Imagine college preparation as climbing a mountain. Looking at it from the bottom gives it a larger-than-life appearance, but those who have climbed to the top know the benefits of a rock-solid college education. However, “climbing” into college demands adequate skill, hard-work, and the proper resources for reaching the top. Preparation is the most important step to the summit of college, so climbers must choose their routes wisely and assert themselves accordingly. Onveon’s College Preparation section was developed to help potential students advance up the mountain and into college.
Although each school will differ, certain requirements must be met for college applications. Included with the application should be a high school transcript, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities. All of these are vital parts to the application process that ultimately determines which schools accept the student.
Note: Not all application requirements are the same for each school.
High School Transcript: All schools require a high school transcript or a GED in a college application. If a GED is not accepted by a four-year university, a student can attend a community college and transfer after completing a two-year program.
Essays: The purpose of student essays is to give schools a different perspective of a student from what grades and test scores do not reveal. An essay can give a student who was on the border between acceptance and denial a chance to prove their worth to admissions board members. A well written essay can paint a bigger picture of someone, particularly more than the basic information within an application can. If a school requires an essay for application, students should write a clear, comprehensive piece highlighting their qualities and covering their aspirations.
Letters of Recommendation: Another crucial part to the application process is a letter of recommendation. Although letters of recommendation are never mandatory, a well written letter from a significant contact could drastically increase the chances of admission. Letters of recommendation can give college candidates a great advantage to showcase their talents through a third-party’s opinion.
College Interviews: A college interview might be the best way to ensure a positive interaction with a particular school. A successful interview with a college representative will always increase the student’s stock and better their chances of being admitted. Interviews are usually held for schools to meet potential scholarship candidates, but occasionally an interview might be held solely as the basis for acceptance.
Extracurricular Activities: Among other important elements in applying for college, extracurricular activities are equally essential. Schools want shaped individuals involved in something bigger than themselves. A well-rounded set of activities demonstrates a student’s involvement in the community. Extracurricular activities include sports, clubs, and volunteering. Students with a robust collection of extracurricular activities portray integrity, responsibility, and other attributes than are not available through a basic college application.
Examples of Extracurricular activities:
• Church Functions
• Community Services (i.e. elderly assistance, tutoring, community preservation)
• Sports Teams
• Jobs College Admissions Tests
Many colleges require students to take some form of standardized testing before admittance into their programs. Tests for undergraduate and graduate programs evaluate a student’s academic abilities along with other focused skills, depending on which program a student is applying for. While testing for undergraduate programs remains broad, graduate tests are much more detailed to the area of study for individual students. A significant key to acceptance into college programs relies on generally good scores on one or more of the following tests. Note: Not all testing requirements are the same for each school. Undergraduate Programs Admissions Tests
PSAT/NMSQT - Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
This test is taken during the junior year of high school. It serves as two purposes: as a practice for the SATs and as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship. Excelling in this test can qualify a student for different scholarships from colleges and corporations.
Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT
SAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test
The SATs are standardized tests which judges a students overall competency in a variety of academic areas. The results from these tests are strongly considered by four-year universities when determining if a student will be granted admission. There are two different types of SAT exams: SAT Reasoning (previously SAT I) and SAT Subject Tests (previously SAT II). The SAT Reasoning exam is the basic college entrance exam. It is a three hour and forty-five minute test which measures critical reading, math, and writing. The majority of questions are multiple choices. Scores range from 600 – 2400, with each section worth a possible 800 points. The SAT Subject Tests include 22 tests, each worth a possible 800 points, which measure knowledge within five subject areas: English, math, history, science, and languages. Each section is an hour and most of the questions are multiple choice.
ACT - The American College Test
The ACT is a standardized test used for determining college admission. Along with the SAT, the ACT is the other preferred test for entering into four-year universities. The ACT has said to be more understandable than its counterpart, the SAT, because it is less vague and more knowledge-based. Another advantage is the ACT does not take points off for incorrect answers. The ACT is made up of four multiple choice sections: English reading, math, and science. The ACT is scored on a 36 point score (above thirty is considered the 99th percentile). The average score in 2005 was 20.9.
Graduate Program Admissions Tests
GRE - The Graduate Record Examination
The GRE is a standardized test used for the admissions of students into various graduate programs around the country. There are two tests: General and Subject specific. The General Test assesses a student’s verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills and takes about 2 ½ hours to complete. Verbal and mathematical skills are scored on a 200-800 scale using 10 point increments. Writing skills are evaluated separately. Subject tests involve questions concerning the specific area of study the student is testing for. This section takes 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete and is scored from 200 – 990.
LSAT - The Law School Admission Test
The LSAT is a required test by all law schools endorsed by the American Bar Association. The LSAT tests for ability rather than knowledge, because it is marking those who are ready for the immediacy of law school. The LSAT consists of four sections: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and two logical reasoning sections. The test takes half a day to complete with scores ranging from 120 to 180. The national average is about 152. It is offered only four times a year.
Learn more about the LSAT
MCAT - The Medical College Admission Test
The MCAT is taken by students interested in applying to medical schools. A balance of science and problem solving questions offer a sound assessment of a student’s overall ability leading to medical and professional success. The test consists of four sections: physical sciences, biological sciences, verbal reasoning, and writing. The MCAT is an all-day test with breaks throughout. Test scores differ from section to section. The first three multiple choice tests range from 1 to 15 and the writing samples range from J through T. The highest score possible would be a 45t, although a 30P is considered relatively competitive. This test is offered only twice a year during April and August.
GMAT - The Graduate Management Admission Test
The GMAT is taken by students interested in applying for a graduate business management programs (e.g. a MBA program). This test has three comprehensive sections: analytical writing, math, and verbal. The MCAT takes around 4 ½ hours to finish with appropriate breaks in between. Schedules for tests are decided by individual testing centers around the country. The scoring scale is from 200 to 800, with roughly two-thirds of test takers falling between 400 and 600. It is a good idea to participate in a GMAT preparation program.
Manhattan GMAT offers a comprehensive program in GMAT preparation.Learn more about the GMAT
