Mount St. Joseph Academy

1. Identify the Colleges/Universities/Trade Programs to which you want to apply
2. Request applications materials, either via the regular mail or via e-mail
3. Print applications and financial aid documents off-line as available
4. Know SAT/ACT requirements and register for tests accordingly, on-line or via mail
5. Know application deadlines/plan to have your work done at least a week ahead
6. Prepare your résumé/Letter of Recommendation Request Forms *
7. Identify the teachers/others that you wish to have write these letters
8. Present them with résumé/Letter Request well in advance of application deadlines
9. Make copies of applications; complete a rough draft before committing it to the actual application
10. Write your college essay with the question(s) on your application(s) in mind
11. Have your essay reviewed by a teacher, friend, parent or Guidance
12. Compile your completed application(s) and present it/them to Guidance
13. Guidance will complete the application requirements and send it/them out

Note: The Common Application (which is accepted at approximately 350 colleges/universities, mainly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic) can be completed on-line and printed off for duplication. This allows students to both streamline the application and allow applicants to make a clean professional presentation when applying.

* See the “Résumé Writing Guide”, “Résumé Sample” and the “Teacher Recommendation Request Form”

If you opt to apply on-line – which is increasingly available –
PLEASE MAKE COPIES OF ALL ON-LINE APPLICATION MATERIALS BEFORE YOU “CLICK” SUBMIT AND TURN THESE COPIES INTO GUIDANCE.

Defining Terms

Rolling Admissions: Prospective students can apply at any time and the college/university will respond rapidly to their application.

Open Admissions: Available from colleges that require only that applicants have a completed high school diploma and completed application.

Selective Admissions: Specific requirements that colleges set for admissions; most US colleges/universities have a set of grade point average/class rank/SAT or ACT standards that applicants must meet in order to be considered for admission.

Early Decision: An early deadline that requires applicants to “lock in” to the college/university they apply to. Early Decision candidates are notified earlier of their acceptance decision, but, in return, when accepted, the applicant agrees to commit to that college/university and withdraw their applications from all other colleges/universities. Early Decision functions as a contract between the college and the applicant; students opting for early decision must be very sure they will attend as this type of application is binding.

Early Action: Like Early Decision, Early Action candidates have an early application deadline and are notified more rapidly than those who apply “Regular Decision” (see below). Unlike Early Decision, however, Early Action candidates do not make any commitment to the college/university – they just receive their admissions decision earlier. If students have their applications completed prior to Early Action deadlines, they have nothing to lose by exercising this option.

Regular Decision: The regular deadline for application, as early as mid-January and as late as March. Applicants are guaranteed to receive their application decision by the first of April – they must then make their decision to attend a particular college/university by a May 1st decision date.

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