A Tri-State initiative to increase awareness of area higher educational opportunities.
FAQ's about entering college
Q: How do I become admitted to an institution?
A: The application process and requirements may vary with each institution. Most college admission offices will accept a paper application or you may apply online. For admission, most colleges review high school courses, grades and cumulative grade point average. They may also look at ACT and/or SAT test scores. Some institutions also review student’s activities and accomplishments, letters of recommendations, essay and may require an interview.
Q: Do I need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to college?
A: Most colleges require the exam for admission or placement purposes. The score may vary per institution and/or program within an institution.
Q: When should I sit for the ACT and/or SAT?
A: One of the most popular times to take the exam is during the spring of the junior year in high school. This will give the student a chance to re-test during the senior year for scholarships, admission purposes, etc. Taking the exam too early may not give the student a chance to be exposed to higher level high school courses that the ACT and/or SAT exams evaluates.
Q: What steps do I need to take to prepare for college during my senior year of high school?
A: September/October
- Meet with your counselor to finalize your list of schools
- Revisit selected colleges during college fairs October/November
- Submit application and application fees
- Ask counselor to mail a copy of your high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores, a copy of your senior schedule and Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunizations if on file
- Take the ACT or SAT again (especially if you are considering a selective admissions college or believe that you may be eligible for scholarships)
December
- Expect your acceptance letter to the university
January/February
- Submit your Residence Services application and reservation fee
- If eligible for a scholarship, The Student Financial Aid Office will automatically mail out your award letter
March
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
April
- Watch for Orientation invitation
May/June
- Select Orientation date and mail in RSVP
- Watch for Orientation confirmation
- Mail college transcripts, IB or AP credit
- Have high school counselor mail final high school transcript
- Attend Orientation, register for classes, apply for parking permits
August
- Watch for tuition bills
- Attend Welcome Weekend and move in the dormitories
- Classes begin
Q: How do I receive Financial Aid?
A: Complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for every academic year. The FAFSA is available January 1st for the upcoming school year. Processing time for the FAFSA is four to six weeks so early filing is highly recommended.
Q: How does a two year degree differ from a four year degree?
A: Most two year degree and certificate programs focus students on the fast track to competitive rewarding careers. Most two year degree hours can transfer into a four year degree.
Q: What is a developmental course?
A: Developmental courses help students gain basic skills and knowledge important to the understanding required in later coursework.
Q: Why does a student have to take a developmental course?
A: Students placement test scores (ACT, SAT, institutional placement exams, etc) in English and Mathematics are used to determine his/her achievement levels in college coursework.
Q: Will a developmental course count towards graduation requirements?
A: Developmental courses are graded credit/non-credit courses (CR/NC) and are recorded on a college transcript. Theses courses enable students to take subsequent college-level course work. The hours and credits earned in developmental coursework do not count towards graduation, however, the courses toward full time status and financial aid eligibility.
Q: What if I am not sure what I want to major in when I begin college?
A: Choosing a major can be difficult but there are options available for those undecided students. If a student is undecided they can take general education and/or developmental requirements during their first semester. It is important to explore options, attend major expo fairs and take a self assessment inventory exam to determine skill sets and interests. Most colleges offer career counseling options through their career center.
Q: How do I register for classes?
A: If you are a college freshman, most likely you will need to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for your classes. The best time to do this is at Orientation during the summer before you begin college.
Q: What is the difference between a semester and a quarter?
A: Most colleges in the United States operate on a semester system which lasts approximately fours months (two semesters per year in addition to summer school). A quarter is exactly one third of an academic year (or one quarter of the calendar year), typically lasting 10 to 12 weeks.
A: The application process and requirements may vary with each institution. Most college admission offices will accept a paper application or you may apply online. For admission, most colleges review high school courses, grades and cumulative grade point average. They may also look at ACT and/or SAT test scores. Some institutions also review student’s activities and accomplishments, letters of recommendations, essay and may require an interview.
Q: Do I need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to college?
A: Most colleges require the exam for admission or placement purposes. The score may vary per institution and/or program within an institution.
Q: When should I sit for the ACT and/or SAT?
A: One of the most popular times to take the exam is during the spring of the junior year in high school. This will give the student a chance to re-test during the senior year for scholarships, admission purposes, etc. Taking the exam too early may not give the student a chance to be exposed to higher level high school courses that the ACT and/or SAT exams evaluates.
Q: What steps do I need to take to prepare for college during my senior year of high school?
A: September/October
- Meet with your counselor to finalize your list of schools
- Revisit selected colleges during college fairs October/November
- Submit application and application fees
- Ask counselor to mail a copy of your high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores, a copy of your senior schedule and Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunizations if on file
- Take the ACT or SAT again (especially if you are considering a selective admissions college or believe that you may be eligible for scholarships)
December
- Expect your acceptance letter to the university
January/February
- Submit your Residence Services application and reservation fee
- If eligible for a scholarship, The Student Financial Aid Office will automatically mail out your award letter
March
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
April
- Watch for Orientation invitation
May/June
- Select Orientation date and mail in RSVP
- Watch for Orientation confirmation
- Mail college transcripts, IB or AP credit
- Have high school counselor mail final high school transcript
- Attend Orientation, register for classes, apply for parking permits
August
- Watch for tuition bills
- Attend Welcome Weekend and move in the dormitories
- Classes begin
Q: How do I receive Financial Aid?
A: Complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for every academic year. The FAFSA is available January 1st for the upcoming school year. Processing time for the FAFSA is four to six weeks so early filing is highly recommended.
Q: How does a two year degree differ from a four year degree?
A: Most two year degree and certificate programs focus students on the fast track to competitive rewarding careers. Most two year degree hours can transfer into a four year degree.
Q: What is a developmental course?
A: Developmental courses help students gain basic skills and knowledge important to the understanding required in later coursework.
Q: Why does a student have to take a developmental course?
A: Students placement test scores (ACT, SAT, institutional placement exams, etc) in English and Mathematics are used to determine his/her achievement levels in college coursework.
Q: Will a developmental course count towards graduation requirements?
A: Developmental courses are graded credit/non-credit courses (CR/NC) and are recorded on a college transcript. Theses courses enable students to take subsequent college-level course work. The hours and credits earned in developmental coursework do not count towards graduation, however, the courses toward full time status and financial aid eligibility.
Q: What if I am not sure what I want to major in when I begin college?
A: Choosing a major can be difficult but there are options available for those undecided students. If a student is undecided they can take general education and/or developmental requirements during their first semester. It is important to explore options, attend major expo fairs and take a self assessment inventory exam to determine skill sets and interests. Most colleges offer career counseling options through their career center.
Q: How do I register for classes?
A: If you are a college freshman, most likely you will need to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for your classes. The best time to do this is at Orientation during the summer before you begin college.
Q: What is the difference between a semester and a quarter?
A: Most colleges in the United States operate on a semester system which lasts approximately fours months (two semesters per year in addition to summer school). A quarter is exactly one third of an academic year (or one quarter of the calendar year), typically lasting 10 to 12 weeks.