Do you know what you should be working on? Watch my video for tips for high school seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
Standardized testing is used in college admissions to establish a common “standard” for comparing applicants. Most colleges and universities are test-optional, so applicants must carefully review each school’s standardized testing policies to determine their testing strategy.
The ACT is a standardized test administered through ACT.org. The Classic ACT has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The new Core ACT, offered in April 2025, will include English, Math, and Reading, with the science section optional. Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. Scores are averaged to create a composite score.
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is often taken during the 10th and 11th grades. Students who achieve a high score in the 11th grade could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Although the PSAT scoring is complex, it provides a “predicted” SAT score.
The SAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board. It has two sections: math and evidence-based reading and writing. Scores for both sections range from 200 to 800.
SAT Score Choice is the College Board’s practice of allowing students to choose which SAT scores (taken on different days) are sent to colleges.
Superscoring is when a college or university considers the highest section scores across all the dates a student took an exam. Many colleges will superscore the SAT, but some will not superscore the ACT.
Test-optional refers to a college or university policy that allows students to submit standardized test scores or not, without affecting their application status. Some schools do not require an SAT or ACT for admission, but they require test scores for a student to be considered for scholarships. Some colleges are also test-flexible, giving students options regarding which test scores (or sections of tests) to submit for consideration. You may also hear the term “test blind” or “test free,” meaning the college or university will not consider scores for any applicant. Visit the website: https://fairtest.org/test-optional/ for the most up-to-date list of test-optional schools.
As students prepare their college applications, it is essential that they understand the terms used. This will help them determine the best strategy for completing their applications, including how and when to apply.
The Common Application platform is used by more than 1,100 colleges and universities. Students can complete one application and submit it to several schools. Many schools require students to complete a supplemental section, which allows the college or university to ask school-specific questions, including additional writing prompts.
Coalition Application is an application platform created by the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. It has over 170 members. In addition to serving as an application platform, MyCoalition provides students with tools to prepare for the college application process.
A Deferred decision occurs when a student submits an early application, but the college determines it cannot make a decision in the early round. The application is then deferred and considered with the regular admission pool.
Demonstrated Interest is how an applicant shows that they are genuinely interested in attending the school. Students can indicate interest by visiting the campus, communicating with an admissions officer, or following a college on social media. Some schools do not track demonstrated interest, while others do consider it when making admissions decisions.
Early Action (EA) is similar to the Early Decision option. However, the student is not obligated to attend the university. Students submit EA applications in November or December, and decisions are typically released in December or January. Applicants have until May 1st to notify colleges of their intent to enroll.
Early Decision (ED) is a binding application option in which a student applies to a college or university and commits to attending if admitted. Students usually submit ED applications by November 1st or November 15th. Some colleges offer an early decision 2 option with deadlines in January.
A high School Profile is a document often submitted to colleges by a high school counselor with the student’s transcript. It provides colleges with an overview of the course offerings, grading scale, and average standardized test scores. Colleges use this information to review the student’s transcript in the context of their learning environment.
Regular Decision is an application option in which students submit applications in January or later. Decisions are often released in mid-to-late March. Applicants have until May 1st to notify colleges of their intent to enroll.
Priority Deadlines encourage applicants to submit applications by a specific deadline. Colleges often do not guarantee that they will have available admissions space or scholarships after the priority deadline.
Rolling Admission is a process in which a college or university accepts applications and releases decisions continuously. Some colleges with rolling admissions do have priority deadlines.
Single-Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action is an application that restricts students from submitting early action or early decision applications to other schools. Applications submitted under this option are non-binding; however, students must carefully review the REA or single-choice application policies to determine their application plan for the other schools to which they will apply.
Spring Admission is when a college or university admits students but allows them to enroll only in the spring semester. It is a common practice used to help schools control enrollment numbers.
A Waitlist offer is an application decision in which students are reconsidered for admission if the college or university does not meet their enrollment numbers after the May 1st deposit deadline. Students must send an enrollment deposit to another institution by May 1st. If they are accepted from the waitlist, they may withdraw this deposit.
Yield is the percentage of applicants offered admission to a college or university who ultimately enroll.
Figuring out how to pay for college begins with understanding how financial aid works and the total cost of attending. While only some students will apply for financial aid, they should still know what they are paying for.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total cost for a student to attend a college or university for one year. It includes tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, and estimates of additional expenses (such as books and transportation).
The CSS Profile is a financial aid form required by some colleges, primarily private institutions, to be considered for institutional aid. The CSS Profile asks detailed questions about a family’s finances. Students should submit their profiles by the college or university’s stated deadlines, which are usually the same as the admissions application deadline. The College Board administers the CSS Profile.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that helps colleges determine a student’s financial needs and how much federal aid a student receives. The online application can be found at www.fafsa.gov, which becomes available on October 1st of their senior year.
Merit-based aid and Scholarships are given directly to the student by the college or university. Usually, students receive merit money if they are near the top of the average admitted student profile. Some institutions, including all Ivy League schools and many selective small liberal arts colleges, do not offer merit scholarships. Their financial aid programs are solely need-based.
Outside Scholarships are offered by organizations other than the government or a college or university. It can be from a large corporation or a small non-profit. Most outside scholarships do require an application.
Need-blind or need-aware Admission occurs when a college or university considers a student’s financial situation when making an admissions decision. Need-blind colleges do not consider a student’s financial situation, while need-aware colleges do.
