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Frequently Asked Questions


 

Topic: Whom do I contact in College Counseling?

Please contact Joanie Brotman for all general questions about our college counseling programs, standardized testing, SAT prep, college visits, the webpage, and Family Connection.   Joanie also is our specialist for underclassmen questions.   Her number is 808-937-5261 and her email is jbrotman@hpa.edu .  

For specific questions about upperclassmen in the first half of the alphabet, please call Andrew Kelsey at 808-881-4055 or akelsey@hpa.edu .  

For specific questions upperclassmen in the second half of the alphabet, please contact Cindy Montgomery at 808-881-4062.

 

Topic: Testing

1. Please tell me more about the PSAT.

All HPA freshmen, sophomores, and juniors take the PSAT in October.   HPA automatically registers the students for the tests and covers the costs.   The scores on these practice SAT-format tests are not seen by colleges, but the tests give the students experience with a true standardized testing situation.   Students and families can convert the PSAT scores to predict SAT performance to check if they are on track for their college goals.   Freshmen scores are compared to national sophomore scores; sophomore scores are compared to national sophomore scores; junior scores are compared to national junior scores.   As students retest each year, they can chart their progress as they move through high school.   Very high scores on the junior year test might qualify students to be invited to take part in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

2.   When should HPA students take the SAT and ACT tests for college admissions?

The typical testing program for an HPA student includes a total of three SAT exams, one or two ACT exams, and one or two SAT II exams taken over their junior and senior years. While the tests are offered almost every month, most juniors will take their first SAT in January and their first ACT in February.   HPA registers the juniors for these two tests and covers the cost.   With the experience and scores from these two tests, students can choose which test they prefer to focus on for retaking for college admissions (most colleges will accept either the SAT or the ACT).   Juniors end the year with another SAT and/or the SAT II.   In the senior fall, seniors are able to take the SAT I or SAT II again in October, November or December.   The ACT is offered in October and December for seniors.   HPA also covers the testing fees for all of these tests.

•  What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT?   Do all colleges take either test?

The SAT is divided into three sections: critical reading, math, and writing.   The ACT has the following sections: English, math, social science, natural science, and writing. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale that goes up to 800 with national norms set at 500 (the highest possible score is 2400).   The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36.   Many HPA students who are not satisfied with their SAT scores often score higher on the ACT.   There is a concordance table available for students to check which score is better for them to use for college admissions.

•  Do I have to take the SAT II? When do I take it?

Sophomores might want to take the SAT subject test in chemistry or world history.   Typically, students will take two SAT II subject tests at the end of their junior year.   It is a good idea to take these tests since many students add colleges that require the SAT II.   The University of California system and many selective colleges back East require the SAT II.

•  Where can I find a calendar for all of the testing registration and testing dates?

We keep an updated testing calendar on the College Counseling webpage.   Go to our calendar tab.

6.   Other useful information: Our SAT school code is 120150 and the testing center is 12170. For the ACT, our school code is 120150, and the testing center is 163970.   HPA covers the cost of all of these tests as long as students register through the College Counseling Center.   We recommend three SAT test and at least one ACT test for every HPA student.

Topic: How can I learn more about the college counseling program at HPA?

The best way to start is to study our webpage, read the Planning Guide, and begin working with Family Connection.

Topic: What is Family Connection?

Family Connection is a fantastic resource for all HPA students and families.   It includes a searchable database of 5,000 colleges, a free personality and skills inventory that matches students with appropriate majors and careers, and statistical analysis of HPA's college admissions results.   Students are given a personal password and a parent password to access Family Connection from our College Counseling Web site.   If you have any questions, or would like to receive your password, please contact Joanie Brotman at jbrotman@hpa.edu

Topic: What is the value of college campus visits?

Our experience over the years has taught us that visiting college campuses on the mainland is a vital experience for all students, and in particular Hawaiian and international students.   Colleges become a real place rather than remaining something in the abstract.   For many students, visiting colleges provides motivation for improved performance in high school academics.   Going whenever possible is recommended.   You can include a college campus visit when you are on vacation.   Students definitely get more out of the experience if it is something that they initiate or that they participate in planning.   We would recommend seeing schools during the summer after sophomore or junior year.   Many students will take a second college trip in their junior and senior years.

Topic: Which colleges visit HPA each year?   When can students attend these visits?

For an updated list of our college visitors, please check our Web site under "calendars" or contact Joanie Brotman at jbrotman@hpa.edu .   College Counseling hosts more than 50 colleges on our campus each year.   Typically, the college reps are directors or deans of admission who have worked with our college counselors for a number of years.   In the last two years, some of the colleges that have visited include: Cornell, Columbia, Harvard, Dartmouth, MIT, Stanford, Amherst, Vanderbilt, Middlebury, USC, Pomona, Bowdoin, Carleton, Boston College, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Williams College, George Washington University, and Washington University in Saint Louis.   We require freshmen and sophomores to attend two of these meetings in our College Counseling Center.   Juniors are required to attend four meetings.   Seniors are welcome to come to as many as they like.

Topic: Seniors Applying to College

While our Planning Guide addresses this topic in more detail, here is a brief overview of some key FAQs.

