Application Components


UNDERSTANDING

THE PROCESS

What Many Colleges Look For In A Student

  • Academic Performance: Cumulative grade point average and rank among your graduating classmates

  • Academic Rigor: Difficulty of course selection, depth of study (ie. World Languages levels 3 & 4, Trigonometry/Calculus, Physics, Advanced Placement) throughout high school (avoid a lighter senior course load by incorporating internships and/or research projects)

  • Standardized Tests: ACT and/or SAT test

  • Recommendations: People in and/or outside of school who can positively highlight your achievements and contributions

  • Personal Statements/Essay: A personal narrative highlighting what makes you unique and someone whom can contribute to an institution.

  • Extra and Co-curricular Activities: Ongoing involvement in or outside or school (ie. clubs, athletics, church involvement, employment, community service, etc.) with possible leadership positions

  • Community Service: Ongoing involvement demonstrating how you give back to your local community


PARTNERING WITH

MAIA LEARNING


Members of the graduating class will create a Common App account and sync it to Maia Learning as part of their PTP course. All applications, transcript requests and letters of recommendation will be completed online and tracked through Maia Learning. The College Counselor will guide graduating students through this process.

Fee waivers are available to members of the graduating class who are eligible for Free Reduced Lunch Program, TRIO Program or Upward Bound. Contact the College Counselor for more information.


TYPES OF FIRST YEAR FRESHMAN APPLICATIONS

Applications to the University of Hawaii System

  • All 7 Community College campuses, in addition to the University of Hawaii Manoa, University of Hawaii Hilo and the University of Hawaii West Oahu can access the specific applications from THIS website. Students will complete this in PTP.

  • UH Manoa's College Opportunities Program (COP) is a statewide entry-level freshman program that provides a summer and first-year residential college experience for individuals who are: Hawaiʻi residents and who may not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM), are academically under prepared, economically disadvantaged, represent a positive role model to communities underrepresented at the UHM, non-traditional, or in need of a structured college entry. A separate application can be found HERE.

Common Application

A single application to over 900 participating local, national and international institutions. Students using the Common App will sync this account to their MaiaLearning account, allowing MBTA to transmit required documents electronically. Detailed instructions and videos will be provided in the PTP course. HERE is a list of the Common App 1st Year Deadlines and Fees for 2021-2022.

Types of College Applications in California

Coalition for College

The Coalition for College Application is a competitor to the Common Application. Prior to the 2022-2023 school year, students applying to the University of Washington (UW) were required to use the Coalition Application. As of the 2022-2023 school year, UW is not using the Coalition and therefore students are encouraged to use the Common Application if applying to UW.



LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LOR)

A LOR is a statement from someone who knows you well and is able to provide specific examples about your academic performance, work ethic and personal character. This statement will support the applicants pursuits towards college admittance and scholarship/award opportunities.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation (LOR):

  • Contat core teacher(s) whom you had in the 10th, 11th and/or 12th grade and ask if they would be willing to complete your LOR. Teachers may accept or decline this request.

  • Provide the teacher with a MINIMUM of 4 weeks advanced notice. The earlier the better!

  • All requests are made directly in Maia Learning. Details are shared in their PTP course.

  • If you are requesting a LOR from a non-MBTA teacher, inform your College Counselor.

  • Students are limited to 2 LOR's.

  • Make sure your Brag Sheet is up-to-date

  • Your College Counselor will complete the Counselor Evaluation.

  • Thank recommenders in advance and write a thank you note to each person who wrote a recommendation after completion

How to Get a Great Letter of Recommendation (Webpage from College Board's Big Future)

PERSONAL STATEMENT / ESSAY

COVID-19 Related Application Responses


COMPARING APPLICATION COMPONENTS

Each college will prioritize applications differently, putting more weight on certain components. Below is a chart from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) which identifies the different level of importance in admission decisions for first-time freshemen attending in the Fall of 2018. Notice, the most important components involve grades (GPA), course selection (continuing to take rigious classes) and strengh of curriculum.

High School Class Rank: How Much Does it Matter (Webpage from inGenius)