General Application Information

General Application Information

Grades. Your transcript is the most important factor in all college applications. It includes all courses you have taken in high school, the letter grade you obtained, and the number of credits you earned for each course. Courses are divided by grade level, and a grade for both the semester and the final grade are listed. Since MHS does not currently weight grades, so your unweighted GPA will appear on the transcript as well. Your class rank will not be released to you until the spring, but it will appear on transcripts that are sent by Guidance to your colleges.
Strength of Schedule. Colleges want not only want to see your grades, but also the strength of your curriculum. In other words, did you challenge yourself with the hardest classes we offer at Morse? Many top-tier schools only consider students who have taken several AP classes. Mate sure that you match the expectations of the you schools you are considering. If you have no APs and you want to go to a "name brand" school, you could have a difficult time getting in. That being said, there are hundreds of excellent colleges in the US that do a great job educating students who are not in the top 20% (or even 50%) of their class.
Standardized Tests. Many, but not all, school require you to submit your standardized test scores during the application process. These tests could include the SAT, ACT, or both. See the Testing Section for more information on each of the standardized tests we offer at Morse. Remember that some schools only take test scores from the testing agencies and will not accept scores sent on the school transcript. You should be aware of the requirements at your college and take the steps to request scores when necessary. Also keep in mind that colleges do not have a minimum or cut-off score required for standardized tests. Scores are evaluated as one of the many criteria of the application.

Applications for Public/ Private Schools

For the most part, applications for public colleges and universities are fairly simple and straightforward. This does not always mean that the applications are short. Be sure to look your applications over well ahead of the deadlines so you have a good idea of the amount of work you have to do.

While applying to state universities is sometimes a much simpler and straightforward process than applying to private colleges, rigid requirements and strict deadlines can cause complications. A student who does not meet deadlines or take the required standardized tests is likely to be turned away from state universities, no matter how talented or qualified he or she may be. Though many of schools in Maine are on the rolling admissions system, wise students will make sure their applications are in no later than the end of January.

Almost all schools now request that you apply online. All information from online applications is uploaded directly into admissions office databases; a huge time and cost savings to to the schools. This also prevents your information from being entered incorrectly into their databases. When at all possible, apply online.

Every school will publish their own deadlines for both admission and financial aid. These are often called "priority deadlines" and are treated by the colleges more as guidelines than as rules. However, missing a priority deadline can mean the difference between getting in or not and may affect your scholarship opportunities. We strongly recommend meeting all priority deadlines.

Applications for private schools and the Common Application contain many similar forms. Information on the Common Application is provided in the Commons Application Section of this website. If a college in which you are interested is not listed on the Common Application website, go to that school's Admissions Department web page for information on applying to these schools.

Factors Beyond the Folder

Factors outside the usual criteria that can have an impact on admission decisions are strong family ties to a college and unusual athletic or artistic promise. Some private colleges try to respond to the loyal support of their graduates by giving an edge to the children of alumni in the admission process. Being the daughter or son of an alumni will not make much of a difference for candidates who are well below the competitive pool. But for strong candidates, it cam sometimes provide the extra nudge to secure admission. Some colleges are more responsive than others to alumni children.

The athletic or artistic factors are tougher to call. It all comes down to how much a college's coach or department chair wants you. If you are high on the list that the coach or department chair gives the admission office, and are otherwise qualified for admission, it can make a big difference. If the interested coach or department chair tells you that you are on his or her list, remember that is might be a very long list and you might not be at the top. Use the athletic and artistic angles whenever possible, but choose a range of colleges that take all of your talents into account.

Sometimes there are factors that affect admissions decisions that have absolutely nothing to do with a particular applicant. The colleges' priorities change annually, as does the size and competitiveness of the applicant pool. It is impossible to predict one's chances for admission. However, applying to a range of schools will give a student options.

Helpful Tips Application Tips

Always read the instructions thoroughly before you start the application. Complete the application thoroughly and truthfully.
When possible, apply online.
Complete the SAT or ACT at least once before November 1 of your senior year and submit official scores to the proper campuses.
Observe deadlines. Students who apply earlier normally have an easier time getting in.
Complete your FAFSA and financial aid application as soon as possible.
Complete your housing application (when applicable) with your admission application.
Pay application fees when you apply online.
Remember to sign your application (if not applying online).
Read the majors carefully, even "Undeclared." Always supply an alternate major.
Pay close attention to your personal statement. Admissions personnel read every Personal Statement and letter of recommendation. It can be the difference between being accepted and not.
If you need consideration or help for a disability, contact the disability office at each campus for information about how their programs are run.
Apply and track your application online. A majority of schools strongly encourage students to apply online for both admission and scholarships. It is a very straightforward and secure method of application.
Make solid progress throughout your senior year. Schools may cancel your acceptance for Ds and Fs received after you have been accepted.
The application you complete is one of the means by which your character and personality may emerge for the reader on the other end. It is the one part of the application process over which you have total control. Doing a careful, thoughtful job on your application can make a major difference in your chances for acceptance. Consider your audience. An admissions officer with hundreds of application folders to review will use what you have written to help determine whether you are a good match for his or her institution.
Let your accomplishments speak for themselves and avoid listing trivial activities or long-neglected interests. Playing the violin in the 8th grade means little if you have not pursued it since then. If you detail many detail too many activities that your recommendations to not mention as significant, colleges may question the authenticity of your claims. You should concentrate on your legitimate strengths. List your most important and recent accomplishments first.
Provide your teachers with written responses to the prompts provided on the recommendation request forms to give them an understanding of your experience in your class. The teacher's letter should speak to their experience of having you as a student, so try not to give them a an activities resume or ask them to include your GPA. This information is found elsewhere in your application.
If you use a paper application, type the application or write it neatly in ink (not in pencil!). No college admissions officer will object to a neat, handwritten application.
Answer the questions the application asks. In your eagerness to write about what you want to write about, be sure not to miss the point of the question.
Avoid attaching extra papers to the application unless it is absolutely necessary. Try to fit all the information requested on the application form itself. Sometimes less is more. Colleges often wonder why a student feels the need to send a surplus of recommendations or materials and may infer that students are attempting to cover up inadequacies.
Give yourself plenty of time. Last minute jobs usually look like last minute jobs.
Print and keep copies of everything you mail and submit online in the event that your application is lost.