The decision to go to college is a very exciting one. There are many resources to help in the planning process.
College Application Process Seminars
Through seminars, individual meetings, parent evening presentations, and resources available on this website and in print in the student services department, the CCT counseling department provides comprehensive support. Although we emphasize that this is a student centered process we recognize that families play an integral role.
In the spring of junior year, the counselors deliver a seminar to students about the college application process. Topics include how to begin a college search, determining best fit, standardized testing, etc.
In the fall of senior year, counselors deliver another seminar to make sure students are on track with the application process. Counselors meet individually with students (and their families if they wish) to assist with the application process and to answer any questions.
Schools That Do Not Require the SAT/ACT
Massachusetts State University System Requirements
MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGES AND UMASS MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:
The admissions standards for the state colleges and emphasize a strong academic high school background so that students enter college ready to learn. These standards represent minimum requirements; meeting them does not guarantee admission, since campus officials consider a wide range of factors in admissions decisions. Students shall have fulfilled all requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent upon enrollment. It is important to note that admissions standards for the state’s community colleges differ.
Freshman Applicants
The admissions standards for freshmen applicants have two main parts:
1. 16 required academic courses.
2. a minimum required grade point average (GPA) earned in college preparatory courses completed at the time of application.
Applicants must also submit an SAT or ACT score.
Academic Course Requirement
Sixteen college preparatory courses distributed as follows are required. (A course is equivalent to one full school year of study. Courses count toward the distribution only if passed.)
• English 4 courses
• Mathematics 4 courses (Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable coursework)
• Sciences 3 courses (including 2 courses with laboratory work)
• Social Sciences 2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. History)
• Foreign Languages 2 courses (in a single language)
• Electives 2 courses (from the above subjects or from the Arts & Humanities or Computer Sciences)
Minimum Required Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA must be achieved based on all college preparatory courses completed at the time of application and should be weighted for accelerated (Honors or Advanced Placement) courses. The required minimum weighted high school GPA is 3.0 for the four-year public campuses.
SAT Scores
Applicants who meet the GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for admission, but still must submit SAT or ACT test scores for consideration if they are applying to a state college or UMass within three years of high school graduation.
Sliding Scale (used when GPA is lower than the minimum required GPA)
If an applicant’s GPA falls below the required minimum, a sliding scale will apply.
This scale should be used only when an applicant’s GPA falls below the required 3.0 minimum for admission to the state colleges or UMass.
Scores on the new writing section of the SAT will not affect the sliding scale for freshman applicants to the Massachusetts state colleges and to the University of Massachusetts at this time. The sliding scale, used in making admissions decisions for students with high school grade point averages falling below the required minimum, will continue to be based upon the combined critical reading (verbal) and math sections of the SAT.
Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a UMass school
Weighted High School GPA Combined SAT-I V&M Must Equal or Exceed
(ACT Equivalent in Italics)
2.51-2.99 950 (20)
2.41-2.50 990 (21)
2.31-2.40 1030 (22)
2.21-2.30 1070 (23)
2.11-2.20 1110 (24)
2.00-2.10 1150 (25)
NO APPLICANT WITH A HIGH SCHOOL GPA BELOW 2.00 MAY BE ADMITTED TO A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.
Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a State College
Weighted High School GPA Combined SAT-I V&M Must Equal or Exceed
(ACT Equivalent in Italics)
2.51-2.99 920 (19)
2.41-2.50 960 (20)
2.31-2.40 1000 (21)
2.21-2.30 1040 (22)
2.11-2.20 1080 (23)
2.00-2.10 1120 (24)
Source: Admissions Standards for the Massachusetts State Colleges and University, Guide for High School Guidance Counselors, MA Board of High
Tips For Parents
Remember that college immediately after high school does not guarantee success. The worst reason for your student to go directly to college is because it is expected. As it stands, fewer than 6 in 10 students entering 4-year colleges graduate within six years. Heading off to school without knowing why is not going to improve the odds.
Be open to and support your student’s ideas for alternatives to college. In fact, going to college with the maturity gained from doing something else first can be beneficial for some students. Stress the importance of planning ahead.
It’s important that your student work hard throughout senior year, not letting grades drop. They will want to see consistent effort.