Check out the College Application Timeline for details on the process of exploring and applying to colleges.

While some colleges, generally 2-year community colleges, have clear admission guidelines, most colleges use holistic admissions.  This means that they will look at the whole student, not just the numbers that appear on the transcript. 

Schools using holistic admissions may consider several factors, including:

• Test scores -  Most 4-year colleges and universities require an ACT or SAT result at a minimum, but they may also require subject specific SAT IIs or other exams. 
  
• GPAs -  HPSH transcripts include both the weighted and unweighted GPAs, and colleges generally consider both.  Some colleges will also calculate more specific GPAs as part of their application review (the GPA of core subjects only, for example).
• Rigor -  Transcripts will be reviewed for a four-year progression of rigor.  Students should not just blindly sign up for all IB classes - getting Ds and Ns in an IB class does not help - but rather select a schedule that is challenging and manageable.  This rigor should extend through the senior year as colleges will always view the "senior slide" in a negative light.
• Improvement -  We don't always make the best decisions when we are 14, and colleges know this.  For a student who did not work up to his/her potential in the freshman year, it is doubly important to show improvement over the course of the four years of high school.
• Personality -  Many applications allow students a chance to express their personality in the form of essays and writing samples.  When writing a college application essay, remember the audience - read the essay from their perspective to see what they are learning about you as a student and a person.
• Recommendations - Letters of recommendation are a great way for colleges to get a glimpse of who you are in and out of the classroom.  Choose your recommender carefully.  Who has seen you complete your best work?  Meet with your recommender to request the letter, provide a resume, give the recommender at least two weeks, and remember to thank him/her!
• Activities -  As some colleges get more selective, they want to know how you spend your time outside of the classroom.  This can include traditional extracurricular activities like sports and clubs, but should also include volunteer hours, employment, and hobbies you are actively involved in.
  

Students can request an official transcript by filling out the form in the school counseling office.  Official transcripts will be an a school envelope that is sealed and signed - DO NOT open the envelope.  Highland Park does not mail official transcripts - students should pick them up in one to two days and include them along with the rest of the application packet. 

An official transcript will include a list of courses taken, credits earned, and grades received.  In addition, the official transcript will also include:

• Weighted GPA - calculated to include the weighted honors point students earn for taking IB Prep and IB classes.
• Un-weighted GPA - on a standard 4.0 scale (4 = A, 3 = B, etc.).
• Class rank - calculated at the end of each term and based on a student's weighted GPA.
• ACT or SAT scores - if they are requested by the student.  Please be aware that increasingly colleges will only accept official ACT/SAT scores that are sent directly by the testing companies.  Check applications carefully.
  

Many colleges will ask that you complete a mid-year report half way through your senior year.  The mid-year report is used to see that your grades are still strong and that you have not dropped your academic classes. 

Colleges differ on when they want a mid-year report, so check with each college you are applying to.  Mid-year reports are generally completed after second quarter (end of January).

To get your mid-year report completed, fill out an Official Transcript Request in the school counseling office and attach the paperwork.  Your mid-year report will be ready for pick-up in one to two days.

Letters of recommendation can be a very important part of your college application.  They give the admissions committee a look at who you are as a student in the classroom and a member of your community.  Some applications will identify specific people you must collect letters from (English teacher, counselor, etc.), while others will allow you to submit letters from a wider range of people (coach, boss, etc.). 

When deciding who to ask for a letter of recommendation it is important to first ask yourself: Who has seen my best work?  Pick someone who knows you well, can speak to your strengths, and has observed you at your best.

Now that you have your letter writer(s) selected, here are the processes for getting a letter of recommendation from A) a teacher, and B) your school counselor:

    A) Getting a letter of recommendation from your teacher:

1. Before you ask the teacher, gather together your materials.  You should have a resume and a note that details: who the letter is for, how many copies of the letter you will need and what your deadline is.  You should also provide stamped and addressed envelopes for their convenience.
2. Plan ahead - you should request the letter at least two weeks in advance of your deadline.  Teachers are often writing several letters at one time, so they need time to complete your request.
3. Ask your teacher for the letter during a quiet moment - before or after school is a good time to catch them.
4. Give your teacher a friendly reminder a few days before the deadline.
5. Send a thank you note to your teacher!

    B) Getting a letter of recommendation from your counselor:

1. Stop by the School Counseling Office and pick up these two forms:
• Official Transcript Request
• Student Information Form
  
2. Schedule a 30 minute appointment with your counselor at least two weeks before your deadline.  Bring the completed Official Transcript Request and the Student Information Sheet with you.  Also bring along any paperwork that is required for the application (for example, a Counselor/School Report). 
   
3. You do not need to provide envelopes/postage for a letter from your counselor.  Your completed letter and official transcript will be sealed in a school envelope.
   
4. Check back in the School Counseling Office to pick up your completed request.  Your letter will be sealed up in a school envelope with a stamp and signature over the flap - do not open the envelope!  Your transcript remains official ONLY if it arrives at the school in the sealed envelope.
   
5. Remember - the HPSH School Counseling Office does not mail letters or transcripts for students.  You must pick up your completed request in the School Counseling Office!
   

The Common Application can be used when applying as a freshman to over 315 participating schools.  Students can complete the Common Application online or in paper form.  For more information on participating schools check out the Common Application website.

The Power of You is a program that makes college available tuition-free.  It covers the cost of tuition and fees for two years or up to 72 credits at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), Saint Paul College or Metropolitan State University through state and federal grants and private scholarships.  The Power of You supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Graduate from a Minneapolis or Saint Paul public high school in Spring 2008
• Reside in either the city of Minneapolis or Saint Paul
• Meet the criteria to apply for federal financial aid
• Meet the admission requirements of the college/university you wish to attend
• Meet placement testing requirements

How do I apply for the Power of You?
The steps below must be completed and submitted to the school you wish to attend by May 1, 2008 to be considered for acceptance into the Power of You program for fall 2008:

1. Complete and submit both sides of the Power of You program application as early as possible to the school(s) you wish to attend.
2. Submit the general admission application and complete the admission process for the school(s) you wish to attend.
3. Submit the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete the financial aid process.  You can apply online (preferred) at www.fafsa.ed.gov
4. Complete the placement test(s) at the school(s) you wish to attend.  For testing hours and information, contact the Testing Center at the school(s) you wish to attend:
• Saint Paul College (651) 846-1555
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College (612) 659-6262
• Metropolitan State University (651) 793-1460
  
5. Submit your high school transcript according to the process at the school(s) you wish to attend.

For information, visit or contact the colleges:

Saint Paul College  www.saintpaul.edu
    235 Marshall Avenue
    Saint Paul, MN 55102
    (651) 846-1325

Minneapolis Community and Technical College  www.minneapolis.edu
    1501 Hennepin Avenue
    Minneapolis, MN 55403
    (612) 659-6200

Metropolitan State University  www.metrostate.edu
    700 East Seventh Street
    Saint Paul, MN 55106
    (651) 793-1210

In addition to regular application deadlines, some colleges offer Early Decision and/or Early Action deadlines.  It is important to understand the terms, so double-check with the individual college, however, these terms generally mean:

• Early Decision is usually binding and gives students the benefit of a quicker turn-around in the application process.  Students can only apply to one school Early Decision, as other schools will respect this decision.  Because it is financial binding, families should consider carefully before submitting an early decision application.  Getting out of an early decision can be done because of financial need, but need must be proved by the student.
  
• Early Action is a non-binding decision, meaning, the student can change his/her mind and attend another school without financial consequences.