If you have any interest in applying to two or four year colleges for admission this fall, there are a number of things you should have already done and/or that you need to do, or think about, very soon. They are:
Take Control of the Process. The college admissions process provides the opportunity for you to learn more about yourself and to decide what is most important to you and your family. For example, how far from home are you willing to be? Are you looking for a particular academic program or environment? Are the physical location and surroundings most important? Are you interested in starting at a community college? Are financial considerations most important? How much debt are you willing to incur? How important are the characteristics of the student body? What kind of athletic or other extra-curricular experiences are you seeking? Do you need easy public transportation or do you hope to avoid air travel? How important is it that your classes be of a particular size or taught by professors rather than graduate students? Are you looking for a particular type of study abroad program? Do you need special services of any kind? You will need to prioritize your preferences and this may involve some compromise.
You may find that you are thinking differently next April than you are now. You will likely experience some stress in your growth process, but it should also be enjoyable. It is also important for you to seek help from your counselor if you need it, explore your options, and discuss them with people who are important to you.
Take your academics very seriously this year. Colleges are particularly interested in your senior year grades. This is your last chance to show that you are ready to do the kind of work that colleges will expect from you. We will send colleges your transcript and the most recent grade report we have at your time of application. In addition we will send a mid-year report consisting of your first trimester report card and second trimester progress report to all colleges to which you apply, even if you have already been accepted. Strong second trimester grades can come in handy if you find yourself on a waiting list for a college you hope to attend. Early senioritis can be a terminal disease. Try hard to avoid getting it!
Have two academic teacher recommendations on file in the Guidance Office. If you have not yet arranged for recommendations, you should do so ASAP. You must initiate this process and follow it through. Recommendation forms are available in the Guidance Office. REMINDER: Teachers are under no obligation to honor late requests, so remember the magic words, please and thank you.
The Guidance Office will mail all teacher recommendations that are received in the Guidance Office on or before October 22, 2008. Recommendations that are completed after that date will be mailed by the teachers themselves, who will leave a copy in the Guidance Office for future use if needed. Guidance will provide envelopes and postage. It is your responsibility to gently remind your teachers to take care of this function. Again, please and thank you go a long, long, way.
Complete the "Senior College Conference Questionnaire" online at www.arps.org/hs/seniors before you schedule your fall college planning conference with Ms. Ross, the ARHS college advisor. This form provides her and your counselor with information we need for advising you and writing school reports or recommendations as required by many colleges. Meetings will not be scheduled and counselor recommendations will not be written without it.
Schedule a planning meeting in the early fall with Ms. Ross, the college advisor, whether you had a junior meeting with her or not. Regardless of how definite or indefinite your college plans are, please make an appointment as soon as possible. There are many procedural steps in the selection and application process that need to be reviewed to ensure that your application will be properly processed. If you are confused about what you want to do after you graduate, this conference may help you in considering the many options you have.
Register for appropriate college entrance examinations.Check to see what tests are required by the colleges you are considering. The SAT Reasoning test is almost always required or recommended, and many selective colleges and universities also require two or three SAT Subject tests. The ACT may be a good alternative for many students. You can register online with a credit card or a fee waiver for both tests, the SAT at www.collegeboard.com and the ACT at www.ACTstudent.org. Paper registration forms are available in the Guidance Office. If you are re-registering for the SAT, you can call 1-866-756-7346.
ARHS does not include standardized test scores on transcripts. All test scores must be sent directly from ETS in Princeton to all colleges to which you are applying. Be sure to provide the ARHS school code (220015) or we will not receive your scores and will not be able to share them with colleges if they do not receive them for some reason. It happens! Cumulative SAT scores can be sent free to four colleges at registration or test time, or, for a fee, you can send scores any time. Students on free or reduced price lunch are entitled to eight free SCORE REPORTS. Send SAT scores online or by calling 1-866-756-7346. Alternatively, you can use additional score report request forms, if necessary. Students who take the ACT more than once can choose the score they wish to send.
