|
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
(Some Questions and Answers taken from Mr. Gochenour’s “College Night”)
Continuing my education
Courses, grades, and applications
Funding my education
Additional guidance
Is there a minimum GPA that the colleges are looking for?
No. Each school is different. Some publish a range of GPAs and
SAT scores. The Next Step office has statisticss for all colleges. But Also,all schools look at the difficulty of your course load. Aiming for a high GPA won't help you if don't take difficult classes.
Return to top
What do colleges want to see?
First and foremost, colleges want to see students who have challenged themselves academically and done well. What is "well?" At least a "B." If you get onlya "C" does that mean you won't get in? No, not necessarily. If you get four C's and a Dlow grades, it probably means that your options are limited. . No amount of extracurricular activities is going to change that.
Return to top
| |
"Six out of every 10 jobs in our economy depend on
highly trained workers with the requisite advanced skills
that are available only to those possessing some post-secondary
education or training."
-- The School-to-College Transition: Challenges and Prospects,
Patricia M. McDonough, American Council on Education Center
for Policy Analysis, December 2004, Pg I. |
Do SAT scores matter? How do I raise my score?
Yes, they matter. It's the only way that an admissions officer
can compare Freddy in California with Sandy in New York. Is it
a great test? No. Is it one tool of many that admissions officers
look at in weighing each candidate? Yes. Just by taking it more
than once, your score will go up, on average, 40 points. There
are books available in the libraries. There's free help on-line
at prepme.org
and collegeboard.com.
(CollegeBoard.com also offers a great service – they will send
an "SAT Question of the Day" to your email address –
with the answer and an explanation – FREE.)
Return to top
What about this new SAT? What's different and how are schools
using it?
They got rid of analogies, increased the math, and added a writing section. Some schools are not yet considering the writing scores, only the math and critical reading.
Return to top
What if I can't afford the application and testing fees?
If you are already involved in a federally subsidized program, you can get an SAT fee waiver form from Mr. Gochenour. Many public universities also have a fee waiver system for the application fee. Each school handles it differently. The Next Step Office can also help you with this.
Return to top
| |
"In 1950, 80 percent of jobs were classified as 'unskilled.'
Now, an estimated 85 percent of jobs are classified as 'skilled,'
requiring education beyond high school. At the same time
60 percent of future jobs will require training that only
20 percent of today’s workers possess."
-- Crisis at the Core: Preparing All Students for College and Work,
ACT, 2004, Pg iv
|
Should I take AP and dual-enrollment classes?
That depends on who you are and where you want to go. The top schools want to see you taking college level courses and they want to see you doing well in them. That tells them that you can handle a college course load.
Does that mean that all the wonderful, non-academic things that I have done in my life don't matter? No, everything will be considered together.
Advice: One of the biggest myths around is "That thing you did once – that afternoon you spent as a study hall proctor in the 7th grade – that'll look good on a college application." No, it won't. Colleges want to see you go in depth with a few activities. Quality is what is important, not quantity. They don't want a three-page laundry list going back to 2005. They do want a well-rounded student because well-rounded students tend to do well in school and they tend to do well in life. Pick three or four things that mean something to you and commit yourself to them.
Return to top
What about that D I got as a sophomore. How will that affect my chances?
Colleges are not going to be happy about that D, but they do like to see a progression. They look more closely at the junior year and senior year grades, looking for an upward swing. They consider most heavily your core academic courses. The essay might be a good place to explain that D.
Return to top
What does it mean to apply Early Action or Early Decision?
Most colleges have two dates for their admissions deadlines -- an early deadline in November and a regular deadline in January or February. The key word to look for is: "binding." If you apply early and the school has a binding policy and you get in, you MUST attend that school. If you don't get in, they will move your application to the regular pool with no penalty. Applying for Early Decision does keep you from being able to compare financial packages that multiple schools might offer you.
Advice: If you know your first choice, and you don't have to consider finances, you might want to apply early. If you get in, you'll know in December and your college application process will be over. If you are not accepted, you will be deferred until the next round with no penalty and you will have a completed application with which to fill out others.
Return to top
< 1
2
3 >
| 
