College Counseling

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q: What should I write about in my personal essay?

  Ultimately, colleges are looking to hear your unique voice and how clearly you articulate your point of view. The essay should communicate some important characteristics of your personality without coming right out and mentioning them directly, and you should stay away from writing an overly contrived and maudlin essay. Keep in mind that you are writing something personal and meaningful to you, so stay away from gimmicks. The essay should be well written and proofread by you and a few other trusted people, such as an English teacher. Most importantly, be sure to answer the question asked and share information not found in other parts of your application.

• Q: How do I find out about and apply for financial aid and scholarships?

  The Counseling Office provides scholarship information monthly through our newsletter. In addition, a financial aid information night is held each year for senior parents. 

   

• Q: What do colleges look at the most in making a decision about who to admit to their school?

  
  Colleges take into consideration a variety of components including the high school transcript, the difficulty of the courses taken, grade point average, grade trends, standardized tests (SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, ACT ), personal essay, letters of recommendation, extra-curricular activities, and in some cases a personal interview.

• Q: Letter of recommendation:

  First, students should know how many letters of recommendation a college requires, if any, and if they want the letter(s) to be from specific subject teachers.   It is important to ask a teacher who knows you well and who will emphasize your strengths and skills. The letter of recommendation should add something to your application, not be a retelling of the grade earned in a class.  Students should cultivate positive relationships with teachers during their high school years so teachers will be able to write outstanding recommendations. 

• Q: How many colleges should I apply to?

  There is no limit to the number of colleges to which students may apply. Sometimes the $50 average cost of a college application may help a family to decide to limit them to some degree. In general the college counselors at La Salle encourage students to apply to a couple of schools that may be what is considered “reach” or ideal schools; to a couple of schools that may be considered “target” schools or schools whose profiles is a good match with a student’s profile; and to a couple of schools that may be considered “safe” schools or schools where the student’s admission is reasonably certain.

• Q: What is a “good” college?

  A “good” college is a college where a student can be most successful. It’s a school where he/she feels comfortable intellectually, socially and emotionally. A “good” school is one where a student fits in. Sometimes a ‘good’ school is in Rhode Island, sometimes it’s an hour or so away from home or three hours away. Sometimes it’s far from home. Sometimes a ‘good’ school is a large or a small one, a Catholic or a public one. A “good” school is NOT necessarily one of the top 10 schools in the country. Your college counselor can help you find colleges that are “good” for you.

• Q: What courses do I need to take to get into a “good” school?

  At La Salle all students take a college preparatory program and graduate with 25.5 credits. All students are encouraged to take the most challenging courses that they are capable of taking and in which they can do well. In addition to four years of Religion, the most challenging courses consist of four years of Math, English, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language. This is ideal. There are many exceptions. A student may be talented in Art or Music and wants to take courses in those areas. Another student may have an interest in business and may choose courses in that area. Also, some students don’t do well in one of the subjects mentioned and it would be better not to take it than to get a “D”. And finally, the college to which the student wants to apply requires 2 years of a Foreign Language or three years of Science.

   

• Q: When are college applications due?

  Every college has its own application deadline. Frequently, many colleges have the same deadline. Students must be sure they research the college deadlines for all the colleges to which they apply. College counselors are always on hand to assist students in finding the information they need.

   

• Q: What is “legacy”?

  Legacy is the situation where an immediate family member is a graduate from the institution to which the student is applying. Sometimes it also involves being an active alumnus/a.

   

• Q: What is Early Decision?

  Early Decision (ED) is a binding plan; the applicant, parent/guardian, and college counselor must all sign an agreement that the student understands he/she is making a commitment to attend the university if accepted.  ED requires a student to submit an application to a University by a set date, (usually by November 1st or November 15th) in order to find out well before April 1st if the student is accepted. By applying ED a student has made a commitment to attend that college if admitted and to withdraw all other applications upon acceptance. Because of the binding nature of ED a student may apply to only one college under the ED plan. ED is not recommended unless the applicant is absolutely sure that he/she will attend the university if accepted.

• Q: What is Early Action?

  Many colleges and universities have an Early Action (EA) Plan. EA is a non-binding plan that requires an academically qualified student to submit an application by an early deadline so that the student may know at an early date whether or not she/he is accepted. A student may apply EA to more than one institution, unless their policy is Early Action Single Choice. A student may even apply Early Decision and Early Action but the Early Decision is binding and all other applications must be withdrawn upon an Early Decision acceptance. (Individual institution’s regulations and interpretations may differ from and take precedence over this general explanation).

• Q: When should I take the SAT Reasoning Test?

  The SAT Reasoning Test is administered many times throughout the year.  Juniors are encouraged to take their first SAT before the end of junior year, in either March, May or June, then again in the fall of their senior year, if needed. They may register on-line at www.collegeboard.org.

• Q: How many times should I take the SAT’s?

  Students may take the SAT as many times as they like and try for their optimal score. Colleges generally look at the best scores, even the best scores on different tests. (Individual college preferences always apply).

   

• Q: What are the SAT Subject Tests?

  The SAT Subject Tests are tests in specific subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Spanish and many more. They are one hour tests and three may be taken in one day.  SAT Subject Tests are required by some colleges in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test. Students can register online at www.collegeboard.org.

• Q: What are the ACT’s?

  The ACT’s are an alternative college entrance examination accepted by almost all colleges. They assess a student’s general educational development and his/her ability to complete college level work. The multiple choice tests cover four skills areas: English, Math, Reading and Science. The writing test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. (see www.act.org).

• Q: How do I pick a college?

  A student should develop a profile of all he/she is looking for in a college and of what a college has to offer. The student should consider the kind of school he/she is looking for in terms of distance from home, size, public or private, relative cost, etc. Secondly, the student should make sure the school offers a major and alternatives that he/she would like to study. Extracurricular interests may be a factor in choosing a college. The student should then consider his/her academic profile in terms of PSAT or SAT scores, subjects taken, and cumulative average against each college’s profile to determine what his/her chances are of being accepted. Resources to help in this task can be found on a college’s website, through a student’s Naviance account, and at www.collegeboard.org. A student’s college counselor can help in this process.