Frequently Asked Questions in the Admissions Process

Yes, if a student is struggling with a class and needs extra attention or a student wants more one-on-one teaching. 

• Pursue passions and interests 
• Get involved
• Contribute to the community
• Commitment matters!!
• Schools are more interested in depth of service and activity, rather than a laundry list of every club in your school.
• Be a leader
• Focus on self-discovery; not getting into college!

• Summer studies are “encouraged” to help student pursue passions and interests, and aid in self-exploration and enrichment. Summer activities also demonstrate student motivation, and may assist with extra help and the improvement of skills. 
• Remember that summer services do not have to be too complicated or extravagant; Camden is more accessible than Costa Rica!

• Grades in college prep/honors/AP courses 
• Strength of curriculum; increasingly more difficult
• Standardized tests
• Grades in all courses
• Essays
• Demonstrated Interest
• Recommendations; 
• Teacher and School Counselors
• Interview
• Extra-curricular activities/Community Service/Employment

• A college that matches student priorities, goals, needs, talents, and values 
• A place where student can thrive and be successful
• Academically and socially fitting for student after experiencing campus
• A school that is financially accessible and supported
• Don’t focus on a place; focus on your passion and skills THEN make a fit.
• No one-size fits all!

• Read and write as much as you can 
• Read articles on unfamiliar topics to test understanding
• New York Times and Wall Street Journal
• Study vocabulary; look up unfamiliar words, make flashcards
• Take challenging courses
• Study hard
• SAT question of the day; get mobile app or test prep companies offer both SAT/ACT daily questions
• Sample questions and tests on SAT/ACT websites
• Take a full sample test on line during the scheduled SAT/ACT hours
• Khan Academy
• Books with practice tests

• Both generally accepted 
• Check with individual colleges
• “Spokesmen for both say their formats favor only one type of student: the one with a good grasp of material taught in rigorous high school courses”- New York Times, November 4, 2007.
• “Superscore”- taking the best scores of each component/best test date/all scores 
• Some colleges want to see all scores
• Check college for details

• PSAT – Sophomore year for practice
• PSAT – Fall of Junior year for National Merit Consideration
• SAT – Fall or Winter or Spring of Junior year and Fall of Senior year

• Only national admission tests where student chooses tests that best showcase achievements and interests. 
• Opportunity to show colleges academic strengths.
• Provide a more complete picture of academic background and interests.
• Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science.

Students should take rigorous courses, and work hard to earn the best grades they can. Colleges place more weight on higher grades in Honors and Advanced Placement courses, but students should focus more on earning the best grades they can.