone registration. If you cannot afford the test fee, you may apply for a fee waiver through your school counselor.

A: Scores are mailed?usually about three weeks after the test date?to you, your high school, and the colleges or scholarship programs that you designate. You can also get your scores earlier at a modest charge by calling 800-SAT-SCORE.

A: The SAT test is divided into seven sections, which are timed separately. There are three verbal and three math sections, with each subject divided into two 30-minute sections and one 15-minute section. The seventh section, which lasts 30 minutes and can be either verbal or math, does not count toward your score. It is used to try out new questions to make sure that the test scores are comparable with those of past and future tests.

A: Think of your test scores as a tool to help you find a college that is a good fit for you. When you ask the College Board to send your scores to a particular college, you will be told the verbal and math score ranges for the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen at that school, that is, scores between the 25^th and 75^th percentile. If your scores fall below this range, which is typically about 100 points, you might want to ask how comfortable you would be at that institution. If your scores would put you in the top quarter, you might want to consider a more academically challenging place.

When you take the SAT test you also have the opportunity to fill out a Student Descriptive Questionnaire giving information about you activities, interests, and academic plans. When students authorize the College Board to release this information, colleges use it to identify their institutions. Analyses of which colleges are filling up your mailbox can offer useful clues about where you will be a competitive applicant.

Your score report will also include feedback on how you did on the various section of the test. Such information can tell you about academic strengths and weaknesses and help you decide which courses to take during your remaining time in high school.

A: Yes. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) that you take in October of your sophomore and/or junior year is a shorter version of the SAT. Scores on this test taken in the junior year are used to identify National Merit semifinalists, who are then invited to compete for national scholarships.

Many colleges also use SAT scores as the basis for screening merit-based financial aid. Many use formulas involving grades and test scores for initial screen of candidates and even for scholarship decisions.

Teacher and counselor recommendations help the admissions committee learn things about you that test scores and grades do not reflect. The number and type of recommendations required will vary from college to college. Usually, you will be asked to submit a guidance counselor recommendation and at least on or two teacher recommendations. Unlike your transcript and test scores, the recommendations provide a more subjective analysis of who you are as a student and member of a school community. These components of your application help the admissions committee form a better picture of the whole you.

In most cases, students are assigned to a college or guidance counselor. This person will write a letter to go along with everything that is sent as part of the school report. However, the process of obtaining teacher recommendations tends to be more complex.

It is important to ask teachers who can speak about your academic strengths as well as attest to your character, interest and commitment. A letter of recommendation needs to tell more than just your grade in a particular class. In fact, it is important to remember that you need not select a particular teacher simply because he or she gave you a high mark in a class. Classes that have been particularly challenging for you may be the ones where teachers have witnessed your development as a student.

The teachers you choose should be those of academic courses. (The exception to this may be in the case of students who are applying to an art, music, or other specialized program; in these cases, it would be wise to request one recommendation from a teacher in that arena.) Students often ask for a recommendation from an English teacher and then one from a teacher of another subject.

It is helpful if you know by the beginning of your senior year who you plan to ask for recommendations. Check with your guidance counselor to see if your high school has a procedure for requesting letters from teachers. Some schools provide a senior profile, a document that student fills out with information about themselves, their extracurricular activities, and their college plans to give to teachers. A resume may also be used.

Plan ahead when requesting letters! Make sure that you give a teacher enough time to write a letter for you and remember that he or she may be asked by a number of students to write recommendations. Keep in mind that you are asking your teachers to go ?above and beyond? their duties. It is often a good idea to write a letter to the teacher, even if he or she has already given you a verbal commitment. A letter should be complete with the dates that the letters need to arrive at each college to which you are applying. Be sure to give the teacher all of the materials he or she needs, including a teacher form from the application as well as stamped and addressed envelopes.

