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Q.

How do I register or sign up to take the test?

A.

Since the PSAT is given to every member of the junior class, Thacher will take care of the registration and administration of the test. The school's Testing Coordinator, Mr. Roger Klausler, will guide students through this process.

Q.

Do colleges ever see the results of the PSAT?

A.

Colleges can only access the results of the PSAT with a student's permission. This permission is given when a student signs up to participate in the College Scholarship Service at the time of the test. Institutions use the information provided by this service to identify and initiate contact with a preliminary group of students who might be a good match for their schools.

Q.

Why did I take the PSAT as a sophomore? Do colleges ever see the results of that test?

A.

While most students nationwide do not take the PSAT until junior year, at Thacher, sophomores are given the opportunity to take the test along with juniors. This is solely a practice test for sophomores and colleges will never have access to the results. However, exposure to these tests has proven helpful in improving the results of the junior PSAT and subsequent SAT's. Therefore, Thacher feels that an attempt at the PSAT in the sophomore year is worthwhile.

Q.

What is the National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC)?

A.

The NMSC is a program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which helps distribute corporate and institutional funds to outstanding high school graduates nationwide. The scholarship program uses a number called the "Selection Index" (sum of the verbal, math and writing sections of the PSAT) to identify the top contenders within each of the fifty states. Each state has a different minimum score requirement. The competition then goes as follows:

• In the spring of junior year all students eligible for the competition are recognized as Commended Scholars.
• In the fall of senior year, Semifinalists are selected from the pool of Commended Students for a second round of consideration. These Semifinalists must then complete an application, which includes an essay, recommendation and transcript information for the final round of consideration.
• The winners of the competition, National Merit Scholars, as well as NMSC Finalists are announced in the spring of senior year. The names of the winners are then offered to colleges, universities and corporations for sponsorship.

Q.

What is the SAT I? Can I take it more than once?

A.

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT I is an aptitude reasoning test designed to predict academic success in college. The test has recently been changed to include a more substantial math section, verbal section (now called critical reading) and a brand-new writing section. The scoring for each section will remain consistent with the 0-800 range of the old SAT; the writing section will add a third score. The test will be offered in October, November, December, January, March, May and June of every academic year.

Q.

What is the SAT II?

A.

SAT II tests or Subject Tests are designed to measure academic achievement. These one-hour tests measure knowledge in a specific subject area such as History, Spanish, or Biology. A complete list of the tests can be found in the SAT Registration Bulletin. SAT II’s are offered at the same times at SAT I’s in October, November, December, January, March, May and June of every academic year.

Q.

Which SAT II tests should I take?

A.

On average, Thacher students take 2-3 SAT II tests. Each student, based on his or her particular area of strength, and with the guidance of the counseling office can select their tests. For example, students who have completed Math III are ready to take the SAT II Math 2C. The Educational Testing Service (a branch of the College Board) will continue to provide sample tests in the Registration Bulletin; these tests are also available in the College Counseling office. Colleges will use the best test results when reviewing a candidate for admission.

Q.

When do I take the SAT I and the SAT II?

A.

Juniors are encourage to take the SAT I in January or March. Students are advised to take SAT II’s in May or June after completing classes in SAT II subject areas. Depending on the results, students may retake SAT I’s and II’s.

Q.

How do I register for the SAT's?

A.

Unlike the PSAT, students must register for the SAT tests individually with the assistance of the school's Testing Coordinator. Registration is available through the mail as well as online at www.collegeboard.org. Here are some important things to remember:

• Use your full, legal name when registering. Don't use nicknames or abbreviations. Be consistent.
• Use your social security number as an additional form of identification.
• Always include our School Code (052265) so that Thacher will get a copy of the test results.
• Assignment to your first choice test center is based on availability so register early and follow the instructions of our Testing Coordinator.

Q.

Can I take the SAT's at Thacher?

A.

Thacher is a test center for the SAT examinations in October, December, January and May. Students who wish or need to take the tests at other times than when they are offered at Thacher will need to go to other test centers. Thacher will help arrange transportation. Ojai Valley School and Nordoff High School are two excellent, alternate choices for the November and June dates.

