Typically it is recommended that you visit college campuses if you are able to because it provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the school, speak to students and/or admission counselors at the school, and allows you to picture yourself at either that school or at college in general! 

Some colleges offer an incentive called a Visit Grant. This means that if you visit school (may have to be an official visit) within a certain time period and then later enroll in the school you will get a grant (money you don't have to pay back) as part of your financial aid package for your first year. 

Official Tours: You can sign up for official tours and info sessions on the school's admission's website. 

Google "School name admissions visit". An info session is typically given by an admissions counselor from the school and is a presentation about the school. A tour is typically given by a current student and shows you around campus while telling you about the student experience. 

We also offer these through the high school. You can check the calendar in the home page for any upcoming visits!

Campus Events: Schools may have upcoming open house days or fly in events (where they bring you to campus). This is a great way to see a lot of campus. But be aware that it may not be the true student experience (nicer food than usual or only focusing on one part of the student experience) - but still a great way to learn! (Example, Open House events)

You can look at our calendar on the home page for upcoming open house events!

Self Guided Tour: If you can't schedule an official tour you can still walk around campus. If it is open, stop by the admissions office and introduce yourself and pick up any promotional materials they may have. They may also have a self guided tour/map. 

Virtual Tours: 

• See if a college has one on their website. Schools may be offering other types of virtual visit experiences at the school. Reach out to an admissions rep if you are interested in seeing if that school is offering something like a virtual info-session and you don't see information on their website!

• Look at YouVisit to see if they offer a virtual tour for the schools you are interested in 

• Youtube! See if there are any tour videos posted about a specific college

What to bring/expect:

• Wear neat clothing. You don't need to dress up or wear anything fancy, but wear something clean and neat (no holes!) to make a nice impression 

• Bring walking shoes and water. Prepare to walk for at least 30 minutes to an hour around campus during the tour. Bring any weather related items you may need to (sunscreen, hat, umbrella etc). Tours typically continue rain or shine

• A notebook and pen in case you want to take notes, particularly during the info session 

• Prepare - Look around the website and prepare some questions that you can ask 

• Stay engaged - Don't spend the whole time on your phone! Ask questions, this will help you get the information that you want and will show you are interested

Sample Questions: Ask these, or other questions when you are talking with an admissions counselor at a school: 

• How much financial aid do most students get? How much of that is loans, compared to grants and scholarships? 

• How do I apply to merit scholarships? 

• What makes your school unique? 

• What type of student is most successful at your school? 

• What are you looking for from applicants? Anything in particular regarding coursework, extracurriculars, recommendations etc. 

• What academic supports are available to students? Is there a cost to them? 

• What mental and physical health supports are available to students? Is there a cost to them? 

• What do you do to support first generation, low income, or minority students at your school? 

• I am interested in majoring in X or having a career in Y, can you tell me what programs, majors, and events you do in that area to help me succeed?

• What do students tend to do outside of class? Where do students tend to hang out?

• I really enjoy participating in X, what type of clubs or events do you have related to that? 

• What does the university/college do to help me get internships/jobs during and after school? 

• What are special traditions does your school have? 

• What is your advice for a student that is really interested in this school? 

• Anything I can do to increase my chances of getting into this school? 

• Do you offer interview opportunities for students applying to the school? 

Common App allows you to create an account and fill out all your demographic, and activity information only once (no matter how many colleges you apply to). You then also have a main essay that you put in that it will send to all the colleges you apply to through Common App, but it is important to note that some schools have additional essays as well that they require you to fill out. 

You can access Common App here: https://www.commonapp.org/

Coalition is similar to Common App, but they also allow you to create what they call a "Locker" which lets you create a portfolio. This is especially great if you are interested in pursuing the arts and want to share your art with admissions offices so that they can use it as part of your application. 

You can access Coalition here: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/

When you apply early decision, you get an admission decision earlier than usual, though these applications are due earlier. Early decision plans are binding. Some colleges have ED II, which is the same thing but just with a later due date. While you can apply (not ED) to other schools while waiting hear back about an ED application, if you are accepted to a school that you applied to ED, you must take your applications out of consideration at other schools immediately. 

When you apply early action, you get admission decisions earlier, but you also have to apply earlier. Early action plans are not binding, which means that you do not have to enroll in a college if you are accepted early action. Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which is the same thing, but the application is due at a later date.

Typically, Regular Decision applications are due mid to late winter, and students will hear back in the spring about their admissions status. 

With Rolling Admissions schools consider each application as soon as all required information has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly. It is best to apply to these schools as soon as possible. 

