Arts

If you have a special talent in music, drama, or visual arts, you may enhance your chances of admission by sending in a special submission -- a CD or DVD -- that might act as a “hook” to get the college’s attention. But use this option wisely. If your application touts your accomplishments as a violinist, but your CD makes music faculty members cover their ears, your “hook” will quickly unbend. Read what experts have to say about when an optional music submission is a good idea.

Check your applications for each college’s policy on the submission of supplementary materials. The Common Application now includes an Arts Supplement to enclose with your submission, but colleges may have their own special forms for you to fill out. If the application makes no mention of supplementary materials, e-mail or call the admissions office to find out if they accept arts submissions.

If you do send in supplementary materials, make sure they are of very high quality. You may be asked to enclose a resume of your experience and accomplishments, or a letter of recommendation from an instructor who has worked with you. You may wish to send these along even if they are not required. Be sure to label your submission carefully. Usually they are not returned, so don’t send anything irreplaceable.

Click for advice on assembling an arts portfolio. You can keep things organized by uploading your materials to an online High School Portfolio site. You can also receive helpful feedback by attending one of the National Portfolio Days held in our region each year.

Athletics

If you are a high school athlete who dreams of playing on a bigger stage, you need to know that the competition is keen. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I is where the big money scholarships are; if you are going to play D-I you probably already have a shoebox full of letters from college coaches. Division II includes smaller schools that offer some scholarship money. Division III schools offer no money, but give major preference in admission to recruited athletes.

The Common Application now includes an Athletic Supplement to enclose with your submission, but colleges may have their own special forms for you to fill out.

Ask your current coach for a realistic assessment of your possibilities. If your coach says you have a chance, discuss which colleges might be realistic and ask for help in navigating the process. By spring of 11th grade you should start cranking out letters to coaches at schools you would like to attend. Tell them about yourself and ask if there is a time when you could make contact or visit. You’ll probably want to send along a one-page sports resume that includes your stats and major accomplishments. Ask your coach if he or she would be willing to write or call when you have narrowed down the colleges to a reasonable list. Depending on the sport, you might want to make a DVD highlighting your skills.

Be forewarned that a college coach cannot speak for the admissions office. Be encouraged if the coach is enthusiastic, but hedge your bets.

Athletes heading for D-I or D-II schools have to register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. The minimums for D-I are a 2.5 GPA and an 820 on the SAT I or a combined 68 on all sections of the ACT. Your high school counseling office is responsible for submitting your transcript and certifying your courses as approved so check in 12th grade to make sure the process is on track.

 

Printable Forms

Information Request Tracker

Application Checklist

Individual College Application Tracker

Essay Checklist

Interview Checklist

Recommendation Checklist

Junior Checklist

Senior Checklist