College

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.comwww.collegeboard.comwww.scholarships.comwww.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.comwww.collegeboard.comwww.scholarships.comwww.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.comwww.collegeboard.comwww.scholarships.comwww.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