College Preparation

Imagine college preparation as climbing a mountain.Many colleges require students to take some form of
Looking at it from the bottom gives it astandardized testing before admittance into their
larger-than-life appearance, but those who haveprograms. Tests for undergraduate and graduate
climbed to the top know the benefits of a rock-solidprograms evaluate a student's academic abilities along
college education. However, "climbing" into collegewith other focused skills, depending on which
demands adequate skill, hard-work, and the properprogram a student is applying for. While testing for
resources for reaching the top. Preparation is theundergraduate programs remains broad, graduate
most important step to the summit of college, sotests are much more detailed to the area of study
climbers must choose their routes wisely and assertfor individual students. A significant key to
themselves accordingly. Onveon's College Preparationacceptance into college programs relies on generally
section was developed to help potential studentsgood scores on one or more of the following tests.
advance up the mountain and into college. SuccessfulNote: Not all testing requirements are the same for
endings are achieved by ambitious beginnings andeach school. Undergraduate Programs Admissions
with this comprehensive guide, students can learnTests
about getting into college and maximizing theirPSAT/NMSQT - Preliminary SAT/ National Merit
potential. One of the first steps to college is applying.Scholarship Qualifying Test
A college application is an academic profile sent toThis test is taken during the junior year of high
desired schools in hopes that they see a potentiallyschool. It serves as two purposes: as a practice for
successful student. The key to applying for college isthe SATs and as the qualifying exam for the National
to organize and prepare your material in aMerit Scholarship. Excelling in this test can qualify a
presentable fashion. Students should mark due dates,student for different scholarships from colleges and
test dates, and other important deadlines in order tocorporations.
keep pace with the application process. RequiredLearn more about the PSAT/NMSQT
essays, letters of recommendation, test scores, andSAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test
all other major deliverables for application must beThe SATs are standardized tests which judges a
accounted for in order to optimize a student'sstudents overall competency in a variety of academic
chances for admission. Applying for college can beareas. The results from these tests are strongly
stressful, but taking the right steps will maximize aconsidered by four-year universities when determining
student's chances for success. Online Applications:if a student will be granted admission. There are two
Most schools have online applications available fordifferent types of SAT exams: SAT Reasoning
students interested in their programs. These(previously SAT I) and SAT Subject Tests
applications can be found on school websites or(previously SAT II). The SAT Reasoning exam is the
various other links. Mailed Applications: Somebasic college entrance exam. It is a three hour and
institutions require students to fill out applications andforty-five minute test which measures critical reading,
send them directly to the school through mail. Thesemath, and writing. The majority of questions are
applications can be printed from the internet ormultiple choices. Scores range from 600 - 2400, with
picked up at various places, for instance a studenteach section worth a possible 800 points. The SAT
counselor's office or a college fair. Hand-writtenSubject Tests include 22 tests, each worth a possible
applications should be meticulously printed and800 points, which measure knowledge within five
presented neatly. Application Necessitiessubject areas: English, math, history, science, and
Although each school will differ, certain requirementslanguages. Each section is an hour and most of the
must be met for college applications. Included withquestions are multiple choice.
the application should be a high school transcript, SATLearn more about the SAT
ACT scores, personal essays, letters ofACT - The American College Test
recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities.The ACT is a standardized test used for determining
All of these are vital parts to the application processcollege admission. Along with the SAT, the ACT is
that ultimately determines which schools accept thethe other preferred test for entering into four-year
student.universities. The ACT has said to be more
Note: Not all application requirements are the sameunderstandable than its counterpart, the SAT,
for each school.because it is less vague and more knowledge-based.
High School Transcript: All schools require a highAnother advantage is the ACT does not take points
school transcript or a GED in a college application. If aoff for incorrect answers. The ACT is made up of
GED is not accepted by a four-year university, afour multiple choice sections: English reading, math,
student can attend a community college and transferand science. The ACT is scored on a 36 point score
after completing a two-year program.(above thirty is considered the 99th percentile). The
Essays: The purpose of student essays is to giveaverage score in 2005 was 20.9.
schools a different perspective of a student fromLearn more about the ACT
what grades and test scores do not reveal. An essayGraduate Program Admissions Tests
can give a student who was on the border betweenGRE - The Graduate Record Examination
acceptance and denial a chance to prove their worthThe GRE is a standardized test used for the
to admissions board members. A well written essayadmissions of students into various graduate
can paint a bigger picture of someone, particularlyprograms around the country. There are two tests:
more than the basic information within an applicationGeneral and Subject specific. The General Test
can. If a school requires an essay for application,assesses a student's verbal, mathematical, and
students should write a clear, comprehensive pieceanalytical writing skills and takes about 2 ½
highlighting their qualities and covering their aspirations.hours to complete. Verbal and mathematical skills are
Letters of Recommendation: Another crucial part toscored on a 200-800 scale using 10 point increments.
the application process is a letter of recommendation.Writing skills are evaluated separately. Subject tests
Although letters of recommendation are neverinvolve questions concerning the specific area of
mandatory, a well written letter from a significantstudy the student is testing for. This section takes 2
contact could drastically increase the chances ofhours and 50 minutes to complete and is scored from
admission. Letters of recommendation can give200 - 990.
college candidates a great advantage to showcaseLearn more about the GRE
their talents through a third-party's opinion.LSAT - The Law School Admission Test
College Interviews: A college interview might be theThe LSAT is a required test by all law schools
best way to ensure a positive interaction with aendorsed by the American Bar Association. The
particular school. A successful interview with a collegeLSAT tests for ability rather than knowledge,
representative will always increase the student'sbecause it is marking those who are ready for the
stock and better their chances of being admitted.immediacy of law school. The LSAT consists of four
Interviews are usually held for schools to meetsections: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning,
potential scholarship candidates, but occasionally anand two logical reasoning sections. The test takes
interview might be held solely as the basis forhalf a day to complete with scores ranging from 120
acceptance.to 180. The national average is about 152. It is
Extracurricular Activities: Among other importantoffered only four times a year.
elements in applying for college, extracurricularLearn more about the LSAT
activities are equally essential. Schools want shapedMCAT - The Medical College Admission Test
individuals involved in something bigger thanThe MCAT is taken by students interested in
themselves. A well-rounded set of activitiesapplying to medical schools. A balance of science and
demonstrates a student's involvement in theproblem solving questions offer a sound assessment
community. Extracurricular activities include sports,of a student's overall ability leading to medical and
clubs, and volunteering. Students with a robustprofessional success. The test consists of four
collection of extracurricular activities portray integrity,sections: physical sciences, biological sciences, verbal
responsibility, and other attributes than are notreasoning, and writing. The MCAT is an all-day test
available through a basic college application.with breaks throughout. Test scores differ from
Examples of Extracurricular activities:section to section. The first three multiple choice
- Church Functionstests range from 1 to 15 and the writing samples
- Community Services (i.e. elderly assistance, tutoring,range from J through T. The highest score possible
community preservation)would be a 45t, although a 30P is considered
- Sports Teamsrelatively competitive. This test is offered only twice
- Jobs College Admissions Testsa year during April and August.