The goal of a college admissions committee is to select from the applicant pool those students who meet the standards of the institution and from that group those most likely to have academic success and make a positive contribution to the campus and community.

Admissions Criteria

Committees typically review information from most or all of the sources listed below. There is no standard formula for the weight given each. A committee will approach the content of an application in a variety of ways using its own formula. However, most admission officials would agree that the objective items (1-4) are assigned 60% to 70% of the weight. As they factor in the subjective items (5-8), an admissions committee develops their picture of the applicant.

• Challenge of high school courses & grades earned
• GPA (Grade Point Average)
• Class Rank
• SAT &/or ACT scores
• Extracurricular and community accomplishments
• Recommendations
• Personal Essay
• Interview

High School Course work

The general advice to any college bound student is to take as many challenging courses as possible at the highest level in which good grades are achievable. Obviously, much depends on the student's goals and the competitiveness of the particular college(s) under consideration.

Minimum required course work for most colleges generally includes:

• English 4 credits
• Mathematics 4 credits (at least through Algebra II)
• Science 3 credits (with Biology and another Lab Science)
• Social Studies 3 credits
• Foreign Lang. 2-3 credits of the same language (required by some, strongly recommended by most others; complete highest level Senior year)
• Electives Total to meet graduation requirements (minimum 20 @ SRHS)

Southeast Raleigh High School's graduation requirements closely match the entrance requirements of most colleges. One of the many advantages of attending SRHS is that all students take four credits of Math and Science, which makes them more competitive for most colleges.

Transcript & SRHS Profile

Colleges request an official HS transcript from the Guidance Department as a part of the application process. The transcript includes:

• courses, grades, credits and attendance for each grade completed (9-12)
• cumulative GPA and class rank

The SRHS Profile accompanies the transcript to provide information on the school, community, student body, curriculum, faculty and grading system. To request an official transcript, you must fill out a Transcript Release Form from Ms. Highsmith in the Student Services Office. Complete the form with the names and addresses of the colleges to whom it is to be sent. Sign the form and have your parent or guardian also sign the form if you are under 18. Return the form to Ms. Highsmith, who will generate and notarize the transcripts, and forward them to your counselor to be sent out.

Each student will receive two transcripts. Each additional transcript will cost $3.00. There is a 7 day turn around for all transcripts. Please keep this in mind when requesting your transcripts.

Grade Point Average

The GPA is the standout item that an admissions committee uses early on to categorize applicants. At SRHS the GPA is the average of final course grades on a point scale of A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1. Honors courses are weighted +1. AP (Advanced Placement) +2. The GPA is cumulative from grades 9-12 and, though committees examine all grades, those in the Junior and Senior years draw their closest attention.

Colleges view the GPA in varying ways. Whatever their approach, the bottom line is the better the grades, the higher the GPA, and, the higher the GPA the more likely admission will be offered.

Class Rank

GPA determines class rank as a measure of a student's academic standing relative to classmates. Class rank is reported as the student's place in the total class # (e.g. 33/425). Rank is usually converted to a percentile (top 10%, 20%, 50%, etc.) for quick reference to a student's academic performance.

Test Scores

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a warm-up for the SAT. Take it Sophomore fall (probably) and Junior fall (definitely). Only Junior scores qualify for NMSQT. PSAT scores are not part of the admissions consideration.

• SAT 1 (Scholastic Assessment Test) - the better known college admission exam, given 7 times yearly. Scores are reported in Verbal and Math (max=800V+800M).
• SAT II Subject Tests - One hour exams in specific subjects. Required or suggested by many colleges, but not all, and used in various ways-generally, for placement, infrequently for admission.
• ACT (American College Testing Assessment Program) - the other admissions exam accepted by most colleges, especially in the Midwest and West. Results are reported in English, Reading, Math, Science and a composite score on a 1-36 scale. Offered 5 times each year.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - evaluates the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English.
• AP Exams (Advanced Placement) - Exams for placement credit following and as part of AP courses in high school.
• Recommendations, Activities Resume, Essays, and Interviews

Information from these sources help colleges consider an individual applicant for "fit" with the climate/community of the college and as the unique person behind the academic data. Quality, not necessarily quantity, will boost a student's odds. Poor execution or presentation in these areas always hurts.

Grade Nine
Grade Ten
Grade Eleven
Grade Twelve

Grade 9

Everything counts in grades 9-12.

