College Admissions

College Admissions Things to think about Senior Year

So many choices… • RD, EA, SCEA, ED1, ED2 • Regular Decision • Early Action • Single Choice (Restrictive) Early Action • Early Decision I and II What does it all mean?!

Early Action • EA applications are non-binding • EA applicants • Apply early • Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February) • Consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt • Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans • Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date • Families can compare financial aid offers

Single Choice Early Action • SCEA are still non-binding • SCEA applicants are not allowed to apply to any other schools during the EA/ED period • Can apply to any school regular decision

Early Decision • ED is binding – if accepted, the student must attend the college • ED applicants • Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college • Receive an early admission decision from the college (usually by December) • Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family • Apply to only one college early decision • Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans • Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED • Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1

Benefits of Applying Early In addition to increasing chances of admission, applying early lets the student: • Reduce stress by cutting the time spent waiting for a decision • Save the time and expense of submitting multiple applications • Gain more time, once accepted, to look for housing and otherwise prepare for college • Reassess options and apply elsewhere if not accepted

Deadlines • Pay attention to ALL deadlines – not flexible • UT Plan II, Honors Colleges – Priority is Oct 15 • Most early deadlines are Nov 1 • UT and A&M – Hard Deadline is December 1st – no exceptions! • Financial Aid • CSS/Profile available Oct 1 • FAFSA is available January 1 • Scholarships/Housing

The College List • Reach • A reach school is one where your academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the average freshman. • Target • A target school is one where your credentials fall within the middle 50% range for the average freshman. • Likely • A likely school is one where your academic credentials fall above the school’s range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your likely schools.

College Visits • Try to visit when classes are in session • Official Visit • Campus Tour • Info session • Financial Aid • Get business cards of admissions reps • Talk to a student or counselor in the Career Center • Read the student newspaper

College Visits • Sit in on a class that interests you • Talk to coaches of sports in which you might participate • Eat in the dining hall • Ask a student why s/he chose this school • Scan bulletin boards to see what day-to-day student life is like • Browse in the college bookstore • Ask a student what s/he does on the weekends • Imagine yourself attending this college for 4 years

Interviews • Required, optional, not available • On campus, alumni, Skype • Demonstrated interest • Be prepared! • Learning style, test scores, GPA, areas of interest • Do your homework about the school • Have your own questions prepared • They may ask about interest, extracurricular activities/jobs, books you’ve read, meaningful experiences, reasons for applying to this college, life at school, etc. • Be honest and be yourself

Questions??

College Admissions