A note on 2nd semester challenges:
Course Selections
While the grades a student earns in course work completed during the second semester of the senior year do not usually enter into the admissions decision, colleges do request that students provide a list of courses in which they are enrolled second semester. It is assumed that this course selection will reflect the same high quality as a student’s previous work in high school. Taking “easy” courses or a reduced course load during the second semester is not considered the mark of a serious student.
Academic Performance
Admissions decisions are also contingent on the successful completion of all course work. Admissions officers reserve the right to question poor second semester performance and, in some cases, to reverse an admissions decision already made. Some seniors whose grades have dropped during second semester have received letters from the college they planned to attend informing them their acceptance will now be re-considered.
Double Depositing
Each year some seniors have a difficult time making up their minds about which college to enroll in after they have been accepted. In order to have more time to make a decision they send deposits to more than one college on or after May 1. This is called “double depositing” and is an unethical practice. Should the colleges involved determine that a student has “double-deposited,” admission may be jeopardized. It is an acceptable practice to deposit at one school and maintain your name on a wait list at another. However, indicating to two schools that you will be attending by sending deposits to both should not be considered.
(Taken from http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/ethics)
Fall
Course Selections
While the grades a student earns in course work completed during the second semester of the senior year do not usually enter into the admissions decision, colleges do request that students provide a list of courses in which they are enrolled second semester. It is assumed that this course selection will reflect the same high quality as a student’s previous work in high school. Taking “easy” courses or a reduced course load during the second semester is not considered the mark of a serious student.
Academic Performance
Admissions decisions are also contingent on the successful completion of all course work. Admissions officers reserve the right to question poor second semester performance and, in some cases, to reverse an admissions decision already made. Some seniors whose grades have dropped during second semester have received letters from the college they planned to attend informing them their acceptance will now be re-considered.
Double Depositing
Each year some seniors have a difficult time making up their minds about which college to enroll in after they have been accepted. In order to have more time to make a decision they send deposits to more than one college on or after May 1. This is called “double depositing” and is an unethical practice. Should the colleges involved determine that a student has “double-deposited,” admission may be jeopardized. It is an acceptable practice to deposit at one school and maintain your name on a wait list at another. However, indicating to two schools that you will be attending by sending deposits to both should not be considered.
(Taken from http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/ethics)
Fall
- Thinking About College-a PowerPoint presentation
- Completing FERPA and matching the Common App
- The Application Process: Keeping it all in Perspective
- Maintain the highest level of academic achievement possible throughout the year. Colleges request a copy of your final grades.
- Attend all Senior Seminar sessions.
- Visit (or re-visit) some colleges that you plan to apply to. Arrange to stay overnight on campus and attend classes if possible.
- Contact college coaches and activity leaders who may be interested in your talents/skills.
- If appropriate, register for the SAT Reasoning and/or Subject Test(s), and /or the ACT.
- Notify the College Board/ACT about sending your standardized test scores to your schools - you can do this on-line at http://www.collegeboard.org and at http://www.actstudent.org/
- Complete records release for each college at least 10 days before the application deadline.
- Every senior will write a college essay in their English class (designed to meet the requirements of The Common App). In addition, some colleges/universities may ask you to write supplemental essays. Prepare your essays with care. Ask a few people to read them over, checking for content, structure, and spelling. Feel free to share the essay with your counselor, a trusted teacher, your parents or other adults that you know and trust.
- Because the financial aid process differs from college to college, you should check with each of your colleges to understand their requirements. Parents should attend the HHS Financial Aid Night in December for further clarification about the financial aid process. Financial Aid forms such as the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are available online. The CSS Profile is available in September and the FAFSA is usually available January 1. (Students needing financial aid, who are applying early decision to colleges that require the CSS Profile, must register for it in the fall.)
- Complete the required financial aid forms, adhering to deadlines.
- Investigate scholarship opportunities at the colleges of your choice and file any additional required forms.
- Confirm your intent to enroll at the college of your choice by sending in your deposit by May 1.
- Notify the colleges you will not be attending once you have made your decision. This notification allows colleges to admit students from their wait lists.
- Inform your counselor about your college responses. If you are on a wait list, inform the college whether or not you would like to remain on the wait list.
- Write thank you notes to everyone who wrote letters of recommendation for you and inform them of your college choice.
- Take AP exams if you have taken AP courses. Get more information at AP Central.
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