College Application Process

HOW TO APPLY

You may apply to colleges either directly through an individual school's website, or through a 3rd party application like the Common App. Please see the website of the school you are applying to for specific instructions. Remember, you are applying as a "First Year College Applicant", even if you have completed college classes or an Associate degree in high school. You want to enter as an incoming Freshman and just have them review your transcripts to assign credits.  You receive MANY benefits (more scholarships, housing options, admissions considerations, etc) entering as a freshman vs being a transfer student.

What is the Common Application (a.k.a. Common App)

The Common Application or the "Common App" is ONE undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of the 1000+ member colleges and universities in the U.S. and internationally. All colleges and universities in Colorado are on Common App. 

The Common App allows you to enter your information in one place and then send it to several schools. This includes a personal statement/essay and an academic resume. Some schools may require additional essays - check the website and admissions requirements directly with every school you apply to. You will also have the ability to include or not include your SAT/ACT scores when applying to colleges. You will have control of which schools receive or do not receive SAT/ACT scores through the Common App. The Common App makes it much easier to apply to multiple schools. Some colleges and universities have scholarship applications embedded in their direct application on their websites.  If you are serious about a school, and need scholarship assistance, you may want to use their direct application if it includes a scholarship section.

In Colorado, we have a state-sponsored program called "Free Application Days" in October in which all in-state schools (both public and private) waive their application fee. If you are not ready/able to apply during the Free Apply Days and the application fee is a problem, please contact the school you want to apply to and ask your Admissions Rep if you could have a waiver. Most schools are happy to do this.  Many colleges offer one or more free application windows, so you may want to call the admissions offices of the schools you are applying to and ask if they have any free application dates.

We receive many questions about weighted and unweighted GPAs.  Here is a great article that explains why there are different GPA calculations. 

Many programs and high schools vary in their grade calculations and MOST colleges are now 1) Asking for both the weighted and unweighted GPA, or 2) Asking for the unweighted GPA ONLY, or 3) Completely re-calculating the GPA based on your transcript.  Nationally - most high schools use the unweighted GPA to calculate honors, deans list, or other academic standings.  

Your COURSE RIGOR is more important than your GPA at colleges that value academics.  Don't simplify your schedule to improve your GPA if you are applying to competitive academic programs! Always discuss with your advisor what an appropriate course load looks like for you based on your goals and extra curricular activities. 

Your GPA is used for your class rank.  This is a fluid and changing ranking!  It changes every semester based on grades, and it also calculates based on credit count.  Meaning - a perfect unweighted 4.0 gets a slightly higher ranking score if it is in a 5 credit college course over a 4.0 in a 3 credit course (because the higher credit course has more RIGOR).  We calculate ranking for FALL Common Applications based on SPRING grades from your Junior year.  Graduation awards and honors will be based on FALL grades from your Senior year.  Your FINAL transcript will show the final ranking including your full senior year grades.

Do I need a letter of recommendation?

• Some colleges consider Letters of Recommendations (LOR) VERY important - above class rank, extracurricular activities, and SAT/ACT test scores (NACAC Admission Track Survey, 2022-23). 

• If it comes down to you and another candidate (all else being equal), your LORs can get you in or keep you out.

• LOR can help decide who gets scholarships and who gets into Honors programs.

• Selective schools may say "optional" for LOR. If you are seriously applying, you will submit a LOR.

• However, if a college does not request a letter of recommendation, DO NOT submit one. 

What's the action plan?

1. Identify if you need/want a LOR.

   • •  Does the school require a counselor or teacher LOR, or both? How many?

     •  If a LOR is optional, how serious are you in attending that school? How selective (difficult to get into) is the school?

2. Identify who to ask.

   • •  A teacher in a core subject. (math, English, science, etc.)

     •  A teacher who taught you recently. (Junior year Spring semester is the prime time)

     • A teacher who knows you well and likes you!

3. What if I don't have an ideal teacher? Prioritize in this order:

   • •  Someone who knows you and likes you.

     • Someone who taught you recently.

     • Someone who teaches a core subject*

*Important note: Some colleges require or recommend that students submit recommendations from teachers in certain subject areas. Be sure you double check that. For instance, when applying to Colorado School of Mines it is better to have a science or math teacher over English. Most STEM schools and programs will have the same preference as Mines.

Any additional tips and suggestions?

• • If you need 2 or 3 teacher LORs, pick ones who can highlight different strengths. Make sure you let the teachers know what you would like them to highlight.

  • If you don't know any teachers well, stop in during office hours NOW and start asking questions about the class so they can get to know you.

