“Best Fit”
The college search is not about getting into the best college. There is no school that is best for all students. Some students do best at large public universities; others excel in small liberal arts colleges; still others want to study far from home. If you want to make the most of college, don't just apply to the big–name schools or the ones your friends are excited about. Do your own research to find schools that are the best fit for you. Here are some things to think about as you prepare.
Campus Interview
This is a personal, face-to-face interaction between an admissions applicant and an institutional representative (admissions officer, alumnus, faculty, etc.). Interviews are rarely required.
Campus Visit/Tour
A service by the college admissions office for prospective students, allowing them to visit various campus buildings, meet key institutional personnel, and get a firsthand look at campus life.
College Fair
An event at which colleges, universities, and other organizations related to higher education present themselves in an exposition atmosphere for the purpose of attracting and identifying potential applicants.
College Rep Visit
This is when a college or university admissions representative visits a high school or community site for the purpose of recruiting students for admission to the institution. These are all ways you can start the college search process and you can start doing any of the above during high school. Some schools are still hosting “on campus” visits even during COVID. But ALL are hosting virtual tours and webinars.
Things needed for your college application
HS Transcript
Start thinking about your high school path now. Do you want to take honor classes or AP classes? Does your school offer a partnership with a two or four year institution where you can take college classes while you are still in high school? Most colleges will accept college credit as long as you have earned a C or better in the class.
College Essay
A brief composition on a single subject, required by many colleges as part of the application process for admission. You can start working on that now! This is a way to really grab the attention of the Admissions committee. Make it fun, interesting and about why you want to go to college. What do you want to do and why? Make sure you have someone you trust review it, for errors, don’t let them change the context. This is what YOU should be writing, not what someone else thinks you should be writing about!
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are simply anything you do that is not a high school course or paid employment (but note that paid work experience is of interest to colleges and can substitute for some extracurricular activities). You should define your extracurricular activities in broad terms—many applicants make the mistake of thinking of them solely as school-sponsored groups such as yearbook, band or football. Not so. Most community and family activities are also "extracurricular."
Recommendations
Statements or letters of endorsement written on a student’s behalf during the college application process. I know you have a favorite teacher! Tell them now you would like for them to write a letter of recommendation. Don’t wait, the popular teachers usually get lots of requests, so be the first ones on their list!
Most schools are test optional nowadays
But you will want to reach out to your top choices to see where each school stands on this policy. You do not want to miss out on scholarship opportunities, because you didn’t know they required standardized test scores.
PSAT Test
This exam prepares students for the SAT and is used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship semifinals and other academic awards.
SAT
This is a widely used college entrance examination program. This includes the SAT Reasoning Test, which assesses students’ critical thinking skills as they relate to the ability to manage college-level instruction. It is a 3-hour exam measuring verbal and mathematical skills, as well as grammar/conventions and the ability to write a brief essay. Students may earn a total of up to 2400 points on the three-hour exam (up to 800 points in each of the exam’s content areas: verbal, math, and writing).
ACT
A two-hour-and-55-minute examination that measures a student’s knowledge and achievement in four subject areas -- English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning -- to determine the student’s readiness for college-level instruction. There is also an optional writing test that assesses students’ skills in writing an essay. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 for each of the four areas. The four subject area scores are averaged to create a Composite Score.
Make sure you know the difference between Early Action and Early Decision
Early Action
Early Action is when a prospective student applies for admission by early deadline (before the regular admission deadline) and receives notice of acceptance, denial, or deferment with no obligation to the university to enroll, if accepted for admission.
Early Decision
Through this program offered by many post-secondary schools, students willing to commit to a school if accepted submit their application by a date well before the general admission deadline. If accepted, the student must enroll in that school, so students should only apply early decision to their first choice school.
The difference between a Public & Private Institution
A public university, also commonly called a state university, is funded by the public through the government of that state. Private universities tuition is the same price for students regardless of whether they live in the state that the university is in.
Academics
Private schools may have few majors but more concentrated or focused on specialty fields. Private schools may focus on Liberal Arts core curriculum. Public schools can offer a larger number and variety of majors/degrees.
Class size
Private colleges keep classes sizes small with easy accessibility to professors. Public schools have larger classes like 200 in the lower level lecture classes because the amount of students in attendance is smaller, the class sizes are also smaller. It can feel as though you are getting personal instruction, and the professor is more likely to know your name. It’s hard to hide in a crowd when there are only fifteen other people in your class. Due to the size of state funded universities, it can be more difficult to have one-on-one time with your professors. Classes tend to be much larger than at a private college, leading some students to feel they are lost.
Finances
Although private institutes come with a larger price tag, they also have more funds available to provide grants and scholarships. They receive very little state funding. Public universities will also offer small scholarship awards for good grades.
Residency
A private school does not require “in state” residency. Which might provide for a geographical diverse population. (Not everyone from the same geographical area) In state students are admitted in far greater numbers than students applying from out of state
Both schools offer need based aid that is where the FAFSA comes into play. The more expensive the school, the more aid you qualify for. EFC-expected family contribution. This is where work study comes into play. Number of work study hours required. Example the Mount offers a commuter grant, need based aid.
Article provided by our partner, Mount St. Mary's University.
For more information about Mount St. Mary’s University programs please visit: https://msmary.edu
Mary Catherine James
Senior Associate Director of Admissions for Events
Mount St. Mary’s University
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
E-MAIL: mjames@msmary.edu
Instagram: @MountAdmissions