College Counseling

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Seniors: Next Steps

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

  • When do I have to decide which college I will attend?

    The National Candidate's Reply Date is May 1, just over four weeks from today! Most colleges require students to submit a deposit by midnight on that date. While many schools allow students to complete the Intent to Enroll form and pay the deposit online, a few require students to mail the form and the deposit, in which case May 1 is the postmark date. As always, we would encourage you to not wait until the very last minute.

  • Do I have to let schools know that I will not be attending?

    You are not obligated to do so, but we encourage students to let schools know that they do not plan to enroll. Most schools want to know what school you plan to attend. Colleges like to have this information for institutional research purposes.

  • How many schools should I visit?

    Students should visit as many schools as they can before making a final decision. Don't assume that your "first choice" school from the fall will be your "first choice" school now.  Things change, so keep an open mind! Some students attend visit days for admitted students, while others prefer to visit on quieter days when fewer guests are on campus. Just make sure you have completed a Planned College Absence Form for each trip you plan to take.

  • Can I deposit at more than one school?

    No. You may only deposit at one school by May 1. In fact, some schools will rescind admission to students who have placed deposits at two schools since they can only enroll in one. The only exception to this policy is for students who place a deposit at one school by May 1 and then are admitted from the waitlist at another school after May 1. Students in that case should withdraw their "intent to enroll" from the first school as soon as they know their second school has acknowledged receipt of the deposit. So they might have two deposits in at two different schools for a short period of time. Enrollment deposits are usually non refundable.

  • What about the wait list?

    A student's first priority must be where he or she is going to place a deposit for the May 1deadline. Once that is done, students should think seriously about their desire to attend a school that has offered them a place on the waitlist. Remember that in order to be accepted from the waitlist, students must let the college know that they want to be placed on the waitlist. Students should only place their names on the waitlist at the colleges they would want to attend. Students should not remain on a waitlist just to see if they can be admitted.

  • When will I find out if a school is going to its wait list?

    Few schools make any decisions before May 1, and most will wait at least a week after the Candidate's Reply Date to see if they need to go to their waitlists. Right now it is way too early for a school to know if it will be going to its waitlist but many schools under admit during regular decision so they will have room to take students from the waitlist.

  • Are waitlists ranked?

    No. If a school determines that it needs to go to the wait list, the first priority will be to fulfill whatever institutional goals it has established. For example, some schools might want more geographic diversity, while others might want more students who plan to major in a particular discipline. After they determine their institutional needs, schools look to admit those students who fit the criteria they are looking for. Schools might give students only 48 hours to determine whether or not they will accept a place in the class. That is why it is a good idea to do serious research on the schools that place you on the waitlist. Students should check in with the College Counseling Office to discuss their waitlist options.

  • How can I increase my chances of being accepted from the waitlist?

    Many schools use level of interest as a factor in determining which students they will take off the waitlist, if indeed they go to the waitlist. So if you know that you would attend a given school if accepted off the waitlist, email the regional admissions representative and let him or her know that if admitted, you would enroll. But you have to mean it!

  • Will you send snapshot grades to the colleges where I am on the waitlist?

    We do not send snapshot grades to colleges, but students can send those updated grades to the colleges if they feel the grades add new information and if the colleges solicit additional information.

  • Can I appeal my decision if I have been denied admission?

    Only a few schools will give students the option to appeal their admission decision and that information would be on the school’s website. Here, for example, is from the University of Wisconsin:

    Every application denied has already been through an extensive review. For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new compelling academic and/or personal information, as well as details pertaining to extenuating circumstances that were not addressed in the initial application. Essentially, the appeal must present information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced.

    Appeal letters must be written and submitted by the applicant within 30 days of the deny decision to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Email is an acceptable format for submission. Be sure to clearly outline the reasons for appealing and present new and compelling information. Do not simply repeat information that was presented at the time of application. At the time of appealing, the letter should accompany any other appropriate documentation as needed.

  • Can I defer my admission to the following year?

    Many schools allow for deferrals but not all do. If you cannot find that information on the school’s website, just contact the admission office at that school.

  • Was this year a particularly difficult year for college admission?

    Yes. As schools begin to post their application numbers and acceptance rates, we are seeing record numbers of applications and record low acceptance rates. Students who probably would have been admitted last year are finding themselves waitlisted or denied admission this year. Everyone is feeling the pinch.  

Useful Links

Useful Downloads

CCO EVENTS

List of 2 events.

