The College Application Process


This section of our site is full of useful information about the college application process.  Some material is primarily directed toward juniors as they begin systematically thinking and preparing for the college application process.  While some of the information is useful for seniors, it is understood that they should be well into the application process at this point.  We encourage parents to browse through all of this information, regardless of your son’s age, and hope it is useful to you.

Below is the electronic version of our printed College Guide (hard copy available from the college counselors):
 
 HeightsCollegeGuide.pdf


For Juniors:

Applying to College: Getting Started

1)    Try to visit the colleges or universities that interest you as soon as possible.  Send for or download applications.

2)    If not already done so, obtain your Social Security # (U.S. citizenship not required).

3)    Read three books on the Summer Reading List . . .  and then some!

4)    Review for accuracy The Heights academic transcript.

5)    Explore interests that you have developed over the last few years, e.g. service projects, hobbies, employment.

6)    Write up a complete list of accomplishments (academic, extracurricular, athletic) for the teachers who will be writing  your recommendation letters.   This list will be needed when school resumes in the fall.

7)    If planning to apply for ROTC, obtain necessary forms and get teacher recommendations.  Prepare CV for counselor reference.

8)    The summer is a good time to start writing the essays to be included in your college application.

9)    If planning to take the SAT in October, use the summer months to prepare for it.  Consider taking a preparatory course.

10) Explore the rest of the college area: Financial Aid · Useful Websites


For Seniors:

How to Begin the College Application Process

1. Go to the Naviance site http://connection.naviance.com/heights and submit your transcript requests.

2. In the Main Office (in orange trays on top of the medical cabinet) pick up one *SSR (Secondary School Report) for every college you are planning to apply to. Each college counselor has their own SSR so be sure to pick up the right one.

*Replaces any secondary school report supplies by the college or the Common Application and is accepted by all colleges.

3. Complete your portion of the SSR and give to your collge counselor. Be sure to sign the waiver.

4. Complete your application being sure to keep a copy for your records and click send or mail to the college.

5. Ask two teachers to write recommendations for you. Present them witha stamped, addressed envelope. Besure to remember to write each of them a thank you note.


Schedules and Deadlines


Schedule For Early Decision or Early Admission:

Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) are for students who have decided on a college or university that they believe is exactly right for them.  ED is binding: You must withdraw all other applications. You must attend that school. Due consideration is therefore a crucial step in this process.  EA is NOT binding.
Both ED and EA are for students who have an exceptionally strong academic record from 9th to 11th grade, and who have done very well on their first SAT I test.

Junior Year:
January-March: Consider need for SAT Prep Course
March-June: Take SAT I, and one or two SATII, plus a few AP Exams
June-August: Visit ED or EA school; visit other schools for comparison.
Senior Year:
September: Take SAT I again, if needed, as well as SAT II (two is the minimum); Test date NO later than early October; ask teachers for recommendation letters.
October: Give Registrar school report forms by 10/01; finish final draft of application essay by 10/10; put application in the mail by 10/25.




Visits from College Representatives

The 2007 College Fairs at The Heights:

Juniors and Seniors will gather in the new Upper School building for generalized, five-minute presentations by the individual college representatives and subsequently be able to query the representatives about the specifics of their school.  

•    Thursday, September 27th (12:00-1:30 p.m.)
•    Thursday, October 25th (12:00-1:30 p.m.)

Other College Fairs/College visits in the area:
•    September 19th (7 p.m.):  Yale University representatives will be at Walt Whitman highschool, 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, MD.
•    September 29th (11 a.m.-2 p.m.): The 2007 McDonald’s College Expo will be held at the Historic Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C

     October 7th (7 p.m.) Princeton University representatives will be at the Marriott in Tysons Corner, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182. They will return to the area on October 29th (7 p.m.) to the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, 300 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.