The 2022-23 College Guide

When it comes to making the college decision, including where to go and how to afford, Calvert Hall’s college counseling team is well-versed in placement, admission, and financial aid.

As college counselors, we provide guidance and advice, ask probing questions, make recommendations and suggestions, and above all, inform our students of the many opportunities available to them. We value the relationships we establish with our students in the course of our counseling efforts. As counselors with many years of combined experience, we know this process can be overwhelming, and we are here to help. We hope you will find this reference guide as a helpful resource on your college journey.

College Counseling Team

Brooks Kerr Director of Counseling; College Counselor kerrb@calverthall.com

Adam Moore College Counselor moorea@calverthall.com

Beth Green College Counselor greene@calverthall.com

Christie Grant Administrative Assistant grantc@calverthall.com

www.calverthall.com/collegecounseling

Instagram and Twitter: @CHCcounseling

On-Campus: College Prep Resources tile

The role of the student

Attend junior and senior college advisory courses and complete assignments in a timely fashion;

Arrange and attend meetings with college counselor to review and to send materials;

Use research materials to discover more about colleges while considering fit –academic, social, and financial;

Register and take SAT and/or ACT. Scores must be sent by the student and need to be sent directly from testing agency (may take up to four weeks);

Work with college counselors and English teachers on essays;

Plan (with parents) college visits/interviews;

Request teacher recommendation letter(s);

Keep SCOIR updated and accurate during all stages of college process, including the accurate application type (Common Application, etc.) and application deadline, and updating the college list with admissions decisions once received;

Research application requirements and complete applications (on his own) and follow timeline to complete and submit applications;

Submit an enrollment deposit at one (and only one) institution;

Research and apply for scholarships.

The role of the parent

Play a significant supportive role (logistics and emotional) while the student leads and owns the process;

Discuss parameters of college search from the beginning (distance, affordability, special interests, etc.);

Encourage and help coordinate college visits (virtual or in-person);

Complete the parent questionnaire (available in OnCampus in the “College Prep Resources” tile, in SCOIR, and in paper form).

Attend college counseling parent events;

Apply for financial aid (FAFSA, CSS Profile if applicable).

The role of the college counselor

Advise on college action, college list discernment, college visits, demonstrated interest, mock interviews, financial aid strategies, athletics, visual and performing arts, and special needs admission process;

Structure a process that allows students to develop a sense of responsibility and personal empowerment in this important decision-making endeavor, all while offering support and care to the needs of the individuals involved;

Stay informed of college admission policies and practices;

Educate college admission officers about our Calvert Hall community and the opportunities our students are engaged in, as a precursor to their next educational stage; 

Provide the information and support necessary to students and their parents as they prepare for a smooth transition to life after Calvert Hall.

The college admissions timeline

Fall of junior year

Students take the PSAT/NMSQT at Calvert Hall and begin taking the Junior College Advisory class, which will help them navigate the college application process throughout their senior year and beyond. In December, college counselors meet with parents of the junior class for the Junior Parent College Night, to introduce them to the college admissions process.

Spring of junior year

In addition to the course, college counselors meet individually with students to create a plan of action for applying to college. This will involve building a college list, SAT/ACT recommendations, and essay support. Students should begin making visits to college campuses.

Summer before senior year

Students should continue visiting schools on their list. There is an optional Summer College Application Bootcamp for students who want to get a head start on their college application process.

Senior year

Students are expected to stretch and to reach for colleges and universities that are the best fit academically, socially, and financially. As the school year begins with Senior College Advisory Classes, students regularly meet with their college counselor to discuss any questions that may arise as they are preparing and submitting applications to colleges. Parents are welcome to reach out to counselors on the college planning process including financial aid and money matters.

Our college advising curriculum: “Why College?” • Admissions terminology • Standardized testing: SAT and ACT • Résumé writing

• Brainstorming and writing the college essay • Researching colleges and finding the best fit • Building a college list • College visits, college fairs, and colleges visiting Calvert Hall • Financial aid • Net price calculators • Scholarships • Selecting and requesting a teacher recommendation

• Course selection • Using SCOIR • Application mechanics, process and timeline • Responsibilities for students and counselors in the college process • The Common Application and Coalition Application • Exploring career opportunities • Transitioning to college

Why College?

During the course of your junior and senior years, you will receive frequent communication about the college application process from the Calvert Hall counseling office, from your family and friends, and from hundreds of colleges and universities around the world. You’ll spend so much time thinking about which colleges to apply to, how to submit your applications, and when your applications are due that the idea of why you should pursue a college education can quickly become an afterthought.

As you explore college options, it is important to discover your own answer to the question, “Why College?” In the course of that discussion, we highlight a few key points: 

The world of work is ever-evolving and increasingly competitive. Employers now require a college degree for many well-paying jobs. For some jobs, specific degrees are required, but regardless of your eventual college major or degree, having a college education will give you a leg up in the job market and will broaden your career options. 

College provides an opportunity to further explore and develop interests. Nationally speaking, approximately 80% of students will change their mind about their college major at some point during their college career. You will have the chance to take classes in academic departments or fields that you may have never otherwise known about without the college experience. Oftentimes, students discover a true passion or calling that they never previously knew they had. Colleges help students find, explore, and cultivate these passions. 

Financially, a college degree can make an enormous difference in career earnings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 data on median annual earnings by education level shows the impact education can make on income: Educational

Doctoral degree $98,020 2.5% Professional degree 98,436 3.1

Master's degree 80,340 4.1

Bachelor's degree 67,830 5.5

Associate degree 48,776 7.1

Some college, no degree 45,604 8.3

High school diploma, no college 40,612 9.0

Less than a high school diploma 32,188 11.7 

College helps to prepare you to lead a life of consequence. Beyond the academic preparation and training students receive in college, you will see enormous personal development as you share a community with students from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives. For many people, the friendships they make in college will last for the rest of their lives.

Standardized Tests in College Admissions

The ACT and SAT

Admissions tests are seen, by most colleges, as a standardized way to measure how likely students will be at succeeding during their first year of college. Keep in mind: generally, the higher the scores a school reports, the more challenging academic environment. It’s important to be prepared to take the SAT and/or the ACT. We advise some sort of test prep prior to taking the test, whether that be free online test prep, a prep book, a prep class, or a private tutor.

Which test?

Students have taken the Pre-ACT and the PSAT (if they were in school on the day the test was offered), and they can be used as proxies for the ACT and SAT. 

The proxy test providing the highest result is the recommended test for which you should prepare.

All colleges accept the SAT or ACT equally.

Test registration

To register for the SAT:  Go to www.collegeboard.org;

To register for the SAT, you must create (or already have) an account.

You can send four free SAT score reports to colleges when you register for the test (or you can use the four free score sends up to nine days after the test).

To register for the ACT:  Go to www.act.org; 

To register for the ACT, you must create (or already have) an account.

Test-optional colleges and universities

A test-optional admissions policy allows applicants the choice of whether or not to submit a test score. Each school’s policy varies and should be reviewed on the college’s website. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many more colleges offered testoptional applications, with some enacting the policy on a one- or three-year review period.

Like almost all colleges, test-optional schools consider a student's high school academic record to be most important. Other factors that may be critical include writing samples, personal interviews, letters of recommendation, and evidence of commitment to service or work outside of school.

Fairtest.org has an up-to-date list of test-optional colleges and is maintained by The National Center for Fair and Open Testing.

Comparing the SAT and ACT

SAT ACT

Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and meritbased scholarships.

Test Structure

Reading (65 Minutes)

Writing & Language (35 minutes)

Math no Calculator (25 minutes)

Math w/ Calculator (55 Minutes)

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and meritbased scholarships.

English (45 minutes)

Math (60 minutes)

Reading (35 minutes)

Science Reasoning (35 minutes)

Essay (Optional) (40 minutes)

Length 3 hours 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) 3 hours, 35 minutes (with essay) Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages

Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)

Math Covers Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis

Covers Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Probability & Statistics

Calculator Policy Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator. You can use a calculator on all math questions.

Essays None.

Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues. How It's Scored Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36

SAT/ACT Concordance Table

SAT ACT SAT ACT SAT ACT ACT SAT SAT Range

*Use this SAT score when a single score point comparison is needed.

Creating a College List

There is not a set number of schools to which you should apply. Rather, the focus needs to be on balance. A healthy list includes a few schools that are likely, target, and reach. We encourage students and families to broaden their horizons when building an initial college list. This includes researching and considering colleges outside of the Mid-Atlantic, liberal arts colleges, colleges without NCAA Division I athletics, and colleges where the student may not know anyone currently attending. We also recommend a state school as an affordable baseline to add to the group of schools.

Likely

Colleges are generally those less rigorous for you given your academic profile;

SAT/ACT scores are above the middle 50% range of admitted students;

Admission is reasonably assured (though not guaranteed).

Target

Colleges where test scores fall within the middle 50% range of admitted students.

Many - but not all – students with similar academic profiles are admitted;

Depending on your academic profile (a combination of grades and test scores, if applicable) selective Colleges may fall into this category as well.

Reach

Colleges for which a student's scores and grades are below the middle 50%range of admitted students;

Keep in mind that highly-selective schools are typically considered to be Reaches for every student, regardless of his or her academic performance or standardized test scores.

Researching colleges

Start by assembling a large list of colleges (30+) that meet general interests and abilities.

There are a number of college search engines you can use (please see our resources guide in the appendix). Each will ask you to select your preference to the filters they provide, including location, number of students, available majors, and aspects of campus life. 