*Community Colleges*	*Telephone*	*Website*
Berkshire Community College	413 499-4660 x242	www.cc.berkshire.org
Bristol Community College	508 678-2811 x2179	www.bristol.mass.edu
Bunker Hill Community College	617 228-2235	www.bhcc.state.ma.us
Cape Cod Community College	508 362-2131 x4311	www.capecod.mass.edu
Greenfield Community College	413 775-1806	www.gcc.mass.edu
Holyoke Community College	413 552-2850	www.hcc.mass.edu
Massachusetts Bay Community College	781 239-3000	www.mbcc.mass.edu
Massasoit Community College	508 588-9100 x1411	www.massasoit.mass.edu
Middlesex Community College	978 656-3207	www.middlesex.cc.ma.us
Mount Wachusett Community College	978 632-6600	www.mwcc.mass.edu
North Shore Community College	978 762-4042	www.nscc.cc.ma.us
Northern Essex Community College	978 556-3600	www.necc.mass.edu
Quinsigamond Community College	508 854-4262	www.qcc.mass.edu
Roxbury Community College	617 541-5310	www.rcc.mass.edu
Springfield Technical Community College	413 755-4202	www.stcc.mass.edu

*State Colleges*	*Telephone*	*Website*
Bridgewater State College	508 531-1237	www.bridgew.edu
Fitchburg State College	978 665-3144	www.fcs.edu
Framingham State College	508 626-4500	www.framingham.edu
Massachusetts College of Art	617 232-1555	www.massart.edu
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts	413 662-5410	www.mcla.mass.edu
Massachusetts Maritime Academy	508 830-5000	www.mma.mass.edu
Salem State College	978 542-6200	www.salem.ma.edu
Westfield State College	413 572-5218	www.wsc.mass.edu
Worcester State College	508 929-8040	www.worcester.edu

*University of Massachusetts Campuses*	*Telephone*	*Website*
University of Massachusetts Amherst	413 545-0222	www.umass.edu
University of Massachusetts Boston	617 287-6000	www.umb.edu
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	508 999-8605	www.umassd.edu
University of Massachusetts Lowell	978 934-3931	www.uml.edu

The admissions standards for the state colleges and UMass emphasize a strong academic high school background so that students enter college ready to learn. These standards represent minimum requirements; meeting them does not guarantee admission, since campus officials consider a wide range of factors in admissions decisions. Students shall have fulfilled all requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent upon enrollment. It is important to note that admissions standards for the state?s community college differ. Community colleges may admit any high school graduate or GED recipient.

Freshman Applicants

Sixteen college preparatory courses distributed as follows are required. (A course is equivalent to one full school year of study. Courses count toward the distribution only if passed.)

English	4 courses
Mathematics	3 courses (Algebra I & II, and Geometry or Trigonometry or comparable coursework
Sciences	3 courses (including 2 courses with laboratory work)
Social Sciences	2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. History)
Foreign Languages	2 courses (in a single language)
Electives	2 courses (from the above subjects or from Arts & Humanities or Computer Sciences)

The GPA must be achieved based on all college preparatory courses completed at the time of application and should be weighted for accelerated (Honors or Advanced Placement) courses. Effective Fall 2001 the required minimum weighted high school GPA is 3.0 for the four-year public campuses.

SAT Scores

Applicants who meet the GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for admission, but still must submit SAT or ACT test scores for consideration if they are applying to a state college or UMass within three years of high school graduation.

If an applicant?s GPA falls below the required minimum, a sliding scale will apply. This scale should be used only when an applicant?s GPA falls below the required 3.0 minimum for admission to the state colleges or UMass.

Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to UMass

Weighted High School GPA	Combined SAT-I V&M Must Equal or Exceed (ACT Equivalent in Italics)
2.51 - 2.99	950 (19)
2.41 - 2.50	990 (20)
2.31 - 2.40	1000 (21)
2.21 ? 2.30	1040 (22
2.11 ? 2.20	1080 (23)
2.00 ? 2.10	1120 (24)

This section is designed to provide students with special talents in art, music, and athletics with basic information about how their college selection process might differ from traditional students. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only?each college or university may have specific requirements and procedures.

If you are applying to an art or design school OR an art-related major within a wider school, you will most likely be asked to submit a portfolio. It is important that you read the application carefully for any specific instructions regarding the type of work to submit.

