Commonly Asked Questions Concerning the College ...



Commonly Asked Questions Concerning the College Application Process

Montgomery Blair High School

NOTE: These questions are intended to supplement the material found in the student’s Plan Book. Please review this information and visit the other links on the Career Center website for detailed information on the college application process. Also, access the ”Bridges” website to see how you can research specific career interests and search for colleges that meet your criteria.

What factors should be considered when selecting colleges?

This can vary tremendously based on individual preferences. Some students only want to consider colleges that are in particular states while others prefer urban or rural settings or schools that have very specific programs that interest them. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

▪ Try to find colleges that have majors that interest you. The Rugg’s Recommendation books are helpful because they list colleges by their strong departments and by level of selectivity. These reference books are available in the Career Center (Room 121).

▪ Think about whether you may be happier at a large university that offers a wide variety of majors and minors or whether you should consider the advantages of a smaller college/university with more limited course offerings but one that offers more discussion-based classes for the first two years and more chances to get to know faculty. For example, some smaller institutions do a great job of getting students into medical schools because students have a better opportunity for internships and personal letters of recommendation from their faculty advisors.

▪ Consider the differences among urban, suburban, small town, and rural settings. (However, for the large majority of students, location is less important than most high school seniors imagine because most of college life is centered on the campus itself and not in the surrounding communities.)

▪ What about diversity? You should consider a broad definition of diversity including geographic, racial, and ethnic characteristics. For example, a student who has grown up on a farm can be as different from a Blair student as someone from another country.

▪ Where do most students live? On-campus options may include theme dorms (substance-free, environmental issues, languages, etc.), suites, and apartments. Check to see if off-campus housing options require a car or if good public transportation is available. Be aware that if a significant portion of the undergraduates are commuting to class, there may be fewer planned weekend activities scheduled for residential students.

What is the right number of college applications?

There is no magic number but students now are applying to more colleges than people did a generation ago. That is because it is now harder to predict which colleges will accept students. There are plenty of examples of very qualified students being rejected by competitive colleges. Why is this? Sometimes it is a “zip code” problem where the student from Idaho takes preference over the Maryland applicant. This is because colleges like to have students from every state represented on campus, if possible. In other cases, the student who plays the bassoon is seen as more desirable than the guitar player. What many counselors suggest is that you apply to two “reach” schools, two schools where you have a reasonable chance of being admitted, and two safety schools. In the Career Center we have statistics through Family Connections on how recent Blair students with specific cumulative grade point averages (GPA’s) and SAT scores have fared at individual institutions. In addition, the information left by visiting college admission representatives provides a current profile of what they are seeking in their incoming freshmen classes.

Why are college visits important?

After you’ve read all the literature, go and form your own opinions. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn in a few hours. Try to visit colleges while students are in session. Late August is a good time because high schools have not yet started but many colleges have begun. Spring break also can be a great time to go. Some kids like to sit in on classes and spend a night in the dorm. Administrators usually need about two weeks to set this up. (Always call to make sure that a college is in session before you go.)

Get to the campus at least an hour before a scheduled tour so that you can walk around on your own before you listen to the presentations by the admissions staff. Go to the student union and listen to what the students are discussing. Are they talking about a wild party from last weekend? a political science lecture? a community service project? Pick up a student newspaper and see what the hot issues are on campus.

Try to ask specific questions of your student tour guide. For example, don't ask if the dorms are quiet, but rather "Where do you study?" If the guide says that he always goes to the library, that could be a clue that the dorms are loud. If he answers, "sometimes in my room, sometimes in the lounge, and sometimes in the library", that sounds more typical. Try the same strategy to find out about social life. A good question is "What did you do last weekend?" High school students are often surprised to learn that lots of college students might study until 10 pm on a Friday night before going out, or between the football game on Saturday afternoon and going out Saturday night.

Ask about campus safety issues. By law, campus representatives are supposed to volunteer this information, but not everyone does. Again, don't ask if the campus is "safe" but rather "Do you ever feel funny leaving a dorm at midnight and walking across campus?" or "Is there an escort service for folks who want to leave the library after a certain time at night?"

How do college admission officers evaluate transcripts?

The single best predictor of how you will fare in college is your high school transcript. If you consistently have earned strong grades, you already have demonstrated a positive work ethic. At more selective colleges, admission officers also want to see that high school students have challenged themselves academically by taking hard courses. Take advantage of the variety of challenging courses offered at Blair. This includes honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses if possible. In addition to looking at a student’s GPA during high school, admission reps examine trends in grades. A poor performance in freshman year can be offset by strong grades achieved during the next several years.

What roles do standardized tests play?

Although some colleges are not emphasizing standardized tests as much as they once did, the large majority of four-year institutions still require them. However, compared to twenty years ago, for most institutions it does not now matter whether you take the SAT or the ACT test. Both are administered several times during the spring, fall, and winter. You will need to register in advance to take these tests. You can register electronically by using a credit card or you can mail in the forms that are available in the Career Center. The websites are for any of the SAT tests and for the ACT test.

