college counseling FAQ

1) Where should I begin the search?	10) What is the NCAA Clearinghouse? Do I need to register?
2) What resources will help me begin my search?	11) What is the CEEB code for Waterford?
3) When should I visit colleges that interest me?	12) Which SAT-II Subject Tests do I need to take?
4) Do I need an interview?	13) After I’ve registered, can I change my mind about which Subject Test to take?
5) Should I interview on campus or with an alumni interviewer?	14) When must I make my decision about where I will attend college?
6) How should I prepare for an interview?	15) Can I reserve places at more than on college on the May 1 deadline?
7) Should I figure out what I want to study before I make my college list?	16) When will I hear from colleges about my aid package?
8) Shouldn’t I just choose one college, apply early, and try to get admitted?	17) If my financial aid offers vary widely, what should I do?
9) How important are the SAT-I and/or ACT? How often should I take these tests?

1) Where should I begin the search?

Begin at the beginning. Ask the who, what, when, where, how and why questions. Examine your personal priorities, then select colleges that closely match those priorities. Why do you want to go to college? What do you want to learn/study? How will college help you become who you want to be? Consider possibilities. Keep options open and dream a little.

2) What resources will help me begin my search?

The Waterford College Counseling library has many useful guidebooks, catalogs, and brochures to help you get started. Bookstores and libraries are wonderful resources for college-related books and software. So is the Internet. There are many websites where you can find important information about searching for colleges. As you find resources and have questions, talk with your college counselor about them.

3) When should I visit colleges that interest me?

Begin touring as early as possible – the summer before junior year is a good time to start. This is when most students and families have the opportunity to travel. Colleges at which interviews are recommended or required usually have more open slots during the summer. However, fall and spring visits provide more of an opportunity to sit in on classes, talk with students and see the college in full swing. Try to avoid scheduling visits during breaks, during special events, right before exams, or at the very beginning of the term. During any of these times, students and staff are likely to be pre-occupied or absent!

4) Do I need an interview?

Interviews do make impressions; and if an interview is required, it will carry some weight with the admissions committee, particularly if you are a borderline applicant. Even if the interview is only optional, you should strongly consider scheduling one. The interview is your chance to show the admissions officer or alumnus your personality and self-confidence. At the interview, you will want to appear bright, interested, mature, and at ease to make a good impression. An outstanding interview can win over an admissions officer. But very few students are rejected because they bombed their interviews.

5) Should I interview on campus or with an alumni interviewer?

If at all possible, visit the school and interview with an admissions officer. The interview may be conducted by an officer who will later review your application. An interview is sometimes another way for colleges to determine the level of interest and commitment on the part of the candidate. That said, colleges repeatedly say that being interviewed by a local alumni volunteer counts equally with an on-campus interview. Convenience and cost have encouraged the use of alumni representatives.

6) How should I prepare for an interview?

It is important to prepare yourself for the interview. Good preparation will boost your self-confidence and will help you be more at ease and enthusiastic at your interview. Before the interview, think of answers to questions such as:

-What do you hope to gain from your college experience?
-Why do you want to go to this school?
-What activities outside the classroom do you plan to participate in at college?
-What is your greatest accomplishment?
-What is your family like?Who has most influenced you and how?
-Who is your favorite author?
-What books have you read in the last year?

Keep in mind that you will be expected to ask questions during the interview, as well as answer them. Think of some good questions before you go into the interview, ones that you genuinely want to learn the answers to and that aren’t already answered in the college brochure.
Here are some examples of questions that you could ask:
Why would you recommend this school?
What is the school’s greatest asset?
What does the school need to improve upon?
How would you describe the student body?
What do students typically do immediately after graduation?
What are the most active extracurricular activities and organizations?

7) Should I figure out what I want to study before I make my college list?

Possibly. If you plan to major in something specialized, such as engineering, fine arts, communications, music, architecture, certain foreign languages, etc., then you will be better served by constructing a college list that encompasses strong departments in your interests. If your goals are more general, you will find that virtually all selective colleges have strong liberal arts programs: biology, English, history, and math. At many of these colleges, you will not need to declare your major until your sophomore year. So then, what becomes important in creating your college list may be factors such as the size, location, type of college, philosophy, and academic offerings at various schools.

8) Shouldn’t I just choose one college, apply early, and try to get admitted?

Applying under an “Early Action” or an “Early Decision” plan to your top-choice school is not for everyone. If you decide to apply early, it should be because you have done thorough research. You should explore your options, ask questions about yourself, assess your academic needs and goals, and talk to your college counselor and parents before making this decision. For more information about applying early, see “Applying early decision/early action” under “The Application” heading.

9) How important are the SAT-I and/or ACT? How often should I take these tests?

The SAT-I and/or ACT are important credentials in the college admission process, but they should be seen as secondary to your academic record. We suggest that you take the SAT-I and ACT once each in the spring of your junior year and then typically once in the fall of your senior year. Most students improve their score upon taking the test again, although if you are very pleased with your score the first time, there is no need to retake the test.

10) What is the NCAA Clearinghouse? Do I need to register?

The NCAA maintains a Clearinghouse for both recruiting and eligibility purposes. All students who plan or hope to play sports for a Division I or II school must register with the Clearinghouse. To do so, you must complete the Student Release Form, which can be obtained from the College Counseling office or directly from the Clearinghouse. It is best to register at the end of the junior year.

11) What is the CEEB code for Waterford?

450328. You will need this number in order to register for tests, as well as on the FAFSA if you are applying for financial aid.

12) Which SAT-II Subject Tests do I need to take?

Each student is responsible for meeting the requirements specified by his or her college choices. With the new SAT that includes a writing section, most selective colleges require two SAT-II Subject Tests. A very few still require three. Usual choices for Waterford students are Math, History, Literature, one of the foreign languages, or chemistry or physics if students have taken honors or AP classes. Certain colleges or programs, however, may require Math or Foreign Language, while many engineering programs require Chemistry or Physics, in addition to Math. You should take the appropriate Subject Test as soon as possible after completing the relevant course, while the material is freshest in your mind.

13) After I’ve registered, can I change my mind about which Subject Test to take?

You may register for up to three different Subject Tests offered on a single test date. On the test date, however, you may substitute any Subject Test, EXCEPT for the Language Tests with Listening.

14) When must I make my decision about where I will attend college?

You are generally required to respond to an admission offer no later than May 1. Typically, you will send in a commitment fee (from $50 to $500) along with a statement or form indicating your intent to enroll at that institution. Many schools will provide a postcard, in order to make it easy to respond. Be aware that you are expected to also write to the other colleges where you have been offered admission, in order to thank them and let them know that you are declining their offer.

15) Can I reserve places at more than on college on the May 1 deadline?

You may commit to only one college. This is a matter of ethics as well as a rule, and if you deposit at more than one college, you may get in trouble with the colleges who are expecting you to enroll. This “trouble” can be as severe as withdrawing your offer of admission. Your final transcript is sent to only one college.

16) When will I hear from colleges about my aid package?

Colleges usually mail their financial aid awards either with the acceptance letter or within a week or two of the acceptance letter. You should not commit to any college until you have received written notice of your financial aid.

17) If my financial aid offers vary widely, what should I do?

If your best financial aid package is from your first choice college, accept their offer! If your first choice college wasn’t as generous as some other colleges, you should contact the financial aid office at your top college choice. DO NOT count on negotiating your financial aid offer. DO ask the aid officers to help you understand the wide variance in awards, making sure that the aid office understands any special circumstances in your family. Sometimes (not often), aid officers will reconfigure your package.