Frequently Asked Questions
College Search
Standardized Testing
Application Process
Financial Aid
Athletics
What makes up a typical college campus visit?
There are two basic components of a college campus visit: an admissions information session and a campus tour. The information session usually is lead by an admissions officer and covers academic programs, admissions criteria, and some student life facts. These sessions can last from 20 minutes to 1 hour. During your campus tour, a current student typically will show you around the college, visiting residence halls, academic buildings and athletic facilities. Tours can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
What role do interviews play in the college admission process and when are they offered?
The summer and fall are appropriate times to set up an individual appointment to speak with an admissions officer. Some interviews are evaluative and impressions gleaned from the conversation are used as a factor in the admissions review. Other interviews are simply informative and are more for the students to asks questions of the interviewer and learn more about the school. Regardless of how the interview is used, they are an excellent way for the student to shine, if they feel comfortable in one on one interactions.
Do you recommend any books about the college admissions process?
Many parents ask if there is a book or books about the process we recommend. While there are many fine reference works available, four are refreshingly candid and challenge some common misperceptions: The College Admissions Mystique by Bill Mayher, (New York, Noonday Press, 1999), College Unranked edited by Lloyd Thacker (Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2005), and Looking Beyond the Ivy League and Colleges That Change Lives by Lauren Pope (New York, Penguin, various dates).
How do I obtain more detailed information about the college process?
The St. Andrew’s College Handbook is a comprehensive resources for the college search and application process. You can download the handbook in the Forms and Downloads section of our site.
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How does the ACT differ from the SAT I?
The ACT is an alternative to the SAT exams. It is a test with four required parts (English, mathematics, reading proficiency, and science reasoning) and one optional section (Writing). ACT Testing requirements vary from college to college. Be sure to check each school’s policy to make sure you are satisfying them. Scores range from 1-36. Unlike the SAT, the ACT is more like a subject test and many students whose SAT scores are low find that their scores improve in comparison when they take the ACT. Most colleges accept the ACT in lieu of SAT I exams and some accept it in lieu of SAT I and SAT II exams. The ACT is scored strictly on the basis of the number of answers which are correct, so it is in the student’s interest to try to answer every question.
Who is responsible for sending SAT I, SAT Subject Test and/or ACT scores to colleges?
It is the student’s responsibility to send official test scores to colleges. St. Andrew’s cannot do that for you. Students should visit the CollegeBoard website to send SAT I and Subject Test scores. Students can also send ACT scores from the ACT website.
What role do SAT Subject tests (formerly called SAT II’s) play in the college admissions process?
SAT Subject Tests are one-hour tests measuring knowledge and skill in particular subject areas. Students may take up to three tests on the same test date, but may not take SAT I and SAT Subject Tests on the same date..
A college might not require an SAT Subject Test. Some colleges require one SAT Subject Test, some require two SAT II exams, and some require three SAT II exams. Some colleges “suggest” at least one SAT II exam. Some colleges are very specific about which SAT II exams they require. Because there is so much variation regarding what exams different colleges require, it is very difficult to give general advice as to which exams should be taken and when. This topic is reviewed as part of the meetings with your College Counselor.
Learning differences and extended time on the SAT I, SAT Subject Tests and ACT:
If you receive testing accommodations at St. Andrew’s, you may be entitled to those accommodations in standardized testing. You must be sure to file the appropriate paperwork and reports to the College Board or the ACT. St. Andrew’s cannot do that for you.
Please remember that neither the College Board nor the ACT will grant accommodations that students do not receive on a normal basis during school, regardless of testing or recommendations by educational professionals.
Mrs. Burke is responsible for assisting students with special testing needs. She cannot do this unless she is aware of your need. Please advocate for yourself by contacting her directly and allow at least 2 months for your paperwork to be processed by the College Board and/or ACT. You may apply for "nonstandard" testing such as extended time only after you have received notice that the appropriate paperwork is in place and that you are approved for "nonstandard” testing.
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What is the difference between Early Action and Early Decision?