Q.

What is the ACT? Do I need to take it?

A.

The American College Test or ACT is another entrance examination that schools will accept in lieu of or in addition to the SAT. The test is divided into four sections: English, math, social science, and natural science. Responding to the changes in the SAT I, the ACT will also offer a new writing component. The test is scored on a 1-36 scale, with 36 being the best. It is given in September, October, December, February, April and June of the academic year and does not conflict with the SAT. Often, Thacher students who do not do well on the SAT may do better on the ACT, which is much more comprehensive—measuring what has been learned. Consult with the counseling office to determine if you need to take it. Registration is available by mail or online at www.act.org.

Q.

What is the TOEFL? Do I need to take it also?

A.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is recommended for foreign-born students who have been living in the US for less than four years or for permanent residents whose first language was not English. The purpose of this test is to determine your proficiency in English particularly if your SAT I Verbal score is below 500. For more information about registration and sample questions you should visit the TOEFL website at www.toefl.org.

Q.

How do I begin to figure out what kinds of colleges or universities I might like to apply to next year?

A.

Figuring out what is the best school for you is a long and complex process that requires thorough and thoughtful research and introspection. The best place to begin is to identify the type of environment in which you are most fulfilled. Large or small, urban or rural, college or university—determining your priorities is essential to a successful college search. There are several things you can do as a junior to initiate the process:

• Talk to the College Counseling Staff.
• Talk to seniors who are applying to colleges and share your interests and values.
• Research schools through guide books and the Internet. Most college website addresses are www.schoolname.edu.
• Visit colleges during spring break or in the summer.

Q.

When is a good time to visit colleges? What is Thacher's policy about trips during the school year?

A.

Thacher encourages students to visit colleges in the spring of junior year and the summer before senior year. Recognizing the importance of a visit in a student's college search we also allow seniors to petition for up to five days of excused absences to visit colleges during the school year. This minimizes the loss of significant senior presence and leadership on campus. Itineraries must be submitted to the College Counselor at least four weeks prior to the student's departure. In addition, students will be required to discuss their plans with each of their teachers and advisor to insure that they can make up missed course work or other Thacher obligations. Athletes must make the additional effort to consult with their coaches.

Q.

Should I make sure to interview during these visits?

A.

Figuring out what is the best school for you is a long and complex process that requires Due to the growing volume of applications, many colleges are no longer able to offer interviews to all prospective candidates. However, when students contact a school to arrange for a visit, they should inquire about interviews: are they required, encouraged or not offered at all. If interviews are required and offered on campus, by all means take advantage of the opportunity. Most interviews take place during the summer months or in the fall. If interviews are only available with local alumni groups, students will likely be contacted directly after they submit an application.

Q.

How do I acquire applications for the schools I am interested in?

A.

Many colleges and universities now provide their applications online through their website. However, students who prefer paper documents should contact schools with a request in the summer between their junior and senior year. Students are responsible for requesting applications from the colleges. This can be done via the Internet, by mail or telephone. Students should inform colleges of their boarding status so that applications can be sent directly to Thacher once the school year has started.

Q.

How many colleges should I choose to apply to?

A.

To maximize their options, Thacher students are encouraged to submit 6-8 applications to schools within an appropriate spectrum of selectivity. Each application will require lots of time and care if it is going to generate the desired results. Therefore, it is wise to limit the number of applications to a reasonable and manageable amount.

Q.

What is the Common Application and should I use it?

A.

This document was created several years ago by a group of colleges to assist students in the process by having them complete one "common application" rather than 6-8 individual ones. Colleges that accept the Common Application agree to evaluate students who use this document in the same manner that they evaluate students who submit the colleges' own applications. Many colleges, such as Harvard, Wesleyan and Middlebury, took this a step further and adopted the Common Application as their own. Thacher's preference is that students demonstrate their interest in each school by using the schools' own forms and adhering to their specific instructions. However, appropriate use of the Common Application is a topic that should be carefully and thoughtfully discussed with the College Counselor. For a copy of the application and a list of the schools that accept the Common Application you can go to the website at www.commonapp.org.

