• Early Action – An application process allowing students to apply to a preferred college and receive a decision well in advance of the normal, spring response dates.
• Early Decision – An application process in which a student applies to a first-choice college in early fall and agrees to enter that college if offered admission. Decisions are typically rendered in December. If not accepted, students will be rejected or deferred. Deferred students will be considered again under regular admission. If students are deferred, they are no longer bound to attend the early decision college.
• Rolling Admissions – A process used by many colleges that will review applications as soon as all credentials are received and will notify students as soon decisions are made. Notification may come as quickly as a few weeks or could take as long as several months.
• Wait List – A term used to describe a process in which the college initially neither offers nor denies admission, but extends to a candidate the possibility of admission in the future.
• Candidate’s Reply Date – The date by which students must submit an enrollment deposit to the one college of matriculation.  This is May 1. Students accepted under Early Decision are often required to send in a deposit at an earlier date set by the college.

The Essay

While grades, the strength of curriculum and admission test scores are the top factors in the college admission decision, a majority of colleges use the essay to give the student a chance to show admission officers who he or she really is beyond grades and test scores. Students can use the following checklist as a simple guideline to write their essay:

• List the initial thought that you would like to emphasize about yourself or an experience you’ve been through.
• Focus on the topics that you feel would best describe your strengths or experience.
• Write a tentative statement that would reflect what you want to say.
• Write a list of details that can be used to support your statement.
• Arrange this list of details into a well-ordered outline.
• Demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, dedication, and commitment to goals, ability to complete tasks and leadership and self-control.
• Write a draft of your admission essay.
• Revise your first draft, paying attention to your introductory and concluding paragraphs, as well to transitions between your paragraphs.
• Proofread your revised essay at least twice: once for spelling, punctuation, usage, and other mechanical errors and a second time for meaning and overall effectiveness.
• Have someone else proofread your essay and make suggestions for improvements.
• Be sure the essay is within the recommended length.
• Use words and phrases that are common to you and do not overuse adjectives or adverbs.

• Practice for your interview. Be prepared to answer obvious questions. Consult your guidance department for these standard questions and review them with your counselor or parent.
• Practice makes perfect. Arrange your first interviews at the colleges in which you’re least interested in attending.
• Relax and be yourself.
• Be alert and to the point. Make the interview easy for the interviewer.
• Be sure you are neat and presentable.
• If they do not already have it, provide the interviewer with a copy of your Resume of Achievement.
• Showcase your abilities and talents.Stay positive.
• Don’t dwell on a particular question. Show consideration for their time.
• Don’t make lofty statements about yourself. Be humble.
• Avoid negatives about yourself or making excuses for any sub-par performance.
• Be prepared to answer the following questions: Describe your ideal college. Which other colleges are you considering?  Which college is your top choice?
• Send a thank-you note to each interviewer within 3 days after the interview.

One of the most pivotal periods in any parent’s life is their child’s college application process. Whether your child is a high school senior or just starting his or her high school career, it is never too early or late to start planning for college with your child. Parents can help children through this process in the following ways:

• Talk with your child about plans after high school. Do they see themselves in a traditional college program, art school, or technical school? Do they want to go directly to college or are they interested in exploring other options, like a gap year?
• Help your child set realistic expectations. Emphasize the importance of finding a school that will provide the right academic and social fit.
• Encourage visits to different schools and allow your child to form his or her own opinions about the experience.
• Encourage self-advocacy. Now is the time for your child to practice setting up sessions with teachers for extra help, explain difficulties they may be having in school, and embrace new strategies for success.
• Stay positive. Your child will take his or her cue from you throughout this exciting time of transition.
• Consider how your child’s education will be financed. Who will be paying for your child’s education? If your child goes to a more expensive college, will that mean they will need to work during school? Have you factored in travel expenses if your child is considering going to school far from home? Think realistically about the finances as well. You don’t want to have the child graduate with a lot of debt.
• Keep in mind that in the end, your child is the one going to college and is the one best-qualified to make the final decision on where he or she goes to school.