Note: Many colleges are now "test optional." See www.fairtest.org for a complete list of these colleges. This means that they do not require that you send SAT or ACT scores for admissions consideration. Be aware that some "Test Optional" colleges will consider these scores if you send them. Read the colleges’ websites thoroughly, andbe carefully consider where to send your scores.
NOTE: Register immediately at collegeboard.com if you plan to take the October test. The ARHS test site fills quickly.
| Date of Test | Registration Deadline | Tests location |
|---|---|---|
| October 4, 2008 | September 9, 2008 SAT/Subject Tests | ARHS |
| November 1, 2008 | September 26, 2008 SAT/Subject Tests | ARHS* (see note below) |
| December 6, 2008 | November 5, 2008 SAT/Subject Tests | ARHS |
| January 24, 2009** | December 26, 2008 SAT/Subject Tests | Private High Schools ONLY |
*Language with listening tests on this day at private high schools only.
**January test date is too late for many colleges.
NOTE: SAT Reasoning scores from the October administration will arrive at colleges in time for early decision/action deadlines. The November test scores may arrive in time for early decision/action deadlines at some colleges. Check college websites to be sure. December scores are good for regular decision at almost all colleges.
Note the September registration deadline for the October 25 test.
Check www.actstudent.org for locations
| Date of Test | Registration Deadline | (Late Fee Required) |
|---|---|---|
| September 13, 2008* | August 12, 2008 | August 13-22, 2008 |
| October 25, 2008 | September 19, 2008 | September 20-October 3, 2008 |
| December 13, 2008 | November 7, 2008 | November 8-20, 2008 |
*In the Northeast, given in New York State only.
TOEFL:
Students whose first language is not English (particularly foreign students who are in the U.S.A. on a visa) should consider taking the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) in addition to the ACT or SAT Reasoning and Subject tests. Sometimes, immigrants whose first language is not English also benefit from taking this test, even if you hold American citizenship. If your first language is not English, carefully read the International Students section of websites from colleges to which you plan to apply to see whether you should take the TOEFL. Often this will depend on your SAT Critical Reading score.
Students should take the TOEFL once, in the fall of the senior year. The Test must be scheduled at least three weeks ahead of the test date. Registration and practice materials are available online at www.ets.org/toefl. Most students will need to present a letter of identification from the Guidance Office on the date of the test. Follow the instructions regarding the required identification materials very carefully. There are several Western Massachusetts locations at which students can take the TOEFL. Sign up early for best choice of location. The fee for the TOEFL is $150. Partial fee waivers are available. See the secretaries in the Guidance Office about eligibility requirements and procedures before you register.
Fee Waivers: If you are registered for the Free and Reduced Price Lunch program you will be eligible for waivers for SAT and ACT registration fees, and partial waivers for the TOEFL registration fee. These cannot be used during the late registration periods. If you use a waiver for the SAT, you are also eligible for application fee waivers. All students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program should sign up for it during the first week of school in order to be eligible for a waiver for October tests. See a Guidance secretary for a waiver once you have signed up. Also see the ARHS Benefit Package brochure to learn about other available fee waivers and free services.
Applications: Most students apply to colleges online now. You can use applications from your individual colleges, or the Common Application, which is accepted as equal by the more than 300 participating colleges, including UMass-Amherst. The Common Application can save you time and aggravation. It is available online at www.commonapp.org.
Whichever application you use, you will need to download any Secondary School Report and teacher recommendation forms. Submit them to us in the Guidance Office for processing as early as possible (4-6 weeks earlier than the deadline is a good target), but absolutely no later than three weeks before it. Read the instructions for each of your applications very carefully. Procedures and deadlines are important and vary from school to school. Most often, you will submit your portion of an application on your own, either online or via the U.S. mail. In most cases, your portion of the application (including the essay) DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLETED before you bring us the school forms we must process. However, some universities (UMass included) want to receive all paper forms together. If you are using a paper application for one of those institutions, you must bring your completed portion to the Guidance Office with the school forms no later than three weeks before the application deadline.