Q.

Is Thacher's GPA weighted and how do I know what my rank is?

A.

Thacher's GPA is not weighted. The GPA sent to colleges is calculated using sophomore and junior grades from academic classes; it does not include non-AP visual or performing arts classes.

Due to the rigor of our curriculum and the small size of our classes, Thacher does not rank its students. To assist colleges in their assessment our students, a School Profile is included with every Secondary School Report we submit for our students. The Profile provides general information about Thacher (our curriculum, SAT results, grade distribution, etc).

Q.

How do colleges and universities get the results of my SAT or ACT tests?

A.

All college applications dedicate a section in their application where students can provide test results. It is important to include every score as well as those that are pending. In addition, colleges will require confirmation of student scores directly from the testing agency. Testing agencies will release scores only with the explicit consent of the students. Therefore, students are encouraged to contact ETS or ACT in a timely fashion.

Q.

When do I submit my applications?

A.

Each college has its own deadlines and so it is imperative for students to read carefully through colleges’ literature to confirm these dates. However, generally speaking most colleges accept early-decision or early-action applications in the first part of November and regular decision applications in the early part of January or February. The University of California's deadline is November 30th, although they do allow students to apply as early as the applications become available in September. For the most part, the California State system has rolling admission that usually extends to early February. However, they also encourage students to submit applications as soon as possible.

Q.

What is the difference between early decision, early action, and rolling admission? Does it make a difference which option I choose?

A.

Early decision is for students who are absolutely certain of the school they want to attend, and whose transcript through junior year depicts their best work. Typically the student applies in early November and receives an answer from the college by early December. Early decision requires a commitment and if a student is admitted they must accept the offer by January 1st.

Early action is similar to early decision with one exception: if a student is admitted, they are not required to attend and can actually wait until May to notify the institution of their decision.

Public universities most commonly use a rolling admission process, and it simply means that qualified students will be admitted as long as spaces are available. Thacher students are encouraged to make the most of this option by submitting their applications as early as possible when availability of space is at its' highest.

Q.

Can I apply to one school early decision and another early action?

A.

The policy of most schools is that a student can only apply to one school early, whether it is early decision or action. Again, students should read the college literature carefully to make sure they respect each school's policies.

Q.

How do I apply for financial aid?

A.

The financial aid process is separate from the admission process. Regardless of when you apply for admission to a college, you should apply for financial aid as soon as the forms become available. There are three types of aid that students can apply for: federal, state, and institutional funding. Consequently three forms are typically required.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by both private and public institutions nationwide and is available in late October/early November. The application period goes from January 2 - July 1. However, to maximize the strength of your financial aid package, students are encouraged to apply as early in January as possible. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

The Cal Grant Grade Verification Form needs to be completed by students who are California residents and applying to both private and public schools in the state. The deadline for this form is March 2nd.

Private schools require The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile Form in addition to the FAFSA. This application is only available online and requires students to register with the service starting in October of Senior Year. Once registration is complete, a student will receive an online form which will include specific questions from each private school to which the student is applied. The completed forms are returned to the processing center in order to be forwarded to each school. The CSS Profile Form is available online at www.collegeboard.org.

Q.

What is the PSAT? Do all juniors have to take it?

A.

The college selection process requires a number of entrance examinations. The first of these is the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test or PSAT, which is administered to juniors nationwide. The test contains math and verbal sections along with a writing component to measure a student's academic progress in high school. The test is offered in October at Thacher and serves several purposes:

• The results can be helpful predictors of a student's success in the SAT examinations as a senior.
• The test helps students prepare for the SAT examinations by identifying areas that need improvement.
• The results of the PSAT are used to determine students' eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
• The test provides students an opportunity to register themselves with the College Scholarship Service to initiate contact with colleges and universities whose students' PSAT results match their own.