What students and parents can do:

• Take care of the academics. A good start will pay off in many ways. Parents should monitor the academic progress and maintain communication with teachers and counselors.
• Explore a variety of activities. Identify and participate in activities to build on interests and talents. Colleges and scholarship programs are particularly interested in evidence of leadership, determination, initiative and service to community.
• Review your four-year course plan during registration for tenth grade courses. Counselors will visit one of your classes during December of each year to review your options. Pay close attention to subjects that follow a sequence, such as math and science.
• Identify and participate in meaningful summer activities.

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Grade 10

Begin exploring options by using available resources and programs. It's very important to develop a basic understanding of the process for both admissions and financial aid.

What students and parents can do:

• Take care of the academics.
• Develop and deepen extracurriculam and community activities to show involvement, leadership, commitment.
• Take the PSAT. Juniors are automatically registered to take the PSAT but, as a sophomore, you must register to take the test. You will be notified of the registration period.
• Begin discussions about college options, examine priorities, restrictions and other variables. Thinking about goals and interests in terms of possible majors and careers is helpful.
• Review your four-year course plan carefully during registration for junior year courses.
• Develop a resume.

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Grade 11

This is the time to get organized and to get serious. Clarify what you want from the college experience. Begin to pull things together and line up your best choices.

What students and parents can do:

• Take care of the academics. Admission committees put emphasis on junior year grades. It's wise to give them the extra time and effort needed. Course selection is also very important. Challenge yourself to take the most difficult courses in which you can reasonably expect to do well.
• Examine your extracurricular and community activities for quality and consider what your choices will say about you to an admissions committee. They want to see that you are well rounded and commit some of your discretionary time to worthwhile activities. Demonstrate that you are exploring your interests and developing your many abilities. Parents can help with focus and choosing among priorities.
• Take the PSAT given in October only. The PSAT is a practice SAT that does count in the admissions process. There are several good reasons to take it:
  • It is practice for the SAT
  • You get a preview of the SAT and can develop a good mindset for dealing with the SATs that follow
  • You identify areas in which you can benefit from additional study and preparation.
  • High PSAT scores qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition or the National Achievement Scholarship Program. These nationwide competitions are detailed in information you receive when you register for the test. Only Junior scores qualify.
• Identify and prioritize the characteristics of your "ideal" college. The Career Development Center(CDC) is especially helpful in identifying schools that match up well with your description. The crucial part of making the right college choice is doing the necessary research and considering your options thoroughly in advance of the senior year.
• Discuss the financial parameters effecting the question of where to apply. It's very advisable to:
  • Get an understanding of the financial aid and scholarship processes and how that can impact the real costs.
  • Investigate possibilities for need-based or merit-based aid, or a combination, before eliminating any school on cost alone.
  • Familiarize yourself with required forms and do research to identify potential scholarship sources. There are many good scholarship clearinghouses online.
• Register for the SAT I and/or ACT for a spring test date. Follow the requirements of colleges on which test to take. Many will accept either but some express a preference. All scores from every test you take will be reported to the colleges you designate. Take SAT II tests as suggested by target colleges and by favorable timing with your Junior coursework. Test registration and prep materials are available in the Career Development Center.
  Two tips:
  • Take the SAT &/or ACT the minimum number of times needed to get scores that will make you competitive at your target schools.
  • For about $10, order the Question & Answer Service with your Junior spring testing. It can be very helpful as you prepare for the senior fall testing.
• Registration for SAT & ACT includes the option of adding your name to college mailing lists as a way of getting their recruitment materials. Better still to get your short list (3 to 6 is a good range) ASAP and establish communication with each. Your best source of information and insight on admissions and financial aid (especially institutional scholarships) will always be directly with the colleges to which you are applying.
• Use the Career Development Center regularly. The resources there will help you understand and deal more effectively with the process of exploring, selecting, and applying. Especially, the comprehensive college and career planning programs, CareerXplorer and College/Career View will help. Use them to:
  • Do career, college and scholarship searches.
  • Assess your interests and abilities in terms of career and major.
  • Compile your Personal Information Record.
  • Organize and track your application process.
• Identify and prepare to visit your short list as soon as feasible in Junior spring/summer. A good visit is critical, but can be difficult to pull off. Preparation and knowing what you're looking for are keys. Some basic tips:
  • Call ahead to arrange a tour or plan to attend a Visitation Day.
  • Visit when classes are in session during the academic year. If possible, when you'll see the campus on a typical day.
  • Give high priority to assessing: (1) resources and opportunities related to your possible majors, (2) living and eating options, (3) special programs and activities that interest you particularly, (4) your sense of comfort with the people, the campus and the community
  • Interview, if possible. Big schools rarely offer this option, but smaller ones often do. In most situations interviews aren't critically important to the admissions decision. Still, interviewing is generally advisable, so prepare well and use the opportunity to your advantage. Some schools have a network of alumni interviewers or hold informational meetings for applicants. What's important is to connect for help and information in whatever format is possible.
• Begin preparations to:
  • Write the admissions essay.
  • Request recommendations from teachers, counselors, etc.
  • Articulate and put in writing your career educational and personal goals. This content will be the focus of scholarship applications, also. Done well, these supplementary areas can make the difference in a close call situation. Done poorly, they can kill your chances.
• If you haven't, talk with your counselor, key teachers and other adults. Their ability to help depends on you sharing goals and plans with them. Register carefully for your senior year courses. Be certain you're meeting all graduation requirements as well as those for college entrance. DO NOT decrease the academic difficulty noticeably. Remind yourself that admissions officials will be especially interested in you senior grades. Vow to resist all temptation to slide into "senior slack".

