The College Admission Process
Practical Hints & Useful Suggestions
Make sure you take an SAT or ACT in spring of junior year (preferred) or early in the senior year. Registration materials are available in the counseling office or in junior/senior English classrooms. You can also register on-line at www.collegeboard.com (SAT) or www.act.org (ACT.) You may need a score for applications that must be mailed as early as November, so think ahead. REL's CEEB code is 447-138.
Round up applications the summer before or early in your senior year. Texas public universities all use the Texas Common Application. Students can access this application and apply on-line at www.applytexas.org. Paper versions of the common application are also available in the counseling office.
Your student profile should be ready for the first college or scholarship application mailed. This is essentially a resume of your activities and accomplishments. Make sure it is neatly typed and proofread.
It should include:
Student activities and leadership positions held
Community services activities and leadership positions held
Academic awards, honors, and achievements
Special educational experiences - travel, institutes, musical, art, dance or other private training
Work experience - include part-time, summer employment and paid or unpaid internships
This same student profile should be provided to your counselor and any other person who is asked to write a letter of recommendation for you.
If your application requires an essay, do not even think of mailing it without having a reliable person proofread it. Always type, print and attach when allowed, rather than writing by hand in the space provided.
The more selective the college, the more involved the application process. Start early. Deadline dates for applications are rigidly enforced and each college has its own deadline. Mark your calendar.
Don't rule out Ivy League colleges because you think they are too selective or the cost is out of reach. Many of these schools are interested in geographic diversity and they are looking for Texans! As for cost, don't let the catalog figures scare you. Endowments make "equalizing" scholarship packages a possibility.
Housing offices are generally separate from admissions offices. It is possible that you may be communicating with three different offices at each school - admissions, housing, and financial aid. Early housing application (November) is critical at most larger Texas universities.
You may need letters of recommendation. Employers, ministers, volunteer coordinators, counselors, teachers, and school administrators are all possible references. Ask them ahead of time to make sure they are willing. If they are hesitant, choose someone else. Give a recommender at least three weeks notice before a postmark deadline. Provide them with your student profile and a stamped, addressed envelope for mailing.
Official transcripts are generally included with all applications. Most colleges require that these be mailed directly from the school - not mailed by the student. You must request these from the registrar, not your counselor. Watch your deadline and allow 48 hours - requests are processed next school day. Transcript request forms are located on the desk outside the registrar's office. If you are under age 18 a parent's signature is required. Cost per transcript is $5.00. Transcripts may also be ordered through Docufide.
Keep copies of everything you mail to colleges and note the day it was mail. If you have a counselor page in your application, give it to your counselor (along with a copy of your student profile) after you have filled out your portion. We must mail it directly from our office.
Do not forget to include a check or money order with any application that requires a fee.