FAQs:

How do I determine which college is the best match for me and how will I know where to apply?

How likely is it that I will get into my first college of choice?

When does the college process start?

How does Storm King help me with my college search and application process?

What standardized tests should students take and when?

What can parents do to help their son/daughter in the college search/preparation process?

What should students be doing throughout the application process?

How are transcripts sent to the colleges and universities?

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How do I determine which college is the best match for me and how will I know where to apply?

In the spring of junior year students complete a college search questionnaire, and have at least one counseling session with the college counselor. During the summer, prior to senior year, students are encouraged to continue their search and visit as many college campuses as possible. Storm King welcomes numerous admissions officers to campus to help juniors and seniors become acquainted with a wide variety of schools.  Ultimately, the students determine their colleges of choice, with guidance from the college counselor, advisors, and their parents.


How likely is it that I will get into my first college of choice?

All seniors that applied to colleges last year were accepted. The majority of Storm King seniors were accepted to their first choice colleges.  Academic performance is the key determining factor.


When does the college search process start?

This process starts as early as freshman and sophomore years, when each student meets with the college counselor and takes the PSAT test. Ideally, students will begin to visit college campuses in their junior year, with final decision-making visits in the fall of senior year.


How does Storm King help me with my college search and application process?

• Hold regular group and individual meetings to inform students of their responsibilities.
• Advise students on which standardized tests to take, when to take them, and assist them in registering for all required tests (SAT, ACT, TOEFL).
• Guide students to develop initial college search lists.
• Assist students as they develop interests, career choices and college selections.
• Provide supporting documents (letters, transcripts, secondary school reports) to colleges as requested by students.
• Read and comment on drafts of college essays.
• Host college representative visits.
• Provide access to college information resources (guides, catalogs, and web based admissions materials).
• Establish and maintain relationships with college admissions offices.
• Stay current on national admissions trends.

What standardized tests should students take and when?

Freshmen and sophomores take the Preliminary Standard Admissions Test (PSAT) in the fall. Juniors take the ACT (April) and/or SAT (May) in the spring, and seniors sit for these tests in the fall (October, November, December). International students also take the Testing of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL).   College Counseling provides access to standardized test preparation classes and tutorial programs.

What can parents do to help their son/daughter in the college search/preparation process?

• Attend both fall and spring Parents' Weekend events, scheduling time with the college counselor in addition to individual classroom teachers.
• Become involved in the process, understanding that it is the student's responsibility to "do the work" required to ensure a successful search, application, admittance, and selection to college after graduation from SKS.
• Discuss the reality of your involvement and support of their educational goals.  Conversations regarding financial concerns, geographical preferences all play a role helping the student mature into adulthood.
• Assist in college research, knowing your student's likes and dislikes. Be aware that many colleges require application fees when the application is ready to be submitted.
• Maintain contact with the college counselor and your student's advisor; let us know of any extenuating circumstances early. Call or e-mail any questions you have along the way.
• Remember it is the student's responsibility to complete applications, essays, request transcripts and fulfill most other admission related activities.
• Help them with an eye toward timelines, deadlines, and monitor their progress.  Ask them questions.
• Parents of Domestic Students: 
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Federal Application (FAFSA) forms typically available after January 1 of your student's senior year.
• Parents of International Students: 
• Be prepared with international bank statements, affidavits of bank funds and other requirements specific to study in United States colleges.

What should students be doing throughout the application process?

• Become familiar with the entrance requirements for prospective colleges.
• Be especially mindful of timelines, deadlines and specific college requirements.
• Aggressively pursue information about prospective colleges.
• Ask teachers to write recommendations early in the process.  Give them the time and respect to do a good job for you.
• Update your resume of activities and accomplishments.
• Plan college visits and interviews during summer vacations.
• Work with the English department and the college counselor on college essays.
• Complete your applications; ask questions; proof read your forms.
• Have the college counselor review all applications before you submit them.
• Check your e-mail often for college correspondence.
• Maintain your academic performance throughout senior year.

How are transcripts sent to the colleges and universities?

The Storm King School policy regarding college transcript requests:

• Each college requires the student's high school to send, officially signed, stamped, and sealed transcripts as part of the college admission process. 
• Third party or parent provided transcripts may not be considered by the colleges and are not certified as official from The Storm King School

The senior students are responsible for their own college applications, with our guidance.   As part of that process, seniors will be requesting transcripts to be sent to their college choices. 

• Particularly for our international population, but applicable to all, NO transcripts are being sent without review of the student's entire application, including portfolios, essays and letters of recommendation by the Head of School, the Academic Dean and the College Counselor. 

Effort and coordination on the part of the student as deadlines approach will be required to allow time for this review to occur.  A missed deadline most often results in an ineligible application. 

• Parents and outside agencies that prepare applications for their students run the risk of missing an application deadline, causing the college to reject the student.
• Please be sure you AND your student are aware of any and all college applications and the deadline for applying. 
• Students must request transcripts at least 1 week (7 days) prior to a deadline to ensure all reviews are complete and mail processing time is considered.  Additional time may be required to account for international communications, processing, mailing documents, etc.   Not all documents can be handled electronically.  Documents that require overnight service will be sent via FedEX or DHL and billed to the student's account.

We are working very hard through this review process to ensure the integrity and reputation of the Storm King application and how it reflects on our past, current and future students.