Applying to College

Plan ahead for your college applications. Colleges look at more than just your grades and scores. Prepare all the different aspects of your profile and make yourself stand out.

What do colleges look for in a student?

Colleges use a combination of high school grades, standardized test scores, and extra-curricular activities to make admission decisions. As the numbers of applicants grow, schools are more selective, forcing students to work harder to distinguish themselves from their peers. Students today are preparing themselves much earlier and much more thoroughly for the application process, with some families going as far as selecting high school curriculum and activities based on how they will be viewed in the eyes of college admission staff. This all points to one undeniable fact: gaining admission to US colleges and universities is becoming more and more difficult each year. However, with the right information and preparation anyone willing to work hard can get into a college.

• GPA

  Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is very important in college admissions. This is the only quantifiable piece of information that college admission officers have to gauge your overall performance in school. It is a reflection of your knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Though it plays a very big part in college admissions, do not panic. It is not the only factor in admission. A high GPA does not guarantee admission nor does a low one mean you are not admittable.

• Extra-curricular Activities

  Extra-curricular activities play as big a role in college admissions as your GPA. If your GPA is a reflection of your knowledge, extra-curricular activities are a reflection of your personality. Colleges generally are not interested in admitting a student who only has high grades. They much prefer a student who has interests outside of academics. They want to see a student who is committed to and passionate about these interests. It is important to seek out activities and opportunities outside of school not only for college admissions, but to grow in all areas of your life: academically, socially, and emotionally.

• Test Scores

  While test scores get much of the attention, they are only one aspect of your profile. Tests are a way for college admission officers to put the rest of you application into perspective. Your scores are also used to a certain extent to predict your likelihood of succeeding in college. Most colleges do not have a cutoff point for SAT/ACT score, but having a low score will mean the other aspects of your application need to make you shine.

  Click here for more information on college admissions tests.
  Importance of the Tests
  College entrance test scores are only one of the three major factors (and a vast number of minor factors) that are evaluated to make college admissions decisions. However, college entrance exams are important because they generally represent the last opportunity for you to change your profile. In a short amount of time you can drastically change your SAT or ACT score whereas you cannot change a GPA or the activities you've participated in during the previous 3 years. Thus preparation for these tests is key.
  
  What are the tests that you should know about?
  There are quite a few college entrance tests that are offered however not every student need take every test and knowing which tests to take and how to achieve your best score is important. The info below should help clarify things if you have other questions please contact us.
  
  The PSAT
  PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives you a chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Corporation's (NMSC) scholarship programs. Almost all students take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year and some will also take it in their sophomore year. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 in each of 3 sections (Writing, Mathematics, and Critical Reading)
  
  Click here to learn more about the PSAT.
  
  

  Structure
  The SAT consists of five sections structured as shown below:
  
  

  Time - Number of Questions	Topics Tested	Scoring
  Math
  2 Sections 25 minutes each 38 questions total	Numbers and Operations Algebra and Functions Geometry and Measure Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability	Range: 20 - 80 Average: 48.5
  Critical Reading
  2 Sections 25 minutes each 48 questions total	Reading Comprehension Critical Reading Vocabulary	Range: 20 - 80 Average: 47.7
  Writing
  1 Section 30 minutes 39 questions total	Writing Skills Grammar	Range: 20 - 80 Average: 45.8

  
  
  Scoring
  Though the most commonly remembered score from the PSAT is the scaled score, understanding the raw score is even more important to glean a proper understanding of student performance.
  
  

  Raw Scores
  A raw score is the total number of actual points you accumulated from answering questions. A raw score is calculated as follows:

  • Each correctly answered question adds 1 point
  • Each incorrectly answered question subtracts 1/4 point
  • Unanswered questions neither add nor subtract points

  
  

  Scaled Score
  The scaled score is the 20 - 80 number that everyone remembers from taking the SAT. In order to calculate the scaled scores, ETS uses a conversion chart.

  
  PSAT Schedule
  When: The PSAT is offered once a year in October. It is administered in school during class hours. Almost all students will take it during their Junior year. This is the only time there score will be used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Some students take it in their sophomore year for practice.
  
  Score reporting: The PSAT is valuable practice for and exposure to SAT type questions. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT score report is highly detailed. The score report contains all the correct answers for the test, the questions you missed or got incorrect, the difficulty of the questions, and a detailed report on what skills you need to improve. Usually, schools will give the students back the PSAT question booklet so you can review the test with the correct answers and your answers in hand.
  