There are differences in the two tests. The new SAT has three parts which measure critical reading, math (including both geometry and Algebra II) and writing. The ACT test is more content-based and the four sections measure English, math, reading, and science reasoning skills. The ACT provides a writing option that you should take if you are considering more selective colleges. If you are strong in science, English grammar, and have studied trigonometry, you may prefer the content-based ACT test.

You probably will benefit from taking a standardized test more than once. Try to brush up on your skills during your junior year so that you can take the SAT/ACT in the winter/spring and then perhaps once again in May/June of your junior year. That way, you can have the results in time to see what types of colleges you might want to visit during spring break or in late summer before school starts. Many seniors also take them again in the fall. College admission officers will consider the highest scores from your tests, regardless of the test dates. Therefore, if you improved dramatically on any part, it can help you.

You can prepare for the SAT/ACT/PSAT tests by practicing through the Family Connections link (peterson’s-college). In addition, you can practice for the SAT by: taking the SAT prep course at Blair for free and/or using the sample questions on the website; buying a SAT workbook for around $25-$30 and doing the exercises (or borrowing one from the Career Center); enrolling in the Montgomery College sponsored classes (for $250) which prepare you for specific test dates; or hiring a tutor/enrolling in private classes which might run close to $1000. Blair juniors using free- or reduced-lunch plans or others with demonstrated financial need can qualify for waivers so that they can take the ACT or SAT tests for free and can take a prep class for free offered by Montgomery College.

Most colleges do not require SAT Subject Tests. However, more competitive institutions do, and, if they are required, you will need to check to see which tests specific colleges prefer. (The Career Center has a list of colleges that will accept the ACT test instead of a combination of the SAT Reasoning and the SAT Subject Tests.) It is possible to take up to three subject tests on the same morning but you cannot take the SAT Reasoning test and any subject tests on the same day. If you do well on any SAT Subject test, you should send in your scores when you apply even if they are not required because strong scores (600 or better) can help if you are a borderline candidate. The best time to take a subject test is in the spring as you are finishing the course. This applies to most specific subjects such as American History, Biology, etc. However, if you chose to take one in a foreign language, you can take it either in the spring of your junior year or in the fall of your senior year to maximize your proficiency.

If English is not your native language, you may consider taking the TOEFL test (Test of English as a foreign Language). This test can be very helpful to admission officers who need supplemental information to document English proficiency. This is particularly helpful if you have strong math or science scores but weak verbal scores on the SAT or ACT. If you wish to take the TOEFL, you will need to call

1-800-GO-TOEFL. Fee waivers can be obtained to reduce the fees if you can document demonstrated financial need. For general information on TOEFL, see their website ().

Advanced Placement (AP) tests are offered in conjunction with AP classes. Like the SAT Subject Tests, these tests are usually taken in the spring of the year when the course is being completed. AP tests are scored on a 1-5 scale. Most colleges will award some college credit for scores of 4 or 5 and some colleges will award credit for a score of 3.

The PSAT test is administered without charge to all freshmen and sophomores at Montgomery Blair each fall. The freshmen take an older version of the test and the sophomores take the regular test. Juniors can choose to take the test by paying a fee. The PSAT is a good practice test to take because it is a shorter version of the SAT, plus high scores can qualify students for the National Merit scholarship program.

NOTE: It is important to remember that most colleges will only accept scores sent by the testing agency as the official scores. For example, SAT or ACT scores which are reported to Montgomery Blair and which appear on the testing sheet in the registrar’s office are not considered “official”. Seniors who are applying to specific colleges need to make sure that their scores are sent directly by the College Board or the American College Testing program to those schools.

What makes a good essay/interview?

Essays and interviews are good opportunities for the admissions officer to know something about you that goes beyond numbers on a page. Make sure that your essay could not have been written by anybody else. Do not use generic topics. Remember, the admissions staff has two responsibilities: first, they need to check your high school grades and standardized test scores to determine if they think you can do the work. (At many selective schools, the majority of applicants are academically qualified for admission.) Second, they need to decide if they think you have something to offer their campus. Feel free to express your passions or to talk about leadership positions you've had in clubs, paid or volunteer jobs, etc. This is not a time to summarize your academic accomplishments. They can see that from your transcript.

This same advice applies to the interview, either with an alumnus (which is often less stressful and more fun than one on campus) or with an admissions officer. If you have an interview either on campus or with an alumnus, take a few minutes to send a short, handwritten, thank-you note. One or two paragraphs will suffice. (Large universities often do not require interviews and do not use any interview as part of the admission process.)

What types of recommendations are advised?

