College Admission Requirements

High school graduation requirements are different from four-year college admission requirements.  The following table lists admission requirements for the Massachusetts State University System.

For more information on college admissions requirements for Massachusetts state universities, please visit: http://www.mass.edu/shared/documents/admissions/admissionsstandards.pdf

For information on college athletics eligibility please visit the National Collegiate Athletic Association Eligibility Center  or look at their Quick Reference Sheet

 (http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Quick_Reference_Sheet.pdf).

Getting Ready for Post-Secondary Education

• Continue study in all five academic areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies and World Languages) at the most appropriate and most challenging levels you can reasonably manage.

• Many four-year colleges require students to complete Algebra 2 to be considered for admissions. More competitive majors at 2 year community colleges also require the completion of Algebra 2 (such as Nursing, Accounting, Business, Vet Tec, among others).

• ARHS is transitioning from Naviance to SCOIR (a comprehensive guidance software program) in 2023. SCOIR is a tool for career and college research, information sharing about the college admissions process, communication with students and parents, preparation for the SAT or ACT, management of college and scholarship applications, and statistical reporting.  Juniors and seniors and their parents currently have access to the program. 

• Take appropriate tests at appropriate times:  PSAT, SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT, TOEFL, ASVAB (military), etc.  All juniors should take the PSAT in October of the junior year to practice for the SAT and for eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Most juniors should take the SAT and/or the ACT for the first time in the spring.  One or both of these is usually repeated in the fall of the senior year.  Students who will apply to very selective colleges should also take at least two SAT subject tests prior to December of the senior year.  School counselors can help you develop a testing schedule that is best for you. Prepare as best you can for the tests but remember that many fine colleges are test-optional (meaning they are not required)

• Check your arps email regularly for emails from the College and Career Counselor! These emails contain a wealth of information about the application process, financial aid and scholarships, and college representative visits. Pay attention to school announcements, study the junior and senior college admission handbooks, and absorb materials posted online or distributed. Be sure to adhere to all deadlines.

• Develop computer and media literacy. 

• Work at developing your critical reading and writing skills.

• Hone your critical thinking skills. Learn to present logical arguments to support your beliefs and opinions.

• Develop your research skills. Spend time in the library and learn how to use its resources.

• Know yourself.  Analyze your strengths and weaknesses.  Direct your efforts and involvements to maximize your strengths and to strengthen your weaknesses or learn to effectively compensate for them.

• Get involved (sports, extracurricular activities, work, community service, music, hobbies, etc.). Depth is what is important here, not quantity.  Choose a few activities that are of real interest to you and pursue them—in depth and over time. 

• Become a good time manager. Get organized. Make up daily/weekly schedules of appointments and assignments and follow them. Employers and colleges want to know what productive use you have made of your time in school and outside of it.

• Begin thinking about what you might want to get out of post-secondary education. Talk to graduates about their experiences—what they have learned, what they would have done differently in high school, etc.

• Talk to people working in fields in which you are interested. Find out what their education and training have been.  Use our electives program to explore career areas.  Explore an internship in your junior or senior year, if possible.