College Admission Requirements
Four-Year Minimum College Requirements
Many colleges and universities have course requirements beyond the minimums for high school graduation. While college entrance requirements vary from one college to another, a student preparing to enroll in a four-year institution after high school should complete the following:
4 credits of English
3 credits of math including Algebra II or Integrated Math III
Senior year qualitative math
3 credits of social studies
2 credits of science (including one year of Algebra-based lab science i.e. biology, chemistry or physics)
2 credits of same world language
1 credit of arts
It is highly recommended that students take challenging courses such as honors and Advanced Placement classes, additional electives from two or more of the above core areas, and that they complete a course in computers or keyboarding. Students interested in a career involving math and/or science should plan to complete four years of college preparatory math and science. Counselors can be of assistance in planning a four-year program to meet the needs of individual students and their college choices.
For more information on minimum College Admissions Standards at Washington’s Public Four-Year Colleges click Washington Student Achievement Council Updated College Requirements.
College and Scholarship Checklist by Grade
Freshman and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Sophomore and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Juniors and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
High School & Beyond Plan Coordinator & Counselors will be meeting with the junior English classes to continue the Career Cruising College and Career readiness curriculum and talk about the timeline for their junior and senior years. These presentations are scheduled 3-4 times throughout the school year.
COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR JUNIOR YEAR
Summer
_____ Do a career interest inventory
_____ Make a list of important factors
_____ Research colleges online
_____ Make a list of prospective colleges
October
_____ Take the PSAT/NMSQT in mid-October
_____ Make a list of entrance requirements
Spring
_____ Schedule time to meet with counselor for credit check and planning classes for senior year
_____ Make a college visit during breaks
_____ Take the SAT and/or ACT in May or June
_____ Take SAT II if required by college you plan to apply
_____ Start preparing portfolio, audition materials, writing samples, or other evidence of talent
_____ Request information from colleges by setting up college admissions email account; (Be sure to use an email address that is appropriate and mature, not one that an admissions officer would view as silly or inappropriate.)
_____Attend nearby College Fairs in the Spring to help them choose Colleges that are right for them.
Seniors
Throughout the year information about post high school planning and graduation will be distributed to Senior through Senior Social Studies classes - scholarships, the application process, letters of recommendation, financial aid and tracking forms. Seniors not on campus for these classes must check in often with their counselor, classmates, daily bulletins & senior notes.
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR YEAR
Fall
_____ Review plans with counselor or career specialist
_____ Create Activity Log or College Resume
_____ Write college essay
_____ Register to take SAT or ACT if needed
_____ Finalize portfolio, audition materials, or writing samples
_____ Create an application spreadsheet to help track document deadlines
October/November
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Complete personal statement/essay for application
_____ Complete applications online
_____ Ask counselor for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Ask teachers for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Request transcript be sent to colleges
_____ Meet all deadlines on time
January
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Research scholarships and apply (OHS Senior Notes each month)
_____ Research scholarships at college and from trusted websites
(www.fastweb.com; www.collegeboard.com; www.scholarships.com; www.thewashboard.org)
Spring
_____ Wait for acceptance and offers
_____ Review award letters and weigh your options
_____ Notify colleges of your final decision
_____ Send deposit to college
June
_____ Request final transcript be sent to college (form in Senior Notes)
FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE
Factors to consider when searching for colleges include:
Programs of study or major
School size
Class size
Location
Climate
Support programs
Campus culture
Distance from home
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
Religious affiliation
Cost
Financial Aid options
Outside learning options/Study abroad program
Other Programs at Olympia High School that support college preparation and advancement:
Honors Classes
Olympia High School has open access to Honors Classes staring in 9th grade. These classes cover the same academic material as regular classes, but are more in depth and typically faster paced. Generally, they are not the equivalent of college-level work and do not earn college credit. However, taking Honors courses show colleges that students are willing to take the academic challenge.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP), a program developed by the College Board, enables high school students to study college-level material through enrollment in an AP course. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the subject by taking an AP exam in May. Based on these AP scores, colleges and universities may then grant credit, placement or both. Students can benefit from these courses by learning a subject in greater depth, developing skills critically important to successful study in college, and demonstrating their willingness to undertake a challenging course. The Olympia Scholar Award is presented to graduating seniors who have taken a challenging course of study throughout high school and have demonstrated excellence in extra-curricular activities. Click here for more information about the Advanced Placement program.
Running Start
Running Start is a program that allows eligible juniors and seniors to enroll in college-level classes at South Puget Sound Community College to receive both high school and college credit. In order to qualify for the program, students must comply with all college requirements including placement testing and maintenance of acceptable academic standing. If interested in knowing more about this opportunity, please click here for more information.
College and Scholarship Checklist by Grade
Freshman and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Sophomore and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Juniors and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Counselors will be meeting with the junior English classes to continue the Career Cruising College and Career readiness curriculum and talk about the timeline for their junior and senior years. These presentations are scheduled three times throughout the school year.
COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR JUNIOR YEAR
Summer
_____ Do a career interest inventory
_____ Make a list of important factors
_____ Research colleges online
_____ Make a list of prospective colleges
October
_____ Take the PSAT/NMSQT in mid-October
_____ Make a list of entrance requirements
Spring
_____ Schedule time to meet with counselor for credit check and planning classes for senior year
_____ Make a college visit during breaks
_____ Take the SAT and/or ACT in May or June
_____ Take SAT II if required by college you plan to apply
_____ Start preparing portfolio, audition materials, writing samples, or other evidence of talent
_____ Request information from colleges by setting up college admissions email account; (Be sure to use an email address that is appropriate and mature, not one that an admissions officer would view as silly or inappropriate.)
_____Attend nearby College Fairs in the Spring to help them choose Colleges that are right for them.
Seniors
By the first week of October, counselors will meet with seniors in each Senior Social Studies class to share information about the college application process, including information about application deadlines, counselor and teacher letters of recommendation, financial aid and tracking forms. Seniors who are enrolled in Running Start Social Studies classes might benefit from this information. Parents will find the College Planning Workshop helpful as well.
Letter of Recommendation Form
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR YEAR
Fall
_____ Review plans with counselor or career specialist
_____ Create Activity Log or College Resume
_____ Write college essay
_____ Register to take SAT or ACT if needed
_____ Finalize portfolio, audition materials, or writing samples
_____ Create an application spreadsheet to help track document deadlines
October/November
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Complete personal statement/essay for application
_____ Complete applications online
_____ Ask counselor for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Ask teachers for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Request transcript be sent to colleges
_____ Meet all deadlines on time
January
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Research scholarships and apply (OHS Senior Notes each month)
_____ Research scholarships at college and from trusted websites
(www.fastweb.com; www.collegeboard.com; www.scholarships.com; www.thewashboard.org)
Spring
_____ Wait for acceptance and offers
_____ Review award letters and weigh your options
_____ Notify colleges of your final decision
_____ Send deposit to college
June
_____ Request final transcript be sent to college (form in Senior Notes)
FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE
Factors to consider when searching for colleges include:
Programs of study or major
School size
Class size
Location
Climate
Support programs
Campus culture
Distance from home
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
Religious affiliation
Cost
Financial Aid options
Outside learning options/Study abroad program
College and Scholarship Checklist by Grade
Freshman and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Sophomore and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Juniors and their parents:
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
Counselors will be meeting with the junior English classes to continue the Career Cruising College and Career readiness curriculum and talk about the timeline for their junior and senior years. These presentations are scheduled three times throughout the school year.
COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR JUNIOR YEAR
Summer
_____ Do a career interest inventory
_____ Make a list of important factors
_____ Research colleges online
_____ Make a list of prospective colleges
October
_____ Take the PSAT/NMSQT in mid-October
_____ Make a list of entrance requirements
Spring
_____ Schedule time to meet with counselor for credit check and planning classes for senior year
_____ Make a college visit during breaks
_____ Take the SAT and/or ACT in May or June
_____ Take SAT II if required by college you plan to apply
_____ Start preparing portfolio, audition materials, writing samples, or other evidence of talent
_____ Request information from colleges by setting up college admissions email account; (Be sure to use an email address that is appropriate and mature, not one that an admissions officer would view as silly or inappropriate.)
_____Attend nearby College Fairs in the Spring to help them choose Colleges that are right for them.
Seniors
By the first week of October, counselors will meet with seniors in each Senior Social Studies class to share information about the college application process, including information about application deadlines, counselor and teacher letters of recommendation, financial aid and tracking forms. Seniors who are enrolled in Running Start Social Studies classes might benefit from this information. Parents will find the College Planning Workshop helpful as well.
Letter of Recommendation Form
Click here for a link to the College Success Foundation Set Your Course Foundation
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR YEAR
Fall
_____ Review plans with counselor or career specialist
_____ Create Activity Log or College Resume
_____ Write college essay
_____ Register to take SAT or ACT if needed
_____ Finalize portfolio, audition materials, or writing samples
_____ Create an application spreadsheet to help track document deadlines
October/November
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Complete personal statement/essay for application
_____ Complete applications online
_____ Ask counselor for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Ask teachers for letter of recommendation if needed
_____ Request transcript be sent to colleges
_____ Meet all deadlines on time
January
_____ Complete FAFSA for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
_____ Research scholarships and apply (OHS Senior Notes each month)
_____ Research scholarships at college and from trusted websites
(www.fastweb.com; www.collegeboard.com; www.scholarships.com; www.thewashboard.org)
Spring
_____ Wait for acceptance and offers
_____ Review award letters and weigh your options
_____ Notify colleges of your final decision
_____ Send deposit to college
June
_____ Request final transcript be sent to college (form in Senior Notes)
FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE
Factors to consider when searching for colleges include:
Programs of study or major
School size
Class size
Location
Climate
Support programs
Campus culture
Distance from home
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
Religious affiliation
Cost
Financial Aid options
Outside learning options/Study abroad program