Academy of Sacred Heart

FACTORS COLLEGES CONSIDER IN EVALUATING STUDENTS

The best indication of college success is performance in high school. College admissions officers generally are aware of differences in schools and in the level of work done.

The transcript and related information sent to colleges by the college counselor.

The High School Transcript includes:

Grades in each course.

Courses taken - the number and level. Colleges vary in their subject requirements for admission. Study the catalogs for information. (In general, you will have had all necessary courses, however.)

Grade point average and rank in class. The class is ranked in deciles by the end of the junior year. GPA is cumulative!!

Test scores designated by the college- (SAT I, ACT, SAT II). You must be certain which tests are required by each institution. Though test scores appear on the transcript, colleges REQUIRE THAT SCORES BE SENT DIRECTLY FROM THE TESTING AGENCY TO THEM!!!)

Honors, academic achievements, exceptional summer study or travel.

Absences and tardies.

Related information sent with the transcript includes:

A profile sheet on Sacred Heart

Letters of recommendation. These include letters from the College Counselor as well as from other teachers, coaches, or occasionally personal friends or employers.

Additional items of interest (newspaper clippings about sports achievements, for example)

Testing Information. The importance of test scores varies tremendously from institution to institution. Many state schools place a great deal of importance on scores for admission and placement. Most schools, however, feel that the high school coursework is more significant in determining the student's chance for success on the college level.

The following tests are required by some colleges for admission and occasionally also for placement and credit. All necessary information and forms are available in the college counseling office. It is the responsibility of each student to know which tests are required and to meet the deadlines for registration.

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).

SAT I Reasoning Test

Advanced Placement Tests (AP)

American College Testing Program (ACT)

Personal Information. Besides coursework, grades, and test scores, colleges will consider:

Personal qualifications-character and personality, special talents, qualities, etc, and your absentee record at school.

Participation in activities, both at school and in the community.

Job experiences and special interests

The above information is self-reported by the student on her application and is also mentioned by guidance counselors and teachers in their recommendations. The personal information reported by the student is VERY IMPORTANT. Students should make every effort to make their applications neat and to make their essays interesting.

Interviews. These are sometimes required, especially for scholarships. You may often have interviews with admissions personnel who visit Sacred Heart or you may travel to the campus. You may also have an interview with a local alumnus.

Academy of the Sacred Heart © 1997, 1998
4521 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 891-1943, e-mail us at: ash@ashrosary.org