  To find more information about the PSAT please visit: College Board
  
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  Click here for three free PSAT tips.
  
  

  • Skip questions that you can not eliminate any answer choices for. The PSAT has a 1/4 point penalty for incorrect answers, while skipped questions have no penalty.
  • Questions on the PSAT are generally in order of difficulty, easier questions in the beginning of the set and harder ones at the end of the set. Use this to your advantage. Take more time to get the easier questions right and skip the hard ones.
  • On many PSAT questions that test algebra skills, you do not have to do any algebra at all. Usually you can plug in either the answer choices into the question or plug in your own numbers for variables and compare the answer choices to the question.

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  The SAT
  The SAT, the most commonly taken college entrance examination, is a four hour test that is required for admission to most four year colleges and universities. Its recommended that students take the SAT for the first time in the spring (March or May) of the junior year and then again in the fall of the senior year. The SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 in each of 3 sections (Writing, Mathematics, and Critical Reading).
  
  Click here to learn more about the SAT.
  
  

  Structure
  The SAT consists of ten sections (nine of which count towards the student's score) structured as shown below:
  
  

  Time - Number of Questions	Topics Tested	Scoring
  Math
  3 Sections 25 minutes - 20 questions 25 minutes - 18 questions 20 minutes - 16 questions	Arithmetic Algebra Algebra II Geometry	Range: 200 - 800 Average: 518
  Critical Reading
  3 Sections 25 minutes - 24 questions 25 minutes - 14 questions 20 minutes - 19 questions	Reading Comprehension Critical Reading Vocabulary	Range: 200 - 800 Average: 503
  Writing
  3 Sections 25 minutes - 1 essay 25 minutes - 35 questions 10 minutes - 14 questions	Writing Skills Grammar	Range: 200 - 800 Average: 497

  
  
  Scoring
  Though the most commonly remembered score from the SAT is the scaled score, understanding the raw score is even more important to glean a proper understanding of student performance.
  
  

  Raw Scores
  A raw score is the total number of actual points you accumulated from answering questions. A raw score is calculated as follows:

  • Each correctly answered question adds 1 point
  • Each incorrectly answered question subtracts 1/4 point
  • Unanswered questions neither add nor subtract points

  
  

  Scaled Score
  The scaled score is the 200 - 800 number that everyone remembers from taking the SAT. In order to calculate the scaled scores, ETS uses a conversion chart.

  
  SAT Registration
  When: The SAT is always offered on a Saturday morning (or Sunday morning for those with religious restrictions). The SAT is offered up to seven times per year: late January, late March or early April, early May, early June, early October, early November, and early December.
  
  Registration deadlines are typically 6 weeks before the date of the test.
  
  How often: The SAT can be taken as many times as a test taker chooses, but should in most cases only be taken 2-3 times.
  
  How much: The cost is $41.50. (Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the testing fee.)
  
  Score reporting: All SAT scores on record for the past 5 years will be sent to the schools you select to receive your scores. When you register for the SAT, you can select up to four schools to receive your scores for free. After you have completed the test, you can request additional reports at a cost of $9.50 per school.
  
  To find more information about the SAT or download a free practice test please visit: College Board
  
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  Click here for three free SAT tips.
  
  

  • Skip questions that you can not eliminate any answer choices for. The SAT has a 1/4 point penalty for incorrect answers, while skipped questions have no penalty.
  • Questions on the SAT are generally in order of difficulty, easier questions in the beginning of the set and harder ones at the end of the set. Use this to your advantage. Take more time to get the easier questions right and skip the hard ones.
  • On many SAT questions that test algebra skills, you do not have to do any algebra at all. Usually you can plug in either the answer choices into the question or plug in your own numbers for variables and compare the answer choices to the question.

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  SAT Subject Tests
  SAT Subject Tests are one-hour tests on specific subjects. SAT Subject Tests generally fall into the following categories: English, Mathematics, History, Sciences, and Foreign Languages. Students who are considering applying to selective universities, such as New York University, Washington University, Harvard College, or University of California-Los Angeles, will be required to take 2 or 3 subject tests (unless you take the ACT). Its recommended that students take the SAT Subject tests immediately following your last course that covers the subject matter for the test. So if you take your last biology class in your sophomore year you should take the SAT Subject tests in biology in June of your sophomore year. SAT Subject tests are each scored on a scale of 200 to 800.
  
