College Admissions Myth?
Financial Aid
College 101
College True/False
Questions
100
Colleges prefer well-rounded students.
Fact: Colleges want well-rounded classes. To create them, they need students who excel or spike in one particular area.
100
Money that needs to be repaid with interest.
What is a loan?
100
A process by which colleges review and make decisions about applications as they are received. The application cycle usually opens in the early fall and may extend into the spring or until the freshman class is filled.
What is rolling admissions?
100
You should ask any person for a recommendation letter for your college application.
(False) You should ask a trusted adult who you know well and that knows about your strengths and activities you are involved in.
100
What are two things to do to strengthen your college application?
Participate in extracurricular activities Do well in school Study for the SAT Visit the school Talk to an admissions counselor
200
Don't tie yourself down to one school by applying early decision.
Fact: If you have a first-choice college, you should absolutely apply to it early decision. Early decision has been shown to increase one's chance of admission by as much as 25% over regular decision admission rates.
200
A financial aid award that does not need to be repaid or earned through work.
What is a grant? (also Gift Aid or Scholarship)
200
The practice of reviewing an applicant’s file and making an admissions decision without regard to the student’s ability to pay.
What is need-blind admissions?
200
If you graduate college you will on average make more money than just a high school graduate.
(True) Average annual income in 2004: College Education: $51,206 High School Education: $27,915
200
What are two ways to get familiar with a college and the things you need to apply to their school?
Call the school Visit the school Attend a college fair Research the school online Talk to someone who goes to or went to the school
300
If you're getting a C in an AP course, just keep at it. Colleges will be impressed with your determination.
Fact: Don't take a class in which you can't maintain a B. Colleges are impressed by students who know their capabilities and don't bite off more than they can chew.
300
Financial aid given on the basis of merit, not financial need.
What is merit aid?
300
The policy of some colleges of admitting certain students who have not completed high school—usually students of exceptional ability who have completed their junior year. These students are enrolled full-time in college.
What is early admissions?
300
You have to live at the college or university that you attend.
(False) You can attend college and live at home or in an apartment not on campus.
300
What are scholarships?
Scholarships is money that can be used for college and do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded by various people, including the state and federal governments, public and private organizations, and colleges and universities
400
No college will take the time to look at your Facebook page.
Fact: Admissions officers will absolutely look at any and all of your social-networking profiles, so make sure you're not putting anything out there you wouldn't want to see on the front page of The New York Times.
400
Admissions process that considers a student’s ability to pay in the final admissions.
What is need-sensitive (or need-aware) admissions?
400
An application process that typically allows a student to apply by November 1 or November 15 and receive a decision by December 15 that does not bind the student to attend if admitted.
What is Early Action?
400
You cannot go to college unless you or your family has a lot of money and can pay for you to attend college.
(False) There is a lot of financial aid available for students, especially for low-income DC students.
400
What are the benefits of starting to prepare for applying to college early?
Know what is going on Organization Take advantage of opportunities Extra time Extra money
500
By the time you get to the application, the hard work is done.
Fact: You have 5 pages to represent 17 years of your life. Every word has to count, and essays must be written and rewritten many times. Don't underestimate the time it takes to make sure your application is the best it can be. Colleges also look at senior grades to see if you are slacking.
500
A component of need-based financial aid in which the student works part-time; a campus or other job that is supported by government or institutional funding.
What is work-study?
500
An application process that typically allows a student to apply by November 1 or November 15 and receive a decision by December 15 that commits the student to attend if admitted.
What is Early Decision?
500
What is the SAT?
The SAT is the Standardized Admissions Test which colleges use as part of the admissions criteria.
500
What are two extracurricular activities that you can participate in to help with preparing for college?
SAT Prep classes Summer programs for college prep Meeting with your guidance counselor Talking with your mentor about college Joining Ready Club Volunteering/Internships
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