FAQ's

What are colleges looking for?

At the most basic level, colleges are looking for students they are confident will succeed academically and who will contribute in a positive way to their communities. They want students who are interested in learning, who are involved in things they like to do, and who are nice people that other students will want to be around.

GCS is so much harder than other schools, and my GPA is lower than it would have been if I went somewhere else. Do colleges know that?

Yes. A School Profile accompanies every transcript we send out. The Profile contains information about our curriculum, grade distribution and other academic measures that indicate to colleges how rigorous our school is and how accomplished our students are. Keep in mind, however, that if you have grades consistently below our average, or if you have not taken advantage of any of the advanced courses we offer, the colleges will notice, and will not be impressed.

My first-choice college accepts the Common Application? Should I use its own application instead?

The Common Application is a wonderful tool for students, because it reduces the number of different essays most will have to write. However, as the number of Common Application member colleges has grown, so has the percentage of those that require a supplement. There is no penalty for using the Common Application, but you must still follow the individual college's application requirements: deadlines; number and type of recommendations; additional forms; and extra writing samples. See your College Counselor for help in making sure you have completed everything correctly.

Will applying for financial aid hurt my chances of being accepted?

Most colleges employ a "need-blind" admission process, meaning that your ability to pay for your education will not affect the admission decision. Some colleges do take need into account for some applicants. Finally, some colleges will offer an acceptance, but the financial aid award they give will not be sufficient for your family to afford to send you.

If you are relying on financial aid or scholarships to finance all or part of your college education, you need to make sure you are applying to a range of colleges. Work with your College Counselor to make sure all of your bases are covered.

What would a college rather see: a "B" in an A.P. class or an "A" in a regular class?

First, that depends on the college. If you are talking about a highly selective college, the short answer is that they would rather see an A in an A.P. class! Most colleges use a combination of the rigor of the student's curriculum (number of honors and advanced courses, plus the level reached in each discipline); grades in each class; and patterns of grades over three or four years. Be sure you are challenging yourself in an appropriate way. Don't take on too much; that often spells trouble.

What if I want to play a sport in college?

Being a member of a team can add as much to your college experience as it did in high school. Many high school athletes wish to continue playing in college. The first question to ask yourself is "What kind of commitment do I want to make to my sport?" Many NCAA Division I programs expect year-round participation. In Division III, you are more likely to find season-long participation. Then there are club teams and intramurals, where there may be competition, but may include a heavy dose of recreation.

Your coaches (here, in your clubs, at camps you have attended, etc.) should be able to assess the level of collegiate play you are capable of. They can also tell you which camps or tournaments will give you the best exposure to college coaches. If you are advised to look into Division I or II athletics, you will need to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, which determines that players are academically eligible to participate.

I want study art (or music, or dance, or drama). What are my options?

As a performing or visual artist, there are a couple of paths you can choose. You can choose to attend a specialized institution (conservatory or art school), or you can pick a college or university with a strong program in the area you want to pursue. The more specialized art schools and conservatories are usually smaller, are often in cities and rarely offer majors outside of the arts. It is a way to eat, sleep and breathe your artistic passion 24/7. Going the college or university path can give you more options, if you think you may wish to switch to another field, or even double in something not arts-related.

Whichever path you choose, but especially for the arts schools, a portfolio or audition will likely be a part of the admission process. You will need to find out well in advance what those requirements are so you can give yourself adequate time to prepare.