  • Always request recommendations well in advance of the due date. Give recommenders at least two weeks to craft a letter.

How should I ask for a LOR?

• 1. Please allow at least 2 weeks for the LOR to be written.

  2. Ask your teacher or the school staff member when they might have a few minutes available for a quick chat.

  3. Once all students have left, politely ask if they would do this for you. Understand this is not a requirement of teachers and school staff. They do have the option to say no.

  4. Ask if they can write you a STRONG letter of recommendation? "Strong" gives them an out in case they don't think they can or will have time.

  5. If asking in person doesn't work, you can also send an email or a message on Teams.

  6. Sometimes recommenders will ask you to answer some questions for them so they can write a good letter. Be prepared to do this and get it back to them in a timely manner so they still have two weeks to write the letter.  It is even better if you provide the recommender with a short, bullet-point "brag" sheet.  This is a list of 3 to 10 things that you would like for them to include in the letter - this could be activities, a part-time job, certifications, awards, unique hobbies, notable accomplishments, or leadership roles.

  7. Demonstrate good character by following up with a thank you. Teachers don't get paid extra for writing letters of recommendation.

  8. Let your recommender know when you receive a scholarship or are accepted to a college!

CEC has partnered with Parchment to process student transcript requests. CEC schools are only permitted to send high school records of students. College credits for courses completed through one of our partner colleges while a student was enrolled at CEC will show on your high school CEC transcript, but will only transfer for University/College credit if you have the Community college send their institutional transcript directly to the College you have been accepted to for continuing your education. Only your CEC high school transcript is needed during the college application process. Your college transcript (for most of our students this will be an ACC transcript) should be sent to your chosen college during the summer after you have graduated. CEC and ACC transcripts are usually available in mid-June. ACC also uses Parchment for processing transcript requests. There is a fee to have a transcript sent.

For students who use Common App, your official transcript will be uploaded into your file by your CEC Advisor and will not cost anything and the time of application. For students applying directly to a college/university with the school's application, please follow the college/university's instructions for receiving transcripts. Instructions are usually to send official transcript to the Admissions Office. You will have to order and pay to send your CEC transcript through Parchment to the college/university.  If you use the common application, the University you are admitted to (and decide to attend) will request your completed official transcripts from both CEC and ACC once your degrees are conferred and your transcripts are official.  You will have to request and pay for these final transcripts to be sent.

Your unofficial CEC transcript is available to view for free through Parchment if you need to see your information. It cannot be used as an official transcript and cannot be sent anywhere. Your unofficial transcript will not update automatically in Parchment. If you notice it is not up-to-date, you must delete the transcript in your account and request the latest version of your transcript to be delivered to your Parchment account. 

Helpful Links

• Follow this link to create or access your Parchment account for your CECDC transcript.

• Follow this link to the CEC Transcript and Records webpage for more information and links to our college partner transcript webpages. 

Sending SAT/ACT Scores

CEC schools do not have access to official ACT or SAT test scores. If either of those scores are being requested from a college or institution, please use the links below to access the methods provided on the ACT or SAT websites to request your records be sent. If you choose to share your SAT/ACT scores to schools in the Common App, you will self-report your scores on the application. You will need to send your official score report to schools when they request them, typically after sending a notice of acceptance. If your official score does not match what you self-reported, you will find yourself in bad standing with the school and potentially have a rescinded offer.

How to include, or not include, your SAT/ACT scores on the Common App: 

1. select the college you are applying to 

2. Select the “Review and Submit” section 

3. Select the “Education Section of the Common App” section

4. Select “Testing” 

5. Select “No” to the first question to not include scores and "Yes" to the first question if you do want to send your scores. If you select       "yes", the scores you entered in the Testing section of the Common App will be included when you submit your application.  

SAT Website Link - you will use your College Board login information that was used to access your PSAT scores

ACT Website Link

College application essays are your opportunity to express yourself in the application process. There are two categories:

The general, comprehensive personal statement, is commonly called "the college essay".

This is a required component of the Common App. There is maximum freedom in your writing, and this essay will be submitted to every college you apply to. Click HERE to access a Common App Essay Prompts Guide.

Additional essays/short answer essays/supplemental essays are usually responses to specific college questions.

Often, colleges ask additional questions or provide writing prompts in addition to your personal statement. These are shorter in length and have a specific question that needs to be answered. Any school on your list that you really want to gain admission into that has short essays as "optional" are not optional to you! You DO want to answer any "optional" essays to show you really want to attend that school. Click HERE to access a Supplemental Essay Prompts Guide.

