Don’t know your SATs from your EDs…Here are some of the most popular questions when it comes to choosing a college and applying to college. Everything from campus tours to test scores to test scores to letters of recommendations, we’ve got the answers for your college search dilemnas.

1. What does a campus visit consist of?
   A good time to get started with the college campus visit is the summer before senior year. The first step? Check the tour schedules for the campus(es) you’re interested in visiting. Next, schedule a campus tour with a student guide.To get the full “campus life” experience, go beyond the tour and do the following:
   • Sit in on a class (preferably one that is of interest to your field of study)
   • Eat at the cafeteria
   • Visit all the facilities that would be of interest to you (libraries, gym, lounging areas, etc.)
   • Meet with faculty members/teachers in your field of study
   • Schedule an interview with an admissions representative
   • Listen and observe the current students on campus. Do they seem happy or stressed? What are the students like?
   • Try to stay over with a student host
   • Ask lots of questions!
2. Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
   Most college applications require at least one letter of recommendation, but some colleges request up to three (and may even specify who they should be from). So start thinking about who you want to approach about writing these for you.You can ask a teacher, counsellor or coach. Just make sure to follow any existing specific instructions, as a college might require a letter from two teachers and one counsellor, for example.The idea is to ask someone who knows you well, and who you know can write a favorable review of you. But it’s also important to consider whether the letter writer is a good writer. Admissions reviewers know you are going to ask someone that likes you, but the way the letter is written can really set you apart from the crowd. Make sure to give your letter writer(s) as much time as possible – the more you procrastinate, the worse this will reflect on you. And the last thing you want is for your letter writer to miss the deadline.
3. What is a good way to prepare for the SAT?
   The best way to prepare for the SAT is by taking the PSAT, the Preliminary SAT. These are offered twice a year, and are usually taken in the 10th or 11th grade – no later than fall of the 11th grade. (On a side note, if you take the PSAT, you might start to receive college brochures in the mail. This is because the College Board, the organization that sponsors the SAT, sells its mailing lists to colleges and universities.)The PSAT will give you the best idea of what the SAT is like, so this will not only prepare you mentally, but it will also give you an idea of the types of questions and the layout of the three-hour exam. Since there is no real “study” method to the SATs, the key is to practice, practice, practice. So get your hands on old tests and answer SAT questions online. Just make sure to go in there with a good night of sleep under your belt, some fuel in your system (eat breakfast!), and a positive attitude.
4. Is there a benefit to early admission?
   Applying to your top choice as an “Early Decision” (ED) application can be to your advantage, if a significant percentage of early applicants are accepted as opposed to regular admission applicants (it can range from 25% to 45% of early applicants). This is an important question to ask an admissions representative from your top choice school.Not only can early decision admission increase your chances of being accepted to a first-choice school, but you also get an admission decision earlier (by December). But hold it right there – there are also drawbacks. Applying early means a tighter application deadline and as a result, more pressure. As well, you can only apply to one college early, and if you get accepted to that school, you have to withdraw your applications to all other “regular” admission schools. Early admission can be advantageous if you are certain about the college you want to attend (as your first choice – there is no turning back if you go the ED route), and if you want to find out your status early so that you can plan your other college applications accordingly.Make sure to inquire about the proportion of students that are accepted as early applicants, and what their profile is like in terms of SAT scores and GPA, to ensure that the odds are in your favor.
5. When do applicants find out their status?
   College applicants should receive their acceptance or rejection letters by March or (usually) April of senior year. Early decision responses arrive in December and January of senior year.

POSTED BY Reisa Resource IN Fequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

01.22.08

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