Do not panic! Sometimes colleges send out "missing information" letters or emails after an application has initially been processed. This does not necessarily mean that your application will be denied. If one receives a notice from a college about an application missing information, one should call the admissions office directly to determine if and what information is missing. If after checking with the college you are still in doubt about missing information, please notify Ms. Loquasto as soon as possible. 

Most colleges and universities require a high school transcript for students with less than two years of college credit. A completed Student Transcript Request form should be mailed to AFSA High School. One must include the addresses of where they wish their transcripts to be sent.

Official test scores must be sent directly from the testing agencies. AFSA does not send official test scores to any colleges - this applies to both current and former students.  A student may request scores on-line at www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.org.

Finding a college that is the right fit for you may seem like an overwhelming task, especially when there are so many colleges to consider! You will figure it out!

Before considering schools based on popularity, name recognition, and rankings - students should reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses, personal needs, and academic goals. In the process of developing criteria and looking at what criteria should play a defining role in your search, you may want to think about the following:

• What are you looking for in a college? Taking time to honestly evaluate your needs, strengths and weaknesses, and likes and dislikes is the first step toward making a good match. This should not be an easy or quick step. In fact, the process of true self-assessment is maybe the most difficult aspect of the college application process.

• Are your strengths and interests better suited for a large comprehensive university or a small liberal arts college?

• In what subjects or academic areas have you achieved the greatest success at AFSA? Is there an area or subject that you would like to pursue as a major?

• Do you wish to be in an urban environment, rural setting or suburban/college town? It is important to distinguish the merits of different environments and how the mix of learning, social, and cultural opportunities best fits with your interests and personality.

• Is there a particular region of the country where you would like to attend college? What are the advantages/disadvantages of being close to home or far from home?

• Visiting a variety of campuses in different locations is the best way to know first-hand which colleges provide the best opportunities for you.

• What are the merits of attending a public university instead of a private college or university, and vice versa?

• What type of personality are you seeking in a college? For example, every college has unique mix of progressive elements and tradition. Some colleges are intense while some are more relaxed; some are conservative and some are liberal; some are friendly and some are reserved; some are spirited and some are more serious.

• Do I have enough talent as an athlete/artist/musician/dancer to receive special consideration from an admissions committee or a coach or director of the particular college? Your first step should be consulting with your coach or teacher and then discussing your goals with your college counselor.

These questions are a jumping off point. More questions are bound to surface as you visit campuses and begin to develop a reference and a sense of comparison.

Students should start creating a list of potential colleges that they would like to apply to during the end of their sophomore year and in to their junior year. The best time to make a first visit to a college is in the early fall of one's junior and or senior year - when campuses are full of activity and filled with students. Students should check the college's website to see if "College Preview Days" or "Admitted Student Days" are offered. Colleges offer tours and interviews on a year-round basis, so students should find a time to visit a college that fits within their schedule.

AFSA High School takes students in grades 10-12 on college visits twice a year - in the fall and spring.  Students and their families should still consider visiting colleges on their own because this can provide the student with a more personalized visit and more face time with the admissions representatives. 

When going on college visits, there are many things that students should consider. Some of these considerations are listed below:

• Can you see yourself as a student at this college? Can you see yourself being happy at this college?
• Programs of Study - Do they offer the major you want?
• Admissions Requirements and What to Include with the Application
• When to Apply - dates & deadlines
• Scholarships Offered
• Student Support/Counseling Center
• Professor Availability - Are classes taught by professors or teaching assistants? Do professors hold office hours?
• Average Size of Class
• Possible Internships/Study Abroad Opportunities
• Student Activities - Are there extracurricular activities or clubs you would be interested in?
• Housing - How Many Students Live on Campus? Commute? Dining Facilities?