An offer by a coach and a signed NLI do not constitute acceptance to a school.

ALL STUDENTS MUST APPLY TO THE SCHOOL and be accepted by the admissions office.

 

Much like each student, colleges and universities desire to succeed. Their success is measured by how well they recruit, admit, retain, and graduate students who are an appropriate match for their academic offerings. Just as each student has unique qualities and characteristics, each college or university is special and different in some way. First and foremost, colleges are looking for students who will thrive in their environment. Similarly, each student should look for an institution where they truly fit academically, socially, athletically, artistically, or accordingly to whatever dimension is important.

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Indeed, it is no secret and no surprise that most colleges and universities place a high emphasis on academic ability. They weigh a student’s performance in high school most heavily because this is the strongest predictor of academic success in college. Admissions committees will look for rank in class, the type of curriculum (academic and college preparatory vs. vocational and activity-oriented), the depth of courses taken by the applicant (honors, accelerated, advanced vs. remedial), and the overall pattern of grades.

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A high school transcript communicates a wealth of information about a particular student, but a thoughtful letter of recommendation can help an admissions committee see the whole person. A number of colleges ask applicants for letters of recommendation to assist them make decisions when many candidates have similar academic credentials.

Many admissions committees like to see evidence of a student’s writing ability and may require an essay. A thoughtful and well-prepared essay provides the college with an impression of the student as a unique individual – in other words it goes beyond just the raw numbers listed on the applicant’s transcript. Students need to be aware that colleges do look at the little (often overlooked) details, such as the neatness and accuracy of the essay or paper application and the student’s ability to follow instructions.

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The results of a standardized college entrance examination, such as the SAT or ACT, are often considered by college admissions officers, in conjunction with the candidate’s other credentials as the school makes its decisions. Highly selective colleges may also require that the student take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, as well.

What do colleges really want? They want to make admissions decisions that result in a win-win situation. They want to select the students who have the best chance of succeeding in order that both the school and the student thrives.

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PREPPING FOR APPLICATIONS

College or University applications can seem overwhelming at first glance for students entering their senior year in high school. What needs to be done, and when? Use this calendar to obtain a bird’s eye view of the college or university application process.

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Narrow your list of colleges to between five and ten. Then begin to eliminate and narrow your selection to the top-five colleges or universities that satisfy your geographic, demographic, academic, athletic, and financial requirements. Please note that although you may have a desire to attend certain colleges or universities, you must satisfy their own individual admission requirements. You must do the research on each of the top-five colleges or universities you have selected, prior to beginning the first stage of applying for admissions.

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Please note the deadlines for Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Registration for each college or university.

Make a master calendar or college application checklist and note:

• Test dates, fees, and deadlines

• College application due dates

• Required financial aid applications and their deadlines

• Recommendations, transcripts, and other necessary materials

• Your high school’s deadlines for application requests

 

Ask for recommendations from teachers, coaches, employers, and community leaders. When writing application essays ask teachers, coaches, parents, and friends to read first drafts.

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In some cases, applying to a school earlier in the academic year may increase the chance that student will be admitted.

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TYPES OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Early Decision

A student applying Early Decision is committing to attend that school if he/she is accepted. There are two primary advantages to early decision applications:

• borderline students have a greater chance of being accepted to the school because the student has already made a commitment to attend

• the college applications process is complete early in the senior year, usually by December or January, leaving the student (and families) with less stress

 

Application deadlines for Early Decision are usually November 1 or November 15 – check with each school for their deadlines.

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Early Action

Students applying Early Action are not committed to attend that school if accepted. The advantages still include a better chance of acceptance and completing the applications process early in the year, but this method leaves wiggle room in case the student decides to attend another college.

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Regular Decision

This is the process whereby a college accepts applications from prospective students and delays the admission decision until all applications from the entire applicant pool have been received. Decision letters are mailed to applicants, all at once, traditionally in March or April. The most selective colleges mail their decision letters in early to mid-April.

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Rolling Admissions

Colleges with Rolling Admissions evaluate student applications as they are received rather than waiting for the final deadline to begin the review and admissions process. Generally, the earlier an application is submitted the better the chance that student has to be accepted.

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Deferred Admission

Students who have alternate plans for the year following high school may apply to many colleges for deferred admission. The application process and timetable remain the same as for regular admission, but students should indicate that they do not intend to matriculate until the following year. An explanation of how the student plans to spend the year and the benefits the student expects to derive from it is usually required by the college.

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Open Enrollment

Students who meet a college’s stated admissions requirements are automatically admitted to that school. This is most common in community colleges.

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Wait List

The process used by selective colleges who do not initially offer or deny admission, but extend the possibility of admission to a later date (usually late May through July). Students should accept another college’s offer since waiting list acceptances are very inconsistent. (Discuss all wait list situations with a counselor. Second semester grades and method of reply can be critical to your acceptance.)

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APPLYING THROUGH THE SCHOOL

Many universities have created online portals for undergraduate admissions. Search for the school and online application, especially if any of your schools are not on the Common Application.

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THE COMMON APPLICATION (COMMON APP)

Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,000 Common App member colleges worldwide through the online college application platform. Learn more about applying through the first-year application by following the step-by-step guide below.

• Gather Materials

• High school transcripts

• List of activities

• Test scores and dates of entrance exams

• Parent/legal guardian information

• Academic honors and achievements

• Create an Account

• Add Colleges

• Collaborate with Counselors and Teachers

• Designate Saddlebrook Prep’s Head of School as the counselor and the College Advisor as your advisor. Add any teachers that are willing to write a letter of recommendation (be sure to speak with the teacher before adding them).

• Check for Additional Requirements from Chosen Schools

• Deadlines

• Application fees

• Personal essay

• Courses and grades

• Test policy

• Portfolio

• Writing supplementals

• Recommendations

• Plan Essays

• Review and Submit ApplicatioN

 

THE STUDENT SELF-REPORTED ACADEMIC RECORD (SSAR)

The SSAR allows students to self-report courses and grades that have been completed, or will be attempted (e.g., senior year courses in-progress), for high school credit.

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College Essays

Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application.

It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admissions committees put the most weight on your high school grades and your test scores . However, selective colleges receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—too many to admit. So they use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities , to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.

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So what does set you apart?

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You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.

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Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

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You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the first-year class.

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Tips for a Stellar College Application Essay

1. Write about something that's important to you. It could be an experience, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life.

2. Don't just recount—reflect! Anyone can write about how they won the big game or the summer they spent in Rome. When recalling these events, you need to give more than the play-by-play or itinerary. Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you.

3. Being funny is tough. A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. But beware. What you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one-liners, limericks and anything off–color.

4. Start early and write several drafts. Set it aside for a few days and read it again. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer: Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicant’s own voice?

5. No repeats. What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.

6. Answer the question being asked. Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.

 

Have at least one other person edit your essay. A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.

 

https://www.commonapp.org/apply/first-year-students

https://ssar.selfreportedtranscript.com/Login.aspx