Follow-Up
After you've applied to the Catholic School of your choice in November, you will need to anticipate and/or do the following:
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A phone call or e-mail from the school
It may take a few weeks or so, but, at some point, the school of your choice should make contact with you. Most likely, they are looking for more information or paperwork or even setting up an interview with you and/or your child. Respond immediately, as It shows you are interested. Gather all necessary documents and submit ASAP. If you do NOT hear from the school by mid-December, it would be a good idea to contact the admissions director (click on the phone to the left for school numbers). Introduce yourself, then explain you have applied to the school and would like to know if they need any other documentation.
It may take a few weeks or so, but, at some point, the school of your choice should make contact with you. Most likely, they are looking for more information or paperwork or even setting up an interview with you and/or your child. Respond immediately, as It shows you are interested. Gather all necessary documents and submit ASAP. If you do NOT hear from the school by mid-December, it would be a good idea to contact the admissions director (click on the phone to the left for school numbers). Introduce yourself, then explain you have applied to the school and would like to know if they need any other documentation.
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The interview
It's a safe bet the school will want to meet with you and your child. After all, just as you wouldn't marry someone you haven't met, a school's admissions program will not accept a student based solely on their records. The interview may take place in December, but, more likely, it will be held sometime in January or early February (nothing past that, as they need to make their final decisions by mid-February). AS WITH ALL INTERVIEWS, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST AND BE PREPARED (CLICK ON THE ICON TO THE LEFT FOR INTERVIEW TIPS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS).
It's a safe bet the school will want to meet with you and your child. After all, just as you wouldn't marry someone you haven't met, a school's admissions program will not accept a student based solely on their records. The interview may take place in December, but, more likely, it will be held sometime in January or early February (nothing past that, as they need to make their final decisions by mid-February). AS WITH ALL INTERVIEWS, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST AND BE PREPARED (CLICK ON THE ICON TO THE LEFT FOR INTERVIEW TIPS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS).
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Post-interview thank you letter
Immediately after your interview, you should write a thank-you letter. Why? Careerbuilder explains: "More than one-in-five hiring managers say they are less likely to hire a candidate who didn’t send a thank-you note" (Click here for article). The same may (or may not) be said for high school admissions directors. Ultimately, though, it is a gesture of politeness and can only help your chances of getting accepted. For tips on how to write a great post-interview thank you letter, click on the icon to the left.
Immediately after your interview, you should write a thank-you letter. Why? Careerbuilder explains: "More than one-in-five hiring managers say they are less likely to hire a candidate who didn’t send a thank-you note" (Click here for article). The same may (or may not) be said for high school admissions directors. Ultimately, though, it is a gesture of politeness and can only help your chances of getting accepted. For tips on how to write a great post-interview thank you letter, click on the icon to the left.
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High School Placement Test
Like every other standardized test, there is a reason for the HSPT (High School Placement Test). And it's not to scare you away. It's also not used (in most schools) to determine whether you get accepted or not. In most cases, the HSPT serves to do what its name suggests: Place you. Meaning, it allows the school to determine your level of abilities and, if you are accepted, to place you on a specific academic track (Honors, AP, etc.). Therefore, it should NOT be viewed as a terrible monster to be feared. However, it DOES need to be taken seriously. If not - if a student chooses to make no attempt on it - the school will assume they are incapable of handling ANY academic material which the school provides and, consequently, most likely not accept him or her as a student. In summary, don't sweat it, but DO make your best effort and DO prepare. Click here to learn how. (FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEST ITSELF, CLICK HERE.)
Like every other standardized test, there is a reason for the HSPT (High School Placement Test). And it's not to scare you away. It's also not used (in most schools) to determine whether you get accepted or not. In most cases, the HSPT serves to do what its name suggests: Place you. Meaning, it allows the school to determine your level of abilities and, if you are accepted, to place you on a specific academic track (Honors, AP, etc.). Therefore, it should NOT be viewed as a terrible monster to be feared. However, it DOES need to be taken seriously. If not - if a student chooses to make no attempt on it - the school will assume they are incapable of handling ANY academic material which the school provides and, consequently, most likely not accept him or her as a student. In summary, don't sweat it, but DO make your best effort and DO prepare. Click here to learn how. (FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEST ITSELF, CLICK HERE.)
