1. What is the most important factor that colleges consider when making admissions decisions?
2. What is the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions?
3. Should I apply Early Decision/Early Action? Will I have an advantage if I apply early?
4. What should I do if a college notifies me that my application is incomplete due to missing information?
5. When is the best time to visit colleges?
6. What is the difference between the ACTs and the SATs?
7. How do I send test scores to colleges?
8. How can I make the most of a campus visit and interview?
9. What is an alumni interview?
10. What if I am deferred?
11. What do I do if I get waitlisted?
12. Where is College for ME-Androscoggin located and what are their hours?

1. What is the most important factor that colleges consider when making admissions decisions?The single most important part of any student’s application is his or her official transcript. Colleges evaluate the high school record by looking at both grades and the rigor and total number of college preparatory courses taken by the student. At more selective colleges, other criteria in addition to the transcript might include:
   • Standardized test scores
   • Counselor/teacher recommendations
   • Ethnicity
   • Application answers and essays
   • Geographic location
   • Personal interview
   • Alumni relationship
   • Activities outside the classroom
   • Intended major/desired college
   • Special talents and skills
   • Family’s ability to pay

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2. What is the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admission?Early Decisionis the admission program that is binding/contractual in nature. Students sign an agreement that commits them in advance to attend the Early Decision college if admitted under its early program. At many colleges, the deadline for receipt of the application is November 1 or 15, and the student is then notified (Accept, Deny, Defer) six weeks after the deadline. If accepted under an Early Decision plan, the student must withdraw applications at all other colleges.Early Actionoperates on the same timetable as Early Decision. Early Action is not a binding agreement and admitted students are not obligated to enroll. Students can apply to multiple colleges and take the necessary time—visiting campuses, comparing financial aid offers, seeking opinions, and gathering other information—to make a definitive and confident college choice.Regular Decision is the traditional process in which the student applies by the regular and final deadline (usually January 1 for most schools), and the institution responds with a decision by a specified date (usually April 1). Regular Action allows more time to complete multiple applications and also allows more time for the student’s counselor to provide assistance and guidance throughout the decision-laden process. Regular Action benefits students whose candidacies will be strengthened by senior year extracurricular achievements and an improved academic performance in the final two semesters.

    

   Rolling Admission describes the process in which an institution reviews applications as they are received and, if the application is complete, offers a non-binding decision to the student, usually within two to five weeks of being reviewed. Students are not required to make a commitment until May 1 but are encouraged to do so as soon as a final decision is made. Rolling Admission is a process used primarily by large state universities where applications are reviewed on a continual basis up to a regular deadline. In some cases, institutions will accept students as long as openings remain in their school class or up until the beginning of the school year, whichever comes first.

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3. Should I apply Early Decision/Early Action? Will I have an advantage if I apply early?Applying early, whether ED or EA, is first and foremost a commitment to a college that it is absolutely your number one choice. There are both advantages and potential disadvantages to applying early, and the decision is not one to be entered into without considering all other options. A student who indicates that he/she wants to apply “somewhere,” without considering criteria that best match his/her academic interests, career goals, and personal needs is probably making a poor decision.The important questions to consider about applying early are:
   • Have I carefully researched college opportunities over time and am I confident that ___________ is my absolute first choice?
   • Is the college the best match for my academic strengths, academic interests, and educational goals?
   • Does the college meet all or most of the criteria I have set in seeking the best possible match?
   • Is it natural to envision myself as a student on this campus (for four years) more easily than at other colleges or universities?
   • Is financial aid going to be a determining factor in my final decision about where to attend?
   • Have I visited enough campuses to possess a strong frame of reference and comparison?
   • Are my grades and standardized test scores equal to those of students who were accepted at the school during the prior admissions cycle?
   • Will I have completed all standardized tests required for admission by the deadline? (November is usually the last SAT test date accepted by colleges with early deadlines.)
   • Have I done as much as possible—through written communication, visits, interview(s), contact with local representative(s) of the college —to make it known to that college that I possess a thorough understanding of the college and that my interest in applying early is genuine?

   Answering these questions should assist students in determining if they are in fact making an informed decision or one based on fear and misinformation. More colleges offer early programs, and it seems that the number of students accepted under the early umbrella is climbing each year.

   It is no surprise that students are approaching the process with more anxiety and uncertainty than ever before. However, please note that the higher acceptance rates for early admission candidates are a reflection of the remarkable strength of the early applicant pools, not of less rigorous admissions standards.