Review ranges for GPA and standardized test scores (if applicable) to see how you compare;

Generally, if scores are below the middle 50% range, consider it a Reach school. If scores are in the middle 50%, consider it a Target, and if scores are above the middle 50%, the college may be a Likely school. For students applying to test-optional institutions and not submitting scores, keep in mind that selective and highly-selective institutions generally admit applicants receiving consistently high grades in the most rigorous curriculum available at their school. For Calvert Hall, this means AP and honors-level courses in every academic subject.

SCOIR (https://app.scoir.com/signin) is a website students use to research colleges and to facilitate the college application process. SCOIR has replaced Naviance as Calvert Hall’s college search and application management tool. Students were provided with a personal access code and instructions for accessing SCOIR in their sophomore year during Sophomore Guidance, and then again this fall prior to the start of Junior College Advisory class in November. Parents are provided with their own personal access code during the junior year by being invited to join by their sons.

SCOIR helps you to:

Search for colleges-- based on many different criteria, including personal interests and activities, in addition to more traditional qualities such as campus setting, available majors and student body size.

Explore careers—SCOIR includes a career exploration tool called YouScience. After completing a series of questions and exercises, you will receive an overview of skills and preferences, along with a list of matching careers.

Research colleges – Find contact information and links to the college websites.

Review Scattergrams - Compare yourself to CHC students who have applied to the colleges on your list in the past.

Complete counseling surveys and class assignments in one central location.

Compose a resume.

Sign up for college visits.

Keep track of the process – Manage timelines and deadlines.

Request transcripts and supporting materials to be sent to colleges

Adding colleges to SCOIR

Please be advised that SCOIR offers you two college lists. The first, Colleges I’m Following, is intended for juniors to use to indicate their early college interests to counselors and for counselors to suggest potential colleges to students and families. The second, Colleges I’m Applying To, is intended for seniors and is their official college list. This list is your college list of record, and colleges must be added to it in order for counselors to send documents to a college. 

Senior Year: If given a choice, determine which application you will use: the Common Application or Direct to Institution (which includes the Coalition Application and any college’s application that is filled out directly on the institution’s website); Specify which application deadline – regular decision, early decision, early action, priority decision, restrictive early action, or rolling – you will use.

College counselors are organizing files based on this information and, therefore, are relying on you

to keep your SCOIR college list accurate and up-to-date!

Résumé Writing

A résumé is a wonderful tool that showcases your work in paper form. It highlights academic and extra-curricular experiences in a succinct, organized, and easy to read fashion. In addition to being a component of some admission and scholarship applications, a résumé should be brought to an interview for talking points.

Tips for writing a résumé

Keep to one page;

Consistent format including headers with bold, capitalization or underline;

Includes information from grades 9-12 only;

Sections should be presented in reverse chronology (most recent first);

If listing an abbreviation, define;

Avoid writing in the first person;

Keep verb tenses consistent;

No need to include ‘references available upon request’ or ‘objective’.

Keep updated with new experiences, skills, and awards.

Résumé sections

P R O TI P

Contact information: include professional email that is checked; cell phone number

Education: High School Name, City, STATE (start year – end year); GPA, weighted and unweighted;

Best test scores: ACT, SAT, AP;

Relevant coursework: any extra classes reflect interest in a major

Extracurricular/Work experience: list accomplishments in clubs, teams, employment, and service. Experiences should appear in reverse chronological order. o Include organization/business, location, position, and dates.

Skills: Focus on computer and language skills.

Not every student spends their time with a club or sports team. They can also highlight work experience, community service, and even family responsibilities!

Sample Résumé

John C. Cardinal

456 Shady Lake Dr., Little Falls, MD 21201 (410) 825-4266 | jcardinal@gmail.com

Education

Calvert Hall College High School Baltimore, MD 

Graduating June 2022 

Weighted GPA: 4.00 / unweighted GPA: 3.90 | SAT: 1440 | ACT: 32

Relevant coursework: AP Calculus AB, AP Biology

Experiences

Forensics Team 2018-2021

Lead Debater & Impromptu Speaker 

Lead recruitment and training, head of research and affirmative plan writing;

Earned 1st & 3rd Place Impromptu Speaking.

Eagle Scout BSA Troop 21 2018-2021

Eagle Scout & Jr Assistant Scoutmaster 

Planned monthly events/meetings; 

Assisted 5-10 younger scouts in leadership and advancement.

Varsity Basketball 2018-2019

Started 16 games and helped team win state championship.

Honors

Scouts Eagle Project 

Constructed wheelchair-accessible sand table and sandbox for Northwood Elementary School; 

Earned 36 Merit Badges.

University of Maryland Certificate of Merit 

Top 5 of 105, Statewide (2020).

AP Scholar with Distinction (2020)

Proficiencies

Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, fluent in Arabic

Teacher Recommendations

The best recommendations come from teachers who see a student’s engagement, work effort, and growth in the classroom. Students should request 1-2 recommendation letters from an academic core class teacher from junior year (math, English, science, history, foreign language). For religiously- affiliated universities or for a secondary letter, religion teachers and campus ministers are ideal references.

Students applying to certain institutions, particularly service academies, need to request specific teacher recommendations for nominations and application (typically math and science). One of your responsibilities is to check the application requirements for each school to which they are applying.

Teachers in subjects related to the student’s interests or potential major should be prioritized. Engineering majors, for example, should typically seek a recommendation from teachers in physics and/or junior year math. Recommendations for art-related majors must come from the art department, plus one non-art subject teacher recommendation, if at all possible.

Additional recommendations from teachers in non-core areas, coaches, campus ministers, employers, etc. would be appropriate if their recommendation could, in some way, distinguish the student from other applicants - e.g. leadership, values, immersion trips, extraordinary talent in band, art, etc. This extra recommendation must address some aspect of you that is not in the recommendations from the core subject teachers. Keep in mind that colleges have varying policies on the review of additional recommendations.

As part of the junior college advisory curriculum, students reach out to teachers to initiate the request. In order to guarantee the submission of a recommendation letter from a teacher, students must submit a “brag sheet” (while some departments have their own brag sheet form, a copy of our office’s sheet is available in the appendix of this guide).

semester of junior year. Teachers directly upload completed letters by early October to meet admission deadlines. Exceptions to this deadline are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and should be brought to the college counselor’s attention.

Please note that our policy only requires students to obtain one teacher recommendation, as one letter will satisfy the application requirements at most colleges and universities. Some schools, however, require more than one letter of recommendation. It is the student’s responsibility to identify these schools and to request an additional letter of recommendation if required.

Campus Visits

As you build your college list and begin to figure out which schools you are most interested in attending, a campus visit is an invaluable resource to help you and get a more personal look at a college or university. Colleges and universities offer a variety of ways to visit and interact with their campuses, so some planning is needed prior to your trip.

Why visit the campus?

In addition to helping you better gauge your interest in a particular college or university, campus visits also provide a chance to help guide the college search process. When visiting a particular campus, keep in mind that characteristics of a school that you like or don’t like should influence the types of schools you consider. For example, if you visit a campus located in a major metropolitan area and don’t like the location of the school, it’s a likely indication that you should focus your search on schools located in suburban or rural locations.

Another important reason to visit campus is the potential impact the visit has on your application to that college or university. Nowadays, many schools consider an applicant’s “demonstrated interest” when making admissions decisions. Visiting campus, especially for schools within a reasonable driving distance, can increase your chances of admission. Even for schools that don’t consider demonstrated interest, many applications will include a question on why a student wants to attend that particular college or university. A campus visit gives you the chance to make specific connections to an institution that you can refer to in your application.

When deciding to visit a school, the ideal time to visit is during the fall or spring, when the campus is filled with students. If you’re able, Calvert Hall’s academic calendar has a number of in-service days that provide a great opportunity for a campus visit. If not, visiting during the summer is better than not visiting at all, and many families will include a campus visit (or two) as part of their summer vacation. For attendance purposes at Calvert Hall, missing a day of school to visit a college is counted as an absence but can be cleared if the student has perfect attendance otherwise. Similarly, absences to visit colleges are not counted towards disciplinary action taken over excessive absences.

Preparing for the campus visit

The best way to prepare for any campus visit is with lots of research! When planning your visit, your parents may be able to help with the logistics of the visit, while you focus on researching the school.



Start by either calling the college’s admissions office or by visiting their website. Most college admissions websites will have a page that covers campus visit details. Figure out what your visit options are.

o Are there information sessions available on the day you plan to visit?

o Does the information session include a campus tour?

o Are there opportunities for students to sit in on a class? If so, do you need to sign up prior to your visit?

o If you call the admissions office, this is a good time to ask if there are any upcoming open houses or special events that may make for a better time to visit.



If you’re attending an information session, campus tour, or anything else that requires or recommends registering for the event, register for it well in advance of the actual visit, as these information sessions and tours typically have a cap on attendees.



Make sure to check the school’s website for directions to campus as well as parking information, and if you can, look over a campus map prior to visiting.



Be sure to use your name when filling out a registration form (not your parent’s name) You’ll want the college to have a record of your visit to the campus!



If your parents are helping to plan the visit itself, you should be researching the college or university to get a sense of what to consider when you’re on campus. By reviewing the school’s website (which can include blogs from current students), the college or university’s social media accounts, and utilizing other online sources of information, you can start to get a sense of what to see when you visit the campus. You should think about clubs that you want to learn more about while on campus, specific academic opportunities you want to ask about during the information session, and hot spots in the town or city surrounding the campus that you may want to see. The more research you do prior to visiting a campus, the more productive the visit will be.

