1. The Building Blocks of College Applications
ACCI 2015
Angelica Melendez, South San Antonio High School
Joseph M. Miller, Cristo Rey Jesuit
Preparatory School of Houston

2. What Makes An Application and an Applicant File Complete?
Student Application
Essays/writing supplements
Counselor Recommendation
Teacher Recommendation(s)
Transcript
Application fee/waiver
Test scores*
School Profile
Not required although might be considered:
Résumé
Interview
Residency Affidavit
Scholarship application(s)
Note: required parts of an application vary from institution to institution

3. College Application Types
ApplyTexas -
( all 2- and 4-year public institutions in TX, and a few private universities.
Common Application –
( used by over 500 colleges & universities in 47 states and DC, as well as 6 European countries; mostly private schools, though some publics have joined.
Institutional Applications –
college may maintain their own application, often in combination with the above.

4. Application Fees
Fee waivers are generally made available to students who qualify for federal free/reduced lunch program, though requirements may vary.
May be waived prior to priority date
Range from $25-$90
Payable with check, credit card, or
waiver
Different waiver types
College Board/ACT
NACAC
Institutional
May require follow up; expect delays
“Actionable” requirement

5. Transcripts Individual courses, indicating year, level, and grade GPA
A well-organized transcript facilitates a fair and thorough review.
Individual courses, indicating year, level, and grade
GPA
Class rank*
Test results*
Grading key or scale
Work with your registrar
TREx and other delivery methods

6. School Profiles
Annual update of your school to be used by college admission representatives – and other members of your community
Contact information,
including CEEB code
Community and school information
Curriculum
Grading and ranking policies
Test score information*
College attendance history
Extracurricular activities
Tips to Remember

7. Standardized Tests College Board: PSAT/SAT/Subject Tests ACT/ASPIRE AP
Reporting of test scores can be an arduous part of completing the application
College Board: PSAT/SAT/Subject Tests
ACT/ASPIRE AP
STAAR (formerly TAKS)
How many times?
Who is responsible for reporting?

8. Counselor Recommendation
Emphasize student’s strengths
Areas where student stands out
Provide anecdotes and specific references
Solicit information from students, teachers, parents
Relevant personal life experiences
FERPA
Two thirds of colleges attribute “considerable or moderate importance” to the recommendations of admitted students

9. Teacher Recommendations
Letters from teachers provide insight on specific ways in which students may succeed academically
Provide personal and classroom insight
Preferably from a core academic subject
Should be from grades 10, 11, 12
How many is enough?
How do counselors support teachers?
Will you track them?
Proofread and provide examples!!

10. Essay and Writing Samples
Allow students to use their own voices and personalize the application
Prompts – Common App, ApplyTexas
Supplemental Essays
Word vs. character limits
Voice
Passive vs. active writing
Dangers of over-editing
Using essays for scholarship applications

11. …and so many more pieces!
Interviews
Housing
Résumé
Scholarships
Financial Aid
Residency
Affidavit