College Process

During the fall the College Counseling Office welcomes representatives from 150+ colleges and universities for visits during the school day. These recruitment trips are a way for college reps to get to know Prep, it is also a way for seniors to learn more about the colleges on their list. Please keep in mind the following procedures for attending school day visits:

• Visits are open to seniors only
• Each visit lasts for one class period
• Students must login to their Scoir account and register for visits in advance
• The visit schedule can be found in Scoir as well as the Dean of Students weekly email
• Visits are continually added throughout the fall
• Students must ask and receive permission at least 24 hours in advance if they will miss a class to attend a visit
• Visits take place in the College Counseling Conference Room

Students who are interested in playing collegiate athletics should proceed forward throughout the process with a sense of cautious optimism. It is important that students listen to those that know their athletic abilities best (Prep coaches, club/travel team coaches) to get a sense of what might be possible in terms of recruitment opportunities. The College Counseling Office is happy to support a student’s application to any institution for athletics but is unable to provide any realistic sense of a student’s chances if athletics is a factor given how much influence some coaches/sports may (or may not) have in the admission process.

Athletic Recruitment REsponsibility Checklist

Students with artistic talent should consider sharing evidence of that talent within their college application by way of an artistic supplement. Students are encouraged to solicit the assistance of Prep faculty members, who can advise on the artistic supplement process and provide individualized support and assistance. Creative arts supplements include photographs of 2D and 3D studio-based art (e.g. drawings, paintings, sculptures), photographs, film shorts (e.g. animation, documentary), solo musical recordings (e.g. singing, instrumental), creative writing (e.g. poetry, script), or a compilation of stage performances or monologues (e.g. dance, theater). In addition to the art itself, the applicant might be asked to submit an arts resume, an artist’s statement, or an extra letter of recommendation.

Talented students are strongly advised to submit an optional creative arts portfolio as it can help the candidate stand out in the admission process and earn an acceptance - or a merit scholarship! These benefits can be extended even if the student does not intend to major or minor in art because artistic extracurricular activities abound in college.

Optional artistic portfolios are typically offered via the college or university’s supplement in the Common Application. The applicant’s submission is usually reviewed by faculty members within the corresponding department. Professors provide the admission office with an assessment of the candidate’s submission. Professors can advocate for an applicant’s admission if the student’s talent would bolster the department’s offerings or university’s programs.

It should be noted that not all universities and colleges allow for artistic supplements.
 
On the other hand, sometimes it is not only an option - it is a requirement. Students applying for a talent-based major (e.g. Voice; Musical Theater; Architecture; Filmmaking; Bachelor of Fine Arts) or to a conservatory, art institute, to the artistic division of a university, or to a dual degree program will most likely be required to supplement their written application by way of an arts supplement and/or audition.

An important part of an applicant’s research is to therefore determine not only what kind of educational environment is the best fit, but also the selectivity of admission. As is the case with all majors, some universities allow for open enrollment - if you get into the university, you can major in anything you’d like (including art!) - whereas other universities screen prospective applicants based upon what they intend to pursue. With arts, the selection process can be quite competitive as well as challenging to predict.

When a portfolio, prescreening, or audition is required, students are advised that application requirements are precise, vary from institution to institution, and might require an additional letter of recommendation. Deadlines do not always align with those of undergraduate admission, and typically occur earlier in the process. It is also important to note that a prospective applicant to a talent-based program might be accepted to the college or university in general, but denied admission to his desired major or program. The competition for admission to dual degree programs (e.g. RISD and Brown) is particularly keen, as an applicant has to be admitted three times: to the university, to the conservatory/institute, and to the dual degree program. 

Like traditional universities, service academies offer a four-year undergraduate degree. There are, however, some significant differences. In exchange for military service, there is no cost to students for tuition, fees, room, or board. Further - and as this section will explain - applicants must follow a different application process, including the solicitation of a nomination. 

Applying to Service Academies

Appointment to one of the service academies is a great honor and should not be taken lightly. Admission is highly selective and there is a service commitment of at least five years upon graduation. Applying to a service academy is a multi-step process, which should begin in earnest during the second semester of junior year. Communication is key throughout the process, as there are many individuals with whom a student must coordinate to ensure all steps are completed by the deadlines. In addition to the application, students wishing to attend one of the nation’s five service academies must also apply for and receive a nomination (with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the only service academy which does not require a nomination as part of the application process). The college counseling team will work closely with those students applying to service academies, however it is expected that the student will remain proactive through the entirety of the process.

Nomination Process

All students seeking appointment to a service academy must first secure a nomination from one of the nominating sources. Nominations are made by U.S. senators and representatives, the Vice President, and in some cases, the President of the United States. It is recommended that a student submit applications to all nominating sources for which he is eligible. Nomination applications can be due as early as September, and have very specific requirements including items such as:

• Application and short answer or essay questions 
• Recommendation letters (see note below) 
• Test scores (sent directly from the testing agency) 
• High school transcripts 
• Recent photograph 
• Notarized affidavit of residence 
•  In-person interview

Students are notified of nomination decisions in mid-January, and it is important to note that receiving a nomination does not guarantee appointment to a service academy; a separate application to the respective academy must also be submitted. 

Application Process

There are several things to keep in mind when applying to a service academy; most vital is what the academies are looking for in a qualified candidate. Students seeking appointment should meet basic prerequisites and demonstrate the following qualities:

• U.S. citizen 
• 17 - 22 years old 
• No dependents/unmarried 
• Be of good moral character and possess demonstrated leadership abilities 
• Above average high school record 
• Meet medical and physical qualifications

Similar to the nomination process, service academy applications require a number of specific components. The first step is to open a candidate file with the academy to which you plan to apply (you may apply to more than one). Students can open a candidate file beginning in the spring of junior year. The application itself requires a minimum of the following:

• Candidate application and essays 
• High school transcripts 
• SAT or ACT scores 
• Recommendation letters (see note below) 
• Interview 
• Physical fitness test (Coach O’Liddy can administer) 
• Medical exam 

Service academy deadlines fall between January 29 and February 1 and candidates can expect to be notified of appointment to a service academy in April. 

Recommendation Letters

Before asking teachers to write recommendation letters, it is essential to first look at the recommendation requirements of each of the nominations and service academies. Both types of applications tend to be quite specific about which subject area the letters come from so it is important to carefully consider the overall picture of who will be writing on your behalf to avoid duplicate or unnecessary recommendations.

 Please also be aware that under no circumstances will a recommendation letter be given to a student for submission with an application. In cases where paper documents are to be sent, the student and his counselor will coordinate for the student to submit his portion of the application to the College Counseling Office well in advance of the deadline. The application and confidential supporting documents will then be packaged together and sent via FedEx by the CCO to reach the destination before the due date.

Summer Programs

Students considering a commitment to a service academy may benefit from participation in one of the summer programs offered by four of the academies. These programs are open to students who have completed their junior year, and are designed to expose participants to the academic and military aspects of cadet life. Students must apply to these programs and acceptance does not guarantee future appointment to an academy. It is important to note that the summer programs are not a prerequisite for applying to a service academy and even if not selected for a summer program, students should not be discouraged from applying to the service academies themselves. For more information about each summer program, please visit the below websites.

Air Force Academy Summer Seminar 
Coast Guard Academy AIM Program 
Military Academy Summer Leaders Experience 
Naval Academy Summer Seminar