Students applying to art schools may want to attend a National Portfolio Day. These are held at various art colleges throughout the year, and admissions representatives from numerous art schools are available to review and give feedback on student portfolios.

Many colleges and universities require auditions for students wishing to major in music, drama, or dance. You should check with the schools individually for specific information and timelines regarding this process. You may also wish to submit a video or CD of your work with your application.

The first thing to consider when planning for athletic involvement in college is what level of play would best suit you. Division I and II schools offer a very limited number of athletic scholarships to stellar athletes. Division III schools do not consider athletic ability in the awarding of financial aid. Additionally, although time commitments at Division III schools may be significant, the competition is more regional and less time consuming than at Division I or II schools. Colleges also offer club sports and intramural sports for students who do not wish to compete at the varsity level.

For students who want to play at the varsity level, contacting the coach of your sport prior to the start of senior year is encouraged. Colleges often list names of coaches and contact information on websites or in view books. It is a good idea to send a cover letter introducing yourself and expressing interest in the college. Be sure to include both an academic and athletic resume. Coaches may wish to speak with your high school coach, or request that you send a video.

If you are considering athletics at the Division I or II level, it is imperative that you register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Student athletes must meet initial eligibility requirements in order to compete as a college freshman. To be initially eligible to compete, a student must meet the following criteria:

For division I schools, initial eligibility is determined upon high school graduation. For Division II schools, it is determined any time prior to becoming a full-time college student. Check in your guidance office for the NCAA registration form and for more specific information for completing this process.

Athletic ability can play a significant role in the admission process at division III schools. However, keep in mind that coaches cannot make admissions decisions. Be sure to ask the coach if he or she submits a list of prospects to admissions. If the coach does, then ask if you will be on his or her top list for admissions.

Finally, remember that you are choosing more than just a place to play sports. Be certain that the schools you are looking at offer academics and student life activities that meet your needs as well.

SUMMER for Athletes

SENIOR YEAR for Athletes

While all juniors should begin exploring possible educational programs following graduation, those interested in the Service Academies and the R.O.T.C. scholarship programs must begin as soon as possible to ensure that they receive full consideration.

The first step in securing an appointment to one of the academies is to write and ask for a Pre-Candidate Questionnaire. Addresses follow:

Admissions Office	Admission Office
U. S. Military Academy	U. S. Air Force Academy
West Point, NY 10996	U.S.A.F. Academy, Co 80840

Admissions Office	Admissions Office
Naval Academy	Merchant Marine Academy
Annapolis, MD 21402	Kings Point, NY 10024

The second step is to write to each of your Senators and your Congressman and ask that they consider you as one of their nominees. In this letter you should indicate your first, second, third and fourth choices for academies as well as your name, address, and telephone number, date of birth, social security number, high school name and year of graduation, and names of your parents.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy	Sen. John F. Kerry
Room 2400	Room 2003
JFK Federal Building	JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203	Boston, MA 02203

Cong. William Delahunt
146 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601

The Coast Guard Academy has an admissions procedure similar to other highly competitive colleges. There is no nominating process involved. Write directly for an application:

Admissions Office

US Coast Guard Academy

New London, CT 06320

Boston, MA 02203

R.O.T.C. scholarship programs involve a competitive application process as well. In addition to the written application, candidates must undergo a physical examination, formal interview, and a physical abilities test. The first step in the process is to write for an application:

Air Force ROTC	Army ROTC
Maxwell Air Force Base	Box 9000
Alabama 36112-6663	Hyattsville, MD 20784

Navy ROTC
Box 3060
Clifton, NJ 07015

ROTC applications and information are usually available in the Guidance/Career Center.

Applying for financial aid is usually the most confusing component of the college application process. Particularly in the first year when you are dealing with several schools simultaneously, the amount of paperwork can be overwhelming. Storing paperwork for each college in a separate folder is a good idea as you begin this process. Remember, once you decide where to enroll, you have only that college to deal with from then on.

Because financial aid decisions deal with very personal financial information, they are very sensitive issues for many families. To make an accurate determination of eligibility for all of its applicants, colleges need accurate and up-to-date financial information. Be prepared to submit copies of your and your parents? income tax returns, bank information, etc.