What to Know About Essays

• Highlight something not covered in the application.  Do NOT just repeat your accomplishments and activities.  Make your response unique and try to use your own true voice to tell a story that reflects something about you and/or things that are important to you!

• Reflect on growth during an important time.

• A personal statement is authentic to who you are and in your "voice". It is written the way you speak, not like a thesaurus, and NEVER USE Artificial Intelligence!

• Don't make the mistake or trying to guess what the committee is looking for, and don't write what you think they want to hear. They want to know you.

• Don't list a college in your personal statement essay on the Common App. All colleges you apply to will be reading the same essay.

Additional Resources

www.collegeessayguy.com

How to answer the Common App essay prompts

How to answer the college supplemental essay prompts

Applying to a Military Academy is similar to applying to college with some additional requirements. Academies provide you with a college education  and military training to become an officer upon graduation. You are required to serve a certain number of years in the military after graduation. Acceptance into Military Academies is very competitive.

• Military Academies have a 10% admission rate with a 5-year active duty requirement after graduation.

•  Your achievements are weighted for evaluation

Academics- 60% (GPA, SAT high 600 for math, ACT: 32) 

Athletics: 10%- (pull ups, push ups, and one mile run)

Demonstrated Leadership: 30% 

•  Difficult to get in if you have IEP/504,  food allergies, asthma, depression, or ADD/ADHD. Waivers are available, but it’s difficult. 

• You must acquire a nomination from a member of congress or you need to be a  son or daughter of a career military parent.  (except for the Coast Guard Academy) Apply through the congressional office - this is an entirely separate process that must be done WELL in advance.

Air Force Academy:

• Must be 17 years old

• High School GPA = 3.88 + (unweighted, 4.0 scale)

• SAT Score = 980 + or ACT Score = 30 +

• No FAFSA required, but recommended just in case

• Once a Cadet, Air Force Academy pays for tuition, room, meals, medical care, and a monthly salary. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, you serve 5 years of active duty. ROTC and scholarships are another path to getting into the Academy. However, ROTC scholarships might not apply to students who have an Associates degree.

• Listed below is specific academic information for high school students from the Air Force Academy: A competitive candidate SHOULD take:

o   Computer Science: Minimum of 1 year

o   English: 4 years, including written composition

o   Foreign Language: Minimum of 2 years

o   Mathematics: 4 years of college-prep, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry

o   Laboratory Sciences: 4 years, including biology, chemistry, and physics

o   Social Sciences: 3 years, including history, economics, government, and behavioral sciences

If a candidate does not take all of these classes, they will not be as competitive as those applicants who are taking more advanced classes every year. It should also be considered, with regards specifically to math, that a two-year break from taking math courses prior to entering the academy will be very challenging for most students.

This can be a tough decision to make for those who are pursuing a degree and the current degree doesn’t fully align with the recommendations for academy application. Of course, having an associate’s degree will count for something, but, their studies need to show that they can successfully complete the rigorous academic program of the service academies.

Naval Academy:

• Must be 17 – 23 years old as of July 1 of the year entering

• High School GPA = 3.88 + (unweighted, 4.0 scale)

• SAT Score = 1410 +

• Average ACT Score = 31 +

• Once a Cadet, Naval Academy pays for tuition, room, meals, medical care, and a monthly salary. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, serve 5 years of active duty.

West Point

• Must be 17 – 23 years old as of July 1 of the year entering

• U.S. Citizen

• Congressionally nominated or have a service-connected nomination

• A recipient of strong scores on either ACT or SAT

• For a comprehensive list on the Steps to Admission for the Military Academy (including how to apply for a nomination), click HERE

Coast Guard Academy

• A U.S. citizen of sound moral character

• Unmarried with no dependents or financial debt

• 17-22 years of age on last Monday in June

• A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will be prior to entry)

• Proven academic accomplishment, particularly in math and the sciences

• Leadership skills

• An unwavering desire to serve the country and humanity

• Physical fitness and athleticism. Check here for common disqualifying medical conditions

• Well-rounded interests and experiences

• Commitment to achieve one’s full potential

Class Rank

• 46% in the top 10% of high school class

• 82% in the top 25% of high school class

• 99% in the top 50% of high school class

Standardized Test Scores

• Median SAT: Math 660, Critical Reading 650

• Median ACT: Math 28, English 31

Other

• 88% earned a varsity letter in high school

• 54% were team captains in high school

• 16% played in the high school band

• 3% performing arts members

• 41% have a parent who has served in the military

• 78% plan to pursue a technical major