Finally, make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather! Bring an umbrella in case of rain. While you do not need to follow Calvert Hall’s dress code on a campus visit, you should dress appropriately.

During the campus visit

Colleges and universities will typically offer a few ways for prospective students and families to learn more when visiting the campus. Information sessions, oftentimes led by an admissions representative at the school, tend to focus on academic programs and admissions information.

Information sessions vary in length from school to school, but they’re typically an hour. Campus tours are usually led by student tour guides and cover information on student life. The tours typically include visits to academic buildings, campus landmarks, and often include a chance to see a dining hall or dorm room. Some schools offer self-guided tours, as well.

In addition to the visit options offered by the college or university, it’s a good idea to do some exploring on your own. Some other ways to engage with a school while visiting:



Eat a meal in the dining hall: Food shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor when making a college choice, but it’s still a factor to consider when comparing institutions.



Visit the financial aid office: Some schools will allow prospective students and families to make an appointment with a financial aid officer to review possible financial aid packages and answer questions you have about that school’s financial aid process. If that’s offered by the school you’re visiting, make sure to complete a net price calculator prior to the campus visit, and come prepared with financial information in case it’s requested.



Check out the surrounding area: The college campus is important, but it’s also important for you to feel comfortable in the town or city where you’ll spend the next four years of your life. Walking through a college town (or, for more urban campuses, walking through the surrounding neighborhoods) is a good way for you to gauge your comfort with the area. For some of your first campus visits, it’s also a way for you to determine whether you want to attend college in a bigger city or a smaller town.



Take plenty of photos and notes! Make sure that you are using this time to gather your thoughts on what you like and don’t like about the school. Creating a college journal, where you keep track of your thoughts about schools you’ve visited and are connecting with during the college process, can help when you are making your final college enrollment decision.



Talk to students: The tour guides you meet are a great resource to learn more about student life, but keep in mind that those tour guides are part of the admissions office and will give you an honest but positive outlook on the school. Asking additional students on campus about their impressions of the school is a good way to get an unfiltered opinion on a campus. While the experiences of one specific student should never be used as an indicator of how all students feel, these conversations can help you determine whether or not a school might be a good fit for you.

After the visit

Once you’ve finished visiting a campus, the trip home (or to the next campus!) is a good time to reflect. You might not have fully formed thoughts on whether or not to attend or apply to that particular college or university, but talking with your parents about your initial impressions (both good and bad) will help you during the college search. Thinking about

what you liked, what you didn’t like, what you wished you’d learned more about, etc. will help you better understand your college preferences. Additionally, writing thank you notes to anyone you met personally, like a tour guide or admissions officer, is always a nice touch!

Fly-in Programs

In addition to on-campus visits being insightful, exciting, and important, they’re also expensive! Particularly for colleges that aren’t within driving distance, the cost of visiting campus can often be prohibitive. Fortunately, some colleges offer fly-in programs, travel assistance scholarships, and diversity programming that come at little or no cost to students and families. These programs, generally geared towards students from underrepresented backgrounds, and/or first generation college students, often have deadlines towards the end of the summer or the beginning of the school year, so you should take time to review programs that may be of interest to you. In addition to providing valuable first-hand experience on a college campus, colleges often admit students who attended one of these programs at a much higher rate than they do for their overall applicant pool.

You can find a comprehensive list of colleges and universities that offer fly-in programs at http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/college-fly-in-diversity-programs/. Dates and deadlines can change, so make sure to review this list towards the end of your junior year and the beginning of the summer prior to their your year

When Colleges Visit Calvert Hall

Each year, Calvert Hall welcomes over 100 of the top colleges and universities in the nation to visit (either in-person or virtually) with our students. Similar to a campus visit, this is a valuable opportunity for you you to connect with a college representative. In most cases, the representative visiting Calvert Hall is the same person who will read your application to that school, so making a good impression is important. It can also help students display demonstrated interest, which some colleges consider in their admissions process. A full, weekly, and daily schedule of visits are available in SCOIR, the Monday Morning Minute, and the Daily Bulletin, respectively.

School policy allows juniors and seniors to attend a college visit if they have a free period. If a college visit occurs during a period that a senior has class, they may request permission from the teacher to attend the college visit. Seniors must ask for – and receive – permission from their teacher prior to coming to a college visit.

In the visit itself, college representatives will provide information about their school as well as answer any questions you may have. Students should arrive with a pen/pencil and paper and ready to ask questions. It’s also important that you dress appropriately for the visit (e.g. shirt is tucked in, tie is straight, etc.) and that you be on your best behavior. Remember, your conduct around college representatives reflects on Calvert Hall, as well!

DEMONSTRATED INTEREST

When reviewing applications, some colleges will try to gauge how likely a student is to enroll.

Interacting with a College Representative

Whether you are speaking with students on a college campus, meeting an admissions representative at a college fair or high school visit, or chatting with an alumni representative, asking good questions shows that you are interested in learning more in-depth about that particular institution. It also helps you determine your level of interest in a school. Most of these questions can be asked by you or your parents. Some things to think about when looking through this list:



This list is just a starting point. This isn’t a comprehensive list of questions, nor is it meant as a checklist for you to run through. These questions are merely here to give you some ideas as you have conversations to learn more about a school. You may find that one answered question leads to a wide range of other questions about that topic that you think of on the spot.



Don’t violate the “Google Rule.” When at all possible, focus on questions that are more qualitative in nature. Asking an admissions officer how many students are enrolled in that college isn’t taboo, but it’s also a missed opportunity to ask a question that can’t be answered with a brief Google search.



Asking the question is great, but it’s also important to think about why you’re asking a question. It’s helpful to not just ask question for the sake of asking questions. Rather, you should think about why you want to know the answer. If you are asking about the average class size, is it because being in small classes is a critically important factor in where you wish to enroll?



Think about your audience. If you have questions about admissions policies, ask an admissions officer. If it’s a question about student life, try to ask a current student. Questions about specific academic departments should, whenever possible, be directed to a professor in that department. By extension, admissions questions should only be directed to admissions officers. This will ensure you get the most accurate answers possible to your questions.



Be respectful of others’ time. Working full-time as a professor, admissions officer, financial aid officer, or in any other role at a college makes for a busy day. Being a full-time student makes for a busy day. You’ll find that nearly everyone you interact with on a college campus (or at a college fair or visit) is happy to answer questions, but asking questions for 30 minutes after an on-campus information session or asking dozens of questions of an admissions officer at a college fair (with a line of students behind you!) isn’t the best use of anyone’s time. You should come prepared with a few important questions, and should always thank the answerer for their time.

Admissions questions

Are students admitted to the university, the college/school within the university, or to the major itself? (Similarly, you can ask if students’ applications are read by major.) 

Do different majors or schools within the university have different application requirements? (Some schools, for example, will require SAT or ACT test scores for engineering applicants but not for any other applicant.) 

Do you defer any early applicants into the regular decision pool? (Make sure you research whether the school has early action or early decision before asking this question. Also, some schools will not defer early applicants, and will only admit or deny students.) 

What percentage of the incoming freshman class came from the early decision pool? (or the early action pool) 

Are there living/learning communities where they house students together with the same majors.

Student Life Questions

What do students say they like most about this college? 

What do students say they like least? 

How does the housing selection process work at this school? 

Are students typically in dorm rooms, or do students live in apartment- or suite-style rooms? 

Are there themed housing options? (Some schools offer student housing based around a particular theme, like an arts house, co-op housing, or foreign language houses where students typically speak another language while in the residence.) 

How involved are students with extracurricular activities? 

Does the social life at this school revolve around the campus or the area around the campus? (For urban universities, such as Boston University or New York University, many students spend significant amounts of their time exploring the city rather than at on-campus events. While this expands the social opportunities available, the trade-off can be a lesscohesive campus community.) 

What percentage of students play intramural sports? 

Is athletics a big part of the campus culture? 

Can you describe the relationship between the college and the city/town?

Academic Questions

Are there any college-wide graduation requirements (such as a thesis or comprehensive exam)? 

What percentage of classes are taught by full-time faculty? (While not true in every case, classes taught by full-time faculty tend to be more enriching than those taught by teaching

assistants.)

How available are professors outside of class? (You can also ask about how frequently professors hold office hours.) 



How does academic advising work at this school? (You’re looking to find out whether students have an advisor assigned to them or if they have to seek out their own advisor, as well as whether advisors generally play an important role in a student’s academic path at that school.) 

Are there pre-professional advisors available? (This is a must if you are thinking about medical school or law school down the road.) 

How frequently do undergraduates participate in research? (More broadly, you should try and find out how accessible research opportunities are for undergraduates, regardless of major or academic interest.) 

CORE CURRICULUM

What do students typically do after graduation? (As in, do most students go directly into the workforce following graduation? Grad school? It’s also helpful to know what percentage of students haven’t yet found a job within six months of graduation.) 

What does the career advising process look like at this school? (It’s helpful to think about how active a role the school plays in helping students find and prepare for internship and job opportunities. Similarly, asking about the activeness of the alumni network can help you get a sense of how their support can help students in this regard as well as give an indication of how much students enjoyed their time at the school!)

Questions for Actors/Musicians/Artists

Do students need to be theatre majors and/or audition for a school theatre company in order to be a part of the casting pool for school productions, or are auditions open to all students? 

What are the audition dates? (This should only be asked if you can’t find the answer on the school’s website.) 

What space is available for studio work for freshman though to the senior year? 

What is the availability of work and studio space outside a particular medium to each student? (For example, can a student use the ceramics studio if they’re a painter?)

A set of common courses required of all undergraduate students.

