Applying

1. EARLY ACTION: Early Action is the application process in which students make application to a college of preference by the Early Action deadline (typically November 1) and receive a decision (typically mid-December) well in advance of the school’s regular response date. Students who are admitted under Early Action are not bound to accept the offer of admission or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (typically May 1). Students may apply to other colleges without restriction.

2. EARLY DECISION: Early Decision is the application process in which students make a commitment to a first-choice college where, if admitted, they will definitely enroll. Students should utilize this option only if they are very sure of the college they wish to attend. While pursuing admission under an Early Decision plan, students may apply to other institutions but may have only one Early Decision application pending at any time. The Early Decision application supersedes all other applications. Once an offer of admission is made, students are obligated to accept it, make a nonrefundable deposit typically within two weeks, withdraw all other applications, and make no further applications. An Early Decision application will include a request for a parent, student and counselor signature indicating an understanding of the Early Decision commitment and agreement to abide by the above terms.
Advantage: The college gives you a closer look in a much smaller applicant pool. If deferred, you will be looked at again in the spring with the Regular Decision pool. Figures vary considerably from about 15-33% of a college class coming from Early Decision applicants.

3. REGULAR DECISION: Regular Decision is the application process in which students submit an application to a college by a specified deadline date and receive a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated date, but not later than April 15. Students may apply to other colleges without restriction. Students admitted under a Regular Decision plan may not be required to make a commitment prior to May1, but may be encouraged to do so as soon as a final college choice is made, particularly for priority housing purposes.

4. ROLLING ADMISSION: Rolling Admission is the application process in which a college reviews applications as they are completed and renders admission decisions to students throughout the admission cycle. When the number of offers of admission has been extended, usually three to four times the desired class size, admission closes. For schools that are extraordinarily popular, admissions may be essentially closed much sooner than a printed application deadline (i.e. February 1). This plan tends to be used by state universities. Students may apply to other colleges without restriction. Students admitted under a Rolling Admission plan may not be required to make a commitment prior to May 1, but may be encouraged to do so as soon as a final college choice is made, particularly for priority housing purposes.

5. WAIT LIST: Wait List is an admission decision option utilized by colleges to protect against shortfalls in enrollment due to the uncertainty of the admission process. Wait lists are sometime made necessary as students submit applications to multiple colleges and receive several offers of admission. By placing a student on a wait list, a college does not initially offer or deny admission, but extends to a candidate the possibility of admission in the future, before the college’s admission cycle is concluded. In the letter offering a wait list position, a college should provide a past wait list history which describes the number of students placed on a wait list, the number offered admission from the wait list, and the availability of financial aid. Students should be given an indication of when they can expect to be notified of a final admission decision. A college should resolve final status and notify wait list candidates as soon after May 1 as possible.

A College Admission Nightmare:
7 Deadly Exploration and Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The college admission process can be a scary one, but it doesn't have to be. Armed with good information and a solid plan of action, you can eliminate mistakes that might stifle your options or kill your chances of admission. We asked a group of college admission deans and directors at a cross section of American colleges and universities to describe the most common mistakes made by prospective freshmen and to identify ways to avoid them. Here is their list:

Mistake #1: You Miss the Boat Academically
The single most important factor in gaining admission to the college of your choice is how well you perform in a college preparatory curriculum, according to a study by the National Association of College Admission Counselors. (Second and third in importance are admission test scores and class rank.)An ideal college-prep curriculum includes the maximum number of English, science, mathematics, social studies, and foreign language classes you can successfully manage during high school. To be certain, other factors will enter into the college admission decision, but nothing will have as much weight as your performance in the classroom.

A related mistake is assuming that a high grade point average is more important than the difficulty of the classes selected. Nothing could be further from reality.

"The most common reason we deny admission is because students have chosen easy elective courses instead of more demanding college-prep courses," says Dan Saracino, dean of undergraduate enrollment at Santa Clara University, in California.

