Admissions
Admission information for every Texas public university and two-year school, plus many private colleges and universities.
Allows you to apply to over 800 colleges, along with more than 50 international universities from 18 countries.
Connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities.
What Do Colleges Look For?
Applying to college can be an overwhelming process. Colleges will look at a variety of factors to determine if an applicant is the right fit for their college.
High School GPA and AP classes:
Your high school GPA is what shows colleges how successful you were in your academics. Colleges will also look at how you challenged academically in high school.
Test Scores:
Not all schools will rely heavily on SAT and/or ACT scores. Many schools are even choosing to go test optional (which means a test score is not required for admissions purposes). Check with your school to see which one is preferred and/or required for admissions.
Extracurricular Activities, Volunteer and Work Experience:
Colleges want to see students who challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom. How involved were you on your high school campus and within your community? Did you find something that you were passionate about? Also, did you have to work to save money for college or your family?
Recommendation letters:
Each school is going to have their own requirement when it comes to recommendation letters. If your school is requiring them be sure to find someone who can speak about who you are as a person and student. A good recommendation letter supports a solid application.
Essay:
If your school requires an essay or personal statement piece take these tips. Admissions officers use the same words over and over when describing a students essay.... PASSION, DEPTH and TRUTH. Take the time and truly show who you are as a student and individual and what makes you interesting.
Stuff:
More and more colleges are going away from accepting students that did stuff. They want to see students who took the time and energy into specific areas that they were passionate about. Don't do things just because "it looks good" on a resume. Seek out things that are special to you and show how hard your willing to work and how much you care about something.
College Planning Websites
Components of The Application
Every 4-year College and university, community college, and technical school requires applicants to submit different components. Research the documents that are required by exploring specific college’s website. The following is a list of items that may be included in the application process:
Application Forms - Application are available on colleges website or by using online application websites
Application Fee - Fees vary, but generally it costs form $25 to $75 to apply to each college. Online applicants will pay by credit/debit card. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you could qualify for an application fee waiver. Visit the counseling office for more information.
High School Transcript - Click here to learn how to send your transcript from MHS. Transcripts will be sent directly to the admissions office or location of your choice. All 12th grade students are eligible to receive (3) free official transcripts. There will be a $3.00 fee for each additional transcript.
Admission Test Scores - Some colleges require or recommend that you send scores form tests such as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT. Colleges only accept scores from the testing organizations. Request scores be sent directly from SAT or ACT .
5. Essay - Your essays are a chance for you to give admission officers a deeper look into your character, strengths, and passions.
6. Separate Applications - Separate application may be required for honors, special programs, college scholarships. These may have separate due dates.
7. Letters of Recommendation - Colleges may require letters of recommendation form a teacher or adult who knows you well. Ask your references well in advance of the deadlines to write you a recommendation.
8. Auditions and Portfolios - If you're applying to music, art or theater programs, colleges may want to see samples of your work.
Types of College Admissions
Open Admission
Probably the most laidback option, open admissions means practically any student who applies and meets the requirements will get in.
Rolling Decision
Students apply at any time after a college begins accepting applications until a final closing date, which may be as late as the start of the term for which they are applying. Students are notified of a decision as their applications are completed and are reviewed.
Regular Decision
Schools set a specific deadline for all of the applications, typically at some point between November and January, then review them all after the closing date. This means every application is compared to the others before any acceptance or rejections letters are sent out.
Early Action (EA)
Students apply by an earlier deadline to receive a decision in advance of the college’s Regular Decision notification date. Students will not be asked to accept the college’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1.
Early Decision (ED)
Students commit to a first-choice college and, if admitted, agree to enroll and withdraw their other college applications. Colleges may offer ED I or II with different deadlines. This is the only application plan where students are required to accept a college’s offer of admission and submit a deposit prior to May 1.
I've Applied! Now What?
Be Sure To:
Respond promptly to any requests for additional information. Make sure you are checking your on-line application status, e-mail, snail mail, etc.
Continue to demonstrate interest (as appropriate).
Begin applying for scholarships.
Fill out your FAFSA October 1st of your senior year.
Request mid-year reports - send to the private colleges you are still interested in.
If you change your senior schedule you must notify the colleges.
Maintain your grades and extra-curricular activities at the same level you stated in your applications.
If Accepted:
College notification of acceptance happens anywhere from mid-August through April . Determine the date by which you must tell the college you are accepting or declining their admission offer.
The national date to tell one school you will attend is May 1st. Notify all other schools where you have been accepted that you are declining their offer of admission. Offers such as direct admission into your major and honors should be given strong consideration.
If Wait Listed:
We highly recommend if you still want to attend the school that you contact admissions by e-mail or formal letter to express continued interest. Failure to do so may result in the school assuming you are not interested and removing you from the wait list.
Be sure to highlight why it would be a great school for you, updating any new accomplishments or improved grades and what you will bring to their campus as a student.
Ask the school if any additional information is needed, mid-year grades, additional letters of recommendations, etc. Find out how they will process their wait list. Maintain appropriate contact with your other schools.
If Denied:
Contact the admissions office to explore appeal options (if appropriate). Appeals are rarely successful so keep at least one of your other options active.