The College Interview

For many colleges, an interview – typically with either an admissions officer or an alumni representative – is a great way to make a strong impression on a college while also learning more about what makes that school a good fit for you. Some schools require interviews; for those that don’t, it’s usually a good idea to sign up for one. If the interview isn’t required, it’s likely to be more of an informative interview rather than an evaluative one, but any feedback from an interview could make its way into your application and play a role in the admissions decision you receive.

For each college you are considering, you should review their website to learn about their specific interview policies and offerings. In some cases, a representative will contact you directly to schedule an interview. In other cases, you’ll need to schedule a time yourself (and those time slots fill up quickly). Interviews that aren’t held on a college campus are typically held in a coffee shop or some other public place.

Preparation

To prepare for these interviews make sure you consider the following: 

Have a notebook/paper and either a pen or pencil.  Dress appropriately for the interview, which typically means dressing like you would for a normal school day at Calvert Hall. 

Bring a copy of your transcript and résumé. In our junior college advising class, we work with students on crafting a résumé. This résumé should be updated with senior year activities prior to the interview. You can find a copy of your transcript in OnCampus.  Have a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the college. These questions should be ones that allow for more qualitative answers, rather than asking about the size of the campus, student population, or any questions that can be answered with a quick Google search. This guide has a list of sample questions you can ask, in case you are having difficulty creating a list of questions. 

After the interview, make sure to obtain your interviewer’s contact in formation so that you can write them a thank you note for taking the time to meet with you. Emails can be used if absolutely necessary, but a handwritten card works best.

In the interview, you should shake hands with the interviewer and make good eye contact during the course of the conversation. The interviewer will notice your body language and conduct as much as – if not more than – your answers to their questions. In terms of the questions themselves, listed below are some frequently-asked questions during college interviews. Review these (along with the information on why a question is asked and how to prepare for it) and think through

your responses in advance of the actual interview.

(credit to PrepScholar for the sample interview questions)

1. Tell me about yourself.

Why they're asking this: Colleges are asking you to do this because they really do want to know more about you. That's one of the primary purposes of the interview, after all!

What they're looking for: You need to paint a unique portrait of who you are to separate yourself from other applicants. Avoid clichés or descriptions that would be too common. For example, don’t just say you’re hardworking—explain what has driven you to become as diligent as you are and why you feel it is important.

How to prepare: Rehearse answering this question. Try talking about your passions, hobbies, and interests. You can discuss what inspires you or what your friends like about you. Be specific. Again, you want to make yourself memorable.

2. Why are you interested in this college?

Why they're asking this: This is an important question and one you should definitely prepare for, since colleges want to see that you’re taking the application process seriously and have a legitimate interest in attending the school.

What they're looking for: Talk about your interest in a major or academic program, the cultural values of the school, or extracurricular activities that drew you to the college. Again, be thorough and specific. Don’t talk about prestige or rankings, and don't say you just want to go there because it’s close to home; none of this shows genuine interest in this specific college! How to prepare: To answer this question well, you'll need to conduct extensive college research before the interview. You should be able to cite specifics when answering this question.

3. Why Do You Want to Major in ?

Why they're asking this: Colleges are interested in your academic goals and want to see that you’re academically inclined. If you've indicated that you want to major in a certain subject, you might be asked why you’re interested in that particular field.

What they're looking for: Talk about why a certain subject inspires you or why you're passionate about it. Don’t say that you’re pursuing a certain major to make a lot of money or have job security. That doesn’t demonstrate genuine academic interest; it just makes you seem shallow.

How to prepare: Think deeply about why you want to pursue a specific major. Why do you find it fascinating? What experiences provoked your interest in the subject? How will the major enable you to reach your future professional goals?

4. What Are Your Academic Strengths?

Why they're asking this: In an effort to get to know you as a student, colleges are interested in getting your perspective on where you excel academically. What they're looking for: Don’t make this answer too short. Don’t just say, "I’m good at science." When discussing your academic strengths, explain how you’ve capitalized on your strengths. If you’re an excellent writer, for example, how have you used your writing skills to excel in school? How do you plan on continuing to use your strengths?

How to prepare: Make sure you know your academic strengths. You should be able to explain how you recognized your strengths, how you're currently using them, and how you plan to use them in the future.

5. What Are Your Academic Weaknesses? How Have You Addressed Them?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit good students, but they’re aware everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Colleges want to see that you have the persistence and work ethic to succeed despite your challenges.

What they're looking for: Schools want students who can demonstrate their ability to confront and overcome challenges. Try revealing strategies or specific approaches you’ve taken to improve your academic weaknesses. You could also tell a specific story about how you managed to do well in a subject that was especially difficult for you.

How to prepare: Be aware of your academic weaknesses and how you've addressed them. It's not good to say that you don't have any weaknesses. That's not very believable, and you'll come off as arrogant.

6. What Do You Plan to Contribute to This School?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to admit students who will make positive contributions to campus and academic life. Essentially, they’re looking for students who will make the school better. What they're looking for: In short, specifics. Don’t limit your answer to vague positive traits. Don’t just say you’ll contribute a good work ethic and a regard for others. Is there specific research you wish to pursue? Do you want to have a leadership position in an extracurricular activity? Are there specific community service projects you want to do? How will your presence on campus and in the classroom make a difference?

How to prepare: Know the specific contributions you want to make to the school. Identify your college goals as well as the activities you want to pursue while you're in college.

7. What Do You Expect to Be Doing 10 Years From Now?

Why they're asking this: Just to set the record straight, you don’t need to have your entire future figured out. Colleges understand that you probably won’t have everything decided and your plans are likely to change. What they do want is students with direction. What they're looking for: Colleges want students who are motivated to achieve their goals. The bad, general answer is to only say you expect to have a fulfilling career and be making a positive impact on the world. What are some specific activities you’d like to do? How do you plan on impacting the world? You don’t have to limit your plans to professional goals. Do you want to take your mom on a vacation? Or have weekly gatherings with your best friends from high school?

How to prepare: You can write down some detailed notes answering this question. Paint a picture of the life you want to have in 10 years. That picture should reveal your uniqueness.

8. What Would You Change About Your High School?

Why they're asking this: With this question, colleges are looking for your ability to identify problems and get a better understanding of what you’re looking for in a school. By learning what you’d change, they get a chance to learn more about what matters to you. What they're looking for: Colleges want a thoughtful response. Be specific and respectful. Don’t say, "I’d get better teachers." Say that you’d allocate more resources to the music department so that more students can have the opportunity to learn how to play new instruments. Discuss how learning an instrument helped you, and describe the current state of the music department. Try to make it clear that you want to improve your school to benefit the personal and academic growth of all of its students.

How to prepare: Think about the strengths and weaknesses of your high school. What are some specific problems it has? What are the consequences of those problems? What steps would you take to make improvements?

9. Whom Do You Most Admire?

Why they're asking this: From this question, colleges can get a sense of your values. If the person you most admire is Justin Bieber, for example, colleges might wonder about your priorities. What they're looking for: Don’t limit your answer just to naming the person. Why do you admire that person? For instance, many people say that the person they most admire is a parent. But what specifically has that parent done that you admire so much? In short, don’t forget the details.

How to prepare: Think deeply about your response to this question. If the person you admire is somebody you know, practice by giving your answer to that person. You'll know you've answered the question well if you're rewarded with a hug or even a few tears from your audience.

10. What Is Your Favorite Book?

Why they're asking this: This question is designed to help schools learn more about your interests. Colleges also probably want to make sure that you actually read books. What they're looking for: Don't limit your answer to the name of a book; think about why you like the book so much. How did it inspire you? Did a particular character resonate with you? Did you learn something from this book that influenced your opinions or behavior? Did this book help shape your perspective or values?

How to prepare: Really think about books you've read that you connected with and why. I've also seen similar questions asking about a news article you recently read, so try to stay up to date with the news, too!

11. Why Do You Want to Go to College?

Why they're asking this: For this question, schools are trying to understand why you’re motivated to pursue higher education.

What they're looking for: Colleges want to see you have clear goals you’re trying to accomplish by attending college. Obviously, they don’t want to hear that you want to go to college because your parents are making you or so you can attend wild parties. In your answer, emphasize how college will allow you to pursue your passions, aid in your personal development, and enable you to fulfill your future goals. Be specific. What are your passions and goals? How will college give you an opportunity to pursue these passions? What college activities will increase your awareness and facilitate your intellectual and emotional growth?

12. What Do You Like to Do for Fun?

Why they're asking this: This question is designed to get a better sense of your general interests and overall personality. What they're looking for: Your answer doesn’t only have to include activities that are academic. After all, you probably wouldn’t be believed if you said all you do for fun is read science textbooks and do math problems. If some of what you do for fun is intellectual, though, explain why you find these activities fun. Finally, try to avoid general answers such as "hang out with friends."

How to prepare: You shouldn't have to prepare much for this question since I assume you already know what you like to do for fun. However, spend some time thinking about why you enjoy these activities.

13. What Is an Obstacle You've Faced and How Did You Get through It?

Why they're asking this: Colleges want to know if you've faced (and overcome) any significant challenges in your life. They also want to see that you’re persistent and willing to work hard in order

to overcome these obstacles. What they're looking for: It’s fine if you haven’t had some awful, incredibly difficult obstacle in your life. Think of a time when you faced a problem that challenged you, and you put in a lot of effort to solve it. Your obstacle could be related to your home life, school, or an extracurricular activity. In your response, explain how the obstacle challenged you and emphasize what exactly you did to overcome it. How to prepare: Think of a significant challenge you've had in your life and how you dealt with it. What did you learn from the problem? How did you solve it? Did it change or influence the way you address similar problems?

