College Application Timeline

GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE TERMS
ACT American College Testing Program
Four 35-50 minute tests in the areas of English usage, mathematics usage, social science
readings, natural science readings. Four separate scores plus a composite score averaging the tests.

BACHELOR OF ARTS
A four-year degree awarded by a college or university which indicates the student has studied one or more subjects in depth and has taken a wide distribution of courses in the humanities, the social sciences, sciences, foreign languages, and behavioral sciences.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
A four-year degree awarded by a college or university which indicates the student has studied one or more subjects in depth (typically in the sciences;, engineering, business, computers, etc.).

CANDIDATE NOTIFICATION DATE
The date by which a college notifies a student of the admission decision.

CANDIDATE REPLY DATE
The date by which a student must inform the college of intention to enroll, usually May 1ST. By use of the common reply date, students may evaluate all offers of admission before enrolling at any one college.

COMBINED BACHELORS/MASTER'S PROGRAM
A program in which students are accepted for study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The program usually can be completed in less time than two individual programs.

COMMON APPLICATION
The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and accepted by over 125 colleges. A student completes the original application form and makes copies of it. Copies are submitted to those colleges which accept the Common Application.

EARLY ADMISSION
A policy under which students are admitted and enroll fulll-time in college after their junior year (after completion of the regular admission process). Students simultaneously complete their first year of college and their senior year of high school.

EARLY ACTION PLAN
A plan that permits students to submit an application early and to receive decisions on their application well in advance of the normal response dates. If accepted, the candidate is not committed to enroll but must notify the college by May I of his or her decision.

EARLY DECISION
A plan that permits students to receive a decision on their application for admission (and for financial aid if applicable) significantly before the regular notification date. The plan requires students to commit to attending the institution.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
A form to be completed by families of financial aid applicants which is processed by the Fedral Government. The FAFSA is required by every college and is often filed in conjunction with other financial aid applications.

OPEN ADMISSION
An admission policy granting acceptance to virtually all secondary school graduates without regard to academic record, test score results, or additional qualifications.

PROFILE (CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE)
A financial aid format sponsored by CSS used by a number of colleges to collect important financial data. Required only by those schools and colleges which subscribe to PROFILE.
There is a fee and students must register with the PROFILE service prior to receiving the form.

ROLLING ADMISSION
According to this plan, used by many large universities across the nation, a student may apply at any time up to a designated "closing" date. Four to six weeks from the time the file is complete, the student will be notified of the decision. The candidate reply date is May 1st.

SAT REASONING TESTS
A three-hour and forty five minute test designed to assess thinking skills in critical reading, math reasoning (including algebra I, geometry, algebra II) and writing skills. The SAT Reasoning Tests, administered by the College Board, is used as an entrance examination by most colleges. The SAT is offered in October, November, December, January, March, May, and June.

SAT SUBJECT TESTS
One-hour tests measuring knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas. Three tests possible on each test date. Some 4-year colleges require three SAT Subject tests. The SAT Subject Tests are offered on the same dates as the SAT Reasoning Tests, except October and March, but Subject Tests and Reasoning Tests may not be taken on the same day.

SECONDARY SCHOOL RECORD
The high school transcript, teacher and counselor recommendations, and standardized test scores.

TRANSCRIPT
The academic history as outlined by courses taken and grades earned.

WAIT LIST
A list of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available.

College Testing Requirements

Most four-year colleges and some selective two-year colleges require applicants to take some type of entrance exam. There are two types used nationally. In this part of the country most students take the SAT Reasoning Tests. Some mid-western colleges use the American College Test A.C.T. The tests are slightly different and some colleges accept either test, but most Cranston West students will take the SAT. Many of the more selective colleges will require up to three SAT Subject Tests administered in specific areas depending on your major.

SAT, SAT Subject Test and ACT
SAT REASONING TEST

The SAT Reasoning Test is a multiple choice test made up of critical reading, mathematics (including algebra I, geometry, algebra II) and writing sections (student written essay and multiple choice questions about grammar and usage) designed to test one's aptitude for academic work. It is the standardized admissions test required by many colleges throughout the United States. The test consists of a 70 minute Critical Reading section, 70 minute Mathematics section and 60-minute Writing section. In addition, there is one 25 minute unscored section known as the variable section however you will not be told which section is the unscored section. Total testing time is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. There is a penalty for wrong answers, so outright guessing is not recommended; however, an educated guess is advisable. Scores range from 200-800 per area. The selective and highly selective colleges look for scores in the range of 500 and above for each area.

Our Test Center # is 40-120. Our school code is 400-036.

SAT SUBJECT TESTS

College Board offers a selection of SAT Subject Tests designed to measure how much you have learned in a particular subject area. About 1/3 of the colleges require the SAT Subject Test scores. It is your responsibility, to determine if the schools to which you are applying require them and which tests are needed. SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests cannot be taken the same day. Each SAT Subject Test is one hour long and three can be taken at one testing. You register for specific tests, but are allowed to change on the test day.