Recommendations can help your admission packet. Faculty members can talk about your academic ability. Usually teachers from the junior or senior year are used, but if there is a teacher from another year who knows you outside of class, that is fine too. Supervisors from work who can talk about your maturity level at a job can add to an admission portfolio. Adults who know you through extracurricular activities at school, religious organizations, or volunteer experiences can provide examples of your work ethic and dedication. Coaches who can talk about your character (and not just how fast you can run or how high you can jump) can also be included in the admission packet. (Of course, separate copies of coaches’ recommendations should be sent to individual college coaches to let them know that you are interested in specific sports.)

How does need-based financial aid work?

Keep an open mind when you start to consider the “sticker prices” of colleges. Nationally, about half of all undergraduates qualify for some form of need-based financial aid. The largest program is administered by the federal government and is open to all US citizens and students studying here with a green card. The federal scholarships are based on the financial situation of your family. To apply for federal scholarships, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) form. It is important to file it early (between January 1 and February 15 if possible) to maximize the likelihood that the federal government and the colleges where you are applying will give you a strong financial aid package. Aid is awarded in the form of grants (which do not have to be repaid), college-work study positions (jobs on campus while the student is enrolled), and loans (which do have to be repaid after graduation). The FAFSA form is available in a Spanish edition and there is a hotline in both English and Spanish that families can use for questions. In addition, help is available in January and February in the Career Center during lunch and after school to help students fill out their FAFSA forms electronically. There is a tremendous amount of information about financial aid websites including the one administered by Montgomery County Public Schools on the Blair home page (mbhs.edu). Go to “Career Center”, read the general notes, and then click under financial aid. Also check out the scholarships listed in Family Connections.

How does merit aid work?

Even after need-based scholarships have been awarded, there is also the possibility of additional merit-based awards. Merit scholarships can be obtained from state, private, or individual institutional sources. These awards can be based on academic achievements or particular talents, including athletic ability, artistic accomplishments, and community service activism. Institutional awards can vary tremendously by the selectivity level of the college. Obviously, a college where you might be an average applicant does not have much incentive to award merit-based aid, whereas another college with a lower profile might award substantial aid. For example, a recent student wanted to study engineering. He was accepted by the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University. Penn (as an ivy-league university) did not offer him a dime for his academic achievements, but Villanova offered him a full scholarship, including tuition, fees, books, room and board for four years. When these situations develop, they are "good problems" because there are no bad alternatives. The student chose Villanova because (1) he had a younger sibling who also wanted to attend college one day, and (2) he thought he might have more opportunity to "shine" at Villanova and get more involved in research projects as an undergraduate. Either choice would have been a good one.

When do the Trailblazer packets and requests for transcripts, teacher recommendations, and the counselor recommendation need to be filed?

Blair guidance counselors visit junior English classes every spring to describe the college admission process. At that time packets are given to students and they are encouraged to turn in these “brag sheets” before summer begins. This is a chance for rising seniors to give their counselors information about themselves that cannot be found in a transcript or in test score reports. This way when it comes time for the counselors to write letters of recommendation, they will have more personal insight and can write a strong recommendation. These packets are important because many students have switched counselors during their four years at Blair.

It takes time to process admission materials at a large public high school. The registrar’s office needs 30 days to send out transcripts. (See the specific guidelines in the Plan Book.) Guidance counselors also need at least a month before letters of recommendations are due to be mailed. (Seniors should have completed their Trailblazer packets and turned them into their counselors before this time.) In addition, teachers need time to write recommendations. Students should collect all the teacher recommendations they need and give them to the teachers with self-addressed, stamped envelopes so that the recommendations can be sent directly to the colleges. Forms for the transcript and teacher recommendation requests can be found outside the registrar’s office in the main hallway.

What is required to apply to Montgomery College?

You are lucky to have access to a great community college at your back door. Counselors from Montgomery College meet with seniors in the Career Center on a regular basis to answer questions. You must be either a high school graduate or have obtained your GED (General Education Diploma) to enroll. No standardized tests are required but, if you have earned critical reading and math scores of 550 on the SAT (or a 24 on the ACT), you will be exempt from the placement tests. If English is not your primary language, you will be asked to take the LOEP test before you enroll but the TOEFL is not required. If you are a native English speaker, you will take the Accuplacer test. Each year 25 freshmen with strong high school records and who wish to take rigorous college courses are selected for the Montgomery Scholars program which includes study at the University of Cambridge in England and a capstone research project during the second year. The students who are enrolled as Montgomery Scholars enroll for free for both of their years.

What if I want to take a year off between high school and college?

If you want to take time off between high school and college, it is better to first have been accepted to college and ask for a deferment. Most colleges will do this. There is a list of websites in the Career Center that describe volunteer/community service/internship options both within the United States and abroad. For some of the programs, you need to be 18 years or older but a few will accept students as young as 16 for summer programs. Some programs require you to pay money, some will use you as a volunteer, and for others you will be paid a small stipend. Stop by the Career Center to get our list.

College/Career Information Center

Montgomery Blair High School

March 2007

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