You’ve done your homework. You’ve visited the campuses. You’ve narrowed the field of high schools to which you’re planning to apply. Now it’s time for the real test: getting into the school. here are some helpful guidelines from area experts.
DO
1: Be punctual.
“It is better to be early than late,” says Laura Schulte, director of enrollment management at Rosati-Kain High School. Being late for anything—whether it’s an interview, a school visit, or an application deadline—doesn’t reflect well on the student. Application deadlines widely vary from school to school; it’s important to note all of the deadlines for schools where you’re applying and turn in the applications on time.
2: Be prepared for the interview.
Before handing in applications, make copies for your records, then go back to review the forms before the interviews. The questions and answers sometimes arise during interviews. It’s also a good idea to brush up on the school. “If you made it to the interview part, the school already knows you are a good student,” says Erik Carretero, associate director of admissions at Chaminade College Preparatory School. He recommends that students prepare by knowing about the school—specifically, the activities that excite them the most.
3: Be honest.
“Being open and honest is the most important thing,” says Lisa Gnade, director of enrollment at Lutheran High School of St. Charles County. Schulte concurs: “Be honest with what you want from the school, and I can be honest on whether we can offer that for you.”
DON'T
1: Don't put too much emphasis on standardized tests.
“Test-taking is a skill that can be improved over time,” says Carretero. “Although high test scores and grades are great, admission committees like to see that a student is involved with their school community.”
2: Don't be unrealistic about the financial picture.
“Parents need to be realistic about how much aid their students are going to receive,”
Carretero says. Although many schools offer financial aid, it’s important to crunch the numbers. And when it comes time to apply for financial aid, don’t wait. Start the process early to have a better chance of getting funding, and be aware that financial aid is need based. Fill out forms as early as they are available. Some schools may accept late financial aid applications, but much of the funding could already have been distributed.
3: Don't rush the application.
Even if the application is just one page, it’s important for students to give their answers plenty of thought. In some cases, applicants must rank their school choices. “Some families are surprised when they don’t get into their first-choice school and are immediately sent to their third choice,” says Schulte, adding that some institutions select only students who rank the school as their top choice.