All parents must sign our lime green Information Release Form before any information or recommendations can be sent to colleges. Students will fill out a folder listing all colleges to which they wish to apply. We will send your transcript, GPA, Progress Reports, if timely, and the teacher and counselor letters of recommendation that we received before our deadlines (see above).
The Guidance Office will not send letters from outside recommenders. If you request a recommendation from an employer, supervisor, college professor, outside coach, private music or dance teacher, clergy person or other adult who has something significant to add to your application, you must provide them with stamped, addressed envelopes for all of your colleges. We will mail letters from ARHS coaches if we receive them by our deadline.
We anticipate that well over 1500 college applications and transcript requests will be filed by the senior class. Most will be due between December 1st and February 1st. Each secondary school report is time consuming for us to process. In order to do a thorough and accurate job for every student, we need as much lead-time as possible, especially if a counselor recommendation is required as part of the secondary school report. We want to do our best for you; our ability to do so depends upon your providing us with your college questionnaire and necessary forms listed above at least three weeks before your application deadline. (Remember if your application is due January 1st, forms must be submitted to us by the first week in December to allow for the fact that secretaries do not work during the vacation.)
There is a $5.00 processing fee for each of the first six applications that are filed. The charge for the seventh and all subsequent applications is $10. This fee covers photocopying of all school credentials (including transcripts and recommendations) and postage costs for initial mailings, mid-year reports and final transcripts. If you qualify for free or reduced price lunch, the fee for the first six applications will be waived. The fee for your seventh through tenth applications will be $5 each, and the fee for your eleventh and all subsequent applications will be $10 each. Please pay by check (payable to ARHS) whenever possible.
Applying Early: All Early Decision/Action candidates should inform us of their intentions in writing as early in September as possible. Ask the Guidance secretaries for the sign-up sheet. Bring Early Decision/Action applications to the Guidance Office prior to October 1st to ensure that there is adequate processing time. A workshop on the early decision process with counselors from the Amherst College Office of Admission and Financial Aid will be held on Monday, September 22nd at 2:30 p.m. at the high school.
Early Action at UMASS: UMASS has a non-binding early action program. If you are seriously considering attending UMass, your SAT score (without writing) is at least 1100, and you have had solid steady grades while in high school with a GPA of greater than 3.0, why not get your application out early. The deadline to apply is November 1st. If you are accepted, you have until May 1st to accept the offer. If you are deferred, your application will be reconsidered later, and you will know that you need to work hard on your schoolwork and apply elsewhere as well.
Pay careful Attention to Deadlines: each school is different! Some schools have regular admission deadlines that are similar to Early Decision/Action deadlines. Many merit scholarship deadlines are earlier than regular admission deadlines. Most deadlines refer to the postmark, but a few are “receive by” deadlines. Be sure you know which kind of deadline you have.
Choose Colleges Carefully: College admission has become very competitive. Unfortunately, many students spend most of their college search time looking at reach schools, and a few that they would consider possible admits. It would be wise for you to pay close attention to good target schools, likely admits, and economically safe schools. You might find that you have to attend one of them. Even if your favorite colleges admit you, they might not offer the kind of financial aid you need.
You might want to do your own college searches before meeting with me this fall. This would be especially wise if you have changed your mind about anything since you first met with me . Here are some online addresses at which you can do free searches. These might generate some new ideas.
There are many excellent college search books on the market as well. Browse through a book store and fine one or two that seem to speak to you. You might want to purchase different ones than your friends do so you can exchange resources.
To find likely or safe colleges, look for colleges that have the programs, location, environment, size, majors, activities, and other characteristics that you are looking for, but plug in lower GPA and SAT numbers than those you have earned. Look for merit scholarships, honors programs and other attributes that appeal to you.
Don’t forget about UMass! Read their website. Take a tour and attend an information session. Their Open House will be on Saturday, October 20th. There are many wonderful programs there. Even though it is in your own back yard, it might be a good option for you come spring.