Mistake #2: You Ignore Great Resources
Limited information is the No. 1 cause of bad decisions. Many students fail to identify and use the resources (human and material) available to them during the college exploration and decision-making process. This often leads to the if-only-I-had-known statement at some point in the future.

Contact current college students (perhaps graduates of your high school) for the inside scoop on your top-choice schools. Seek out school counselors, admission counselors, and financial aid officers for specific information regarding the admission process. Parents, family members, and friends can serve as sounding boards for all of this newly acquired information. There are also countless tools--guides, directories, videos, and software--available through your career/college resource center, guidance office, and school and public libraries. Finally, take advantage of campus visits, college fairs, and counseling seminars to learn more about your options.

Mistake #3: You Follow the Pack
Don't choose College X just because your best friend did. The reasons a friend chose College X may have nothing to do with your educational objectives and ambitions.

Personalize your search so that you can apply your values and test many of the myths about colleges.(Examples: Small colleges are intimate and friendly, the best colleges are the expensive ones.)

"Some students think that if it's a large college, the classes must be large too," says Patricia Riordan, dean of admission at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where the student body numbers 23,000 but classes can be as small as 20.

You should also define what you are looking for in a college (e.g., major field of study, location, size) and apply these personal criteria throughout the search. Don't make your decision based on the needs and desires of others.

Be just as wary of "ratings" and "rankings" guides. There are outstanding programs within average institutions and weak academic programs within sound institutions. Create a ranking of colleges that works for you.

Mistake #4: You Don't Take the College for a Test Drive
Would you buy a car without taking a test drive or new jeans without trying them on? Well, too many students choose their future college without conducting a thorough search and end up making a haphazard decision at application time.

"Some students don't even know the programs at the schools to which they're applying," says Riordan at George Mason. "I had one applicant eager to get into our architecture program--we don't offer an architecture major."

Proper exploration will result in a matching of your abilities, aptitudes, achievements, and interests with the academic, social, and related offerings of the various colleges. Use the exploration period to learn about yourself and what you want. Why are you going to college? What are your educational and career goals? What do you want to study?

Also, think about the sort of campus setting in which you would be most comfortable (i.e., urban vs. rural, large vs. small, all-female vs. co-ed).Be sure to tour your top-choice campuses to make sure the colleges' materials accurately portray the environment.

Mistake #5: You Decide There is Only One "Right" College
There is no single "right" college for you. There are probably several. Before you begin to narrow your options, do everything you can to expand them. Look beyond the colleges that are known to you.

Don't apply to colleges where you cannot compete academically. By matching your qualifications and personal characteristics with the profile of admitted students, you'll paint an accurate picture of your chances of being accepted.

Create a list of from 5 to 10 serious choices, using the three-tier approach. Your first-tier colleges are the long shots, or extremely competitive schools; second-tier colleges are those colleges that meet all your requirements but are not as selective as the first group; and the third-tier should include colleges that you're sure to get into, a.k.a. safety schools.

Mistake #6: You Make Price Your Priority
"You should not exclude colleges from your list of possibilities on the initial appearance of cost," says Steve Syverson, dean of admission and financial aid at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where the total cost is $23,000 a year but the average aid package is more than $16,000."Some parents lump all private universities together as too expensive compared to the public schools. But compare the costs after taking financial aid into consideration and the real costs are often similar."

At many American colleges and universities, one-half to two-thirds of the student population is using some form of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.).So, don't assume that your family makes too much money or has too many possessions to qualify for financial aid.

Mistake #7: You Let Your Dog Eat Your Application
Your application and supporting materials (high school transcript, essay, teacher and counselor recommendations) are all that the admission officers have in front of them when they consider your candidacy. Your application is your voice. It should be a strong voice. Read the application carefully from beginning to end. Make sure your application is complete, accurate, neatly prepared, and submitted on time. To meet deadlines, create an exploration and application calendar and stick to it. Also, don't just tell the admission committee what you think it wants to hear. Follow all of the directions, make certain that test scores and transcripts are directed to the proper person or department, and don't send extraneous items (such as video or music tapes)-unless, of course, they are requested.

