When applying for information or beginning the admissions and financial aid processes, understanding the importance of the associated time-lines is vital to success.
Perhaps the most important term in the application process is “timeline.” Whether simply applying for information or formally beginning the admissions and financial aid processes, understanding the importance of the associated time-lines is vital to success in terms of acceptance, dormitory choices, and having larger varieties of financial aid available. Many times, high schools have guidance counselors on their staff who are capable of providing assistance or advice regarding college entrance timelines.
Freshman – Sophomore Years
* Become familiar with college entrance requirements.
* Investigate Career / Life ministry interests and exploration activities.
* Investigate Advance Placement opportunities.
* Be aware that CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests can be taken at local colleges and are available during the high school years. They need to be coordinated with perspective college registrars.
Almost universally, the timeline begins in the spring of the junior year in high school, with the possible exception of testing, and is as follows.
Junior Year
September-December
* Consider registering to take the SAT / ACT test at this time to give both practice in this style of test taking and opportunity to take it a second time, picking the best of the results to forward to the college of your choice. For SAT, contact 609-771-7600 or College Board Online. For ACT, contact 319-337-1827.
* Should scores not be those that were desired, there will be time to try again in the junior/senior summer or fall of the senior year.
* Begin researching scholarship databases to determine availability and understand pre-requisites. Use www.fastweb.com .
January-March
* Consider taking Advance Placement or college level courses within the high school spring curricula. Investigate, in advance, the courses for which colleges will allow credit. Utilize school guidance counselors for this information.
March-June
* Determine what is desired from a college or university.
* Write/phone for information from the schools that appear to offer desired courses or in which there is interest. Limit your choices to a manageable number of institutions. (Under most circumstances, a maximum of 15 schools.)
* Review their Web site. Become familiar with their academic and social strengths.
* For web information about Christian Colleges, access www.christianconnector.com.
* Carefully review the all information provided.
June
* Consider visiting institutions in which there is interest.
* Generally, the 15th is the application “dead-line” for admissions at many institutions.
In addition to assisting with the Cedarville University Admissions effort, the Career Services Department provides assistance to students and graduates in career and life-ministry employment disciplines, among which are: skills, abilities and personality and values assessment, job searching, networking, application and resume assistance, interviewing, and life-long career strategies .
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