ACT - American College Testing

This test is required in the Midwest, West, and Southwest. Many eastern schools will accept SAT or ACT scores. The ACT consists of 4 academic tests, each 35-50 minutes long in the areas of English Usage, Social Studies, Reading, and Natural Science Reading. The test involves reading and solving problems. Questions are multiple choice and there is no penalty for guessing. Scores range from 1-36 with the average at 18. If you are a strong candidate for a selective college, you may consider taking the following test schedule:

Should I Take the SAT's or ACT's in the Junior Year?
Anyone can take the SAT but not everyone should. Take the SAT in spring if:

You are contemplating applying to a four year college, university, or military academy next year
You will be applying to a selective college for early admission
You are taking an SAT Prep Course
If necessary, take SAT Subject Tests if completing your study of foreign language, math or American History this year

You may want to take ACT's if:

You did not test well on the PSAT but have a strong GPA and Class Rank
You are not currently enrolled in Algebra II or higher level math course
You may have taken a combination of college preparatory and comprehensive
classes

What Tests Do I Take and When?
Grade 11 - May SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
Grade 11 - June SAT, SAT Subject Tests in Math, Foreign Language or American History or Science or ACT
Grade 12 - Oct SAT Reasoning Test again or ACT
Grade 12 - Nov SAT Subject Tests in Math and subjects closest to your major

Discuss this with your counselor. You need to determine what tests the colleges are looking for and discuss the plan with your counselor. Knowing college deadlines and requirements will help you planning this process.

PLANNING & PREPARATION
Timeline for Preparing for College

The pressure to prepare for college is often strong. People may have started asking you where you want to go to college before you even started high school! But what exactly this preparation involves is usually less clearly defined. Following is a timeline to guide you through the necessary steps, so that you know about all the deadlines and requirements before it's too late. The College Board maintains a Web site that lists specific test dates for the current year. College application deadlines vary and can be found on each college's application materials.

Junior Year
Fall
Take the PSAT, which can qualify you to receive a National Merit Scholarship if taken during junior year. Start talking to teachers, counselors, friends, and family about colleges, so that you have plenty of time to research all the options. Spend some time thinking about what's important to you in a college, such as size, location, and majors offered.
Spring
Take the SAT and/or SAT subject tests (you can't take both tests on the same day, so plan accordingly), or take the ACT. You can also take these tests during the fall of your senior year, but often it's helpful to get one of the tests out of the way or to take a practice test if you are concerned about your scores. You can register for the SAT and SAT subject tests on the The College Board's Web site and for the ACT on ACT's Web site. Take AP tests for which you have already taken the related courses. Many students visit colleges at this time to see the schools in session and to get a feel for them before applying the following fall. Review your transcript and consider summer school if you have grades of below a C- in college preparatory course. Consider identifying and asking individuals and teachers to write letters of recommendation.
Summer
This is a good time to visit colleges, get a feel for the campus and surrounding area, and have an interview with an admission officer. Make sure you set up the interview in advance. Of course, visiting during the summer is not as revealing as visiting when classes are in session, which you can do the fall of your senior year, if you didn't visit during your junior spring. Summer is also a good time to research college scholarships and to start requesting informational materials from colleges to which you might want to apply. In anticipation of doing college-level work and deciding on a college major, you may want to take a course at a local college, especially if you are thinking about majoring in a subject for which your school doesn't offer AP courses. Begin writing college essays.
" Try to find a summer job and/or community service activities.
Senior Year
Fall
Take any remaining tests (SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests, or ACT).
Meet with your school guidance counselor to discuss what colleges to apply to.
Send away for college brochures and applications, if you haven't already.
Ask teachers for recommendations, giving them plenty of time to compose their letters.
Let counselors know which colleges to send your transcript to.
Have your test scores sent to the schools to which you are applying.
Write application essays and fill out application and financial-aid forms. Check when each application is due in order to give yourself enough time.
College applications are due in December or January (earlier if you are applying early decision or early action, and possibly later for schools with rolling admissions).
January
Fill out and submit financial-aid forms. You can download the FAFSA or get a copy of the form from your counselor.
Spring
The long haul is over! Schools will notify you of their admission decision in April (or even earlier). Most schools require notification of whether you plan to attend by early May.

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COLLEGE PREFERENCES
Our goal is to help you identify those colleges which fit you and your interests, so your answers to the following questions are very important. We ask that you spend some time reflecting upon your likes and dislikes and past experiences before completing this form. Colleges come in a range of sizes, settings and locations. Check as many in each category as you would consider.

1. SIZE:
Very Small: (Under 1,500)____ Small (1,500 - 3,000)______
Medium (3,000 - 6,000)_____ Large: (7,000 -15,000)_____
Extra Large (20,000 - 30,000)____
2. SETTING:
Campus in the city ___ Campus in the city suburb..______
Suburban campus within driving distance to city __________
Campus in the country____ Small college town_________
Country setting within driving distance to city ___________

Extras: I have to be near: Water _____ Mountains _______Home_____ Shopping ______

3. LOCATION: (If you want, name specific states)

Boston___________ New England___________
Mid-Atlantic________ South _______________
Mid-West__________ West Coast____________
Other _______________________________

4. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: Name any specific characteristics that are important to your
college search:
Class Size:_____________________________
Special Campus Facilities: ____________________
Specific Housing Options:____________________
Religious or Ethnic Climate: ___________________
Political Climate: ________________________
Extra-curricular activities: ___________________
Division I/II/III Athletics:_____________________
5. What do you believe will be the most important factors in your college selection?

6. COLLEGES: Name any college of particular interest to you and explain why.
Circle ones that you have visited.

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