Are You Starting To Apply To Colleges?

Seniors, as you begin to tackle your college applications there are some common questions that come up.  For the next few weeks we will try to answer as many of those as possible.  If you don’t see your questions answered here, please stop by the counseling office and talk to your counselor.  Also, don’t forget that October 19^th through October 23^rd we will be in the library during 7^th period to answer questions, narrow your college search, or assist with your applications.

Where do I apply to college?  If you are applying to a UC school, you will apply online at this website:  https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu/applicant/login.htm   This handbook will answer a lot of your questions about the UC application: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/apply-online-freshman-cal.pdf  

There will also be an online workshops hosted by the UC schools to help you through the UC Application.  There will be two workshops, October 13^th at 3:30 pm or November 18^th at 3:30 pm.

If you are applying to a CSU school, you will apply online at csumentor.edu. This handbook will answer a lot of your questions about the CSU application:

http://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/freshmaninstructions.pdf

 If your school is not a UC or Cal State school, you will want to check the college’s website to see how they want you to apply.  If you are applying to a private university or an East Coast school there is a good chance they are using the Common Application.  This is also an online application that can be found at www.commonapp.org.  

As you apply to schools you are going to be introduced to some new vocabulary.  Let’s review a few of these terms:

Regular Decision:  This is most common option to choose while completing the Common App.  You will apply before the deadline and receive notification of your acceptance by March or April.  You will have time to look at the financial aid packages that come in and make your decision by May 1^st.

Early Decision: If students chose the Early Decision application their application will be due in early November, usually November 1^st.  If students choose this option they will be given a decision in early December.  You can only apply to one school Early Decision.  Usually you will pick this option if this is the school that you have researched well and it is your very top choice.  With Early Decision, if you are accepted you are committed to attend that school.  The positive is that you will know by Winter Break what school you are attending and the acceptance rate for Early Decision is about fifty percent higher than regular decision.  One downside is if you don’t accepted then you have very little time to apply to other schools.  Also, you would be accepting admission without knowing the financial aid package you will receive.  If you at all worried about financial aid, this is not a good option for you.

Early Action: This is similar to Early Decision.  You apply by November 1^st and you hear back by early December.  However, with option you do not have to accept the offer of admission.  Also, you can apply to more than one school Early Action.  With this option you are telling schools that it is your top choice, but you have the freedom to wait until March and see what your financial aid options will be.  

Single Choice Early Action:  Some schools like Harvard and Yale offer this option.  This is similar to Early Action with the exception that you can only apply to one school as Early Action.  You can still apply to other schools as regular decision. 

**Some schools have their own rules regarding Early Decision and Early Action.  If you are considering these choices make sure to check the website for each school before applying.

What is FERPA? The Common App and some scholarships will ask you to waive your FERPA rights.  FERPA stands for the The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.  Basically this act says that you have a right to review your academic records.  As you ask counselors and teachers to write you letters of recommendation, these letters become a part of your academic record, if you are accepted to a college.  By waiving your rights, you are saying that you won’t look at the letters of recommendations.  In general, you will want to waive your rights.  Here is why:  admission officers want teachers and counselors to be as honest and candid as possible when writing about you. If you haven’t waived your rights, some schools will not consider the letters of recommendation because they don’t feel the recommenders were free to say how they really feel.   

     In general, you shouldn’t be worried about what your recommenders are going to write about you.  If you have any concerns, don’t ask for a letter of recommendation from that person!  Your teachers and counselors obviously don’t want to be a stumbling block on your road to college; they want to support you in your efforts.  You can help yourself by making sure to ask for letters of recommendation at least two weeks before they are due and returning any materials that they ask for by their due dates.  If you have any questions about this, please stop by and visit with your counselor.