If you have conducted a smart search and avoided the mistakes mentioned, there is a strong likelihood that a letter of acceptance will find its way to your mailbox.

Applying to Colleges

Make appointment with counselor to finalize college selections.

Obtain college application forms early in the senior year.

Organize college materials. Set up system with a file for each college being considered. Make a profile on each college. Keep all college mail until applications have been completed and acceptance letters have been received.

Allow yourself sufficient time to do carefully written, thoughtful, and neat applications. Do not rush; don't wait until the last minute. Check your spelling. Answer every question.

Keep in mind the importance of the essay. You are presenting yourself. At a time when so many of the competitive colleges have the largest application pools in history, writing a strong essay becomes even more important as a means of differentiation among applicants. The essay gives the student an opportunity to present ideas and, most important, to convey a sense of himself to the admissions
Suggestions:

Our teachers of senior English courses teach and assign essay writing in class.

If asked, counselors or teachers will read student essays and make suggestions.

Brochures about writing essays are available in the Guidance Office.

Give recommendation forms to your teachers 30 days in advance of the day they are due. Ask those teachers to write for you if they know you well and have taught you in the junior or senior years. Give the teacher the forms with your name filled in. Indicate the due dates in writing. Do not give recommendations to a teacher just before they are due. Remember that the same teachers can write recommendations for all of your colleges. You are responsible for arranging with teachers timely uploading of your letters on Naviance.

Keep photocopies of all applications. It is extremely important for you to keep a file of copies of all applications, essays, and financial aid forms. Occasionally materials are lost in the mail or are misfiled by a college admissions office.

Keep the Guidance Office up-to-date on your applications.

Let us know each time you receive notice of action taken on one of your applications. Many colleges do not send copies to the high school.

Senior surveys will be distributed regarding future plans. Please fill out immediately and return to the Guidance & Counseling Department. Final transcripts, which all colleges require, will then be sent.

Write a "thanks but no thanks" letter to schools you will not attend. Silence is not a reply.

Write a thank you note to all teachers, alumni and friends who wrote letters of recommendation for you. Let them know where you were accepted and where you plan to attend.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Often a college will ask for letter(s) of recommendation as part of the application process to help provide a more complete picture of you as an applicant. Students who fail to meet a college's admission criteria should provide one to two letters of recommendation, even if they are not requested or required. Below are guidelines to help you in this process.

Guidelines

Fill out your "Request for Letter of Recommendation" form. Click here if you want to download a Windows version of the form. You will need to add the information yourself. Take the time to answer the questions fully.
Click here if you want to fill out the form online and print out copies.
Attach a copy of your Activities Resume to your "Request for Letter of Recommendation"
Give a copy to your letter writer(s) and make a formal request for the letter of recommendation. It is important that those writing the letter know you well enough to provide valuable insights about you. They'll be asked about your intellectual strengths, your personality and what you do outside of class. This form will help to ensure a comprehensive letter of recommendation. Be sure to ask someone who you feel knows you well to write a personal recommendation.
1. Teacher (Choose from subject areas related to your intended major and/or from those who provided you with a challenge)
2. Extracurricular Advisor/Moderator
3. Coach
4. Counselor
5. Employer
  Allow the person at least four weeks to write the letter. Indicate the agreed upon date when the letter needs to be uploaded on Naviance so it can be submitted by the Hill-Murray Counseling Department. On rare occasions, include with this form a stamped, addressed envelope if it is to be mailed.
Send a thank-you letter to the person writing the recommendation.