Early Action (EA) is a program which allows a student to apply on a given date before the normal application date. Early Action programs normally are not binding but give the student increased options. Early Decision (ED) is a program which allows a student to apply on a given date before the normal application date. Unlike Early Action programs, Early Decision programs are binding and exclusive. What this means is that students who apply ED are making a commitment to that college and, if accepted, they will enroll. Since this is a commitment, only one ED application can be active.
What is a Rolling Admissions process?
Rolling Admissions is a system at some colleges which lets students apply beginning on a certain date and which lets colleges make admissions decisions as the applications arrive with notification date between four to six weeks.
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is a single application accepted by over 300 colleges and universities. For an increasing number of colleges, the Common Application with a supplement is their application. The Common Application is a great time-saver. You complete it once and send copies to other colleges that accept it. Should you use the Common Application or the college’s own application? These colleges have agreed to accept the Common Application as equivalent to their own, it is a great convenience to you to use it and you should feel free to do so. The College Counseling Office normally has a supply of Common Applications, but you need to check the college’s application information to be sure about whether a college-specific supplement is needed. All of this information is available at the Common Application web site, www.commonapp.org.
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What is the definition of financial aid?
Financial Need is a technical term, not a judgment. Need is based on an analysis of your family’s ability to contribute to college costs. That analysis yields a dollar figure that your family is expected to provide. Need is the difference between the “Expected Family Contribution” and the cost of attending the college. Because college costs vary, need may vary from college to college.
Colleges have different strategies for meeting need. Some meet all need with loans and work programs. Some meet all need with a heavier concentration of grants than loans. The best advice is to ask questions about the school’s financial aid policies. Call the school’s financial aid office and ask.
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the basis of all financial aid. It is available in the College Counseling Office in late December of your senior year. You may file it using estimated tax information. We recommend filing it as soon as possible but no later than January 30, even if you are using estimated income and expense information (there is a check-off on the form to indicate that).
∗To obtain more information about the FAFSA please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What is the CSS Profile?
Many private colleges and a few state universities want more information that the FAFSA requires. PROFILE is the device used to get that information. Part I of the PROFILE goes to the College Scholarship Service (CSS) in Princeton. You should file it as early in the fall as you can once you have developed your list of probable college applications. You will receive a Part II of the PROFILE which goes back to CSS. The CSS then crunches the numbers and sends you and the colleges a suggested family contribution (often higher than the one resulting from the FAFSA). The college’s Financial Aid Office considers this when creating a financial aid package for you.
∗For additional information about the PROFILE, please visit http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/indes.jsp.
What is Merit Aid and how can I obtain more information about these opportunties?
Merit-based aid is based on recognition of special skills, talents, or past academic success. Merit aid sometimes is tied to need. Although the vast majority of financial assistance is in the form of need-based aid, there are many, many scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance available. The College Counseling Office has books with information and advice to students describing how to “win” that aid. Additionally, colleges are happy to provide information about grant and scholarship programs they maintain. Some of these programs are highly competitive. Some are virtually automatic if a student has certain academic credentials. Consult the college’s admissions literature for information. Your College Counselor can help locate the information for you if you are having trouble.
There is a great web site, fastweb.com, which is a major source of information and also has warnings about the many scams which unfortunately exist. In general, if you need to pay to apply for a program or to be registered with a financial aid service, be very careful. With the exception of the PROFILE fee, legitimate financial aid services do not require payment.
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What role does the NCAA Clearinghouse play in college athletic recruiting?
If you want to participate at either the NCAA Division I or Division II levels, you must file a NCAA Clearinghouse Initial Eligibility form. This form can be filed at any time in your senior year, but we suggest that you file it before the end of September.
You can obtain the forms and the helpful booklet, “NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” from the NCAA web site at www.ncaa.org. Any student who graduates from St. Andrew’s with an SAT minimum of 820 should automatically meet NCAA academic requirements. Coaches from Division I and II colleges prefer that you have the form on file early so they can be sure of your academic status.
Students who are interested in playing sports in college are encouraged to speak with their coaches and with the Athletic Director.
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