Academics : Applying For College Home
It is never too soon for students to start thinking about college. The guidance office, located next to the cafeteria, offers college related resources for students from 9th to 12th grade. In addiction we recommend that students bookmark educationplanner.org and collegeboard.com. Both sites excellent places to start your are college search. By the junior year we expect that students will start to visit colleges they have selected based on criteria specified in the previously mentioned web sites. This is also the time to take the SAT or ACT to determine areas of academic strength and weakness. by senior year students should have a good sense of the four or five schools they intend to apply to. Try to apply early, no later than November 30th. Colleges will respond within four to six weeks if they have rolling admissions or not until the end of March for regular admissions.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be filed as soon as possible in order to take advantage of your college's pot of financial aid money. remember its first come first service when seeking college aid.
Curriculum
Colleges want to see how you have challenged yourself in high school. If you are planning to attend a selective college, you should go above and beyond. If West Catholic only requires 3 years of Math, you should still take a 4th year. Selective colleges want students who work beyond their potential! It is tempting to take study halls senior year; however, I suggest you take a course instead (especially if you plan to apply to competitive universities)!
Please note that it is better to take a rigorous course load! To get a 96 in a track 2 course is fine, but it looks more impressive if you took the honors course and received an 84.
Standardized Testing
SATs or ACTs are typically required for admission (many community colleges do not require these; rather they have their own placement tests).
Check with each college to see whether or not they require the SAT II’s (Subject Test) or any additional standardized testing.
When registering for the SAT, be sure to include the correct codes for each college you would like to receive your scores (you are allowed four free picks) as well as the West Catholic code: 393-550. If you do not put the West school code on your registration form, we will never receive your test scores; furthermore, they will not be on your transcript! This delays the admission decision because the paperwork is incomplete. Make sure you put 393-550 on your SAT forms!!!
Recommendations
Some schools require one, others two, maybe still another, none. These are your responsibility. Check with your colleges to see how many are required. Once you know the number you need, begin to ask teachers. Never assume that one will just be written. When you approach your teacher (or me), provide a “brag sheet” for them; this will tell him/her what you are involved in outside of his/her class.
If you need a counselor recommendation you will need to schedule to meet with me so I can “interview” you. If you fail to meet with me, I will not write one; the admissions office will receive an incomplete application.
Essays
Please refer to our section on "The Essay."