Applications…often the first impression of you

Requesting an application Applications can be obtained in a number of ways; phone or email the admissions office, download an application from the college website, visit the campus, meet with the college representative at SV.

Paper or online Many schools make their applications available online and offer different ways of completing them. Options include completing and sending it electronically, completing it online and then printing it to be mailed, or downloading the application to be completed by hand and mailed. Some schools even waive the application fee for students who apply online. Please remember that even though your online application may have been received immediately by the college, an admission decision cannot be made until all required information is received. Don’t forget to request the transcript and recommendations or to send the fee.  

When to apply Some schools have specific application deadlines; others are on “rolling” admissions, processing applications as soon as they receive them. In general, it is advisable to submit applications well (at least 3-4 weeks) before the specific deadline or in early-mid fall.

Early Decision Applying for an early decision should only be considered when you have firmly decided on one school. The obvious advantage is that you will receive the response to your application several months before they normally reply. On the early decision application, however, you are asked to sign an agreement that if the school accepts you, you will enroll there.

SV Procedure Applications require an official high transcript that must be mailed directly from the high school to the college. Students are therefore encouraged to bring their completed applications (unless sent online) and application fees to the counseling office so that everything can be sent in one envelope. Students need not include stamps; SV provides the necessary postage for everything that we mail.

Transcripts A student transcript includes the final grades of all high school courses, SAT and/or ACT scores, the student’s school activities, senior courses in progress, class rank and Grade Point Averages (GPAs) for each grade and overall. During the senior year, a student’s senior grades are added to the transcript by attaching the most current report card. A student’s transcript is released only by the written consent of his/her parent, and then by the student after he/she reaches the age of eighteen. For this purpose, there is a transcript release form available in the Career Center. A separate form should be completed for each transcript to be released.

Recommendations/Counselor Forms Many schools require teacher and/or counselor recommendations. For the convenience of our students and staff, we request and collect all recommendations. Students begin the process by asking the selected teachers if they would be willing to write recommendations. Students then bring all recommendation forms to their counselor, along with the names of the teachers who will complete them. Some colleges require letters of recommendation but do not provide forms; the procedure in those cases is the same. It is strongly recommended that requests for recommendations be made well in advance of, but certainly no less then two weeks before the intended mailing date.

Tips for completing applications