Grade 12 Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to first know what you want in a college or university! We recommend that you read over the Naviance "Do What You Are" personality profile you completed as a sophomore and review what it tells you about yourself. Consider your goals and the criteria you have set for the college you will attend. Research your college possibilities thoroughly - do online searches, visit websites, meet with the college representatives in the Career Center in the fall, and read books about colleges. Review your choices periodically with your counselor and keep a running list on Naviance. Most importantly, VISIT! Arrange a campus tour through the Admissions Office, attend classes on campus, and talk to students and professors about what they like best about the school. As you gather information about your schools, maintain a comparison of their main aspects.

More and more students are choosing to either postpone their college start time or choose an alternative route, including the military, technical or career schools, or immediate employment. Students who choose to delay their admission often take part in what is commonly referred to as a "gap year." During this interim year, they participate in some kind of meaningful experience such as travel, community service or non-academic study. We offer a regional Gap Year Fair during the winter at Conard High School to help you consider various options. See list of important dates.

Applications for colleges and universities will be completed between October and March of the senior year, depending on the deadline for each school. Many schools will have a regular deadline between January 1 and March 15. Some schools have early application policies with an earlier deadline. Some schools will have a rolling deadline policy that will give students some flexibility. It is important to thoroughly research the schools in which you have an interest and to know their application procedures and deadlines.

Students who have started the process early, researched colleges and visited schools of high interest may find a favorite early on. Applying under these early deadlines can offer some advantage in the admissions process by letting that school know you have strong interest. It is important that you examine the policies for each school and to understand your responsibilities. Typically, “Early Decision” is a binding agreement that you have considered this school carefully, including the financial aspects, and are ready to commit to that one school if accepted. “Early Action” is usually not restrictive but there are a few exceptions to this. 

It is advisable to be thorough enough in your research that you can narrow your list to a list of five to seven colleges or universities. There are students who, for good reason, apply to more and students who apply to only one or two. Your list should have a range of competitiveness and expense. Typically – one (or two) “reach” schools; two or three possible schools; and one (or two) very likely schools, all of which would meet your needs. 

How many times and when a student should take the SAT will vary from student to student. Typically, students take the SAT at least once during their junior year and a second time in the fall of their senior year. In addition, the ACT has become an increasingly popular option. See your counselor to decide which testing option(s) is right for you.

Most colleges have their applications available on-line to complete electronically and a great many colleges (over 900) participate in the “Common Application” (see next question). It is possible to complete downloaded applications if you have no access to the internet.

“For more than 25 years, the Common Application has been a time-saving advantage for students and counselors.” More than 900 colleges and universities accept this application; most use it exclusively. The application can be completed in several work sessions and sent electronically to multiple schools. The schools, their deadlines and requirements are listed on the website. Many of the schools have supplements that must also be completed. It is available at www.commonapp.org and you can find that link on your Naviance homepage. 

You submit your request through Naviance (see tutorial) at least 3 weeks before your deadline, to ensure that we have adequate time to meet the college's deadline. Each request comes with a $3 fee per college unless you identify as a student on free/reduced lunch or have a financial hardship. 

Prior to submitting your request, you must complete: 

• Permission to Release Records form 
• Student and Parent Brag Sheets (in Naviance) 
• Student resume completed (in Naviance) 

YOU ARE! You must initiate the sending of official scores through your account on the College Board and/or ACT websites either when you register for the test (four reports included with your fee) or after you have taken the test (an extra charge). 

Many colleges will offer you an opportunity to log in to their website to check the status of your file. If not, you can call to insure that your application is complete. 

You should first talk informally with those teachers that you think know you well and receive a verbal commitment from them. Once a verbal commitment is obtained, log into Naviance and complete the request process on line. Be sure to send a thank you note or email to each teacher after they have written the recommendation. 

Colleges and universities will differ on their requirements, so pay close attention to what each school is requesting. Typically, you will need to submit two teacher recommendations (it is sometimes suggested that one come from a humanities teacher and one from a math/science teacher). There may be exceptions to this, but this is generally a safe number. Your counselor's letter of recommendation is considered part of the transcript packet. Make sure you have completed all required documents for this.

Yes, if at all possible take the opportunity to interview. While interviews are less of a factor in the process than they may have been in the past, they are still an important way for you to show your interest in a particular school. If you do, make certain you are fully prepared, reviewing the information in your junior year Post-Secondary Planning Guide and meeting with your counselor beforehand to review interview techniques. 

A form will be available in the School Counseling Department enabling us to send your quarter grades if your school requires them. Your mid-year grades will automatically be sent to every college to which you have applied. The final transcript will be sent at the end of the school year to the school you have chosen to attend. 

Yes! Students are encouraged to submit their college application as soon as they are able. Test scores, school transcripts, and letters of recommendation are typically submitted after a student has submitted his/her application. All materials should be submitted by the deadline.

You should know that college financial aid offices are your greatest source of information and that it's extremely important to adhere to all deadlines. Be aware that there are two common financial aid forms - the FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (required by anyone seeking financial aid) and the CSS Profile (provided by The College Board and used at many private schools). Colleges are required to provide complete information on their website about the total expenses for their school. 

It is very important for you to be knowledgeable of what is right and proper as you work with various schools. You can read about the code of ethics that affect college admissions at www.nacac.com click on SPGP (Statement of Policy and Good Practice) in the second heading. 

Your counselor is here to help you every step of the way from thinking about your college list to preparing your application to making the best decision about which school to attend. Please see your counselor about any questions, problems or concerns you have along the way. If you just need a sounding board for options you face, we are here to listen. 

It is your responsibility to inform the School Counseling Secretary about all of your college decisions and ultimately which school you choose to attend. If you are accepted for early decision at your first choice school, you should withdraw any other applications that have been sent by notifying each college/university.