Answers to frequently asked questions about applying to U.S.colleges Is it okay to send additional material that I think will support my application? In most cases, you should only submit the information requested. Colleges put a lot of thought into their admission packages; they have determined what information they need from each applicant and do not have the time, resources or desire to sift through material that they consider unnecessary. Consult your school counselor if you feel it is critical that you provide additional material. Colleges look negatively on students who don’t follow their directions explicitly. Do colleges really care about your senior year grades? They do care, and they’re paying attention. Colleges want to be sure that you have maintained the level of academic performance that you’ve shown them, and are ready to succeed in higher education. Your high school sends a mid-year transcript with your application — and also sends one to the college of your choice at the end of the year. The college expects to see that you have kept up the same rigorous program the whole year. Your acceptance offer could be withdrawn if the college feels that a bad attitude caused your grades to drop. How many times should I take the SAT? Most students take the SAT twice — once in the spring of junior year and once in the fall of senior year. You should practice for the SAT before you take it. Use the free online practice materials available to get an idea of what the actual test is like. You may want to take the test a third time if you think you could significantly improve your scores. Why should I apply to colleges that I know my family can’t afford? You don’t know which colleges your family can afford until you get an estimate based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that you submit at the beginning of January in your senior year. The FAFSA determines what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is, and what types of aid the college can offer you. Many families discover that they can get financial aid and afford colleges that they thought were beyond their budget. What is the Common Application and should I use it? The Common Application is a standardized first-year application form that you can use to apply to many colleges. There are both online and print versions available. More than 400 colleges currently accept the Common Application. Some of the colleges may also request additional materials when you apply. Source: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/8487.html | 