Cheat Sheet for Colleges/Scholarships Applications

Counselor Evaluations and/or Recommendations: When your application has a portion which needs to be completed by a school official, put that portion (or copy of it) into your counselor's hands as soon as possible.
Completed applications include: application, application fee, essay(s), activities resume, letter(s) of recommendation and senior schedule.
Allow people writing recommendation at least ten school days. Provide them with "Request for Letter of Recommendation" form with Activities Resume attached.
Know automatic admission criteria. If you do not meet, include, even if not required: a) applicant statement addressing deficiencies and pointing out strengths, and b) one to two letters of recommendation.
Create/tailor essays to each specific application. Do not use the same one for all.
Is application asking for "County" or "Country" or both?
If you identify country of birth as "United States," skip questions pertaining to visa status, native language, taking the TOEFL, and ESL programs.
Answer all "Parent/Guardian Information" sections. If you don't know, find out.
Give parents "Access To Your File," particularly if they're helping with tuition.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)/Bachelor of Science (B.S.)-know which one you are seeking.
It's o.k. to check/list "Undecided" for intended major/field of study; do not leave blank.
You attend Hill-Murray School (always include hyphen and not High).
Info you will repeatedly be asked about H-M:

2625 Larpenteur Avenue East
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651) 777-1376 General Number
(651) 748-2428 Guidance and Counseling
(651) 748-2242 Guidance and Counseling Fax Number
www.hill-murray.org Website

School Code/CEEB Code:242-217
Start/From Date for H-M attendance= 8/08 if at H-M as 9th grader. To/End Date for H-M attendance=5/12. Date of Graduation=6/01/12.
Yearlong H-M courses=two semester credits; semester courses=one semester credit.
Count Algebra II / Trigonometry as one semester Algebra II, one semester Trigonometry. Count Physical Science as one semester Chemistry, one semester Physics.
H-M requires three Social Studies courses: World History, U.S. History, Government/Economics.
Cite AP Honors U.S. History, AP Honors Calculus, and AP Honors American Literature and Composition, British Literature and Composition, Statistics and/or Music Theory in "Previous Education-College" sections when taking Advanced Placement tests for college credit. Cite AP Honors Calculus, British Literature and Composition and Introduction to Theology in "Previous Education-College" sections when paying tuition fee to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona for optional college credit. Verify college credits earned with teacher.
ACT Test/Retest dates=4/11, 6/11, 9/11, 10/11, 12/11.
SAT Test /Retest dates=5/11, 6/11, 10/11, 11/11, 12/11.
Commonly misspelled words: receive, college, honor roll, enclosed

College Application Checklist

Obtain application.

Note application deadline.

Authorization sticker for transcript release must be signed by student and parent (if student is under 18) and returned to the Guidance and Counseling Assistant.

Request for recommendation(s) from appropriate person(s).Word version or Webpage

Verify letters of recommendation have been submitted to Guidance and Counseling.

Complete the application paying attention to the particulars:

essays

interviews

ACT/SAT records

personal statement

current schedule

waivers

Sign your application.

Make a photocopy of your application.

It is recommended that completed application materials be submitted 30 days prior to the deadline. It is required that the counselor be notified 10 school days prior to the deadline. Notification submitted less than 10 school days prior to the deadline puts in jeopardy the guaranteed timely arrival of the items below.

The Guidance and Counseling Department is responsible for submitting:

Official transcript ($5.00 fee)

Profile of Hill-Murray School

School/Counselor report (when required)

Teacher Letter(s) of Recommendation

Possible items to list for Career Portfolios/Activities Resumes

Academic

Academic Letter

"A" Honor Roll

American Mathematics Competition- Top Student on 12th grade test

American Mathematics Competition- Top Student on 10th grade test

"B" Honor Roll

National Honor Society

Peer Listener

Peer Tutor

Science Olympiad

Science Wizard

Service Letter

Student of the Month-list by Department(s)

Teacher Aide

World Language Star Student Award

Athletic

Team Championships: State, Region, Conference

Individual Awards: All-State, All-Metro, All-Conference

Letter

Team Captain

Most Valuable Player

Most Improved Player

Rookie-of-the-Year

Co-curricular (non-athletic)

Ambassador Club
Amnesty International
Band: Letter, Section Leader, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band

Breakfast Book Club

C.A.R.E.

