• Visit college websites and explore programs related to your intended major of study.

• Use tools like GAfutures, College Board, or other college search sites to compare schools.

• Sign up for college visits and attend any information sessions hosted at our school.

• Make an appointment with your counselor for personalized guidance.

• Consider multiple factors including location, size, cost, academic majors and programs, campus culture. Think about how those things align with your preferences.

• Look at their admission requirements and acceptance rates to see how competitive it is and if it could be a good fit.

• Based on the above information, categorize schools you're interested in as either "Dream Schools", "Target Schools", or "Safety Schools" and try to apply to at least one of each. 

Complete and submit your applications as directed by the college. Many colleges have several application options (e.g., Common App, directly to the institution, GAfutures, etc.). Choose the option that works best for you. No preference will be given to one application type over the other, as long as it is an option the school offers.

The Common App is a widely used college application platform that allows you to apply to multiple colleges and universities simultaneously. Instead of filling out separate applications for each school, you can create one comprehensive application through the Common App, which will then be sent to your chosen institutions. Using Common App streamlines the college application process and saves you time and effort.

Click here to see the entire list of colleges that accept Common App. 

Some colleges do not accept Common App. Visit the college's undergraduate admissions website and learn how to submit your application. The choices may be Direct to Institution or GAfutures.

Apply through the college's web-based application on the school's undergraduate admissions website.

You can apply to any college in Georgia directly through GAfutures.

1. Log in to https://www.gafutures.org/ account

2. Select College Planning

3. Select College Applications

4. Select a Teacher

5. Search or type in the name of the school you wish to apply to

6. Select Apply beneath the Undergraduate column

7. Read the information about the selected school, scroll down to the bottom, and select Apply Now

• Regular Decision:
  Regular deadline date established by the institution

•  Early Decision: Binding
  Cannot apply early decision to other colleges
  Can only apply regular decision
  If accepted, you must attend. (e.g. it is binding)

•  Early Action: Non-Binding
  Can apply early to other colleges
  Can also apply regular decision to other colleges
  No commitment to attend if accepted (e.g. it is non-binding)

•  Single Choice/Restricted Early Action: Non-Binding
  Cannot apply early to other colleges
  Can apply regular decision to other colleges

•  Rolling Admission
  Open admission, decisions are given throughout the year, not at a specific time or based on a specific deadline

•  Priority Deadline
  Similar to rolling admissions, but priority is given to those applicants who meet the earlier priority deadline

Apply Early Action if…

• Your grades, course rigor, and test scores already meet or exceed the averages for admitted students.

• You have your SAT/ACT completed by October 1st.

• You’re comfortable having your application reviewed with grades through 11th grade only.

• You’re okay with the possibility of being deferred until March.
  
  

Apply Regular Decision if…

• You want more time to improve your grades during senior year.

• You need extra time to prepare your application or take the SAT/ACT after October 1st.

• You don’t feel confident that your current GPA and test scores reflect your potential.

Additionally, please refer to this infographic from UGA to help you better understand which deadline is best for you. (Click here.)

Current NMHS students: Fill out the Transcript Request Form and return it to Mrs. Miles. These forms can be picked up from the Counseling Office or you can download a digital copy here.

Former NMHS students: Order transcripts online through parchment.com.

Please allow several days for processing—submit your request early to make sure it arrives before your deadline.

• Provide your teacher or counselor with an information sheet (activities, achievements, goals) to help them write a strong letter. Linked are our recommended examples of a teacher information sheet and a counselor information sheet.

• Ask early -- we recommend at least 2 weeks before your deadline.

• Always check the application instructions to see if the letter should be uploaded online or mailed directly.

Tip: Saying thank you goes a long way -- recommendation letters take time and effort to write!

You can submit your official SAT or ACT test scores if you think it will enhance your overall application. If you do not submit your test scores, the college may elect to weigh other application components differently since it will not be considering test scores.

Super scoring is when a college takes your highest section scores from multiple test dates and combines them into one “super” score. For example, a school might use your best Math score from one SAT and your best Reading score from another SAT, or vice-versa with your SAT scores. This is why taking these tests more than once can be beneficial towards your college applications.

Note: Always check your preferred college’s policy to see if they use super scoring in their admissions process. Not all colleges utilize this method.

Yes. It does not matter the order the colleges receive your materials, as long as everything is received by the proper deadline. The more time you give teachers to work on your letter of recommendation, the better.

Senior Class of 2026 size: 215

Class rank: NMHS does not rank

Grading scale: 4.0 unweighted scale

NMHS's CEEB code: 110663

You can track your submission status on the college's website. The admissions committee will review all your materials once they receive them and render a decision. If you're accepted, you may be asked to provide additional information or complete additional steps to finalize your enrollment.