  1. What is the Common Application?

The Common Application allows seniors to apply to a number of colleges with a single application.   There are about 300 colleges that participate in this program.   Students will often need to submit a supplementary essay or form, but the Common Application saves an incredible amount of time.   Paper Common Application forms are available in College Counseling.   Students can also complete and submit the Common Application online.   The link is on the College Counseling webpage under "Internet Resources."

  1. How do I send my high school transcript?

Students fill out a form in the College Counseling Center, and we send the transcripts directly to the colleges.

  1. Does HPA rank?

On many applications, there is a question asking students to report their class rank.   HPA, like most prep schools with small class sizes and a rigorous program of study, does not rank its students.   The no-ranking policy is in the best interest of our students, and colleges respect the policy.

  1. How do I send my test scores?

HPA students are required to send SAT, AP,   and ACT scores directly to their colleges by contacting the College Board or the ACT.   The College Board Web site walks students through the process of sending SAT and AP scores.   The ACT homepage does the same thing for the ACT scores.   Sending scores will require payment with a credit card.

  1. What is the policy for asking teachers for letters of recommendation?

Students are required to request letters of recommendation one month prior to the college's application deadline.   We strongly advise students to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, a letter of self-assessment for the particular course, and a thank you note that lists the schools and deadlines, and any special directions.   The note might also provide the student's cell phone or e-mail contact in case there are any questions.

  1. Should I waive my right to access my letters of recommendation?

Students are usually only able to access their letters of recommendation if they are admitted to a school.   While it is their choice on this question, waiving your right to read the letter assures the teacher and the college that the letter is confidential and written in good faith.   This makes for a stronger letter of recommendation.

  1. What do I need to give College Counseling?   When?

Students are required to complete a transcript request form and turn in the "School Report Form" and "Mid-Year Report Form" (if these forms are part of the application) at least one month prior to each college deadline.   College Counseling keeps track of all of our students' applications and follows up directly with the colleges.   We will write "School Reports" and "Mid-Year Reports" for most of our senior class of 90 students.   In a busy year, we will handle 700 applications in a three-month period.   While this sounds like an amazing amount of work, we have been taking care of business for seven years.   Meeting our one-month notice deadline is very important to our application management process.

  1. What about the rest of my application?

The application, application fee, and essays are submitted directly by the student. College Counseling is happy to look over any application before it is mailed out.

  1. What are the various types of admission programs?

Regular Admission - Students typically send applications in January and February. They learn the admissions results in two to three months and must make a decision by May 1.

Rolling Admission- Students may apply during first and second semester. The college will process a decision in 3-5 weeks, but the student has until May 1 to decide.   Larger institutions often use this admissions program.

Early Action (EA)- Usually chosen by students with strong transcripts and test scores, Early Action allows students to apply in November (or in some cases, December) and learn the results in the first two weeks of December.   Students are often allowed to apply to a number of schools under Early Action.   They also may add Regular Admissions schools to their list.   The Early Action decision is non-binding; students have until May 1 to make their college decision.

Early Decision (ED)- Chosen by students with strong transcripts and test scores who have definitely decided where they want to go to college.   Early Decision is a binding agreement.   If the student is admitted under ED, they must attend the college unless they are unable to pay for the cost of education.   While ED often increases chances of admission, it is not to be entered into without careful consideration. Some students might change their mind during senior year.   In addition, students will not be able to compare various financial aid packages.

Single Choice Early Action and the new programs--Single Choice Early Action or SCEA was introduced by Stanford University.   The program is a hybrid of EA and ED.   Students are only allowed to apply to one early admissions school (in this case, Stanford) and they learn the result at the start of December.   The wrinkle is that SCEA is non-binding.   The student may now apply regular decision to other schools and wait until May 1 to make their college decision.

Recently, Harvard and Princeton have ended ED admissions programs at their institutions and other colleges are following suit.    While this does not mean that we will see the end of early admissions programs across the country, it will definitely be interesting what changes take place in the next few years.

  1. What do I do if get a letter that says my application is incomplete?

First, please don't panic.   This is actually a normal part of the process.   Because your application is coming in separate pieces (testing, teacher recommendations, school report and transcript, and application), it often takes time for the admissions office to track down and collate the different parts into one file.   Many colleges immediately send out this letter as soon as they process the student's application.   This does not mean that the other parts are not in the office; it just means that they came separately.   Once you receive the letter, check with College Counseling or with your teacher to confirm that the specific documents were sent.   Contact the Admissions Office to let them know that you have confirmed the missing parts were sent.   If the college has not yet collated the information, or if a deadline for completing the application is soon, College Counseling will be happy to contact the college for you and resend or fax any missing information.   For more on this topic, please see our Planning Guide.

Topic: Financial Aid and Scholarships

  1. Where can I learn more about Financial Aid and Scholarships?

HPA's webpage is the first place to start your search.   We also have resources on scholarships and financial aid in the College Counseling Center.   In November, we host a Financial Aid Night for parents.   We will also host an Early Financial Planning Night for parents in the second semester.

Topic: How can I learn more about the academic advising and college counseling programs at HPA?

The best way to start is to study the webpage, download the planning guide, and speak with your son or daughter's academic advisor.   You also should become familiar with our Family Connection site.   You may also call the College Counseling Center's main number, 808-881-4295, and Joanie Brotman will be able to field most of your questions.