Choir: Letter, Chamber Choir, Pioneer Performers, Choir Board, All-Conference

Destination Imagination: Letter, Regional Champion, State Champion

Language Club: French, Spanish

Link Crew

Literary Magazine

Ma & Pa Pioneer

Math Team: Letter

Music Ministry

Omega Yearbook

Pioneers' Press Newspaper

Quiz Bowl

Speech: Letter

Student Council: Positions

Theatre: Letter, Tech Trophy, Acting Trophy, Theatre Board Title

Volunteer Service at School

Community

Boy Scout Eagle Award

Eucharistic Minister

Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scout Silver Award

Volunteer Service

Employment

Shift Leader

Supervisor

Employee-of-the-Month

Travel

Band/Choir Trips

Mission Trips

Theatre Trips

Trips with an educational purpose

World Language Trips

Sample Activities Resume

John Doe Activities Resume XXX-XX-3333

Academic Accomplishments
National Honor Society (Grades 11-12)

Membership is based on academic excellence, leadership skills, commitment to service and extracurricular activities. The group is a yearlong commitment continually devoted to community service.

“B” Honor Roll (Grades 9-12)
Students must maintain a “B” average, with no more than one “C” and at least one “A,” during the entire school year.

Science Wizard Award (Grades 9-10)

This is awarded to students who show an excellence in science studies.

Extracurricular Activities
*Theatre (Grades 9-12)

This is a year-round activity which requires a substantial time commitment. I have played many chorus parts and a few principal parts. I have also been an Assistant Director three times. Assistant Directing consists of very long hours and excessive paperwork, and is a demanding responsibility.

Theatre Letter (Grades 9-12)

A letter in theatre requires qualification for at least three shows a year.

Acting Trophy (Grades 10-11)

This award is based on the number of rehearsal credits received for attendance.

Technical Trophy (Grade 11)

This award is based on the number of hours put into the technical aspects of theatre.

*Peer Ministry (Grade 12)

This group of students plan and actively take part in masses, prayer services and other liturgical celebrations. This group also performs service activities.

Community/Church Activities
Summer Stretch Small Group Leader (Grade 9-11)

Summer Stretch is a program for junior high students at my church who meet every Thursday in the summer. The students go off site to engage in a service activity in the morning, return for lunch, and then go to a fun activity in the afternoon. I was in charge of 7-12 students. My responsibilities included driving them to the service sites and supervising them. I also did Bible study with them.

Life Care Center East Volunteer (Grade 12)

Every other Saturday I am a volunteer receptionist at Life Care Center East. My responsibilities as receptionist include filing, creating new files, and answering the phones.

Pioneer Theatre Company (Grade 9-12)

The Pioneer Theatre Company is a community theatre based out of my high school. I have done technical work on numerous productions including lights, sound, and assistant directing.

Employment
Transfiguration Catholic Church (Grades 10-11)

I was a receptionist every Saturday at my church. My duties included answering phones, filing, mailing, basic troubleshooting, copying, and helping with weddings. I worked an average of three hours per Saturday.

*Carbone’s Pizzeria (Grades 11-Present)

I am currently working as a waitress at Carbone’s. I have to answer phones, take orders, deliver food, wash dishes, and various prep work. During the summer, I work an average of forty hours every two weeks. During the school year, I work an average of ten hours every two weeks.

Travel
San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala (Grades 9, 11)

I have visited San Lucas on two mission trips through my church. While there, we helped to build a medical clinic. We helped out at various other sites as well. I learned about Guatemalan culture, made new friends, and put my Spanish studies to good use.

New York City, New York (Grade 11)

A group of theatre participants from my school went to New York in March of 2001. While there, we saw several shows on Broadway and visited numerous tourist sites.

* Plan to participate in college.

Another Sample Activities Resume

Jane Mary Doe
123 Main Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105
651.123.4567
111-22-3333

Activities Resume

*Theatre (Grades 9-12)
Doing an average of four shows a year, theatre is a year-round activity. I have played numerous roles from chorus to lead, as well as competing in the State One-Act competitions held in January and February of every year. I have also participated in many backstage crews from Prop Head to Assistant Director.