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4. What should I do if a college notifies me that my application is incomplete due to missing information? Do not panic. As a matter of procedure, colleges will sometimes generate a “missing credentials” postcard or letter after an application has been initially processed. This does not mean that your application will be denied or that you will now be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. You should contact the admissions office directly to determine if the missing information, usually test scores sent from the testing agencies, has arrived since the mailing of your notification. If, after checking with the college, you are still in doubt about missing information, please notify your high school guidance counselor as soon as possible. Top
5. When is the best time to visit colleges?The best time to make a first visit to a college is in the early fall, a time when most campuses are full of activity and filled with students. However, before finalizing a trip, identify where you are in the college search process, since this determines why you are making a campus visit.
   • Will your visits help you compare various types of colleges?
   • Are you visiting schools to compile a list and decide where to apply?
   • Are you in the process of assessing what college will be the best fit if you are accepted, having already applied to schools?
   • Are you visiting a school to which you’ve been accepted at the school’s invitation for an overnight stay on campus before making your final decision?

   Colleges offer tours and interviews on a year-round basis. For students who cannot find the time to visit during the junior year, summer is obviously the best time to begin visiting.

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6. What is the difference between the SATs and the ACTs?The SAT (Reasoning Test) is a test of verbal and mathematical reasoning skills that are related to how you will do academically in college. The SAT does not measure other factors and abilities such as creativity, special talents, and motivation that may also help you do well in college. Visit www.collegeboard.com for more information.The ACT (American College Testing)is the predominant testing program in the Midwest and in some parts of the South. If you are applying to a school in those areas, you may be required to take this test instead of the SAT. Most schools accept either the ACT or SAT. Some students find the ACT easier to take than the SAT.Top
7. How do I send test scores to colleges?Official test scores must be sent directly from the testing agencies. Most high schools do not send official test scores to any colleges; this applies to both current and former students.Additional score report forms may be obtained from the Testing Center (Room 221) or the Post-High School Counseling office (Room 201). A student may also request scores by phone (ACT: 319-337-1000 / SAT: 800-728-7267) or online at www.act.org and www.collegeboard.com.Top
8. How can I make the most of a campus visit and interview?Schools are happy to have you visit, but there are certain courtesies and preparations necessary to make your visit worthwhile. The following are some suggestions:
   • The best visits allow you to see classes in session; spend a night in a residence hall; and talk with students, admissions officers, and faculty members in your area(s) of interest. Most of these can be arranged by calling or writing the admissions office two to three weeks in advance of your visit. (At highly selective school it may be necessary to request fall interviews as early as July or August.) Request a written confirmation of your visit and directions.
     1. If you are planning to spend some time on campus and wish to have an interview, arrange the interview near the end of your visit. Then you will have talked with students and seen areas firsthand that can help you in the interview.
     2. If your application is not on file at the school, obtain a copy of an unofficial transcript from your Guidance Office to take with you.
     3. If your visit requires short notice (such as when you are traveling in an area near a school), call the admissions office ahead of time and ask if it would be possible to have a tour of the campus and at least speak briefly with an admissions officer.
   • Research the school before your visit. Facts such as the size of the school and general admissions requirements are available from reference books and files in the Guidance Office. Also see unigo.com for tours and information.
   • Visit the neighborhood in which the school is located. Look for transportation facilities and nearby community services (such as a post office, store, bank, Laundromat, etc).
   • Read the campus newspaper to become informed of campus issues.

For more tips, go to the College Search page

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1. What is an alumni Interview? When you can’t visit a campus for an interview with an admissions counselor, an interview with an alumni interviewer can be arranged, usually through the college admissions office. The interview generally will take place at a location close to your home. Afterward, the interviewer sends a report of the interview to the college with a recommendation about your suitability for the school. See the College Search section about making the most of a campus visit and interview.Top
2. What if I am deferred? A deferment means that the college is not willing to assure you an early decision place in the incoming freshman class but has not rejected your application outright. Your file will be reconsidered for admission along with those students who are applying in the regular pool of applicants. This is a sign, however, that your application may not meet their standards and you would be wise to apply elsewhere. There is absolutely no guarantee that you have a better chance being accepted in the regular admission pool.Top
3. What do I do if I get waitlisted?If you are waitlisted, the college has placed your name on a list of an unknown number of candidates. The college has sent out its acceptance letters and is waiting to see how many students commit to joining their freshmen class. If not enough candidates commit but choose to go elsewhere, they may have some openings that they will fill from their wait list. Some schools in some years take no one from their wait list. Some schools routinely fill some slots from their wait list.You have no way of knowing where you are on the list, if they will use the list that year, or who and how they will choose from that list. Sometimes schools have used all their financial aid monies and have none left for their wait list candidates so, if financial aid is important to you, this may be a problem.If you are waitlisted and want to attend that school, you can do the following:
   • Immediately return the wait list form that states that you are still interested and, if offered a spot, you will attend.
   • Submit your second semester grades and other “updates” to make your application stronger.

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4. Where is College for ME-Androscoggin located and what are their hours? College for ME-Androscoggin is located at:
   USM LAC
   LearningWorks
   51 Westminster Street
   Lewiston, ME 04240Hours: 8am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday
   Appointments requested. Drop-ins welcome.Top