Photo by Paul Schafer on Unsplash
As with many other aspects of the college process, making your final decision is an excellent way to learn a significant life skill. You will make decisions for the rest of your life, including deciding what to major in, which internship to apply for, and ultimately, what job offer to accept.
The tables have turned. You have spent years trying to figure out how to impress colleges, and now colleges will spend the next month trying to convince you to enroll. They will send you gifts and fancy pamphlets. They will call you and invite you to special programs.
When the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success was announced in the fall of 2015, questions soon followed. While the main premise of the new platform is to increase access for low-income and first-generation students by providing free tools for the college search and application process, some educators are concerned that the online tools will feed the college admissions frenzy by stipulating additional application requirements for students to obsess over. Meanwhile, the 91 colleges and universities that are backing the new platform claim the tools will “streamline” the college process and encourage disadvantaged students to consider schools they previously may have overlooked.
No matter which side you stand on, the Coalition is becoming a part of the admissions maze. The new “Locker” platform is set to launch in April, and the application is slated to be available in July.
Recently, Nancy Griesemer of the DC College Admissions Examiner posted several updates on the Coalition, based on her conversation with the new interim director, Colin Melinda Johnson. Griesemer provides information on the online tools offered by the platform and updates on the timeline and testing. While aspects of the Coalition tools are still developing, here are the top 5 things students need to know about the new platform and application:
1. Who are the members of the Coalition? The Coalition member list is up to over 90 schools. All of the members must offer an “affordable education.” Public schools must provide low-cost, in-state tuition and private schools must be able to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need (for admitted domestic students). Members must also have a 70% or above graduation rate over 6 years.
2. Who can use the Coalition tools? While the Coalition is geared towards disadvantaged students, any student can apply to a member institution through the Coalition Application. In fact, three Coalition members, University of Florida, University of Maryland College Park and University of Washington, have announced that they will exclusively use the Coalition platform, so all students applying to those schools will need to use the Coalition Application. The reality is that all students may find it helpful to use the Coalition’s virtual Locker to collect materials whether they plan on applying to a Coalition institution or not.
3. Will all member schools be accepting the Coalition Application for the class of 2017? No. While official announcements have not been made, some members will opt to defer using the Coalition Application for current juniors. These schools may be choosing not to participate in the first year of the Coalition Application in order to have more time to develop their individual application requirements (e.g., essay prompts, video submission questions, etc.).
4. What will the application look like? The application requirements and structure of the Coalition Application remains one of the unknowns about the Coalition. As Griesemer notes in her article, member institutions will have the opportunity to customize their application requirements – for example; some may require students to submit a graded assignment in instead of a college essay. Others may opt for additional supplemental essays to obtain more personal insights into who the applicant is and how he or she will contribute to the college community. Students may also be allowed to submit videos or a detailed resume of accomplishments. It is still unknown if there will be a shared personal statement element (like what is offered by the Common Application), but Griesemer noted that some application requirements will be “similar.” Will this create more work for students? Possibly. But it could also provide students with additional opportunities to present themselves to colleges in a more personalized way.
5. Should students use the Coalition Application or the Common Application? Students should first take a look at their list and determine their application options. While the Coalition site explicitly states that member institutions will not “prefer one application system over the other,” students may want to contact colleges offering multiple platforms to ask how materials from each option will be reviewed. Students also need to look at the requirements for both platforms and decide which one will give them the best opportunity to tell colleges what they want them to know. Students should not look at the platforms and decide which one will be “less work.” Instead, they need to examine how they want to present themselves to colleges and which application platform will give them the best method to meet their goals.
As educators, mentors, teachers, counselors, parents and guardians, it is important that we provide students with information (as we receive it) so they can determine the best way to move forward with their college process. There are still many unknowns regarding the Coalition, but students need guidance, not opinions, to determine which platform to use to apply to the colleges on their list. Teaching students how to make well-informed decisions and examine what is in their best interest is a life lesson that will serve them well in the college process and beyond.
Whether a student has dreamed of attending a certain college since the age of 5 or has not even thought about what they want from their college experience, I always give students who are beginning the college process the same piece of advice: Do “practice” college visits.
It is difficult to expect students to articulate any thoughts about the college process if they have never been on a college campus. Doing “practice” college visits is a practical way for students to begin formulating an opinion on what they are looking for in their college experience.
To do “practice” college visits, you don’t need to spend a lot of money and travel across the country to see “best” university out there. You should begin with a college that is within driving distance of your home. The purpose of a “practice” visit is to collect general information, rather than expressing interest in that particular college. The student can be adamant that they won’t apply to the college or university you visit (and that is perfectly fine).
When planning a “practice” visit, you need to register for the information session and campus tour through the admissions page of the college’s website. Many schools offer Saturday visit times, so look at your schedule and simply pick a day to attend.
Look for local colleges that can offer varying perspectives. Visit a small, medium and large university to gain perspective on size. Try to visit rural, urban and suburban schools to learn how locations vary.
As you visit campuses, pay attention to:
If you don’t have different types of colleges and universities near you, try to do a few visits while on a family vacation. Taking a road trip this summer? See what colleges are on the way to your final destination. Again, the point is not to spend a lot of money if you are just beginning to formulate ideas about your college process.
A “practice” visit should be relaxed- designed to ease the student into the idea of college. By doing a “practice” visit (or two) you will be able to shape your college criteria and then create a true list of schools you are interested in exploring.
Need more direction for your college process? Check out the Ideal College Planning Timeline to get started!
Happy touring!
The applications, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, transcripts and perfect essays are submitted. Your applications are complete and all you can do now is wait.