Theatre Letter (Grades 10-11)
~ Qualified for three shows, did a minimum of 160 credits, and one backstage crew of 15 hours.

Acting Trophy (Grades 10-11)
~ Based on the number of rehearsal credits earned for attendence.

Tech Trophy (Grades 9-11)
~ Based on the amount of hours put into the technical aspects of building the set, lighting, props, costumes.

Gold Medal (Grade 11)
~ Given to the student who has the highest total tech and rehearsal credits.

Bronze Medal (Grade 10)
~ Given to the student who has the third highest total tech and rehearsal credits.

*Marching Band (Grades 9-12)
It is a group of students that practice after school on Marching Band songs. We perform at numerous parades throughout the year. In the fall, we put on a halftime show for the Homecoming game.

Letter (Grades 10-11)
~ Participate in a set amount of performances and the halftime show.

*Pep Band (Grades 9-12)
Plays at football, hockey, soccer, volleyball and basketball games. We play numerous familiar tunes during halftime and between quarters. We play at most home games and State Tournaments. We also play at pep fests.

*Band Trips (Grades 9-11)
It has been a tradition to go on a summer trip on a four-year rotation. Students who participate in Marching and Pep Band are allowed to go on the trips. The Band performs at many different locations such as Pearl Harbor, Disney World, Epcot Center, Capital, New York City, and Washington D.C. Last year, the band participated in a youth music conference competitions held in New Orleans.

Florida (Grade 9)

New Orleans (Grade 11)

*Theatre Trips (Grades 9-12)
Students who participate in theatre are welcomed to go on a Theatre trip to experience professional theatre that cannot be seen in Minnesota. We travel to New York, Toronto, and England. One must qualify for two shows by the time of the trip during Spring Break. It is a weeklong trip of seeing every aspect of professional theatre and the cities in which they are located.

Toronto (Grade 10)

New York (Grade 11)

*National Honor Society (Grade 11-12)
A group of students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Choices are based on participation in the community, and in school, and the amount of service performed. NHS is in charge of several activities throughout the year. We plan and organize Red Ribbon Week as well as Cookie Breaks and dances. Forty hours of extra service to the community and school are required.

*Peer Ministry (Grade 12)
A group of 46 students who are chosen based on applications they fill out in the spring of their sophomore or junior year. We are in charge of planning, organizing, singing, reading, and distributing communion at masses and prayer services. We also lead small group retreats for the underclassmen.

Retreat Minister (Grade 12)

Music Minister (Grade 12)

"B" Honor Roll (Grade 9-12)
Students must have above a "B" average for the semester.

Annual Solo and Ensemble Festival
Students prepare a piece of music to sing or play on their own time and compete in front of judges for ratings. They may do solos, duets, and small ensembles. Students spend months preparing in vocal or instrumental lessons.

Instrument

Excellent Rating (Grade 9) Clarinet Flute Duet

Voice

Superior Rating (Grade 10) solo

Voice Lessons (Grade 10-11)
I have one-on-one vocal lessons with a certified instructor once a week for 30 minutes. I study various types of musical literature from Broadway to classical and baroque while focusing on language, technique and improving the quality of my musical range. I have also sung a few pieces in French, Latin, and German.

Click here for an additional activities resume.

Sample Senior Schedule

Semester	Department	Course Title	Credits
Fall	English	British Literature and Composition 12	1
Fall	Religious Studies	Relationships and the Christian Community	1
Fall	Science	Physics	1
Fall	Mathematics	Math Analysis	1
Fall	Social Studies	Psychology	1
Fall	Social Studies	Senior Social Studies (Government)	1
Fall	Service Learning	Teacher Aide	1
Spring	English	British Literature and Composition 12	1
Spring	Religious Studies	Social Justice and Personal Ethics	1
Spring	Science	Physics	1
Spring	Mathematics	Math Analysis	1
Spring	Social Studies	Senior Social Studies (Economics)	1
Spring	Religious Studies	Christian Service Learning	1