There are two financial aid applications that you will hear about in the coming months

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): All financial aid applicants are required to file this form to apply for federal and state aid. Your guidance office will usually distribute this form in November but it may not be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for processing until after January 1^st. This application can be completed on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov or you may complete the paper FAFSA and send regular mail to the Federal Processing Center.

CSS/Financial Aid Profile Form: Many private colleges and universities require this form to determine eligibility for institutional need-based funds only. A complete listing of the schools that require this form can be found on the Profile Registration Form. This form is usually available from the Guidance Office in October and can be filed any time thereafter. You can also access this application at .

Institutional Financial Aid Form: Some schools also require their own application in addition to the FAFSA (and the Profile in some cases). Be sure to check with each school that you are interested in to determine their requirements.

Please note: Both the FAFSA and the Profile forms will require data from your most recent federal income tax returns. Because the financial aid deadlines for most colleges fall before you will have completed these tax returns, you are required to estimate your income figures when completing both the FAFSA and Profile forms. If your income remains consistent from one year to the next, you may use the information on your prior year?s federal income tax returns as a good estimate. If your income has changed significantly, the year-end income listed on your last pay stub in December will provide you with the numbers that you need.

As you begin this process, it is a good idea to list the financial aid deadlines for each college you are applying to (admissions and financial aid deadlines are usually not the same). In all likelihood, you will have deadlines ranging from early February (perhaps earlier) through early to mid April. Be sure that you have the appropriate financial aid forms submitted to each college you are applying to and to meet their stated deadline.

Financial aid is intended to make up the difference between what your family can afford to pay and what the college costs. Over half of the students enrolled in college receive some type of financial aid to help pay for college costs.

The financial aid system is based on the goal of equal access- that anyone should be able to attend college regardless of their financial circumstances. The basic premise of financial aid is that students and their families have the primary responsibility of paying for college and are expected to contribute to the extent that they are able. If the family is unable to contribute the entire cost, financial aid is available to bridge the gap. The amount that your family is expected to contribute is referred to as the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. By completing the FAFSA this figure is than determined by the federal government for federal and state aid; by completing the Profile form, the College Board determines an EFC for a school?s own institutional funds. Parent and student income, assets, taxes paid, number of people in the household, age of parents, and number in college are the primary factors in determining the EFC. In many instances, families feel that the EFC is larger then they believe they can pay. It is important to understand that these formulas assume that families will meet their contribution through a combination of savings, current income, payment plans and loan programs. In fact, most families cannot pay their contribution out of current income alone and must rely on a combination of resources

The cost of attendance is used by a school when calculating financial need. It includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies, fees, transportation and personal expenses.

Once you have been accepted to a college, the financial aid office will calculate your eligibility for financial aid and send you an award letter. Your need is determined by subtracting your expected family contribution from the total cost of attendance. For example, if you apply to a college that costs $25,000/year and your EFC equals $10,000, your remaining need is $15,000. Many colleges will award a financial package that meets the family?s full need. However, due to budget constraints, not all colleges are able to meet the fully demonstrated need of each student, and will leave a ?gap? in the student?s aid package. Families will then use alternative sources of funding to meet the gap.

Financial aid consists of three different types of assistance: grants and scholarships, federal work study, and student loans:

Grants and Scholarships: these types of awards do not have to be repaid, and are often referred to as ?gift aid.? Some examples may be the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, MassGrant, or various types of institutional grants and scholarships.

Federal Work Study: This program provides part-time work opportunities, usually on campus. Because the student is paid directly for the hours worked, this award cannot be subtracted from the tuition bill as you would other types of aid. It is a part-time job and the student is paid only for hours worked. The amount awarded represents the amount the student may earn during the course of the academic year. Money earned from work study jobs generally is used for their spending money while at school. Most jobs are on campus and usually in one of the administrative or academic offices, athletic services, food service, or library. Students work an average of 12-15 hours per week, before, between, or after classes. Besides earning spending money, students acquire valuable work skills through their work study experiences.

