This month

Working and managing your money

• Feature — Learning to increase income and decrease expenses
• Your turn — Service-learning programs
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Understanding the college admissions process

When it comes to applying for attendance at a technical school, college, or university, there are different types of admissions processes you may encounter. Some schools offer more than one application method, others may only offer one. It will help you if you understand these forms of application before you begin the process.

Standard or regular admissions
This is one of the most common formats of applying. Usually in standard or regular admissions, you will need to meet a deadline to submit your application, and the school selects their next first-year class from that pool of applicants. Depending on the school, it is possible that it may be more difficult to be accepted, either because the school's academic standards are highly competitive, or it receives an extremely large pool of applications compared to its available slots for new students. Some schools offer a late deadline. However, it is best to apply before the regular deadline because application fees are typically lower and your chances of acceptance are greater. Also, more financial aid assistance may be available for the first round of applications.

Early admissions
Some schools offer an early admissions process, typically for students with above-average to outstanding academic credentials. With a deadline that is usually two to three months before the standard or regular admissions deadline, students who are planning to apply for early admissions need to have their materials prepared much earlier in the year. Be aware that some schools require students that are accepted as part of an early admissions process to attend if accepted. Therefore, consider this option only if you are convinced you will be happy attending the school if you are accepted.

Open admissions
Schools that offer an open admissions policy accept applications on a continuous basis, sometimes throughout the year. Also known as a "rolling admissions policy," many schools will accept students who apply as long as they meet standard academic requirements. Open admissions can be an attractive option for students, because it offers the most flexibility and allows you to go through the admissions process whenever you are ready.

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Your turn

Electronic common college applications

Applying to several schools can be tedious and time consuming. However, the colleges you're considering may participate in a common application process that can cut down on some of the paperwork.

The basic idea is the same for all of them: create, edit, and proof your application once, and submit it to multiple colleges and universities in print or electronic format.

How do I know if a college accepts electronic common applications?
Each online application has its own list of participating colleges, and many colleges participate in more than one system. But, before you apply, make sure the school you want to attend accepts electronic applications.

How are common applications submitted?
Some of the applications can be submitted electronically. Others, you can print and mail. Some colleges offer their own online applications. Visit the Web site of a college to find out which options are available.

Web sites that offer common applications:

• The Common Application
  The Common Application is the recommended form of 230 selective colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs.
  www.commonapp.org
• Princeton Review
  Easy access to a simple to follow approach to applying to hundreds of colleges online.
  www.princetonreview.com
• CollegeNET
  An easy to use searchable connection to online college applications.
  www.collegenet.com

To learn more about college applications, visit AIE's "Apply To School" page (www.AIE.org/HighSchool/Applying/index.cfm).

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

• Purchase an organizer to record important test and homework dates and club meetings.
• Check with your high school counselor to learn how your school determines grade point average and class rank.
• Listen for announcements and watch for postings of club and organization meetings that you plan to join or participate in.
• Get involved in a community service cause where you can donate some of your time and talents. There are many good causes that could use your help.

For sophomores

• Purchase an organizer to record important test and homework dates and club meetings. Set three goals to accomplish this first semester. They can be academic, extracurricular, or personal goals.
• Listen for announcements and watch for postings of club and organization meetings that you plan to join or participate in.
• Get involved in a community service cause where you can donate some of your time and talents. There are many good causes that could use your help.

For juniors

• Purchase an organizer to record important schoolwork dates and club meetings. Remember you'll need to keep track of all activities for your senior resume.
• Listen for announcements and watch for postings of club and organization meetings in which you plan to participate.
• Listen for announcements, watch the bulletin boards, and talk to your high school counselor to find out when college representatives will be visiting your high school campus.
• Look for announcements for college fairs or college nights at your school or at neighboring schools.
• Schedule some time to start reviewing for the PSAT which will be administered in October at your high school.

For seniors

• Give teachers, counselors, and other adults any recommendation forms necessary for college applications. Don't forget to attach a resume.
• Start writing your college and scholarship application essays. Find someone to proof them for you.
• Start first drafts of college and scholarship applications.
• If you are an athlete and you are considering playing a sport at the collegiate level, obtain an NCAA Clearinghouse form from your registrar or guidance counselor.
• Order transcripts as necessary.
• Spend some time on weekends looking over practice test materials.

For parents

• Before it gets lost, make copies of your child's schedule, complete with subjects, teachers' names, and room numbers. Keep a copy handy at home and at work.
• Record your child's locker number and combination. This is helpful if your child is ill and you need to pick up books and materials from their locker.
• Provide assistance and support to your teenager in setting up study times and organizing outside activities. Students benefit from your encouragement and your interest as they try to juggle all the events in a new school year.
• Attend the school's Open House Night. Once students enter high school, many parents are less inclined to participate in school sponsored evenings. Yet, it's very helpful to meet the teachers and listen to the course descriptions and expectations. Attending also lets the teacher know that you are interested in your child's education. Find out the schedule and process for distribution of progress reports and report cards.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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