Testing Info



Important Information

  • St. Luke's CEEB Code: 070 460 (this code number is necessary for SAT and ACT registration)
  • Registration: Online at collegeboard.org or actstudent.org
  • Proper identification is required on day of test (driver's license, current passport, or official school identification form)
  • The SAT is offered in January, March, May, June, October, November and December
  • The ACT is offered in February, April, June, September, October and December
  • St. Luke's is a test site for the PSAT (October), PLAN (November), SAT (June), ACT (September and April) and AP (May)

Acronyms

PSAT = Preliminary SAT (SAT warm-up; not sent to colleges)

NMSQT = National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (junior year PSAT)

SAT = Tests critical reading, mathematics and writing

Subject Tests = Subject specific tests in math, English, science, foreign language, and history/social studies

PLAN = Preliminary ACT (ACT warm-up, not sent to colleges)

ACT = Tests reading, usage/grammar, science reasoning, mathematics with an optional essay

AP = Advanced Placement test (subject specific test administered in May at end of AP course)

Normal Testing Sequence

9th Grade: Subject Tests in Spring for some students (students should speak with their teachers)

10th Grade: PSAT & PLAN in the Fall; Subject Tests in the Spring for some students (students should speak with their teachers)

11th Grade: PSAT in the Fall; SAT I, Subject Tests, ACT and AP tests in the Spring

12th Grade: SAT, Subject Tests, ACT in the Fall; AP tests in the Spring

Extended Time Testing

  • To qualify for extended time testing, students must have an officially diagnosed learning disability and submit all necessary paper work to the testing agency several months prior to the test date;
  • "Extended time" testers receive either 50% or 100% extra time (depending upon the nature of the learning disability);
  • extended time testing at SLS is offered to qualified students twice in the spring and twice in the fall on national test days;
  • For further details, contact the Educational Support Services office.

Testing FAQs

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • WHEN TO PREPARE?

    Students are preparing for the ACT and SAT every day. They just don't know it. What they do in class is good preparation for both the SAT and the ACT. In fact, it is possible to do quite well on those standardized college admission tests without doing any major preparation. But most students feel more confident if they prepare for the tests. Before deciding when they should prepare for the tests, students have to decide when they want to take the SAT or ACT. That decision is made on an individual basis with the student, the family and the college counselor. Once students have established a testing plan, they can then begin to think about how they learn best. Some students choose to purchase test prep materials and work through the material themselves while others use a tutor or take a test prep class. Not all methods work well for all students so students need to take into consideration their learning style, their evening and weekend activities and their goals before embarking on any kind of test preparation.

  • WHAT TO FOCUS ON?

    • information (vocabulary, math operations, reading comprehension, etc.),
    • special tactics (pacing, guessing, looking at answers before questions, etc.),
    • emotions & attitude (anxiety, concentration, motivation, etc.),
    • familiarity with test-type questions (analogies, sentence completions, quantitative comp, etc.)
      NOTE: The comprehensive PSAT and PLAN score reports are helpful tools for analyzing test-taking strengths and weaknesses before a student undertakes SAT or ACT prep work.

  • HOW TO PREPARE?

    • self-prep with books works well for self-initiating students who like to work at their own pace;
    • self-prep with software and online programs works best for students who are not only self-initiating but also prefer technological interaction;
    • individual tutoring works well when (a) very specific weaknesses need to be addressed intensively, or (b) long-term preparation is preferred, or (c) flexibility in time and place is required, or (d) large classes are a distraction;
    • commercial class works well when one-on-one work (with tutor) seems tedious, or when student learns best in the dynamic of class discussion.

  • QUESTIONS FOR THE SAT or ACT EXPERT? ("Interview" the coach before signing up)

    • What is the length of a typical prep course?
    • What are your qualifications for preparing students for the ACT or SAT?
    • Are average score gains (as advertised by commercial companies) the average for all enrollees, or just for those who have made gains?
    • How much homework (in hours) between sessions is required for optimal results?
    • Should the instructor be expected to predict a given student's score?
    • Should parents expect on-going feedback from teachers or tutors during the prep period?
    • What is the ideal ratio between instruction time and drill work during a given prep session?
    • When do you discourage preparation?
    • If the test preparation seems to be going poorly, can the student withdraw from the class or tutorial without losing money?

Useful Links

  • SAT PREP
    This website offers, at no charge, sample SAT questions and advice on how to do well on this test.
  • SUBJECT TEST PREP
    The Collegeboard website provides free test prep for the subject tests. Sample questions and guided instruction can be accessed at the web address noted here.
  • NO SAT REQUIRED: college list
    Fairtest (a student advocacy organization based in Boston) provides a list of 700 colleges that do not require standardized tests for admissions purposes
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: registration
    Federal law requires all males to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Selective Service will accept late registrations but not after a man has reached age 26. Failure to register can result in fines and/or imprisonment. Further, those who do not register cannot seek federal aid to pay for college.

Applying for Financial Aid & Scholarships



List of 4 items.

  • Step 1: Compile & Explore

    Complete Net Price Calculators
    Net price is the difference between the full cost to attend a specific college, minus any grants and scholarships for which students may be eligible. Net price calculators can be found on the websites of most colleges and universities. Families should compare the net costs of schools before students begin making application to colleges and universities. Not all schools meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need. Students receiving financial aid at St. Luke’s School should not expect to pay the same amount for college. The financial aid calculations used for independent secondary schools is not the same as that used by colleges when determining demonstrated need.