Financial aid consists of three different types of assistance: grants and scholarships, federal work study, and student loans:

Student Loans: The majority of financial aid awards include student loans. Most student loans do not have to be repaid until six to nine months after the student graduates (or withdraws) from college. The following are the most common types of loans offered to students:

Federal Subsidized Stafford-Ford Loan: This is the need-based version of the Stafford Loan program. The maximum amount that a first year college student can borrow is $2625. The interest rate is variable but is capped at 8%. The interest is paid by the government while the student is enrolled in college, and repayment of principal and interest begins six months after the student graduates or withdraws from college.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford-Ford Loan: This is the non-need based version of the Federal Stafford Loan Program. The interest rate is also variable but capped at 8%. Interest accrues on this loan while you are in college (it is not paid for by the government as it is in the Subsidized Stafford Loan). Students can choose to pay the interest; of course paying the interest quarterly helps to control loan debt and is the recommended course. Typically, your interest payments will be approximately $25.00 every three months. Students may also choose to allow the interest to accrue and pay the interest once in repayment later on.

Federal Perkins Loan: This loan is typically offered to those students who demonstrate a high level of need. Loan awards can range from $400./year to $4000./year. The interest rate is 5% and repayment begins 9 months after you graduate or withdraw from college.

It is very important to understand that the average college student borrows at least $17,125. over the course of a four year college education. This translates into approximately $210. per month in repayment. You will receive detailed information regarding your responsibilities as a student loan borrower once you enroll in college during an Entrance Interview.

Now that I have my award letters, how do I determine how much I have to pay to attend each school

Now, complete the worksheet below to determine what your out-of-pocket expenses will be for each college. (Adobe Reader Download information)

Remember that the basic premise of your expected family contribution is that you will have to use a combination of savings, current earnings, and borrowing to finance your out-of-pocket expenses.

The first consideration is to determine how much you can pay in cash. Savings (both yours and your parents), summer earnings, etc. will be resources to consider. After determining how much you have on hand, consider how much your parents may be able to spend on a monthly basis throughout the academic year. Can they afford $75.00 or $100.00/month (or possibly more) ? If so, most colleges offer monthly payment plans to offset families? out-of-pocket expenses. This is the ?current earnings? portion of the expected family contribution. The message here is to pay as much as you can in cash to keep borrowing to a minimum.

If, after determining how much you can pay from savings and current earnings, you still have unmet out-of-pocket expenses, the next step is to explore alternative loan programs (remember, these will not include the Federal Stafford-Ford Loan, as it is already included in your financial aid offer). Loans borrowed to cover the unmet expected family contribution are most often borrowed in the parent?s name, as most undergraduate students are ineligible to borrow these loans due to the lack of income and credit history. Please refer to Section V. (Sample Charts, etc.) to review the Alternative Financing Reference Guide.

Once you have selected the college you plan to attend and have sent in your tuition and housing deposits to hold your place in the class, you will receive several mailings from the college over the summer. One important mailing will be the first semester tuition bill. Most colleges operate on a two-semester schedule, and tuition must be paid prior to the beginning of each semester.

The bill you receive during the summer will be for the first semester?s tuition, room and board, and fees. Subtracted from that will be half of any financial aid awarded in the form of grants, scholarships and loans (minus loan fees). The remainder is what you and your family will have to pay. This amount may be greater than the expected family contribution if the college could not provide a financial aid package that met your full financial need. There will be additional expenses once you arrive at school. The most significant of these is books. Be sure to budget your summer earnings so that you have enough money to pay for your books at the beginning of the semester.

A scholarship is typically merit based. That is, you qualify by virtue of a special talent, high SAT scores, or a strong high school record. Financial aid grants are usually need based and does not take into consideration a student?s academic or extracurricular record.

There is no easy answer to this question. A student?s family situation is figured into the formula (income, taxes paid, number of children in the household and in college, age of parents, assets etc). You may have two families with similar incomes but because one of them has four children and the other only two, the family with four children would qualify for more aid because they are raising (and paying for) more children.

