Thank you Erin Locascio/EDL Photography for this amazing image!
College Process FAQ
When should the college search process start? Naviance workshops for juniors take place in the spring of the junior year (typically in Jan/February) to discuss the college application and search process. Students and parents can schedule a junior college meeting with their counselor after the student workshops (Feb-April) for additional support and questions.
How soon should students and parents visit colleges? Visits to colleges/universities can begin as early as sophomore year, but is strongly encouraged during the junior year into the senior year. To make the most of your visit, contact admissions offices and schedule tours with either current students or admissions counselors.
Are overnight visits recommended? Yes. Your child staying overnight at the prospective schools on his/her list is beneficial because it allows for a different perspective than he/she might not learn from a day visit/tour. An overnight visit can be arranged by contacting the college admissions office.
When should my child start applying to schools? Fall of his/her senior year. There are different application deadlines across colleges/universities. Typically, deadline dates begin as early as November and beginning of December, but it is crucial to check with each school on your child’s list and pay close attention to specific deadlines.
How many schools should my child apply to? It depends, but the recommended number is 6-8.
What is the rationale of applying to 2 reach, 2 target, and 2 likely schools? Applying to a range of schools in terms of their level of selectivity is recommended to ensure that students have options to consider after admission decisions have been made. Reach schools may be those that your child has dreamed of attending and where they feel they will be challenged, and although these schools may have rigorous admission requirements, the chance that your child will be accepted should not be dismissed.
How do students send their applications to colleges/universities? Applications to colleges/universities are available either online through their websites or through the Common Application. Once a student has applied to his/her prospective schools, the counseling office sends his/her school records, including transcript, letters of recommendation, secondary school report, academic school profile, and mid-year grades. Students must list the colleges they are applying to in Naviance in order for their school documents to be sent. (Please note: MHS does not send SAT/ACT scores to colleges. It is the student's responsibility to send their official scores to colleges through the College Board and/or ACT)
Is the Common Application treated as fairly as a college/university’s own application? YES! All members fully support its use, and all give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own application. Many of colleges/universities use the Common Application as their only undergraduate admission application.
How do I know which colleges/universities are stronger than others for educating students in certain majors? There are different ways of identifying schools that may be particularly strong depending on the area of study. One way is to consult with your child’s counselor. Another is to look through Naviance. Yet another way is to pay close attention during your college visits to the facilities and resources available to students who pursue a specific major (i.e., state of the art technology available for graphic design majors).
What if my child doesn’t know what he/she wants to study? Most students don’t know what they want to study or what career they want to pursue. Many colleges/universities offer such “deciding” students an advisor to help make informed decisions about coursework. Although most students apply to college and spend their first two years in college as “deciding” students, one way students can explore their interests is to complete an interest inventory on www.careerzone.ny.gov or obtain a personality profile through Naviance.
How important is the essay in college admissions? The essay is an important part of the application, particularly when it comes to the more competitive colleges/universities. Typically, it is the last piece of the application that is reviewed by an admissions counselor. It is important for students to invest ample time on the structure and content of their essay given that it allows them to shine through and leave a lasting impression on an admission counselor.
How many letters of recommendation do I need to include in my application? Generally speaking, one teacher recommendation letter and one counselor recommendation letter are required unless otherwise specified. Students should check with each individual school on their list to be certain how many are required.
Should my child interview with an admissions counselor? Although an interview may not be required by a particular school your child is applying to, it may be beneficial for him/her to contact the admissions office and schedule one. An interview is particularly beneficial for students who have strong people skills and whose application may not necessarily meet the school’s admission requirements but who are confident that it is the right fit for them. Students should be prepared and treat it as a job interview (i.e. dress appropriately) and have their transcript and resume/activity profile for the admissions counselor’s review. Typically, an interview should be scheduled after the admissions office has received a complete application.
