College application process
Applying to college can mean very different pathways: a 4-year University, Community College, Technical College or Trade School. We will help students identify their pathway, navigate the College application process and gain information about funding their education.
*Navigate the Table of Contents below to jump to topics. Also use the Drop-down menu on the left side of the page for more information
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
College Application Checklist Hyperdoc: Use this for all of the required steps when applying for College. It is full of useful links!
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS - REQUIREMENTS & PLANNING
An important part of Academic Advising is understanding and meeting, not only the High School Graduation Requirements, but the College Admission Requirements. Four Year Colleges have a higher standard and more requirements that exceed High School Graduation Requirements. We work with students to plan for both Graduation and Post-High School in order to maximize their time here at Olympic and have a full, enriching high school career.
Requirements for 4 Year Colleges, 2 Year Colleges, Transfer Degrees & more!
4 Year College Applications
Four Year College Application Deadlines: Most WA state 4 year College application deadlines are approximately January 31st; however, check your college deadlines to be sure. We encourage seniors to aim to have them submitted by winter break to be safe. UW's deadline is very early: Nov. 15th.
College application essays: Get a head start on writing your essay to supplement your GPA, test scores and everything else to TELL YOUR STORY!
Check out the UW's College Application Questions and tips: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/freshman/how-to-apply/writing-section/
Essay Writing Tips LINK from Khan Academy
Essay Writing Tips LINK from Common Application
Letter of Recommendation: print and complete a Letter of Recommendation request template to give to a teacher or Counselor: http://bit.ly/LetterofRecform
For a complete overview of the WA state College admission information, requirements and resources, including Financial Aid & Scholarships, visit the WA Student Achievement Council website: https://www.wsac.wa.gov/college-admissions
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS PLANNING & HANDBOOKS
Navigating College Admissions & Financial Aid
College CareerPLanning12thYear.JrSrWorkbook.pdfCollege Planning Guide Grades 9-12
College Knowledge College Planning Guide Grades 9-12.pdfCOLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING: SAT & ACT
Pre-COVID, we advised Juniors to take an SAT or ACT in the Spring and then again in the Fall of their Senior year for college admissions and scholarship eligibility.
Due to COVID, WA Colleges have adjusted their Admission requirements. WA public colleges no longer require an SAT and many WA Private colleges are test optional. Please check with each college to be sure of their policy and see this WSAC link HERE for more information. Students of course may still take the tests and it can help with scholarship eligibility!
If you do choose to take a test, you will need this information:
Register for the SAT online at: www.collegeboard.org
Register for the ACT online at: www.act.org
OHS School Code: When registering, you need the Olympic High School's testing code, which is 481197, so that we will get your scores. Choose Olympic College as your Test Center code. *For questions about financial assistance, please contact your counselor to see if you qualify for a College Board waiver.
SAT/ACT Prep and Resources
The Collegeboard website has free online practice tests and printable tests: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
Khan Academy: free online prep https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat or http://satpractice.org/
Princeton Review website: (potential cost involved and free online tests) https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-test-prep (AND expensive for pay ones too)
Sylvan Learning Center in Silverdale: (potential cost involved) https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/silverdale-wa/sat-prep
Kaplan Test Prep: (potential cost involved) https://www.kaptest.com/sat
MORE HELPFUL COLLEGE APPLICATION RESOURCES & TOOLS
- Applying to Out of State Colleges
Apply for out of state colleges for lower cost with Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE): https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/for-students
College Board (College planning, scholarships, SAT, PSAT prep) www.collegeboard.org
Questions to Ask Colleges: https://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/questions-to-ask-when-considering-potential-colleges
Keep track of college deadlines & tasks with this googlesheet chart! Make a copy and track away!