14. What Makes You Unique?

Why they're asking this: This question is essentially what all the other questions above are meant to determine. It's another general question that's often difficult to answer. We are all unique, but it can be hard to put into words exactly what separates you from other people. What they're looking for: Schools ask this question because they want to get to know you better. You can discuss a trait or multiple traits you possess. Give examples and stories that demonstrate these qualities. Do you have any uncommon interests or goals? Is your background very unique? How to prepare: Do some serious brainstorming to address this question. Write out specific attributes and anecdotes you can share that demonstrate your uniqueness. When do you feel most comfortable? What makes you the proudest?

Completing the College Application

Application File completion

a. Application – School, Common App, Coalition – STUDENT sends

b. Transcript – COLLEGE COUNSELOR sends

c. Recommendations – COLLEGE COUNSELOR sends d. Test Scores – SAT, ACT, - STUDENT sends e. Interviews – If available, STUDENT sets up

*The student is responsible to make sure the application file is complete (students can check this by reviewing the student portal they’ll access on a college’s website. Information on accessing this portal is typically sent to a student once a college receives his application).

College Application Guidelines

There are several college applications platforms you can use to apply to colleges. Each college will specify which application platform they accept. The most common college application platforms are:

Common Application – www.commonapp.org

Coalition Application – www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

The Common Black College Application – www.commonblackcollegeapp.com

Read instructions carefully!

Be sure essays answer the question or prompt and are revealing about you.

Never abbreviate, except where you must for space limitations or formal state abbreviations.

Language Proficiency: In this case, proficiency is most equated with fluency. Colleges will see that you study Spanish (or any other foreign language) when they evaluate your transcript. This section is really just intended for students who are fluent in a second or third language.

Fee Waivers: If you were offered a test fee waiver (SAT or ACT), you are eligible for an application fee waiver.

Proofread Everything! When a college sees typos, it can be interpreted as the student not taking the application process seriously.

Family Information: You will need employer info and college info for your parents and siblings, if applicable.

Testing: Only indicate the tests that you will send. If you took both ACT and SAT, indicate the test with the better result.

Activities: Only indicate those that you have attended with some regularity. Indicate your role.

Introduction to the College Application Essay

The college essay is an opportunity for a student to add his “voice” in the application process. It is the one element of the application over which a student has complete control. It helps the admissions office to learn more about you as a person, beyond what grades and test scores convey. There is no formula for a strong essay but rather the focus should be on what differentiates you from other applicants. The essay must always reflect much about what makes you "you."

Most applications open in August, and a student can review additional essay topics. Students work with their college counselor and English teacher on brainstorming topic ideas and reviewing various drafts. Quality writing takes numerous revisions. A draft of the personal essay must be submitted to college counselors prior to summer break.

Personal Essay

Personal essay writing prompts have slight, if any, revisions from year to year.

Common Application essay prompts: 

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Coalition Application essay prompts:

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.

Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?

What is the hardest part of being a student now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?

Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

Supplemental Essays

Many colleges and universities request additional essays. They can be short in length and may ask students to identify why they want to attend that particular college. Responses should identify what is unique to the specific school and not interchangeable with other institutions. This is an opportunity for a student to demonstrate his knowledge of the school and how it fits into his future.

Notes from campus visits and interactions with professors and the school community should be referenced.

Consider the school’s mission statement, curriculum, programs, and why the offerings excite you. How does the school’s community fit what you are looking for in a campus environment?

Service Academies/ROTC

Attending one of the five service academies affiliated with the armed forces of the United States is great preparation to serve as a military officer while gaining a top-notch college education. The application process for nominations and applying to Service Academies and ROTC programs is detailed and on a separate timeline. Items need to be planned in advance, prior to senior year.

During the spring semester of junior year (or before), students should meet with their college counselor expressing interest. Service academies have very specific admission requirements including congressional nominations (with the exception of the United States Coast Guard Academy) and physical fitness tests. Summer program offerings provide a glimpse into service academy life prior to the intensive application process.

Since each academy and nominator may have different deadlines, a student should research in advance and prepare accordingly. This includes requirements for teacher recommendations, often from a math and science teacher.

Federal Service Academies

United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado): www.usafa.edu

United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut): www.uscga.edu

United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York): www.usmma.edu

United States Military Academy (West Point, New York): www.westpoint.edu

United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland): www.usna.edu

Service Academy Summer Programs

Service academy summer programs offer high school students a chance to experience what life as a cadet or midshipman is like. This can help students know if they really want to apply to attend an academy. They are generally one-week orientations, including classes and physical and military training for rising seniors, usually held in mid-June. Applications generally open in January, with varying deadlines.

United States Military Academy: Summer Leadership Experience (Application window: 2/1-3/15)

United State Naval Academy: Naval Academy Summer Seminar (Application window: 1/4 - 4/15)

United States Air Force Academy: Summer Seminar (Application window: 12/1-1/15)

United States Coast Guard Academy: Academy Introduction Mission (App. window: 2/8- 4/15)

Additional College Considerations

Learning Differences in Higher Education

Generally, learning challenges that do not require accommodations in high school do not need to be disclosed to colleges. In fact, it is illegal for a high school to disclose a learning challenge to a college in a letter of recommendation or any other way unless the student or their parent(s)/ guardian(s) grants permission.

While disclosing learning differences – especially those that need accommodations – is not (and should not be) a part of the application process, you should be proactive in researching the availability of services at schools where you plan to apply. Usually, the Director of Learning Services (or a similar position at whichever college you are considering) will determine whether the college can accommodate, using your most recent (no more than three years old) psychological/educational evaluation.

https://www.collegechoice.net/50-best-disability-friendly-colleges-and-universities/ –Learning differences-friendly colleges

http://www.college-scholarships.com/colleges-by-state/colleges-with-programs-for-studentswith- learning-disabilities/ – A comprehensive listing of colleges with programs for students with learning differences

College Preparation for Artists

Visual Arts

Save your artwork as early as possible in high school to assemble a portfolio.

Each college will have specific portfolio requirements and portfolio review dates.

Resources:

o www.portfolioday.net – National Portfolio Day information

o www.slideroom.com – Slide Room, a service that colleges use to download and review portfolios as a part of the college admissions process

Performing Arts

Auditions are usually required for acceptance into a performing arts program.

See your instrumental or vocal teachers at for assistance.

See theatre teachers and ask for audition help if you plan to pursue theatre.

College web sites have specific audition requirements and audition dates.

Your theater teacher may be available to help rehearse and prepare for auditions.

College Athletic Information

There are two national athletic associations for intercollegiate varsity sports: the NCAA and the NAIA.

NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA has three divisions, based on level of competition: Division I, Division II, and Division III.  Colleges in Division I and Division II can give athletic scholarships. Colleges in Division III cannot give athletic scholarships. 

For NCAA Eligibility, there are minimum GPA's and minimum SAT or ACT scores as well. (For the 2022-2023 academic year, students are not required to take a standardized test to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. Check NCAA eligibility center for updates). See your college counselor if you are concerned to ensure that you are eligible to compete. NCAA Division I and Division II eligibility worksheets are available in the Appendix. 

By the end of the junior year, Division I and Division II candidates must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: www.eligibilitycenter.org 

To determine a student's projected or potential level of competition, students should speak with their coaches.

NAIA – National Athletic Intercollegiate Association

NAIA has one division in 12 sports and two divisions in basketball. 

For NAIA Eligibility, there are minimum GPA, standardized testing, and class rank requirements. 

See your college counselor if you are concerned to ensure that you are eligible to compete. 

By the end of the junior year, candidates must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center: www.playnaia.org 

To determine a student's projected or potential level of competition, students should speak with their coaches.

Club Sports

Club sports in college are generally well organized can be quite competitive and usually allow students to play other colleges.

Intramural Sports

Intramural sports are the least formal of the three categories of college sports and enable informal teams to play each other, usually within the same college and are often co-ed.

Financial Aid

(credit to College Board and NACAC for content)

With financial aid, many students who can’t afford the full cost of college are able to earn their degrees. In fact, most full-time college students receive some type of financial aid.

Financial Aid Defined

Financial aid is money that the government and other organizations give you or lend you so you can pay for college.

To qualify for financial aid, you have to apply.

Sources of Financial Aid

Financial aid comes from these sources:

The federal government (the largest source)

State governments

Colleges and universities

Private organizations, such as companies, clubs and religious organizations

Banks and lending companies

Types of Financial Aid

There are four main types of financial aid:

Grants: Grants are called gift aid because they do not have to be paid back. Grants come from federal and state governments and from colleges. Most grants are need based, which means they are usually given based on your or your family’s financial circumstances.

Scholarships: Scholarships are also gift aid. Scholarships come from governments, colleges and private organizations. They may be awarded for academic or athletic ability, interest in a certain subject, or volunteer work, for example. Some scholarships are given based on membership in an ethnic or religious group. Companies may also give scholarships to children of employees.

Loans: Borrowing money from a bank, government or lending company is called taking out a loan. A loan must be paid back with an extra charge called interest. The federal government offers low-interest loans to students with financial need. Other lenders charge more interest.

Work-Study Programs: The Federal Work-Study Program offers paid part-time jobs to help

students pay for part of their college cost.

Net Price

Net price is the real price that a student pays to go to a college. It’s the published price of the college minus the gift aid that the student receives. The net price of a college is often much lower than its published price.