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Acceptance/Rejection Letter
Sometime in mid-February, you will receive a letter from your school of choice, stating whether you/your child has been accepted or rejected. Remember: many schools have a long list of applicants trying to get in. If you don't make it this round, it's not because you're not a good student. Rather, more likely, the school simply didn't have enough spots open. It is unwise (obviously) to give up and stay sorrowful at this point. There are still plenty of schools to choose from. The best move is to immediately apply to your back-up schools Call them and ask what the necessary steps are and act NOW. If, on the other hand, you were accepted, move on to the next step.
Sometime in mid-February, you will receive a letter from your school of choice, stating whether you/your child has been accepted or rejected. Remember: many schools have a long list of applicants trying to get in. If you don't make it this round, it's not because you're not a good student. Rather, more likely, the school simply didn't have enough spots open. It is unwise (obviously) to give up and stay sorrowful at this point. There are still plenty of schools to choose from. The best move is to immediately apply to your back-up schools Call them and ask what the necessary steps are and act NOW. If, on the other hand, you were accepted, move on to the next step.
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Registration
After you have been accepted, your school of choice will want you to make a commitment. In terms of money, this usually takes the form of a registration payment, as well as certain fees (building, technology, yearbook, etc.). Costs range anywhere from no fees to $1,800 in registration and fees (click on the icon to the left for a cost comparison of local Catholic high schools). This will be your "down payment" and demonstrate that your child will most definitely be attending. (Please be aware that financial aid does not normally cover these expenses.)
After you have been accepted, your school of choice will want you to make a commitment. In terms of money, this usually takes the form of a registration payment, as well as certain fees (building, technology, yearbook, etc.). Costs range anywhere from no fees to $1,800 in registration and fees (click on the icon to the left for a cost comparison of local Catholic high schools). This will be your "down payment" and demonstrate that your child will most definitely be attending. (Please be aware that financial aid does not normally cover these expenses.)
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Applying for Financial Aid
There are no two ways about it: Catholic high school costs money, and usually lots of it. However, as mentioned here, schools often have some kind of financial aid. The bottom line is this: Once you can apply for aid (whether it's right after "Acceptance Letter Day" or sometime in March - check with the school to find out), DO NOT HESITATE. Financial Aid is first-come, first-serve. Thus, the longer you wait: (a) the less chance you have of getting aid, and (b) the amount of money that is available decreases. One final note: It's important to know ahead of time that the school will ask for your tax forms from the current year, so be sure to do your taxes in a timely manner, as well.
There are no two ways about it: Catholic high school costs money, and usually lots of it. However, as mentioned here, schools often have some kind of financial aid. The bottom line is this: Once you can apply for aid (whether it's right after "Acceptance Letter Day" or sometime in March - check with the school to find out), DO NOT HESITATE. Financial Aid is first-come, first-serve. Thus, the longer you wait: (a) the less chance you have of getting aid, and (b) the amount of money that is available decreases. One final note: It's important to know ahead of time that the school will ask for your tax forms from the current year, so be sure to do your taxes in a timely manner, as well.
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Summer Program
Once you have registered, the school may require your child to attend a summer program. These are mostly academic in nature, often a way for rising 8th graders to becoming acclimated to the school and develop skills necessary to succeed. Costs will be somewhere in the lower hundreds (ca. $300). It is important that your child take this course seriously, as it will give them valuable tools for the road ahead.
Once you have registered, the school may require your child to attend a summer program. These are mostly academic in nature, often a way for rising 8th graders to becoming acclimated to the school and develop skills necessary to succeed. Costs will be somewhere in the lower hundreds (ca. $300). It is important that your child take this course seriously, as it will give them valuable tools for the road ahead.