Applying to College:
Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools should I apply to?
A school's website will often have general information about the average qualifications (GPA, test scores, class rank, etc.) for last year's admitted students. This can be a good indicator of who gets admitted to each school, but keep in mind that most schools look beyond the numbers! Essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, and leadership experiences can also boost your potential of being accepted! Be sure to also check out a school's graduation rate and retention rates. This will tell you how often students graduate on time and how often students return after their first year.
What is Common App and How Do I Use It?
Many colleges and universities use the Common App as their method of accepting applications. The Common App is a website that students can use to apply to numerous colleges and can streamline the college application process. For tutorials, click here!
How Do I Send My Transcript?
RCHS now exclusively uses Parchment to send your transcript electronically. You must log into your Parchment account and request that your transcript be sent to the colleges you are applying to. Click here to learn more information and to watch a helpful Youtube Tutorial that explains the entire process.
You can also request to have a copy of your transcript sent to yourself via email.
Is there financial assistance available for my applications and testing?
All students receive 4 free SAT score reports to send to colleges every time you register for the SAT. So if you register for the SAT twice, that's 8 free score reports! These score reports are available from the day of the test until 10 days after the test. So you can either bring the school codes and use them on the day of your test, or submit them online up to 10 days after the test. For more information, click here.
Make sure you also fill out you FAFSA to qualify for financial aid! This is a FREE application. Make sure you never pay any money - if you do, it's a scam! See your counselor if you have any questions about the FAFSA.
Do not be afraid of the school's "sticker price." Many students do not pay the full amount listed on the website due to receiving financial aid and scholarships. Remember, most financial aid is based upon your family's financial situation, known as your "EFC" or Estimated Family Contribution. The FAFSA4Caster is a great website to help estimate your family's EFC.
The school i'm applying to has multiple deadlines. Which should I apply for?
Schools often have multiple deadlines that you apply to. Below are some definitions to help you decide. Always check with each school to make sure they are defining the deadlines in the same way.
(i.e. the U.S Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S Air Force Academy, the U.S Coast Guard Academy, or the U.S. Marine Academy).
Yes, applying to a U.S Military academy has different requirements than other colleges and the Academies can be quite selective in who they offer admission to. In order to be eligible, you must:
A Congressional Nomination is required for entrance to all of the Academies (except for the Coast Guard). This is similar to a letter of recommendation that is completed by your congressional representative or senator. Each congressional representative will ask you to send various pieces of info (academic record, SAT/ACT scores, resume, etc.) in order to be selected for a nomiation. See your school counselor during your Junior Year for help with this as deadlines occur in the early fall (Sept. or Oct.) of your senior year. For information about obtaining a congressional nomination from your specific representatives, check out their websites below:
- Safety Schools (2-3 colleges/universities): These are schools that you have a very high chance of being accepted to. For example, your test scores (SAT or ACT) and GPA exceed the average scores of accepted students. Please make sure that you choose safety schools that you'll actually want to attend!
- Match Schools (2-4 colleges/universities): Match schools are schools that you meet the qualifications for in terms of GPA, test scores, etc. but are bit more competitive than your safety school choices.
- Reach Schools (1-2 colleges/universities): Reach schools are schools that are either very competitive or schools in which the average test scores or GPA of students admitted is a bit beyond your qualifications. Because universities look beyond GPA and test scores, you shouldn't rule out a school just because your GPA is slightly lower than the average student accepted.
A school's website will often have general information about the average qualifications (GPA, test scores, class rank, etc.) for last year's admitted students. This can be a good indicator of who gets admitted to each school, but keep in mind that most schools look beyond the numbers! Essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, and leadership experiences can also boost your potential of being accepted! Be sure to also check out a school's graduation rate and retention rates. This will tell you how often students graduate on time and how often students return after their first year.
- ECMC's Opportunities Book will provide you with profiles of all schools in Virginia. Click the link and go to page 28 of the PDF document! (NOTE: This contains stats from the 16-17 school year. The 17-18 book is not yet available)
- The NCES College Navigator is also a great FREE tool to look up statistics about schools you're interested in and usually has all of the information listed above.