Most colleges now offer a tool on their websites called a net price calculator. This online tool gives you an estimate of the actual price you would pay to go to a certain college, based on information you enter about your finances. Your net price will be different for every college, so it’s a good idea to use each college’s net price calculator.

Keep in mind that a college that charges a lot for tuition might offer you generous financial aid. It might even be more affordable than colleges that charge lower tuition. So think about net price, not published price and don’t be afraid to apply to colleges you think you can’t afford.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid from the federal government, state governments and many colleges. You can also apply for financial aid directly from the colleges you’re applying to and from private organizations. Some of these may require you to submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE or other forms. Both the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE open on October 1 each year.

Remember that meeting deadlines is your responsibility. You have to submit your applications on time to qualify for financial aid.

When to Apply for Financial Aid

October 1 of the year before you plan to go to college is the first day you can file the FAFSA. College, state and private financial aid deadlines vary. Aim to file the FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible; remember that financial aid dollars are limited, and in many cases are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Seven Steps for a Successful Financial Aid Process

1. Set your expectations high

Paying for college can be daunting and often deters students and families from fully exploring their financial aid options. If the cost of college overwhelms you—breathe:

Most parents and students overestimate the net cost of college.

While personal growth and higher learning are reasons enough to go to college, there are more practical things to consider.

College graduates can choose from more jobs and have been shown to earn $1 million more than those with only a high school education over a lifetime.

The key to affording college is knowledge—know how to pay for it, and more importantly, where to look to find resources to help you afford a college education.

2. Consider Types of College Aid

Aid for college comes in all shapes and sizes: need-based and non-need-based aid; federal and state aid; aid from colleges; and other scholarships. A combination of the following may be available to you:

The Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Perkins Loan

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Work-Study employment (FWS)

Merit and other scholarships

State aid programs

3. Learn More

Explore the US Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website: http://studentaid.ed.gov

4. Fill Out the FAFSA

Most financial aid is given to students who demonstrate need. A student’s need is calculated as the difference between the cost of attending the school – the cost of attendance (COA) – and the amount the student and their family is expected to pay – Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The EFC is made up of the amount the student’s parents can pay from their income and assets

and the amount the student can contribute from earnings. Savings account(s) and any amount that is being contributed as a non-repayable gift are also considered. The student and parents are responsible for paying what they can. Financial Aid is intended to supplement such efforts, not substitute for them.

To be considered for financial aid, you are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is available Oct. 1. Many states use the FAFSA for state grant or scholarship consideration. The FAFSA may also be used to determine institutional aid.

5. Find Scholarships and Avoid Scams

Some scholarships are awarded to students based on grades, accomplishments, and other personal characteristics, rather than financial need. However, few students receive scholarships out of the blue. Maximize your chances by researching scholarships and completing the applications. Contact the financial aid offices of the colleges that interest you and ask about their merit or non- need-based scholarships. Other scholarship sources include:

Organizations that you or your family are involved in;

Corporations—ask your parents to check at their place of work;

Local volunteer organizations;

Local or national religious organizations;

National organizations relating to your talent/interests.

“Full-ride” scholarships are limited. Seek a variety of scholarships to help fund your education. To research scholarships outside of your area, look for scholarship directories in your school counseling office or online.

While scholarships can be helpful in financing your college education, estimates show that families lose millions of dollars to scholarship fraud every year. Be careful, and choose your sources wisely.

6. Weigh Your Options

In spite of your hard work and research, it’s possible for a college to offer you admission, but not financial aid. Colleges are not obligated to provide financial assistance to all accepted students, so it’s a good idea to apply to at least one college whose cost is within your reach without substantial aid.

7. Get Help

Refer to the following resources for help as you make your way through the financial aid process:  Your college counselor

College financial aid offices

Web resources can be found on our resources page in the appendix.

APPENDIX

Admissions Glossary

529 Savings Plans

State-sponsored investment plans — officially called qualified tuition programs (QTP) — that help families save money for college. The plans have tax benefits so your savings can grow faster. The money in the accounts can be used only for education expenses.

Academic Common Market (ACM)

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program that operates on the premise that if public institutions (not including private institutions) in a student’s home state do not offer a degree program major (undergraduate or graduate) that a student intends on pursuing, then they may attend a participating ACM out-of-state institution offering the degree of interest through the ACM and be granted a waiver of out-of-state tuition charges. Currently, participating states include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. A full list of participating institutions and programs can be found online.

ACT

A standardized college admission test. It features four main sections: English, math, reading and science and an optional essay section.

Art School

An institution that specializes in the visual, performing, and/or creative arts. These schools generally require the submission of a portfolio on top of the standard college application requirements.

Award Letter

The document you receive from a college that explains the terms of the financial aid that the college is offering you. The information includes the types and amounts of financial aid offered, what you are expected to do to keep the award and a deadline for accepting the award.

Bursar

The college official responsible for handling billing and payments for tuition, fees, housing and other related expenses.

Campus Interview

A personal, face-to-face interaction between an applicant and an institutional representative (e.g. an admissions officer, alumnus, current student, etc.). While few schools require interviews, you should always take advantage of the opportunity to interview if it’s offered.

Candidates Reply Date Agreement (CRDA)

An agreement many colleges follow that gives applicants until May 1 to accept or decline offers of admission. This agreement gives students time to get responses from most of the colleges they have applied to before deciding on one.

Class Rank

A measurement of how your academic achievement compares with that of other students in your grade. This number is usually determined by using a weighted GPA that takes into account both your grades and the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken. Calvert Hall neither calculates nor reports class rank to colleges and universities, and if you are asked in a college or scholarship application, you should also respond that Calvert Hall does not report class rank. An exception – percentile ranges are provided as part of Academy applications.

Coalition Application (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org)

A standard application form accepted by members of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. You can use this application to apply to any of the colleges and universities that are members of the Coalition, and some colleges and universities may only accept the Coalition Application.

College Credit

What you get when you successfully complete a college-level course. You need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Some colleges may also grant credit for scores on exams, such as AP tests.

Common Application (www.commonapp.org)

A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one or several of the nearly 1000 colleges that accept it.

Cost of Attendance

The total amount of college expenses before financial aid. Cost of attendance includes money spent on tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and living expenses.

CSS PROFILE (cssprofile.collegeboard.org)

A financial aid application used by more than 300 colleges, universities and private scholarship programs to award their financial aid funds. The CSS PROFILE is available through College Board.

Deferred Admission

Typically only seen in early action (EA) or early decision (ED) or other early admissions processes, students receiving this admissions decision aren’t yet admitted to an institution, nor are they denied. Rather, the college wishes to reconsider their application during the review of regular decision (RD) applications. In some cases, the college will ask students to submit updated grades or standardized test scores (which can be a hint to raise your senior year grades or to take the SAT or ACT again).

Deferred Enrollment

Permission from a college that has accepted you to postpone enrolling in the college. The postponement is usually for up to one year. Many schools will use the term “gap year” to describe the year away, and some schools are encouraging of this practice.

Demonstrated Interest

An umbrella term for the many ways a student can express their desire to attend a particular college or university. This can include, but isn’t limited to, visiting the campus, contacting admissions officers, attending a visit from a college in the Calvert Hall counseling office, and even opening emails from colleges in a timely fashion (because colleges can see if a student has opened their emails!). Not every school factors demonstrated interest into their admissions decisions (though you can ask an admissions representative if they do), but if they do, it’s imperative that you do any and all actions that communicate their interest in that school.

Demonstrated Need

The difference between your expected family contribution (EFC) and the total cost of attendance for a particular college.

Early Action (EA)

An option that some schools offer to submit an application before the regular decision deadlines. If you apply early action, you receive admission decisions from colleges earlier than usual. Early action plans are not binding, which means that you do not have to enroll in a college if you are admitted early action. Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which has a later application deadline than their regular EA plan but is still not binding.

Early Decision (ED)

An option some schools offer to submit an application before the regular deadline. If you apply early decision, you receive an admission decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. When you submit an early decision application, you, your parents, and your college counselor sign a form that promises you will enroll in the college immediately if admitted and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs. Some colleges have an early decision option called ED II, which has a later application deadline than their regular ED plan but is still binding.

Enrollment Status

A classification based on the number of credit-hours you are taking; for example, your enrollment status may be full-time or half-time. Some loans or aid may be available only to students with a certain enrollment status, usually half-time or more.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) * See: Student Aid Index

A measure of your family’s financial strength. States and colleges use this number to help determine your financial aid award. The EFC is calculated using information you supply about your family’s financial circumstances. Per the FAFSA Simplification Act, the EFC will be replaced with the Student Aid Index in July 2023.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) (studentaid.gov)

The free application form you submit to apply for federal financial aid. It is required for all students seeking federal student grants, work-study programs, and loans. Most colleges require it as well. The FAFSA may also qualify you for state-sponsored financial aid.

Financial Aid

Money given or loaned to you (or to your parents) to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private and social organizations.

Financial Aid Office

A college office that serves as a resource for students who need help paying for college costs. Financial aid officers can help you to apply for and receive grants, loans, scholarships and work-study employment. The financial aid office is available as a resource to parents as well, and that service extends to parents of prospective students as well as current students.

Financial Aid Officer

College employees trained to help students and families apply for and receive grants, loans, scholarships and work-study employment. They can answer questions about ways to make college more affordable.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A number that indicates overall academic performance. It’s computed by assigning a point value to each grade you earn. Calvert Hall, like many schools, provides both a weighted GPA and an unweighted GPA on their transcript. For students enrolled in honors and AP courses, those courses are weighted .7 when calculating weighted GPA.

