1. How do I request a transcript?
Transcript requests must be made through the official form which can be found in the Student Support Center or online under Fast Forms. The student must fill out the form completely ( name and the admissions office address of each school). If the student is applying to a Common App school, the full address is not needed. Please just note the name of the school and write Common App or CA along the side. Once the from is completed , the student must deliver it to the Main Office. Once the payment is processed, the form is delivered to the Finance Office ; where a financial check will be ran on the student's account. If payment is up to date for both tuition and fundraising, the transcript will be process and submitted via mail or electronically. If there is a hold on the student's transcript , the student will be notified and a letter will be given to the student to give to the parent or legal guardian.
2. How long does it take to send a transcript?
A student must submit the transcript request form a minimum of a week before the transcript is due to the college or university in which he or she is applying to. Along with the transcript form should be the Triple Two form ( can be found in Fast Forms). This form is used in the Student Support Center for generating a letter of recommendation or for completing a secondary school report.
3. How far in advance should a letter of recommendation be requested?
Letters of recommendation should be requested at least 4-6 weeks in advance.
4. What is a brag sheet?
A brag sheet is used to help a recommender write a quality letter. Although a recommender may have taught a student for three years, they may forget some academic highlights of a student. This sheet not only provides a guide for the teacher but also gives the student an active role in the letter creation.
5. How does a student look for scholarships?
Scholarships are available through online resources, local organizations, and often through the university they are interested in attending. Students are encouraged to peruse the Scholarship Page for both online search pages as well as local opportunities. The local scholarships will start to pile in during the winter months and will be updated on a weekly basis.
6. What is the first step to consider once a student chooses colleges of interest?
College visits! We cannot stress the importance of visiting schools of interest. Although a school may seems like the perfect fit via a pamphlet or a website, there is no substitute for stepping foot on the campus and observing the environment firsthand. To help guide students through this process, We recommend using the College Visit Checklist provided on the Fast Forms page. This not only helps the student ask pertinent questions during their visit, but it also allows acts as a comparison tool after visiting multiple colleges.
7. What if two-year college or four-year university is not the best option for a student?
Post-secondary planning is far from a one size fits all approach. From enlisting in the military to enrolling in beauty school, we encourage the students to consult with their parents, job shadow, and do research on whatever career interests them. There is information available for any and all careers students may want to investigate further. As long as students are committed to their future and working hard to meet their career goals, we will be a support and encourage them in whatever path they choose.
8. What are some ways to stay organized during application time?
Organization is critical during the college planning process. Each individual school you apply to comes with its own set of guidelines, deadlines, and specific application components. To help students stay on top of each set of application requirements, We have posted the College Application Organizer on the Fast Form page. Although students may feel the need to tweak the form or create their own tailored to their schools of interest, this form is a great starting point.
9. What is the difference between Early Action and Early Decision when applying ?
When applying, it is necessary to understand the difference between Early Action and Early Decision. Early Action is a designated deadline in the early fall that results in fast response rate for the student. Early Action is particularly beneficial when students are applying to programs that are highly competitive such as nursing. Although Early Action shows a student's serious interest in attending a specific college or university, it is considered "friendly binding". This means that the college or university does not require a commitment to their institution till May 1st ( the normal commitment date). Students who apply Early Decision agree that if accepted to the institution they are applying to , they must immediately withdraw all other applications and commit to the that school. Therefore, Early Decision is considered "binding. "Unless students are 100% sure on their college choice, we advice them to choose Early Action over Early Decision. For further information regarding these terms, please visit : EA vs. ED.
10. What are some ways to advise student athletes to start thinking about college early?
Students who are interested in playing sports in college will benefit from familiarizing themselves with what is expected of student athletes as well as specific timelines. Information for student athletes can be found on this site: Athlete Preparation