Do not assume, that based on income alone, you will not qualify for financial aid. You should always apply. At the very least, you will be offered the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford-Ford Loan, a low interest student loan, if you qualify for nothing else.

The Guidance Office, local library, and colleges have current listings of a number of available scholarships. In addition, there are several on-line scholarship search programs. Check out www.wiredscholar.com, www.collegeboard.com, www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org for extensive listings.

You are required to notify the college of any outside awards that you receive. In many instances, the scholarship is deducted from the total award offered by the college. The college may reduce the amount of a student loan, and federal work study. In some instances, the college may recalculate a grant previously offered.

Private companies sometimes make misleading claims guaranteeing that you will receive scholarship assistance if you pay them do conduct a search on your behalf. In most cases, you can do these searches yourself, either through the Guidance Office, the Internet, and your local library.

If your parents are divorced, you are required to enter only the information of your custodial parent on the income and asset section of the forms. However, the Profile Form does have a small section that you must complete regarding the non-custodial parent. In addition, many private colleges will send you a Divorced/Separated Parent Statement that collects financial data about the non-custodial parent.

The financial aid office at your college can recalculate your eligibility for financial aid under various circumstances, including but not limited to, loss of a job, separation of your parents, illness or death in the immediate family, or a significant reduction in income from what was initially reported on the FAFSA. Notify your financial aid office immediately should any of these circumstances occur during the course of the academic year. Be prepared to type a letter of explanation and offer supporting documentation.

Yes, you are required to complete the FAFSA and Profile (if your college requires that form, as well) each year. Family circumstances change from year to year; thus the federal government requires applicants to re-apply each year so that eligibility is determined from accurate data.

We have special circumstances that affect our ability to pay (for example, a handicapped child who requires special medical care or education). Does anybody take this into account?

Colleges will take into consideration the unique circumstances of each applicant. However, because this information is not communicated on the forms themselves, it is your responsibility to inform the college of any special circumstances that you feel affect your families? ability to contribute to your education. After you have submitted the FAFSA and Profile (if necessary) for processing, send a letter to each college that you are applying to and outline your unusual circumstances so that they can take them under consideration before making an initial award offer. Don?t wait to send this letter, as the school may run out of funds to accommodate your special circumstances. Always follow-up with a phone call to the school(s) to make sure they received your letter.

If I save, won?t I be expected to pay more and thus qualify for less financial aid?

The formulas for estimating your EFC rely much more heavily on income than assets (e.g., savings, investments). Imagine two families that have about the same income, but only one has saved for college. The family that has savings may be expected to contribute a little more, but it will also have the money in the bank to finance its EFC. The family that didn?t save may be expected to contribute a little less, but won?t have the money to cover their EFC, and will, most likely, need to borrow loans.

We can?t afford an expensive private college, so should I even bother applying to one?

Absolutely! Understand that your expected family contribution is the same no matter which college you apply to. Therefore, your demonstrated ?need? is higher at the colleges that cost more money, and you will receive more aid from those colleges. Also, private colleges and universities usually have a lot of their own funds to award to eligible students. State colleges and universities do not have any private institutional funds from which to draw. Remember, you should only be concerned with your out-of-pocket expenses (what you have to pay after financial aid has been awarded), not the overall cost. Thus, it makes sense to apply to many types of schools.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid. U.S. Department of Free Education Application for Federal Student Aid Web Site. Aug. 31, 2001. <www.fafsa.ed.gov>.

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. Aug. 31, 2005 <http://www.mefa.org>.

Higher Education Information Center in the Boston Public Library,information about MA colleges and programs, admissions and financial aid information. The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. Aug. 31, 2005. <http://www.finaid.org >.

While this is not a complete list, most students attend school in one of the following categories.

This type of school focuses on the education of undergraduate students. Because many liberal arts colleges are smaller than universities, classes tend to be smaller and more personal attention is available. Classes are generally taught by professors who view teaching as their primary responsibility. As opposed to preparation for a specific career path, students who attend liberal arts colleges are exposed to a broad base of courses in the humanities, social science, and sciences. In addition they choose a specific area of study in which to major. Graduates of liberal arts are often attractive job candidates because of the well-rounded education they have received.