Applications can be expensive, but don't let that stop you from applying to college! When you are filling out the Common App, you will see there is question that asks if you are eligible for a fee waiver. 

You can find out if you're eligible for a Common App fee waiver here.

Some schools may have an additional form for you to fill out. 

One of the most common reasons that people can get an application fee waiver is being eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch. 

Reach out to Ms. Wiggins if you need help with application fee waivers. 

Each school is handling test scores differently. So, it is up to the applicants to research each school's policy and determine what makes the most sense to them. 

Some important terms and a general definition: 

Super Scoring: This is when you submit multiple test scores to a school and they take the highest score for each section and combine those to make your super score. The school will then use the super scored score as part of your application evaluation. Not every college super scores. Example: 

SAT 1: 

Math - 800, Evidenced Based Reading and Writing - 200, Total -1000

SAT 2: 

Math - 200, Evidenced Based Reading and Writing -800, Total - 1000 

With super scoring they will combine the highest score for each section.

Super Score: 

Math - 800 (test 1), Evidenced Based Reading and Writing - 800 (test 2), Total - 1600

Test Optional: This is when you can submit test scores if you want, but you aren't required to for admissions. If you submit test scores they will likely be reviewed.

Test Blind: This is when a school does not look at/consider test scores at all. 

Each school has it's own unique definition so make sure to closely read their posted policies online and communicate directly with an admissions counselor at the university for greater information. 

Some things to look for/ask about: 

• Are their any caveats to their test optional policy? (ex. it only applies to students who have a 3.0 GPA or greater)

• Do any majors or programs at the school still require test scores (ex. nursing majors, or an honors college) 

• Will you still qualify for merit scholarships if you do not submit test scores? 

• When an admissions counselor does and does not recommend an applicant submit a test score? 

• What the average (or median, or middle 50%) SAT or ACT score of admitted students? 

• Proportion of admitted students that submit test scores? 

• Are you allowed to change your decision about whether or not you want to submit test scores once you apply? 

At the end of the day it is ultimately your choice whether you submit a test score to a school. You can choose to submit a test score to one school but not another. 

Typically you all want to submit a test score if it is middle, high or above their average range for admitted students. 

The writing section of the application is important, and colleges do read what you put in that section. Below I have outlined some information regarding the writing section and helpful tips.

1. Brainstorm: Start by jotting down a bunch of ideas that you may be interested in. It may help to keep a running list somewhere because you never know when they will pop in your head. 

You can also find a lot of brainstorm activities through The College Essay Guy. They also have example essays and other tips for writing college essays 

2. Outline As part of brainstorming it can be helpful to start outlining the different parts of your essay and the overall point/theme you are trying to make. You can also do this with multiple topics and see which you feel like you have the most to say/that you like the most. 

3. Draft: Just start drafting!!! Just get words on the paper. Don't worry about it sounding perfect or word limits, just work on getting your ideas down on paper. 

4. Editing: You will want to take lots of time to review your essay as well as have other people you are comfortable sharing your essay with, as well (ex. parents, teachers, members of the POG Team etc.) You will also want to make sure that the point you are trying to get across is coming across to other people. 

Some additional tips: 

• Don't feel discouraged if you cannot think of what to write. It is common to feel like you may not know what to write about and stare at a blank computer screen trying to think of something. Do not feel you need to give up! Instead, take breaks, try and get ideas from peers, and talk to teachers and counselors- we are here to help! 

• Don't try to do this all in one night. Yes, I am sure you are capable of doing it, but it is best if you can work on it slowly over a long period of time. Write your first draft and then put it away for a few days. Then come back to it and edit. Starting it well in advance gives you time to work on it so it is strong and you get feedback from others.

• When selecting a topic think about: what is missing about yourself from your application if it was just your transcript and resume (list of activities)? 

• When you write, don't just repeat your list of activities/grades -- dive deeply on one thing and allow it to show something bigger about yourself! 

• If you choose to write about someone else, make sure that you connect everything you say about them back to yourself. At the end of the day, your admissions essay is about YOU. 

• If someone read your essay, what is the one sentence description they would take away about you from it? Make sure what you want that sentence to be is coming across. Thinking about what that one sentence may be is also a way to start your essay brainstorming, and then come up with examples from your life that showcase that. 

No matter what stage you are in the essay writing process, stop by Room 7! We're happy to help you. 

The Common App also has an additional writing section where students can write about anything else not reflected in the application. You can write a maximum of 650 words in this section.

Please note that certain colleges have "supplemental essays" that some require/ some have optional to ask questions specific to their college. 

For more information about writing a supplemental essay, you can visit this link.