College Admissions

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1. How do I decide on a major?
This question is best answered with another question: What type of work would you like to do after you graduate from college? If you do not know, then the first thing you might want to do is investigate various careers. There are several books and career information websites that can help you with this search. These resources generally include a description of the major or area of study necessary for a particular career.

You can also enter college as an undecided major. After 1 to 2 years of completing courses in a variety of disciplines, you will probably find yourself drawn to a particular subject area. Several colleges also offer majors in broad disciplines such as Liberal Arts and Humanities.

2. I want to go to college. How do I choose a college that is right for me?
The decision of which college to enroll in is a very personal one. It depends on a number of factors, such as: your major and career goals; whether you want to live on campus or commute from home; if you want to go to a women's college or a college sponsored by a religious denomination; if you prefer a large urban university or a small college in a suburban or rural setting; what you can afford, and so on. Find out as much as you can about different possibilities and visit different types of schools to see what you like. Click here to go to college search sites.

3. Is a college visit necessary?
A college visit is one of the most valuable ways to determine if the college is right for you. Most colleges welcome the opportunity to show you around campus, and tours are often scheduled regularly. Visiting a campus is a good way to find out if you would be comfortable attending that particular school.

4. Is a college interview necessary?
An interview is a good way for you to get answers to your questions about a college and also provides college admissions staff a chance to get to know you. Having an interview is not essential to getting admitted. However, if you have some unusual circumstances that you are not able to reflect in your admission application, you should have an interview.

5. What is the difference between degrees: Associate's, Bachelor's, Certificate, etc.?
An Associate's degree can often be completed in two years of full-time study.

A Bachelor's degree is granted only by a four-year college or university and often takes four years of full-time study.

A Certificate can usually be earned in one year or less. It is granted by two-year colleges and some four-year colleges at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

6. What is the Common Application? Where and when can it be used?
The Common Application is the recommended admission application accepted by many colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs. Many colleges and universities use the Common Application exclusively. All of the schools give equal consideration when reviewing the Common Application and the college's own admission application.

The Common Application has many advantages for students, counselors, and teachers. The concept is simple: Students complete one Common Application form, photocopy it, and send a copy to each of the participating colleges to which they'd like to apply. This procedure simplifies the college application process and eliminates duplication of effort. Click here for a list of schools accepting the Common Application and to download the form.

7. What are CB code numbers? How do I find them?
CB code (or CEEB code) numbers are used to register for an SAT Program test and to send score reports to colleges and scholarship programs. Colleges have four digit codes and high schools have six digit codes. They are usually provided in college or scholarship literature. You can also find the codes in the SAT I and SAT II Registration Bulletins or at College Board Online.

8. Can I apply to a college online?
Yes, in most cases. Admission application instructions are found on a college's web page. Generally the online application is just the beginning of the application process. The data on your application will be entered into the college admissions office system, but you will still have to submit other information (application fee, essays, test scores, and recommendations) separately.

9. How do colleges decide who to accept?
It depends on the college. Colleges use a variety of criteria for determining acceptance for admission depending on how "competitive" or "selective" they are.

Most four-year colleges look closely at your high school grades and SAT scores and will require that you submit from 1 to 3 essays. If English is not your first language, most colleges will require you to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the SAT II English Advanced Placement Test. Students applying for a major in the Arts are often required to audition or submit a portfolio. Many colleges require that you come to campus for an interview. Minimum standards will vary from college to college, but most colleges take all facets of a student's application (grades, test scores, essays, interview performance) into consideration when making a decision.

Some four-year colleges and most community colleges have "open" admission. This means that any applicant supplying proof of high school graduation or its equivalency (such as a GED, EDP, or ABE) may become a student. Community colleges do not have open admission for all their programs. Programs in the allied health sciences (nursing, x-ray technician, etc.) and some technical programs are competitive for admission and require students to have taken perquisite courses and an admission test.

10.What is the difference between "early decision" and "early action"?
Early Decision: Some colleges use this system to accept students with strong high school records who have a high interest in attending that school. The deadline for submitting an application for early decision is generally earlier than the deadline for other applications (usually Nov. 1) and students are obligated to enroll if they are accepted. Do not apply "early decision" unless you're confident that the college is your first choice.

Early Action: Students who apply under a college's early action plan receive a decision earlier than the standard response date. They are not required to enroll at that college or to make a deposit prior to the deadline established for all other applicants. Requesting "early action" means that the college admissions office will make a decision on your application before having evaluated all of the other applications.

11. What are "open admission" and "rolling admission"?
Open Admission: A college will admit anyone who has a high school diploma or its equivalency (GED, EDP, or ABE).

Rolling Admission: The college does not have a firm application deadline. It will accept students throughout the year and even through the summer if there are still openings in the class. However, you cannot count on a slot still being available if you wait until summer to apply. If the class or major you want is filled before your application is received, you will not be admitted for that semester regardless of your qualifications. If a college has a rolling admission policy, it is best to apply as soon as possible.

12. When and how do I find out if I have been accepted to a school?
The school's admissions office will send you a letter notifying you of whether or not you are accepted for admission. If you are applying to a school that has a "rolling" admission policy you could get a letter within just a few weeks of submitting your application. Many schools have a single notification date, usually April 1.

13. I want to transfer to another college. What is the process?
If you are currently enrolled in a two-year college, you should notify your academic advisor as early as possible that you would like to transfer to another school. Often students transferring from a two-year school to a four-year school will discover that the admission and financial aid application process is more complex for the four-year school. Your academic advisor can help you through that process. In addition, many two-year colleges have what are called "articulation agreements" or "transfer compacts" with four-year colleges. This means that if you take the approved courses (agreed upon by the schools involved in the agreement/compact) and meet the previously-agreed-upon minimum grade point average, you can transfer the maximum amount of credits to the four-year school.

If you are transferring from one four-year college to another one, you should contact the admissions office of the school to which you wish to transfer as soon as possible.

14. What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
Advanced Placement (AP) is a college-level exam offered for high school students by the College Board in a number of different subjects. These tests are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. Many highly selective colleges give college credit for high AP scores.

15. I want to be a doctor. What undergraduate major should I choose?
According to the Definitive Guide to Medical School Admission, there is no ideal premedical major. The authors state that although significant numbers of premedical students major in biology or chemistry, there are some schools that make a point of selecting students who attain non-science degrees. They encourage students to major in a subject that they truly enjoy, since admission to medical school isn't guaranteed and there is a good chance you will work in a field related to your major instead.

Similarly, The Princeton Review's Student Advantage Guide to the Best Medical Schools concurs that most medical schools encourage students to pursue a broad, liberal arts education and place more emphasis on the breadth and depth of coursework than the area of study. Still, it is advisable to demonstrate that you can handle the rigors of science-intensive medical school coursework by taking and earning good grades in classes such as biology, zoology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.