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.

Please feel free to browse our college guide.

Juniors:
How To Prepare

1. Try to visit the colleges or universities that interest you as soon as possible. Send for or download applications.
2. If you have not already done so, obtain your Social Security Number (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 arena: e.g., financial aid and useful websites.

Seniors:
How To Apply

1. Go to the Naviance site and submit your transcript requests.
2. Outside the college couseling offices, on the "college table," pick up one SSR (Secondary School Report) for every college to which you are planning to apply. Each college counselor has their own SSR so be sure to pick up the right one. The SSR replaces any secondary school report supplied by the college or the Common Application and is accepted by all colleges.
3. Complete your portion of the SSR and give to your college counselor. Be sure to sign the waiver.
4. Complete your application from the colleges themselves, being sure to keep a copy for your records. If sending electronically, ensure "send" command is pressed only once. If mailing, make a copy of the envelope (the mailing address) to which it was sent.
5. Ask two teachers to write recommendations for you, well in advance of the published deadlines. Present them with a stamped, addressed envelope. Remember to write them each a thank-you note.

Schedule For Early Decision (ED) or Early Admission (EA)

ED and 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:

1. January-March: Consider need for SAT Prep Course
2. March-June: Take SAT I, and one or two SAT II tests, plus a few AP exams
3. June-August: Visit ED or EA school; visit other schools for comparison.

Senior Year:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Pray.

Visits from College Representatives
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 respective school.

The following schools have presented at The Heights college fair:  Univ. of Chicago, West Point, Loyola (MD), Elon (NC), St. Joseph’s (PA), UMD - College Park, St. Mary’s College (MD), Davidson (NC), Washington Univ (MO), Columbia (NY).