Grant Aid

A kind of "gift aid" financial aid that doesn’t have to be paid back. Grants are usually awarded based on need.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. There are over 100 HBCUs in the United States.

Legacy Applicant

A college applicant with a relative (usually a parent, and sometimes a grandparent) who graduated from that college (typically, colleges only consider a student to be a legacy applicant if the parent or grandparent received their undergraduate degree at that college). Some colleges give preference to legacy applicants (also called “legacies”), though for selective and highly-selective colleges, that preference is usually only offered during either early action (EA) or early decision (ED) application reviews.

Liberal Arts College

Institutions that focus on the undergraduate student and intellectual development in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, rather than training for a specific vocation. Liberal Arts Colleges tend to be smaller, offer more accessibility to professors and academic services, and focus more attention on the cultivation of a campus community.

Loan

Money you (or your parents) borrow from the government, a bank or another source. Loans need to be paid back, usually over an agreed period of time. Some student loans offer a grace period – usually a period of a few months after the student graduates from college – before the first loan payment is due.

Merit Aid

Financial aid given to students based on their personal achievements. Most scholarships are considered merit aid, as they are generally awarded for success in school, the arts, athletics or another area.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans and work-study opportunities) given to students because they and their families are not able to pay the full cost of attending a certain college. This is the most common type of financial aid.

Need-Blind Admission

A policy of making admission decisions without considering the financial circumstances of applicants. Colleges that use this policy may not offer enough financial aid to meet a student’s full need, but some colleges will offer a full financial aid package on top of practicing needblind admission.

Net Price

Net price is the true amount a student and family will pay for a college. Typically, “net price” is the full cost of attendance at a college (including room and board, supplies, and other expenses) minus financial aid package provided to a student.

Net Price Calculator

An online tool that gives you a personalized estimate of what it will cost to attend a specific college. Any college receiving federal funding is required by law to post a net price calculator on their websites.

Open Admission

A policy of accepting any high school graduate, no matter what his or her grades are, until all spaces in the incoming class are filled. Almost all two-year community colleges have an open admission policy. However, a college with a general open-admission policy may have admission requirements for certain programs.

Outside Scholarship

Also called “private scholarship.” A scholarship offered by a private organization — not the government or a college. Outside scholarships are offered by all kinds of groups, individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations. The CHC Counseling Department recommends fastweb.com as a starting point for finding and applying to outside scholarships, and additional scholarship information is available in the school counseling office.

Personal Statement

An essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their application. Some colleges offer applicants specific questions to answer, while others simply ask applicants to write about themselves.

Placement Tests

Tests that measure the academic skills needed for college-level work. They cover reading, writing, math and sometimes other subjects. Placement test results help determine what courses you are ready for and whether you would benefit from remedial classes.

Priority Date or Deadline

The date by which your application whether it’s for college admission, student housing or financial aid — must be received to be given the strongest consideration.

Registrar

The college official who registers students. The registrar may also be responsible for keeping permanent records and maintaining your student file.

Residency Requirements

The amount of time a student has to live in a state before he or she is eligible for in-state tuition prices and state aid.

Rolling Admission

An admission policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly.

SAT

The College Board’s standardized college admission test. It features two main sections: math, and Evidence-based reading and writing.

School Profile

An overview of a high school’s curriculum and course offerings, grading system, academic programs, and other important information. The Calvert Hall school profile (which can be viewed on the CHC website) is submitted to colleges along with your transcript.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

Formerly referred to as the Expected Family Contribution. The Student Aid Index is the term used by financial aid administrators when calculating financial aid awards. It helps determine how much students will receive *See: Expected Family Contribution.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

The report sent to your family after you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that tells you what your expected family contribution (EFC) is.

Transcript

The official record of your course work at a school or college. Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission and for some financial aid packages.

Waiting List

The list of applicants who may be admitted to a college if space becomes available. Colleges wait to hear if all the students they accepted decide to attend. If students don’t enroll and there are empty spots, a college may fill them with students who are on the waiting list.

Work-Study

A program that allows students to take a part-time campus job as part of their financial aid package. To qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program, which is funded by the government, you must complete the FAFSA. Some colleges have their own work-study programs.

Resources

Web Resources

College search

bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ – Search tool and vital information about colleges.

https://app.scoir.com/ SCOIR is the website Calvert Hall uses to facilitate the college search and application process

www.petersons.com – Very good search tool

nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ – A search tool provided by the Department of Education

www.collegeview.com – Another useful college search engine

www.aucc.ca/dcu – For those interested in Canadian colleges and universities

www.hbcuconnect.com – Excellent site for historically black colleges and universities

http://collegedirectory.schooltheatre.org – A directory of college theatre programs

http://ope.ed.gov/campussafety – A tool to research and compare colleges based on safety- and security-related data

Standardized testing

http://www.collegeboard.org – The place to register for SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests, and for seeing scores and sending them to colleges

http://www.actstudent.org – The place to register for the ACT, and for seeing scores and sending them to colleges

http://fairtest.org – This site provides a list of institutions that do not require standardized test scores for admission

www.khanacademy.org – A free test prep resource for the SAT (Khan Academy also offers guidance on college admission, careers, and a range of AP courses)

Financial aid

www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html – State departments of higher education

www.studentaid.ed.gov – Department of Education

www.nacacnet.org – NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counseling)

www.finaid.org – Advice and tools to help you navigate the financial aid process.

www.ibrinfo.org – Info about new federal student loan payment and forgiveness programs

www.projectonstudentdebt.org – Resources to help you and your son understand student loans and the borrowing process

collegecost.ed.gov – The DOE’s College Affordability and Transparency Center

Scholarship search engines

http://www.collegescholarships.org/financial-aid/

http://www.fastweb.com

http://www.scholarshipamerica.org

http://www.scholarships.com

https://www.tuitionfundingsources.com/

Faith-based college sites

http://catholiccollegesonline.org – Catholic campus ministries throughout the US

https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-christian-colleges-and-universities/ –Provides an overview of Christian colleges and universities

http://www.msanational.org – Muslim Student Organization

http://www.hillel.org – Campus organization for Jewish students

Books

Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges

by Loren Pope

Exceptionally researched and written, and a great listing of under-the-radar schools that provide world-class education. This book is helpful for finding a comprehensive and regionally targeted list of options and their academic offerings.

Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni

A helpful guide to navigating an often times anxiety-laden process of applying to college. The author offers an impassioned defense of the fact that your college will not be the sole determining factor of your future success.

College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You

by Dr. Steven R. Antonoff

By combining easy-to-use worksheets with loads of practical advice, College Match gives students control of the college admission process.

The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2020

by Glen and Kelly Tanabe

Information on 1.5 million scholarships, grants, and prizes is easily accessible in this revised directory with more than 300 new listings that feature awards indexed by career goal, major, academics, public service, talent, athletics, religion, ethnicity, and more. Each entry contains all the necessary information for students and parents to complete the application process, including eligibility requirements, how to obtain an application, how to get more information about each award, sponsor website listings, award amounts, and key deadlines. With scholarships for high school, college, graduate, and adult students, this guide also includes tips on how to conduct the most effective search, how to write a winning application, and how to avoid scams.

The Truth about College Admission: A Family guide to Getting in and Staying Together

By Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark

An approachable book co-written by a college admissions director and a college counseling director with decades of experience and insights. It provides anecdotes, helpful advice, perspectives, and encouragement to help families navigate the college search and selection experience.

Academic Common Market (ACM)

The Academic Common Market (ACM) helps eligible students receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition charges at participating programs within colleges and universities across the Eastern United States. Per the Maryland Higher Education Commission, “…if public institutions (not including private institutions) in a student’s home state do not offer a degree program major (undergraduate or graduate) that a student intends on pursuing, then s/he may attend a participating ACM out-of- state institution offering the degree of interest through the ACM and be granted a waiver of out-of- state tuition charges.”

Listed below are participating programs and institutions in the Academic Common Market. For additional information on the application process for the Academic Common Market, along with the most up-to-date listing of participating programs and institutions, visit https://www.sreb.org/academiccommon-market.

Academic Common Market – Participating Programs and Institutions

(as of the 2022-2023 academic year) (*participation in the program begins in junior year)

Major/Concentration

Interior Architecture

Institution State

Auburn University* AL

Industrial Design Auburn University* AL Wireless Engineering – Hardware Option Auburn University* AL

Biomedical Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham AL Music Therapy University of Georgia* GA Risk Management and Insurance University of Georgia* GA Art/Scientific Illustration University of Georgia* GA

Financial Planning University of Georgia* GA Art/Interior Design University of Georgia* GA Genetics University of Georgia* GA Agricultural Communications University of Georgia* GA Mining Engineering University of Kentucky KY Equine Sci. and Mgmt/Equine Mgmt and Industry University of Kentucky KY Mining Engineering University of Kentucky KY

Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology University of Kentucky KY Arts Administration University of Kentucky KY Forestry University of Kentucky KY Equine Administration University of Louisville KY

Music Therapy University of Louisville KY

American Sign Language & Interpreting Studies University of Louisville KY Animal Technology/Veterinary Technology Murray State University KY

Major/Concentration

Institution State

Eastern Kentucky University KY Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation

Interpreter Training Program

Eastern Kentucky University KY Photojournalism

Western Kentucky University KY Engineering/Naval Arch. and Marine Engineering

University of New Orleans LA Biological Engineering

Louisiana State University LA Petroleum Engineering Louisiana State University LA Mass Communication/Political Communication

Louisiana State University LA Natural Resource Ecology & Management/Preveterinary Medicine - Wildlife & Fisheries