Universities are generally larger and include a liberal arts college, as well as professional colleges and graduate programs. They offer a wide range of academic choices and may provide more extensive resources. At many large universities, class size will reflect institution size, with most introductory courses being taught in a lecture format. Some classes may be taught by graduate students. Professors at large universities are involved in research, which adds to the vitality of the academic community but may draw energy, focus, and resources away from undergraduate teaching.

These types of schools are suited to students who have made clear decisions about what they want to study and emphasize preparation for specific careers. You will want to be quite sure of your future direction before selecting one of these options.

This type of school generally offers the first two years of a liberal arts education, or specialized occupation preparation.

These are fully accredited four-year colleges, which prepare officers for the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force. These institutions require a nomination by a nominating source: e.g. a member of Congress, the Vice President or President. Appointment is by the academies. Private and state supported military institutes, however, operate on a college application basis.

Accreditation An institution that receives accreditation is recognized as maintaining standards that qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more specialized institutions.

Advanced Placement (AP) The Advanced Placement Program gives students the opportunity to pursue college level studies while still in secondary school and to receive Advanced Placement and/or credit upon entering college. The Program provides descriptions and examinations on 26 introductory college courses in 14 fields.

Alumni Interviews Alumni interviews are admissions interviews conducted by graduates of colleges to which you have applied. These may be done locally when a student is unable to travel to a distant college for an interview.

Associate Degree Associate degrees are granted by most two-year colleges and some four-year colleges at the end of two years of study. A student may earn the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, depending on the course of study.

Bachelor?s Degree A degree granted by four-year institutions after completing four years (or in some cases, five years) of study. A student may earn a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree depending on the course of study.

Candidates? Reply Date Agreement (CRDA) Originated by the College Board, this agreement establishes a common date, May 1, that is the earliest a subscribing college may require an accepted applicant to say whether he or she plans to attend. This allows students to make informed decisions when all alternatives are known.

Carnegie Units One Carnegie unit is given for successful completion of one year?s study of one college preparatory or academic subject in high school. Some colleges refer to these as ?academic units.? The name comes from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Class Rank A student?s standing based on his or her academic record as compared with that of other members of the class is known as class rank. In a class of 100, the ?best student? would be No. 1; the poorest No. 100.

College Fair A gathering of college representatives at a central location is known as a college fair. Students can walk from booth to booth gathering information. Each October, the Cape and Islands Guidance Association hosts All Cape College Day, a college fair attended by more than 200 colleges and military branches.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit by examination is one way for students to receive college credit without taking a course. CLEP is a series of tests that allow students to show what they know in a variety of college disciplines. CLEP offers general examinations in five broad liberal arts areas, and it offers over 30 examinations in specific subjects, (such as freshman English).

College Scholarship Service (CSS) CSS is the financial aid division of the College Board (CEEB). It provides a needs analysis service for financial aid applicants.

CSS Profile A need analysis form developed by the College Scholarship Service (CSS) and completed by parents and students to provide colleges and agencies with an estimate of the parents? and the student?s ability to contribute toward the costs of post-secondary education. The Profile Registration Form is available in the Guidance Office of your high school.

Federal Work-Study Program Work study is a government-supported financial aid program coordinated through financial aid offices whereby eligible students (based on need) may work part-time while attending class at least half-time, generally in offices/services on campus.

Consortium Several colleges and universities in an area often join together in a consortium, or cooperative association, which gives students the opportunity to use the libraries or take courses at all member institutions. Consortium members often present joint lecture programs or unusual courses.

Cooperative Education Known as ?Co-op?, this is a program in which the student alternates between full-time college study and full-time paid employment related to the area of study. Under this plan, the bachelor?s degree often requires five years to complete.

Core Curriculum A group of courses, in varied areas of the arts and sciences, designated by a college as one of the requirements for a degree is called a core curriculum.

Decile The Class ranking of all students in a grade is divided into ten equal sections. Thus, a student?s rank may be expressed as ?in the third decile?, or third group from the top.

