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BigFuture: If going to a College or University is your plan, but you do not know where to start, check out the college search and all the college and career planning tools on the College Board's Big Future!
BigFuture: If going to a College or University is your plan, but you do not know where to start, check out the college search and all the college and career planning tools on the College Board's Big Future!
The Common Application:
The Common Application:
Most colleges and universities use Common App as their system for applying for admissions. Click on the Common App Icon to start your account.
Most colleges and universities use Common App as their system for applying for admissions. Click on the Common App Icon to start your account.
What is the Common App? Most used college application service that provides standardized applications allowing you to apply to multiple schools with a single application. Instead of filling out eight different applications, you can simply fill out one and submit it to each college.
Click HERE for video tutorials on how to navigate Common Application.
**Common App requires your Counselor to be added as a Recommender to submit the school report, transcript and often a recommendation letter. If a recommendation is required for at least one of the schools, please provide your counselor with your academic resume when asking for the recommendation.
Info you will need when filling out the COMMON APP
Info you will need when filling out the COMMON APP
What is my graduating class size? 429 (will fluctuate through the school year due to enrollments/withdrawals)
What is my graduating class size? 429 (will fluctuate through the school year due to enrollments/withdrawals)
What class rank reporting format do we use? exact
What class rank reporting format do we use? exact
Where do I place within this rank? Exact ranking will be available after October 1, 2025. We use the Latin Honors Distinction (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude) which will print on your final transcript.
Where do I place within this rank? Exact ranking will be available after October 1, 2025. We use the Latin Honors Distinction (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude) which will print on your final transcript.
What GPA scale do we use? 4.0 scale
What GPA scale do we use? 4.0 scale
Do we report weighted or unweighted GPA/rank? Weighted
Do we report weighted or unweighted GPA/rank? Weighted
What course scheduling system do we use? Yearly
What course scheduling system do we use? Yearly
If taking Dual Enrollment English this year, do I include this when it asks about years towards coursework at a college or university level? No, select 0 if you have not already completed DE courses previously in high school.
If taking Dual Enrollment English this year, do I include this when it asks about years towards coursework at a college or university level? No, select 0 if you have not already completed DE courses previously in high school.
Which TCC campus do we select for DE courses? Virginia Beach Campus
Which TCC campus do we select for DE courses? Virginia Beach Campus
Do I need to invite my School Counselor as a recommender in Common App? Yes, colleges require your Counselor to submit the school report, transcript and often a recommendation letter. If a recommendation is required for at least one of the schools, please provide your counselor with your academic resume when asking for the recommendation (**under the FERPA & Recommenders tab).
Do I need to invite my School Counselor as a recommender in Common App? Yes, colleges require your Counselor to submit the school report, transcript and often a recommendation letter. If a recommendation is required for at least one of the schools, please provide your counselor with your academic resume when asking for the recommendation (**under the FERPA & Recommenders tab).
**Counselor letter of recommendation and School Report/transcript will be visible to all colleges/universities listed in your Common App.
**Counselor letter of recommendation and School Report/transcript will be visible to all colleges/universities listed in your Common App.
College Application FAQs
College Application FAQs
When do I start applying for college? Fall of Senior year. Check each school website for specific dates. Use the summer to research schools and gather documents needed to apply. Start the process of narrowing down the number you will be applying to. We recommend a balanced list of schools- this includes at least 3 reach colleges, 2 matches, and 1 safety school. They should all be colleges you’d be happy to attend.
What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action plans are non-binding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college. These deadlines are not flexible; you must get all your materials, including recommendation letters and test scores, to the school by the stated deadline. Since you apply early, you'll also be notified of your admissions decision early.
Should I apply early? It depends. If you are sure about which college you want to attend, early decision or early action might be the best choice for you. If you’re not sure, keep in mind that some early application plans require you to commit early. You may want to keep your options open. Remember that if you apply ED and are accepted, you are obligated to attend the school no matter the financial package that they offer you.
What are the Coalition and Common Applications? These are examples of college application services that provide standardized applications which allow you to apply to multiple schools with a single application. Instead of filling out eight different applications, you can simply fill out one and submit it to each college.
College Admissions Testing - SAT and ACT
College Admissions Testing - SAT and ACT
The SAT - What to Expect
The SAT - What to Expect
SAT Basics
Focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings that research has identified as most important for college and career readiness and success. Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact
SAT Cost
$55
*See Mrs. Whitmer in the counseling office if eligible for a fee waiver.
SAT Format
Composed of multiple-choice sections—Reading Test, Writing & Language Test, and Math Test—and one optional essay section—Writing.
Scores range from 200-1600 on Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing
Scores range from 6-24 on Optional Writing
3 hours for the SAT without Writing
3 hours and 50 minutes for the SAT with Writing.
The ACT - What to Expect
The ACT - What to Expect
ACT Basics
The ACT is a standardized test that measures a student’s skills in five core areas: English, math, reading, science, and writing (optional). Students in grades 11 and 12 take the ACT so that they can submit their test scores to colleges as part of the college application process.
ACT Cost
$60.00 without writing
$85.00 with writing
*See Mrs. Whitmer in the counseling office if eligible for fee waiver
ACT Format
Composed of four multiple-choice sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—and one optional essay section—Writing.
Composite scores range from 1-36
2 hours and 55 minutes for the ACT without Writing
3 hours and 35 minutes for the ACT with Writing.
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