    Compile List of Required Forms and Deadlines
    In addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - which students must submit to be considered for federal aid programs - some colleges require additional forms such as the CSS PROFILE or other institutional applications. To increase chances of receiving the maximum amount of aid, students should contact individual schools to learn what forms are required and the submission deadlines. There is no charge to submit the FAFSA. Sending a PROFILE report to one college or scholarship program costs $25. Additional reports are $16 each. Students who are from low-income families with limited assets will automatically receive fee waivers.

    Explore Scholarships
    Generally, students should research private scholarship opportunities one year prior to enrolling in college; churches, civic groups, employers of family members and community organizations are often good sources. If students seeking money for college have not started investigating private scholarships, the first months of senior year are an opportune time to begin. Students should not pay for help to find money for colleges. Legitimate scholarship searches are available at no charge.
     

  • Step 2: Gather Paperwork and Complete Financial Aid Applications

    Become Familiar with the FAFSA
    Although students cannot submit the FAFSA before October 1, families should begin familiarizing themselves with the process by viewing information about the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov.

    Begin Gathering Financial Information
    To complete the FAFSA, families will need documents that provide income and asset information. Refer to the FAFSA for a list of documents, including W-2 forms and tax returns that will be necessary.

    Complete the FAFSA
    Families should be familiar with the FAFSA and prepared with the records needed to complete it. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information. Also, remember to read all instructions carefully since most mistakes are made by misreading directions.

    Photocopy Submitted Documents and Submit Before Earliest Deadline
    Don't forget to keep a copies of college financial aid documents; families sometimes need these records later in the process. Be sure to submit the FAFSA and other required forms before the earliest or "priority" deadline for individual colleges. This allows students to receive maximum consideration for aid and minimizes any risk of receiving less or no aid at all. Once submitted, all colleges listed on the FAFSA will receive a student's information electronically.

    Notify College Financial Aid Offices of Special Circumstances
    While the FAFSA takes a snapshot of a family's finances, there are circumstances the form may not reflect. Families should contact individual financial aid offices  to alert them to any special financial circumstances, such as unusual medical expenses or unemployment, which may affect their ability to pay for college.

    Review Student Aid Report (SAR)
    Four to six weeks after completing the FAFSA, students will receive a SAR, which summarizes data on the FAFSA and indicates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Families should make sure the SAR is correct; if not, they should make changes and return it to the address provided. Colleges will receive any changes electronically.

    Submit Verification Materials
    When students are selected for verification, they must submit federal tax returns and other requested information to confirm data provided on the FAFSA. Promptly submitting verification will prevent a delay in processing a student's financial aid applications.

    EARLY DECISION/ACTION APPLICANTS
    Students with financial need who apply early decision or early action in the fall of the 12th grade year should be aware that financial aid deadlines might be the same as admission application deadlines.

  • Step 3: The Decision Process

    Review Financial Aid Award Letters
    Students will receive financial aid award notifications from colleges they listed on the FAFSA and that accepted them for admission. The information on each award letter may vary, but most colleges provide students with the type and amount of aid, funding sources, and conditions of the award. Families should carefully review each letter to make certain they understand all the terms and conditions of the award.

    Talk to Financial Aid Offices
    If families are unclear about any information on the award letter or concerned about the financial aid offer, they should talk to college financial aid officers to discuss the award.

    Decide Which College to Attend
    After reviewing financial aid awards, families should decide which college best meets the student's academic goals and financial needs.

    Accept or Decline Aid Offered
    When students select a college, they should review the award offered by that school and decide which type of financial aid they will use to fund their education. If loans are a part of the financial aid package, families are encouraged to visit studentaid.ed.gov to access the student loan repayment calculate. After accepting or declining aid offered, students should promptly return a copy of the award letter to the financial aid office.

    Alert Financial Aid Office to Outside Funding
    Colleges require students to notify them if they receive any outside scholarships, grants or financial aid from private sources.

    Notify Other Colleges of Student's Decision
    Students should write to colleges that offered them admission and financial aid awards to notify them of their decision to attend another school.

  • Step 4: Finalize Your Plans

    Make Final Decisions on How to Pay for College
    If there is a gap between the cost of attendance and the financial aid offered, families should research additional payment methods including: 10-month payment plans offered by many colleges; Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS); or private loans offered by financial institutions.

    Shop Around for a Student Loan Lender
    Most financial aid awards include federal Stafford loans. Families should carefully select a lender that offers interest rate reductions, flexible repayment plans and top-notch customer service.

    Complete and Submit Student Loan Applications
    Oftentimes families must complete a separate application to receive education loan funds. On the application they should choose a lender offering the most cost-effective education loan programs.

    Congratulations!
    Families have completed the year-long journey and achieved financial aid success.

    Remember:
    • Be aware of deadlines throughout the entire financial aid process.
    • Call financial aid offices directly if you have any questions.
    • Create a file with relevant documents to stay organized during the financial aid process.
    • Be cautious of scholarship scams that ask you to pay in order to receive information about scholarships.

Useful Websites

St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5612 | admissions@stlukesct.org