- College Scorecard is a new website created by the White House. You can search for any institute of higher education in the country and be provided with helpful information such as average SAT/ACT scores of typically admitted students, as well as information about graduation rates and projected future earnings. We wrote a blog post about this site. Click here to view it.
What is Common App and How Do I Use It?
Many colleges and universities use the Common App as their method of accepting applications. The Common App is a website that students can use to apply to numerous colleges and can streamline the college application process. For tutorials, click here!
How Do I Send My Transcript?
RCHS now exclusively uses Parchment to send your transcript electronically. You must log into your Parchment account and request that your transcript be sent to the colleges you are applying to. Click here to learn more information and to watch a helpful Youtube Tutorial that explains the entire process.
You can also request to have a copy of your transcript sent to yourself via email.
Is there financial assistance available for my applications and testing?
All students receive 4 free SAT score reports to send to colleges every time you register for the SAT. So if you register for the SAT twice, that's 8 free score reports! These score reports are available from the day of the test until 10 days after the test. So you can either bring the school codes and use them on the day of your test, or submit them online up to 10 days after the test. For more information, click here.
Make sure you also fill out you FAFSA to qualify for financial aid! This is a FREE application. Make sure you never pay any money - if you do, it's a scam! See your counselor if you have any questions about the FAFSA.
Do not be afraid of the school's "sticker price." Many students do not pay the full amount listed on the website due to receiving financial aid and scholarships. Remember, most financial aid is based upon your family's financial situation, known as your "EFC" or Estimated Family Contribution. The FAFSA4Caster is a great website to help estimate your family's EFC.
The school i'm applying to has multiple deadlines. Which should I apply for?
Schools often have multiple deadlines that you apply to. Below are some definitions to help you decide. Always check with each school to make sure they are defining the deadlines in the same way.
- Early Decision (ED) - This is when you apply early and agree to attend the college if offered admission. This is referred to as a binding agreement. As such, you may only apply to one ED school. You may apply to other schools using EA or regular deadlines so that you have options should you not be admitted to the ED school. ED are often the earliest deadlines that agree to provide you with an early response (usually by Dec.). You may be wait-listed or deferred to a later deadline for further review. All ED schools on common app and some other ED schools not on common app will require you to meet with your school counselor and sign an ED agreement.
- Early Action (EA) - This is another early deadline where the school agrees to provide you with an early response, however, this deadline is non-binding. You may apply to other EA or regular deadlines.
- Rolling - This means that applications are accepted over time and students are notified on a first-come, first-serve type of basis. Spaces can fill up, so you should apply sooner rather than later if possible.
- Scholarship - Some schools provide a 'scholarship' deadline, meaning that you must apply by this date in order to be eligible for the maximum amount of scholarships and financial aid. If finances are an important consideration for your family, make sure you apply by this deadline!
(i.e. the U.S Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S Air Force Academy, the U.S Coast Guard Academy, or the U.S. Marine Academy).
Yes, applying to a U.S Military academy has different requirements than other colleges and the Academies can be quite selective in who they offer admission to. In order to be eligible, you must:
- be a U.S Citizen (if you are a naturalized citizen, you must provide documentation)
- be at least 17 and not yet 23 years of age (by July 1) when applying
- not be married, pregnant, or have a legal obligation to support a child or children.
- complete a medical examination and candidate fitness assessment (your school counselor can help you schedule your CFA!)
A Congressional Nomination is required for entrance to all of the Academies (except for the Coast Guard). This is similar to a letter of recommendation that is completed by your congressional representative or senator. Each congressional representative will ask you to send various pieces of info (academic record, SAT/ACT scores, resume, etc.) in order to be selected for a nomiation. See your school counselor during your Junior Year for help with this as deadlines occur in the early fall (Sept. or Oct.) of your senior year. For information about obtaining a congressional nomination from your specific representatives, check out their websites below: