The college admission process plays an important role in planning for the future. When considering a college, consider 3 major categories:

• REACH schools (schools the student would love to attend, but may not meet required criteria)
• TARGET schools (schools the student has a likely probability for admission and that significant desirable features)
• SAFETY schools (schools the student is most likely to be admitted with many desirable features)

Discuss as a family what you want and can do, together. Assist each other in gathering information, visiting and applying, and always discuss options for paying for college.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Academic level
• Department of your intended major
• Highest attainable degree in your major
• Facilities such as library, research and equipment
• Size
• Student-faculty ratio
• Faculty credentials
• Religious orientation
• Location
• Price range
• Financial aid programs
• Scholarship offerings
• Endowment
• Student life

College admission committees consider a variety of factors.

Most colleges consider the factors below; however, each college could place these in a different order of importance:

• High school GPA
• Rank in class (RIC)
• Rigor of the course work (regular, honors, or advanced placement)
• College entrance exam scores
• Extracurricular activities
• High school's reputation and standing
• Recommendations from teachers, counselors and/or principals
• Personal statement or essay
• Quality of the application
• Special talents

Visiting a college is the only way to find out your impressions of a college and to get a feeling for the school. The more colleges you visit, the more general knowledge you will have about college and the more specific knowledge you will gain about what you like and do not like. Loyola allows two visit days for Juniors and Seniors per year, but extended time may be granted by the Principal or Assistant Principal/Prefect of Discipline if needed. Students should try to plan college visits when Loyola is not in session if possible.

PLANNING A VISIT:

• Call or visit the website in advance to find out about appointments and tours. Smaller colleges will probably arrange individual appointments and larger colleges will have set times for tours and group sessions. Some colleges will provide overnight lodging on campus, so ask if you are interested.
• If you would like to sit in on a class or talk to a coach or professor, let the admissions office know.
• If you are visiting other colleges, be sure to plan enough time between visits to get to your appointments on time and to absorb what you see.

BEFORE THE VISIT:

• Read over information (brochures, catalogs and/or websites) about the college so that you are prepared and knowledgeable when you visit.
• Prepare questions. Remember that the purpose of this visit is for you to get information and a feeling for the college. Ask questions that you want to ask - there are no right questions to ask.
• Get directions! The admissions office would be happy to provide them for you.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

• Relax and take in as much as you can.
• Take a tour.
• Have a meal in the cafeteria. This is the place to acquire the best impressions of student life.
• Locate a campus newspaper and read it.
• Check out bulletin boards. What are people posting and what is advertised?
• Try to see a dorm room.
• Ask your guide personal questions - such as why he chose the school or what she does not like. Your guide can provide invaluable information that will not be found in publications.
• Spend time in the library. Is this a place where people study or socialize?
• Listen in on conversations.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR:

• Social Climate
• What do people do on the weekends?
• What social and cultural activities are offered on campus? Are these activities that you would like?
• What facilities are there for socializing? Is there a social center or student union?
• What clubs, organizations, and groups are evident and popular on campus?
• Are the students friendly? Are they positive about their school?
• How would you generalize about the "type" of student that you see - ie. preppy, nonconformist, intellectual, career oriented ...
• What is the political climate on campus?
• Intellectual Climate
• What is the student attitude toward learning?
• How competitive or intense is the learning environment?
• What are opportunities for special programs? ie. cooperative programs, study abroad, research...
• Do you feel that this would be an intellectual "fit?"
• Campus life
• Does the appearance of the campus please you?
• What are the living accommodations like? Is there a variety of housing from which to choose - ie single sex/coed, suites, single rooms, "quiet" dorms, off campus apartments?
• Where does one find a "community"? ie. clubs, residential communities, Greek system, learning communities, religious affiliations?
• What is the difference between where freshmen and upperclassmen live?
• What would you do when you go off campus?
• Is the campus safe? Are you comfortable with the security in all areas?
• When you visit, try to get a feeling for what your life would be like if you attend. Remember that you can gather facts from websites and guidebooks. Your visit should give you should provide you with an impression of and opinions about the college. Often, this "feeling" is the deciding factor in your decision.

Minimum Admissions Criteria

Selective school admission needs to be a top priority of all Loyola students today. With the exception of the state's two-year institutions, all public four-year institutions have adopted selective admission policies. The LA Board of Regents/TOPS high school core curriculum must be completed as a minimum to be considered for admission into any of the four-year institutions. Because of this change, Loyola, as a college preparatory school, was compelled to adjust its requirements for graduation to meet this standard. For a listing of the core curricular requirements and the LA Public University Minimum Admissions Criteria, click this link.

Louisiana Core Four curricular requirements became effective beginning with the Class of 2012 . All Loyola students graduate with the mandatory Core Four requirements.

From year to year Loyola students seek admission to one or more of our U.S. Service Academies. These include West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, The Merchant Marines Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Qualifications for admissions are high and the application process is rigorous. Because of this, those students interested must begin the process at the beginning of their junior year.

Junior Year

• September: notify college placement counselors of your interest
• October: initial meeting with parents and interested students
• December- January: apply for summer seminar programs at the Service Academies
• April: meet with college placement counselor to begin the application process

Summer before:

• Senior year: request nomination packets from U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator
• Begin applications to the academies
• Begin application for ROTC scholarship

Senior Year:

• September-November: complete all applications and nomination packets
• November-December: interviews for nominations

Finding the right performing or visual arts program is a unique and individual decision. There many different types of schools offering a quality education in the arts.

• Four-Year Colleges/Universities: For those who want a broad liberal arts curriculum. The ability to switch majors is a very useful safety net for those who aren’t 100% certain of their choices.
• Four-Year Performing and Visual Arts Schools: Generally offer art instruction with a liberal arts program of study. All degrees are art-related. Most of these schools have the words “Art” or “Design” in their names.
• Conservatories: Professional schools designed to preserve and perfect the knowledge of the performing arts, generally without the traditional liberal arts curriculum. For the most part, conservatories are looking for polish from a prospective student.

Some resources:

National Youngarts Foundation-High school seniors (17+ years old) are eligible to apply to the NFAA’s Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) program. Simply applying provides the opportunity to qualify for scholarships and the chance to be named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. This is for the areas of dance, jazz, film and video, music, photography, theater, visual arts, and voice.

Resources for Dance interests:

http://www.a2zcolleges.com/Majors/Dance.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6789916_list-top-ten-danc...

Information For The Arts (Theater)

http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/resources/10-theater-colleges-kick-start-your-career/

http://musicschoolcentral.com/discover-the-10-best-colleges-for-musical-theater/

http://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/rankings/top-ranked/#

In the spring of the Junior year, or the early summer as a rising Senior, students interested in playing sports at the college level are encouraged to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Coaches and athletic recruiters can visit this site to access your academic information to determine academic eligibility.

NCAA Clearinghouse: http://www.eligibilitycenter.org/

NCAA Guide for College Bound Athlete:http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/C...

NCAA Initial Eligibility Guidelines:http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Quick_R...

Division I Academic Requirements: http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2018DIEC_R...

Division II Academic Requirements: http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2018DIIEC_...

Play NAIA: http://www.naia.org/

Big Future is a great website designed to help students plan for college. Please take advantage of this resource during the junior and senior years.