  Click here to learn more about SAT Subject Tests.
  
  

  Structure
  The SAT Subject Tests are all one hour long tests consisting of multiple choices and are each scored on a scale of 200 - 800. Some of these tests have special instructions as shown below:
  
  

  Subject Test	Special Instructions
  Biology E/M	The Subject Tests in Biology E/M contains a common core of 60 general-knowledge multiple-choice questions, followed by 20 multiple-choice questions that emphasize either ecological (Biology E) or molecular (Biology M) subject matter. You must choose which one you would like to take before the test begins as you can only take one of the subtests. If you attempt to take both your scores may be canceled.
  Mathematics Level 1/Level 2	The Subject Tests in Mathematics have some questions that require the use of at least a scientific or graphing calculator. Remember to bring an acceptable calculator on the day of your test.
  Languages with Listening	The Subject Tests in Languages with Listening (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish) consist of a listening section and a reading section. The listening section requires the use of a CD player. Remember to bring an acceptable CD player on the day of your test.

  
  
  SAT Subject Tests Registration
  When: The SAT Subject Tests are always offered on a Saturday morning (or Sunday morning for those with religious restrictions). The SAT Subject Tests are offered up to six times per year(the same dates as the SAT except for the March administration): late January, early May, early June, early October, early November, and early December.
  
  Registration deadlines are typically 6 weeks before the date of the test.
  
  How much: The basic cost for a SAT Subject Test is $20. If you are taking a Language Subject Test there is an additional $20. You can register and take up to three tests per testing date. Each additional test requires a fee of $8. (Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the testing fee.)
  
  Score reporting: All SAT Subject Test scores on record for the past 5 years will be sent to the schools you select to receive your scores. When you register for the SAT Subject Tests, you can select up to four schools to receive your scores for free. After you have completed the test, you can request additional reports at a cost of $9.50 per school.
  
  To find more information about the SAT Subject Tests please visit: College Board
  
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  Click here for three free SAT Subject Test tips.
  
  

  • Skip questions that you can not eliminate any answer choices for. The SAT Subject Tests have a 1/4 point penalty for incorrect answers, while skipped questions have no penalty.
  • If you can eliminate some answer choices that you are sure are incorrect, then it is prudent to guess. Over a set of questions the probability that you guess the correct answer after you have eliminated at least one answer choice outweighs the penalty.
  • Questions on the SAT Subject Tests are generally in order of difficulty, easier questions in the beginning of the set and harder ones at the end of the set. Use this to your advantage. Take more time to get the easier questions right and skip the hard ones.

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  The ACT
  The ACT is the major competitor to the SAT and is accepted for admission at all major colleges and universities. The ACT has multiple choice sections which test four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, as well as an optional Writing section which measures skill in essay writing. The ACT is scored 1 - 36 in each subsection and those scores are averaged to give a Composite score, which also ranges from 1 - 36. The writing section of the test is graded by two readers who each give it a score ranging from 1 - 6. The sum of the two scores is the final writing section score ranging from 2 - 12.
  
  Click here to learn more about the ACT.
  
  

  Structure
  The ACT consists of four subtests and an optional writing test structured as shown below:
  
  

  Section	Time - Number of Questions	Topics Tested	Scoring
  Math	60 minutes 60 questions	Arithmetic - 14 questions Coordinate Geometry - 9 questions Elementary Algebra - 10 questions Intermediate Algebra - 9 questions Plane Geometry - 14 questions Trigonometry - 4 questions	Range: 1-36 Average: 20.8
  English	45 minutes 75 questions	Usage/Mechanics - 40 questions Rhetorical Skills - 35 questions	Range: 1-36 Average: 20.6
  Reading	35 minutes 40 questions	Social Studies - 10 questions Natural Sciences - 10 questions Prose Fiction - 10 questions Humanities - 10 questions	Range: 1-36 Average: 21.4
  Science	35 minutes 40 questions	Data Representation - 15 questions Research Summary - 18 questions Conflicting Viewpoint - 7 questions	Range: 1-36 Average: 20.9
  Writing	30 minutes 1 essay	Writing Skills - 1 essay	Range: 2-12 Average: 7.7

  
  
  Scoring
  Though the most commonly remembered score from the ACT is the composite score, understanding the individual sections scores is even more important to glean a proper understanding of student performance.
  
