The Application

Colleges and universities request that students apply online but the application is usually not difficult to complete. Read all instructions carefully and answer everything that applies to you. Since the school or college will also request a transcript of your grades, you must submit a Transcript Request Form (Appendix D). This form is available in the Guidance Center, in the main office, on the Guidance section of Delone Catholic’s website, and in Mrs. Heberling’s office.

Transcript and Release of Information Request Form

Your high school transcript is a legal document that contains your grades, test scores, and activities. The release of information form gives the school permission to send that information to the colleges of your choice.

Please make sure that you and your parents (if you are under 18), sign the release form. Official transcripts may not be given directly to you. If you anticipate visiting a school, the transcript can be mailed prior to your visit. You will need a release form for each school that you apply to. You may ask for an unofficial transcript for your own use.

When you begin working on your application(s), please return a signed Transcript Request Form (Appendix D) to your counselor. Many times, there are online forms or even letters your counselor must prepare, so please be considerate and allow him/her enough time to complete those necessary items for you. Much of this will be completed through Naviance.

If the school(s) to which you are applying require letters of recommendation, complete the Letter of Recommendation Request Form (Appendix C), take it to your counselor for copies and then speak with the teacher(s) from whom you’ll be requesting a letter. These forms are available in the Guidance Center, outside Mrs. Heberling’s office, on the bulletin board outside the cafeteria, in Naviance, and in the PlusPortals in the Guidance Services folder of School Resources. Policies regarding letters of recommendation are in the student handbook. All official documents and letters will be uploaded into Naviance by your counselor and teachers.

Completing Your Application

Your application is usually the first impression of you by the admissions office. When completing the application:

First, read over the application and pay particular attention to the directions.

Be complete.

Applications ask for your name, address, social security number, phone number, parents' name and address.

You will need this information too:

◊ Delone Catholic High School

◊ 140 South Oxford Avenue, McSherrystown, Pa. 17344

◊ 717-637-5969

◊ CEEB and ACT number - 392520

You may need your Guidance Counselor's name: Mrs. Lori Heberling or Mr. Stephen Hutton or Mrs. Heather Rohrer or the principal's name: Mr. William Lippe.

Some applications ask you to list your senior courses, GPA, and class rank.

Some require you to write an essay. Refer to the College Essay section.

You may need recommendations. Refer to Letter of Recommendation section

Check your application deadline. Does your application say must be received by ?

Types of Admission/Acceptances

Early Decision/Early Action

Many colleges offer the possibility of an early decision acceptance. This is a binding agreement that, if accepted, requires the applicant to enroll in that college. The applicant must agree to not apply early decision to any other schools. The application deadline for early decision tends to range from Oct. 15 to Dec. 1. Early action is similar in that the application deadline is earlier, but there is no binding agreement that requires the applicant to enroll in that college if accepted.

Deadline Admission

Students apply online, according to the procedures prescribed by the college. Deadlines usually range from Jan. 1 to March 15, but even into July and August for less competitive schools. Schools respond by mid-spring ordinarily. The student must then accept or reject the acceptance within a certain time.

Rolling Admission

A popular trend in college admissions offices is the rolling admissions concept. Once all the application requirements are fulfilled, the college will send the applicant a decision within a short time, often within two weeks. The student is sometimes required to reply to that decision within a short time. Early application is essential with this program.

Definitions Of Admission Options In Higher Education

WHICH COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS BEST SUITS YOU ?

Restrictive Application Plans

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

DEFINITION: Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to confirm.

COMMITMENT: NON-BINDING

Plans

Non-Restrictive Application

STUDENTS:

Early Decision (ED)

DEFINITION: Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll and withdraw all other applications. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early.

COMMITMENT: BINDING

Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions.

Early Action (EA)

DEFINITION: Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date.

Rolling Admission

DEFINITION: Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle.

Regular Decision

DEFINITION: Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time.

COMMITMENT: NON-BINDING

COMMITMENT: NON-BINDING

COMMITMENT: NON-BINDING

Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1 to consider their options and confirm enrollmen t.

For a copy of this flyer, please visit www.nacacnet.org

School or College Response

Depending on the admissions policy of the school, you may receive one of four responses: acceptance, rejection, delay or waiting list. If the response is one of acceptance, you will be requested to confirm your intention of attendance by sending a deposit ranging anywhere from $250 and up. If you decide not to accept, then out of courtesy, you should write to the school and politely decline the offer.

If the response is one of rejection, you may be told that you do not qualify for admission into that particular school or you may be told that you do not qualify for the major that you requested. In the latter case, the option may still exist for admission if you select another major or apply as undecided.

If the response is delayed, the school usually needs more information such as quarter or semester grades or admission tests scores before a decision can be made.

If you are put on the waiting list, you could still be selected if some accepted students reject an offer of admission.

Applications from Their Side

Admissions officers consider these factors in roughly the following order of importance:

1. Difficulty of curriculum

2. Class rank/grade point average

3. SAT or ACT Test Scores

4. Extra-curricular activities

5. Recommendations

6. Interviews

7. Application essays

8. Intangibles

Of course, every college is different. The larger the school the less time will be spent on your application. Big state schools (like Penn State) rarely reach number four on the list, but small schools may look past lower grades or low SAT's if there is something special down the list.

Extra-Curricular Activities That are Impressive

Student Publications

Student Government and National Honor Society

Choir or Band

Varsity Sports

Community Service activities/Interact Club

Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award

All-state anything

Debate/Speech/Forensics

Volunteer Fireman

Business owner / operator