Grade 12

The senior year is CRUNCH time. If you've been preparing as suggested, your increased confidence will help you focus your attention to the deadlines, details and decisions that lie just ahead. What students and parent can do:

• Take care of the academics. Senior grades give the admissions experts their best, most current look at your potential to handle college level work.
• Get organized and don't procrastinate. Deadlines have a way of arriving earlier than expected in the senior year. Use a chart or a checklist to track the process with each school.
• Pay close attention to your counselor, a key person in how all this goes. You'll get information and advice on handling recommendations, transcripts, test scores and more.
• Pay close attention to the requirements of each college on your final list. Admissions officials are not at all forgiving of late or incomplete materials. Don't obsess to the point of dysfunction, but, do all you can to stay on top of things for this 5-6 month period.
• If ever there is a time for good communication between parents and student, this is it!! Pay close attention to each other. Students, supported and assisted by parents, are ultimately responsible for the success of this process and decision. Approaching it as a team will improve your results.
• Pay less attention to other students. Keep the influence of high school peers to a minimum for this process and decision. Ask yourself, "What do they really know? Have they been there? Do they have better information than I do? How can they know, better than I do, what's best for me?"
• Gather, complete and send admission applications well before the deadlines. Although the Career Development Center has applications for popular local schools, its best to write or call colleges on your short list yourself.
• Register for a fall SAT I, SAT II , and/or ACT, as needed.
• If offered by your top choice, consider an EARLY DECISION application, but proceed cautiously. Because early decision is binding, you must be absolutely certain that this is THE college you want to attend and be willing to withdraw all other applications. Never, never apply ED anywhere unless you have visited the campus and are thoroughly convinced its the place for you. Many colleges offer EARLY ACTION, a type of non-binding, early notification process. Others use a ROLLING ADMISSION approach. If you have any doubts about your options, call the Admissions Office for clarification.
• Gather, complete and send applications for scholarships identified in junior year. Enter as appropriate those competitions requiring SRHS nomination or selection. This process of identification and application can continue throughout the senior year.
• Secure and file financial aid forms:
  • PROFILE (if required by your schools) - Fall semester
  • FAFSA (required by all for aid consideration) - after January 1st.
  • Please see the Financial Aid section of this document for more information
• STAY ON TOP OF THE WHOLE PROCESS. Monitor, manage. Add to and upgrade as needed:
  • Your grades
  • Your applications
  • SAT, ACT scores
  • PROFILE & FAFSA (parent work)
  • Recommendations & your essay
  • Scholarship options
  • Campus visits

There are many advantages offered by the community colleges:

• The community college offers a direct, 2 year Associate Degree route to employment and a career start for the successful student.
• Job opportunities abound in technical, information management, health care and human services areas.
• The College Transfer curriculum offers a path to the 4 year degree for any student who hasn't performed to potential in high school and needs to strengthen academic readiness.
• The cost to attend a community college is roughly one-fourth that to attend a public, 4 year school.
• Community colleges offer open door admission, small classes, highly qualified instructors, good student and academic support services, a variety of courses and programs, part-time enrollment, and many "student friendly" services.

There are many community and technical colleges in the local area. Wake Tech is a popular choice for students in the Wake County vicinity. You may be surprised by the variety of programs they offer. Durham Tech is another high quality local option.