PSRC

Applying to College

This page will help you through the application process and inform you of some of your options.

Now that you have decided on the schools that are right for you, how do you get accepted at the school of your choice?
There are several steps in this process.
The first is to know who your dream school is looking for so you can plan to meet their expectations. Most colleges have information on what is important to them on their web page. Look for this type of information on their undergraduate admissions page. If you are serious about attending this school, use this information to help guide your course selection and college plan.
Stay on track throughout your four years in high school with a curriculum designed toward your college goal.
In addition to filling in the application, you will need to write your essay and get letters of recommendation.

Visit Dr. Ostroff in the College and Career Center for more help and information.

Who are Colleges Looking For in Potential Students?

Just as you are looking for a college that is a good fit for you, colleges are looking for applicants who are a good fit for their institution.
They use your high school record and standardized test scores to evaluate your academic accomplishments.
Participation in school, extracurricular, and community activities show your commitment and leadership skills as does your work experience. These are some of the other factors colleges take into consideration when reviewing your application.
Your essay and letters of recommendation give them insight into who you are and what you would bring to their campus.
Most colleges have information on what is important to them on their web page. Look for this type of information on their undergraduate admissions page. If you are serious about attending this school, use this information to help guide your course selection and college plan.

Your High School Record

Colleges will look at the classes you took based on what was available to you. They want to see that you took advantage of opportunities and that you challenge yourself. Take advantage of this by choosing the hardest classes that you can complete successfully.

Your Standardized Test Scores

Prepare for the tests that you are going to take.

If you need to, retake the test to raise your scores. Many schools will look at the highest score you achieved.
There are many programs available to help you succeed on these tests and to improve your score. Check with Dr. Ostroff in the College and Career Center for information on how to prepare for these tests or improve your score and visit our webpage on entrance tests .

Other Factors

Community service, volunteer activities, extracurricular activities and work experience are all important in the college admission process.

Participation in these types of activities demonstrates your personal qualities and interests. Be able to speak to your leadership skills and/or your personal development through your activities.

Do not try to do it all, identify your interests and focus on clubs, community/volunteer opportunities and work in those fields as much as possible.

If your need to work prevents you from extracurricular and community involvement, be sure to include this on your application.

 

Filling in the Application

Use the same name that is on your transcript for all your college and scholarship applications.

On line application

Many schools have their applications online and some prefer an online application.

If you apply online, be sure to check with the school about two weeks after you send it to make sure they have it on file.
Paper application

If you mail in your application, be sure to fill it in very neatly.
Use black ink and print neatly or use a typewriter.
If you are nervous about making mistakes:
1. make a xerox copy of the application and fill that out first.
2. Proof read and correct any mistakes on your copy
3. then fill in the real form..
Filling in all applications
Read the questions carefully and answer honestly.
Answer all questions, if a question does not apply to you, use N/A or 0 for blanks.
Do not leave any question blank as it will appear that the application is not complete and your application will be delayed.
Make sure your application is complete. Be sure to any additional supplemental information and forms are filled out and included. This is especially important if you are using the common application.
Application fees should be included with your application.
If you apply online, you will need a major credit card or electronic check to submit your application fee.

 

Letters of Recommendation

Ask an academic teacher, who knows you well, to write a letter of recommendation for you.
 
Follow up with your teacher to be sure they have sent your recomendation!

Ask the teacher if they know you well enough to write a positive evaluation.

If they hesitate or seem doubtful, find someone else!

 

If you are a fine arts student, have one of your fine arts teachers write a recommendation
Give your teachers at least three weeks notice to write the letter.
Let them know if the letter needs to emphasize a special accomplishment or skill.
Give them a stamped envelope addressed to the college with the recommendation form.
Be sure to write a formal thank you to anyone who writes a letter for you letting them know you appreciate the time and effort they spent on your behalf.

 

The Essay

As part of your application you will be asked to write an essay.

The application and your transcript give the college the basic information they need about your academic performance.
The essay gives you an opportunity to let the college know who you are and why they should select you over other qualified candidates.

Here are some examples of essay topics from recent applications:

  1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
  2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
  3. Describe one example of a leadership or service experience in which you have significantly influenced others, faced a noteworthy challenge, helped resolve a dispute, or contributed to group efforts. You may include in or out-of-school responsibilities, actions, and initiatives.
  4. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
  5. Describe a character in fiction, an historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
  6. A range of academic interests, person perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you bring to the diversity in a college community,or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity for you.
  7. Topic of your choice.

 

Common Application

The Common Application is a form which allows students to apply to several prospective out-of-state colleges and universities using only one application.
Depending on the school, there may be supplemental material required in addition to the common application.
See Dr. Ostroff for more information or go online to www.commonapp.org . This web site has a list of all the schools accepting this application and their additional supplemental material.
If you use the common application remember that any supplemental material must be submitted to the specific college requesting the material. Be sure to follow the instructions for supplemental material, each college or university may have different guidelines.

In-State Applications and Options

Applications are available in the Career and College Center,however, most schools prefer that you apply on line.

Applications for the U of A, ASU, the U of A , and Pima Community college are available on their web pages.
U of A : http://admissions.arizona.edu/Ways_to_apply.htm
ASU: https://sec.was.asu.edu/ugapp/mainmenulogic
NAU: http://www4.nau.edu/uadmissions/profiles/apply.htm
Pima Community College: http://www.pima.edu/admissions/

Options for starting at Pima and moving on to the University of Arizona

PJAE
Pima Community College and the University of Arizona have a program for joint enrollment.
If you are in the top 25% of your class you may be eligible for the Program for Joint Admission and Enrollment (PJAE).
Participation in this program is by invitation from PJAE only.
Contact the PCC PJAE Director Betty Elasowich at 206-6677 for further information.

Other Arizona In-State options

AGEC
The Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) is a thirty-five semester credit "block" that you can complete at any Arizona community college.
Completion of the AGEC with a grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale guarantees your admission to Arizona state universities if you are a resident student.
Completion of the AGEC also means that you will have met the lower-division general studies requirements at any of the Arizona public universities for the majors that articulate with that AGEC
. For more information visit http://az.transfer.org/cas/students/whatsagec.html .

 

For more information on these options see Dr. Ostroff