Louisiana State University LA Natural Resource Ecology & Management/Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management

Louisiana State University LA Culinary Arts Nicholls State University LA

Sport Coaching Education University of Southern Mississippi MS Landscape Contracting Mississippi State University MS Geoscience/Broadcast Meteorology

Mississippi State University MS Forestry/Forest Management Mississippi State University MS Biological Sciences/Zoology Mississippi State University MS Geological Engineering University of Mississippi MS

Architectural Engineering Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK Ag. Science and Natural Resources/Ag. Comms. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK Art/Photography Winthrop University SC Interior Design Winthrop University SC

Risk Management and Insurance

Coastal Carolina University SC

University of South Carolina - Columbia SC Pharmaceutical Sciences University of South Carolina - Columbia SC Cardiovascular Technology University of South Carolina-Columbia SC Hospitality Management/Club Management University of South Carolina-Columbia SC Sport and Entertainment Management University of South Carolina - Columbia SC Recreation and Sport Management

Digital Culture and Design

Coastal Carolina University SC Intelligence and National Security Studies

Coastal Carolina University SC

Coastal Carolina University SC Sustainability and Coastal Resilience/Business and Economics Policy & Cultural/Science and Ecosystems

Musical Theatre

Coastal Carolina University SC Theatre Arts/Physical Theatre

Coastal Carolina University SC Parks, Recreation Management, Travel and Tourism Clemson University SC Plant and environmental Sciences/Soil and Water Sciences

Environmental Health

Clemson University SC

East Tennessee State University TN

Tennessee State University TN Craft/Metals

Architectural Engineering

Tennessee Tech University TN Craft/Wood Tennessee Tech University TN Concrete Industry Management/Concrete Contracting/Production, Sales, and Service

Major/Concentration

Audio Production

Middle Tennessee State University TN

Institution State

Middle Tennessee State University TN

Recording Industry/Music Business

Middle Tennessee State University TN Recording Industry/Commercial Songwriting

Middle Tennessee State University TN Aerospace/Aerospace Technology

Middle Tennessee State University TN Aerospace/Flight Dispatch

Middle Tennessee State University TN Aerospace/Maintenance Management

Middle Tennessee State University TN

Rec. and Sports Mgmt/Therapeutic Recreation University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Forestry/Forest Resources Management University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Forestry/Wildland Recreation University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Interior Architecture University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Nuclear Engineering University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Special Ed./Ed. of Deaf and Hard of Hearing University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications/Agricultural Communications University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Business Analytics/Dual Concentration with Information Management University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN Biosystems Engineering University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN

Music Industry/Recording Technology University of Memphis TN History/Military Science Norfolk State University VA Optical Engineering Norfolk State University VA Enterprise Cyber Security Old Dominion University VA

Ocean and Earth Science/Bio. Oceanography Old Dominion University VA Mech. Engineering Technology/Marine Systems Old Dominion University VA Modeling and Simulation Engineering Old Dominion University VA Biology/Marine Biology Old Dominion University VA Nuclear Medicine Technology Old Dominion University VA Design/Interiors Radford University VA Music/Music Therapy Radford University VA Interdisciplinary Studies (Special Education)/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Radford University VA Manufacturing Engineering Virginia State University VA History/Civil War and 19th Century America Shepherd University WV History/Historic Preservation/Public History Shepherd University WV Recreation and Leisure Studies/Interscholastic Athletic Administration and Coaching Shepherd University WV Environmental Studies/Aquatic Science Shepherd University WV Art/Photography and Computer Imagery Shepherd University WV Engineering Science/Environmental Engineering Shepherd University WV Safety Technology Marshall University WV Aviation Technology/Aviation Maintenance Mgmt Fairmont State University WV National Security and Intelligence Fairmont State University WV

Occupational Safety

Fairmont State University WV

Architectural Engineering Technology Bluefield State College WV

Natural Resource Management/Land Surveying Glenville State College WV

Biology/Zoo Science and Applied Conservation West Liberty University WV

Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

(Information courtesy of Maryland Higher Education Commission)

The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a grant that provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible in-state students currently enrolled as high school seniors who will complete a college preparatory program or a student who has obtained a General Educational Development Diploma (GED), and is under the age of 26. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100 percent of the student’s financial need and a student may receive an award for up to $20,000.

GA Grant eligibility

You must be eligible for in-state tuition;

You must file the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) if eligible for instate tuition, but ineligible to receive federal aid;

You must file your FAFSA by March 1;

You must demonstrate need and meet certain income requirements;

You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) must meet the in-state tuition requirements per your institution;

You must enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university as a full-time (12+ credits per semester; audited courses cannot be used to reach the minimum credit hours required for full-time status), degree-seeking, undergraduate student;

You must have an unweighted cumulative 2.5 high school grade point average (GPA);

You must submit all required verification documents no later than April 1.

Income requirements

All students being considered for the Guaranteed Access Grant for the 2022-2023 academic year must meet the following income requirements: Family size 130% of poverty level (new) 150% of poverty level (renewal) 1 $16,744 $19,320

How can I be considered?

To be considered, visit the MHEC website for an overview of the application process.

Is the GA Grant a renewable award?



To renew an award, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress at the college you are attending; 

You must file the FAFSA or separate State financial aid application no later than March 1 each year; 

You must continue to demonstrate financial need and be within 150% of the federal income poverty levels; 

You may continue to receive the award for a total of three additional years, if you remained enrolled full-time, in a degree-seeking undergraduate program of study; and  You must successfully complete at least 24 credits at the end of your second academic year of receiving the award and thereafter.

What is the Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP)?

The Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP) provides a matching grant award to eligible Maryland students who receive a GA Grant and enroll at a participating Maryland independent college or university as a new undergraduate student. Participating institutions include: Goucher College, Hood College, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art, McDaniel College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Stevenson University, St. John’s College, Washington Adventist University, and Washington College.

For more information about the GAPP program, please contact your institution’s financial aid office so that they may assist you in completing the process.

Maryland Higher Education Commission (mhec.maryland.gov)

Teacher Recommendation Input Form

*StudentswillcompletethisforminSCOIR*

Fill out this form completely and return it to your teachers.

Student Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Colleges and universities prefer that teachers speak only to those areas of a student’s life with which they’ve had direct contact. Your thoughtful responses to the following questions will assist me in writing a stronger recommendation.

1. List the class(es) you have had with me. Which one was your favorite? Explain why.

2. Describe the most important concept you learned in that class.

3. What project or activity did you especially enjoy? Describe it.

4. Describe a class session that stands out in your mind (a discussion in which you really made yourself heard? A discussion that made you re-evaluate your assumptions)?

5. What are your strengths as a student?

6. What are your weaknesses as a student? Where are you still growing?

7. How were you able to contribute to the success of the class as well as individual success? (Consider, for example, class participation, independent exploration of topics, leadership and collaboration in class, etc.)

8. What is one/some challenge(s) that you faced here at Calvert Hall? How have you overcome them? How have they shaped you to who you are today?

9. What major are you thinking of pursuing? What are your academic interests/strengths?

10. Is there something that you would like me to emphasize in my recommendation?

Senior College Advisory Checklist

 Reviewed transcript

 Schools have been added to SCOIR with correct application type (EA, ED, Priority, RD)

 What’s your first deadline?

 Completed (or 95%) application – Common, Coalition, or institutional

 Sent test score(s) from testing agency UNLESS applying test-optional

 Scheduled time with college counselor

 Sent personal essay (and supplemental essays) to college counselor

 Check in with teachers who are writing recommendation letters and see if they need anything else. Say thank you.

 Net price calculator done for at least 2 schools on your apply list

 Registered for at least 1 scholarship search engine

NCAA Division I Worksheet

NCAA Division II Worksheet

AWARD LETTER COMPARISON WORKSHEET

Different schools have different resources, so financial aid offers can vary greatly from school to school. There are several components of an award letter you should consider:

• Direct costs, which are billed to you by the school (e.g.,tuition and fees), and are not always finalized figures at the time you receive your award letter.

• Indirect costs, which are estimated expenses over which you may have some control {e.g , books and supplies).

• Scholarships and grant awards, referred to as gift aid. Be sure you understand how additional outside scholarships you receive may impact the aid offered by the school.

• Loans and work, also referred to as self-help aid, which you can accept, accept in part, or decline. Always remember: Loans must be repaid! Never borrow more than you need.

• Out-of-pocket costs remaining after subtracting offered aid from the total cost of attendance that you or your parents may have to find other resources to cover, such as parent loans, or additional part-time employment.

• Student consumer information and disclosures (such as graduation and transfer-out rates) that the school must provide, either with the award letter, by reference, or by link to other materials-be sure to review carefully.

Award letters usually only cover one academic year at a time, and amounts awarded may change from year to year. Check the school's website or publications, or contact the school's financial aid office for more information on the terms and conditions of gift aid (such as renewability in future years) and self-help aid.

Award letter from school: Cost of Attendance (COA)

Direct Costs

Tuition and Fees $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: Other: $ $ $ $ $ $ Other: $ $ $

Indirect Costs

Transportation: Miscellaneous: $ $ $ $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: $ $ $ Other: $ $ $

Total Costs (COA): $ $ $

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

-

-$ $

-$ -$ $ $ © 201/ NASf-AA 1 Award Letter Comparison

Award Letter from school: 1. 2. 3.

TotalLoan History (for returning students)

National Student loan Data System (NSLOS): htti;!s:[Lwww.nslds.ed.govLni;!asLindex.htm

Private or Institutional Loan(s):