Deferred Admission This is an admissions plan whereby a student applies to a college and is notified of acceptance during the senior year of high school. The student then may take off a year for travel, work, or other projects before attending.

Early Action Under this plan, highly qualified candidates who apply early may receive offers of admissions by mid-December. Unlike the Early Decision Plan, the Early Action Plan does not allow an institution to request an applicant to make a prior commitment to matriculate, indicate college preferences, or make any response to an offer of admission until the traditional May 1 candidate?s reply date.

Early Admissions This plan allows students to begin college work after their junior year of high school, usually without a diploma. This program is usually limited to exceptional students.

Early Decision Some colleges offer to notify applicants of acceptance or rejection during the first semester of their senior year. Under this plan, applicants agree to attend the institution if they are accepted and must withdraw applications from all other colleges.

ETS-Educational Testing Service The operational phase of many College Board programs, including the development and administration of the Board?s major testing programs, are carried out under contract by the Educational Testing Service. ETS is a separate and independently-governed nonprofit organization.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. The purpose of the FAFSA is to determine your need for federal financial aid. The FAFSA form is available late in the fall in most guidance offices or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It can be filed beginning in January of the year for which you are applying for financial aid.

General Educational Development Examination (GED) The GED is a series of tests that adults take to qualify for a high school equivalency certificate or diploma. Many colleges will accept satisfactory GED test results in place of a high school diploma.

Grade Point Average (GPA) An indicator of the student?s overall scholastic performance, the GPA is computed by totaling the number of grade points earned in each course (generally, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) and dividing the sum by the total number of courses carried.

Language Proficiency Examination This is an examination in a foreign language to determine whether a student has satisfied a college?s foreign language requirement and, if not, into which level he or she should be placed.

Official Transcript Most colleges will only accept a transcript that bears the high school seal and is mailed directly from the high school to the college.

Open Admissions The policy of some colleges of admitting virtually all high school graduates, regardless of academic qualifications (such as high school grades and admission test scores), is known as open admissions.

Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test PSAT/NMSQT The PSAT/NMSQT is an October practice test for juniors (and some sophomores) designed to give the student an idea of the procedures, questions, and scope of the SAT. Detailed results are reported in a way that helps the student see strengths and weaknesses. Approximately 15,000 of the 1.2 million juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT will be designated as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

Private College A private college is owned privately but often receives grants from public sources. Admission is open to all qualified applicants.

Public College A public college is owned by a public entity (such as a state and funded by a combination of public funds and tuition fees. Admission is open to all qualified applicants.

Qualified Acceptance Occasionally an institution postpones action on an application and will suggest that the applicant pursue a particular course in its summer session. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the college agrees to accept the student for its regular degree programs at the beginning of the first or second semester.

Reserve Officers? Training Corps (ROTC) Programs conducted by certain colleges in cooperation with the United States Air Force, Army, and Navy. This combines military education with baccalaureate degree study, often with financial support for those students who commit themselves to future service in the Armed Forces. Local recruiting offices of the services themselves can supply detailed information about these programs, as can participating colleges.

Rolling Admission When students are notified of acceptance or rejection to a college within a short time frame after the receipt of a completed application, this is known as rolling admissions. (The length of this time varies from one institution to another.) Colleges using Rolling Admissions continue to accept students until their freshman class is filled. Usually it is wise to apply early to such colleges, since applications are normally not accepted after the admissions quota has been reached.

Scholastic Aptitude Test I (SAT I) The SAT I is a three-hour (mostly multiple?choice) test that measures Verbal and Mathematical reasoning abilities. Many colleges require applicants to submit SAT I scores as part of the admissions process.

SAT IIs SAT II tests are diagnostic measures of actual knowledge acquired in specific areas. Some colleges use SAT IIs as part of the admissions process.

Waiting List If the student has been wait-listed, this means the decision for admission has not been finalized. Once colleges determine the size if their incoming freshman class, they will then decide if they can admit students from the wait list. This usually occurs after May 1.

Effective Date	State College GPA	University GPA
Fall 2001	3.00	3.00