Applying to College

Student Responsibilities
Step 1.  Obtain the applications.  How?

• When your write or send for information from colleges, an application should always be sent. 
• Pick them up at either NACAC’s Visual & Performing Arts Fair or National College Fairs.
• Use college or university websites to download and print applications.

Step 2.  Determine the individual deadlines for each of your schools and set your personal deadline 
            for completion one month in advance of that date.

Step 3.  Get Organized: Keep a separate file for each college. Make a master calendar with dates and
deadlines for every step of the process.  Include your personal deadlines on the master calendar.

Step 4.  Ask teachers for letters of recommendation.  You are expected to request a minimum of two letters: one from an academic teacher and one from an arts teacher. You must give to them the accompanying teacher recommendation form if a school has one. You may include one letter from an outside private teacher, director, etc.

Step 5.  Thoroughly complete all application information requested on the forms.  Leave no blanks.
You should be the sole author of your applications. You need to complete all required materials and submit everything at least two weeks prior to a school’s published deadline.

Step 6.  Set up a personal appointment with the College Counselor to process the application.

Step 7.  Arrange for visits and/or interviews at colleges of your choice.

Step 8.  If you waited to December of your senior year to finally take the SAT and/or ACT, then
It is your responsibility to have your ACT or SAT scores sent to your colleges. You receive
four freebies when you register for the tests (just remember to fill-in the different school codes to where you’d like your scores sent), beyond that; it is at least $7.00 for each score sent. Send scores by contacting the Collegeboard (www.collegeboard.com or 609.771.7600) or ACT (www.act.org or 319.337.1313)

Plan Ahead!
You must allow a minimum of three weeks for all applications to be processed in order to make the college’s deadline. January 1st applications will not be processed over the holiday vacation. They are due at least two weeks before the break. Your college counselor might not have time to process your application if you bring it in the day before break. So plan ahead or else it might sit and wait over the holiday vacation until it is sent out.

What Next?
Bring your completed application materials to the College Counselor.  Set up an appointment to package all application materials in one envelope.  This means that the College Counselor will look over your materials for accuracy and completeness.  Then, the College Counselor will be responsible for adding the school’s confidential component to this package:

• the official transcript with the school’s seal (Note: this cannot be sent unless cleared first by the Finance Office.  If your family is delinquent in their account to the school, the school will send an unofficial transcript, which colleges may or may not accept.)
• the school profile
• the counselor letter of recommendation and form
• any teacher recommendations and forms that have been placed in your file

This material is then placed in a sealed envelope.  The signature of the College Counselor is placed across the seal and then taped shut.  This assures the college admissions office that materials are original and authentic.  This material may not be sent home with you.  It may only be sent out through the college counseling office.  If you left your application or check at home, this material must remain at school.

The College Counselor will maintain an individual file for your sent application materials, record of mailing dates and letters of recommendation, and other notes.  This will be combined with your standardized testing file at the end of the school year.  By signing an application, you have given you have given the Arts Academy your permission to release your transcript to that particular school. If you send your application online, you will still need to sign a transcript release form that can be done in the college counseling office.

It is our strongest recommendation that all application materials be sent in one package.  If your application materials are sent under separate cover, the Arts Academy staff will not be held responsible for their receipt.

Frequent Application Blunders
These are some errors made all too often that can impede your entire application process or its effectiveness:

• They are not filled out completely.  Never leave a space unanswered.
• They are not filled out as requested: Follow all directions.
• Applications are messy and illegible: Some poor admissions clerk or counselor is too busy to decipher hieroglyphics.
• Applications are filled out in pencil: This is college, not third grade.
• Applications have words misspelled or crossed out: Whiteout is cheap.
• The nickname is used: Use your legal name.  Use the exact name that is on the SAT, ACT, and social security number.
• Checks are forgotten.  The application will not be processed without it.

Stellar Applications
Here is what helps to make your applications shine:

• Type the application form.  If you cannot, then print neatly ~ with black or blue ink only.
• Type the essays and put your name and social security number at the top of each page.
• Match your stated career and college major goals with your high school course work and interests.
• Include a typed resume listing all your accomplishments and hard work during high school.

Send all requested information in one complete package including:

• Application, Recommendations, Transcripts, Test Scores
• Application Fee (check or money order only)
• Essay/s (must be typed)
• Resume (with both personal and professional information)
• Picture (Required for performers.  Recommended strongly for artists and writers.)
• Supporting materials:  slides, CDs or writing samples, supplemental applications