Selective private institutions seek good geographical distribution in their student body. The implications: You are at some competitive disadvantage in applying regionally, i.e., in the New England States; and conversely, you may have a competitive edge in applying to schools out of this area, especially in the South and Mid-West. (California and Middle Atlantic schools have less difficulty attracting New England students.) Many fine institutions outside of New England are, by comparison, financial bargains, saving you from $2000 - $4000 per year in tuition costs. This can go a long way in offsetting travel expenses. Consider Canadian colleges and universities, as well.
Financial Aid: Unless you are certain that you and your parents will be able to pay for your entire college education regardless of any change that might occur in your family’s financial circumstances in the next four years, you should apply for financial aid. Some colleges will not grant aid to anyone who did not apply for financial aid before entering college. All colleges will require you to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov). (A paper version is available, but the online version is faster and far easier to amend). Some colleges will also require you to file the CSS Profile at https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp. Pay close attention to each college’s financial aid deadlines. They are all different, and they are not flexible.
Your first step is to get FAFSA PINs for yourself and a parent from www.pin.ed.gov. You cannot complete the FAFSA online without PINs. Although you cannot submit the FAFSA until January, you should get your PINs earlier. It sometimes takes several days to receive PINs, and if you find that you are up against a financial aid filing deadline in the winter, you might be very glad you got your PINs in advance!
Scholarships Early in March you will receive a large mailing with information on local scholarships and a common application form to use to apply for them. These are also posted online. Some of the winners are determined by a committee of ARHS teachers and counselors. Other recipients are chosen by the local donors. Many students are eligible for these scholarships, as the criteria are designed specifically to include a wide variety of achievements. Read the packet of information carefully and pay attention to our strict April 1 deadline. Please put some effort into completing these applications, as there is quite a bit of money available.
In addition to these local scholarships, the Guidance Department keeps students informed about various Massachusetts and national scholarships. Pay careful attention to morning announcements (also online) to stay up to date about these. Deadlines are strict.
Many ARHS students become eligible for tuition waivers at the Massachusetts state colleges and UMass campuses by virtue of their MCAS scores. You will receive a letter from the Guidance Office in the fall if we are informed that you have earned the qualifications for either the John and Abigail Adams or the Stanley Koplik awards. Additionally, all Koplik recipients who get federal Pell Grants in their financial aid packages should also be awarded a federal “Academic Competitiveness Grant” at every college. If you are in both categories, make sure that your college has included this additional award.
Community Colleges, Associate Degree Granting Colleges and Technical Schools: There are many outstanding and low cost two year schools for general liberal arts or one year certificate programs for specific professional/vocational interests. Do not hesitate to talk with the college advisor about these options. Transfer agreements exist between Massachusetts community colleges and state colleges/universities. Additionally, the Tuition Advantage Program at Massachusetts community colleges allows students with a 3.0 G.P.A. at the community college level to receive a tuition discount at the University of Massachusetts or Massachusetts state colleges for their junior and senior years. Additionally, some private colleges, including Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Cornell and others are actively seeking outstanding students from community colleges.
Specialty Programs: Many colleges have specialized services for students with learning differences (disabilities), for students whose primary language is not English and for students with other needs for specialized services. Discuss these options with your college advisor so she can assist you in selecting colleges with support services and/or arrange for special testing, if appropriate. Translators for college advising sessions are available upon request.
College Fairs:
College Planning Workshops and Programs at Amherst Regional High School and Amherst Leisure Services. Watch the ARHS Parent Newsletter and the Amherst Bulletin for announcements about these important events.
Recently LSSE has begun sponsoring fee-based workshops on the College Admissions process in conjunction with Kaplan Inc. These are not sponsored by ARHS. Our programs are all free.
College Visits: We urge you to visit as many colleges as you can before applying. This will help you narrow your choices so you don’t apply to colleges that you dislike! Colleges know who has visited and sometimes wonder why someone who easily could have visited did not visit. If interviews are offered, try to arrange one. Go to classes. Talk to students.
Over 100 college representatives will provide group information sessions in the Guidance Office throughout the fall. Parents and students are invited to attend. The schedule will be posted on our website and in the Guidance Office. The school news section of the Amherst Bulletin also lists the meeting times and dates.