  

  Section Scores
  A raw score is the total number of actual points you accumulated from answering questions. A raw score is calculated as follows:

  • Each correctly answered question adds 1 point
  • No points are deducted for incorrect or skipped answers.

  
  

  The raw score is then converted to a "scale score" that ranges from 1 - 36 using a conversion chart.
  
  Subscores
  Subscores are given in your score report for the topics tested in each set and ranges from 1 - 18. These scores don't correlate with the section score or the composite score, but is used to highlight which areas the student may need more practice with. There are seven subscores:

  
  

  • English - Usage/Mechanics, Rhetorical Skills
  • Math - Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry/Trigonometry based
  • Reading - Social Studies/Sciences reading skills, Arts/Literature reading skills
  • Science - No subscores

  
  

  Composite Score
  The composite score is the average of the four test scale scores and ranges from 1 - 36. This score is usually the one most people remember even though it gives less information. The average composite score is 21.1.

  
  
  ACT Registration
  When: The ACT is always offered on a Saturday morning (or Sunday morning for those with religious restrictions). The ACT is offered up to six times per year: early February, early April, early June, early September, late October, and early December.
  
  Registration deadlines are typically 5 weeks before the date of the test.
  
  How often: The ACT can be taken as many times as a test taker chooses, but should in most cases only be taken 2-3 times.
  
  How much: The cost is $30.00. If you choose to take the writing portion of the test, the cost is $44.50. (Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the testing fee.)
  
  Score reporting: When you register for the ACT, you can select up to four schools to receive your scores for free. After you have completed the test, you can request additional reports at a cost of $8.50 per school.
  
  To find more information about the ACT or download a free practice test please visit: The ACT web site
  
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  Click here for three free ACT tips.
  
  

  • Fill in answers for every single question. The ACT has no penalty for incorrect answers. Guessing can get you some points.
  • Questions on the ACT are not in order of difficulty. This means you need to pace yourself. If you come across a hard question, do not get bogged down. Guess and move on so you can get to some of the easier questions. If you have time, you can go back and revisit the ones that you were unsure of.
  • On many ACT questions that test algebra skills, you do not have to do any algebra at all. Usually you can plug in either the answer choices into the question or plug in your own numbers for variables and compare the answer choices to the question.

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Where can I get help with applying to college?

While the factors listed above are the most prominent, other factors are also important. It is important for you to review every facet and angle of your profile and make yourself as attractive as possible to college admission officers. There are lots of resources out there to help you with all the parts of your application. Read on to find out more about the different parts of an application and the people who can help you.

• Learn about applying
  Click here to view some sites that we recommend.
  
• Common Application
  Download the common application, which allows you to apply to more than 300 colleges with one application.
• College Confidential
  This link on College Confidential discusses how to apply for a fee waivers for college applications.
• FairTest
  A list of colleges that do not require ACT or SAT for admission.

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• Learn about college assistance programs and organizations
  Click here to view some sites that we recommend.
  
• SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
  A program that provides entrance into a SUNY program, academic support, and financial aid to students who normally would not qualify but show promise of successfully complete a college program.
• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
  A New York State run program that provides educational opportunities at many participating public and private institutions, academic support, and financial aid to students who normally would not be able attend post-secondary educational institutions.
• The Posse Foundation
  The Posse Foundation seeks out exceptional students who normally would be missed by colleges and universities. These students are then rigorously prepared for post-secondary education through the foundation's Pre-Collegiate Training Program. The Posse Foundation has successfully placed more than 1,800 students into partner colleges and universities.
• Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
  GEAR UP is a national initiative to reach out to disadvantaged students in the seventh grade and up. GEAR UP programs are designed to mentor and prepare these students to reach their goal of attending post-secondary educational institutions.


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• Learn about and file for Financial Aid
  Click here to view some sites that we recommend.
  
• FAFSA4caster
• Loan to Learn: An EduCap Program
• MyRichUncle: Education Finance
• FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• SallieMae
• eStudentLoan: Compare Student Loans and Apply Online
• FindTuition: A service of CareerBuilder.com

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• Search for Scholarships
  College Scholarships maintains a comprehensive listing of online scholarship search engines. However if you don't like this one click here to view some other sites that we recommend.


• Scholarship Experts
• Zinch: A Scholarship Search Engine
• FastWeb: Matching Students to Scholarships
• The College Board Scholarship Search
• Scholarships.com
• Federal Student Aid Web Site

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