Applying to college is more than submitting applications and taking standardized tests. Here are some helpful guidelines for what to do this year.

• Excellent performance in a rigorous secondary-school program, including at least four units of English, four of college-preparatory mathematics, two of foreign language, one of social science, and two of science (from among biology, chemistry, and physics; engineering applicants must take three units of science, including chemistry and physics). These are minimum requirements; since most successful applicants exceed them, we recommend that candidates take a strong academic program in their school in all academic disciplines. Top candidates will have challenged themselves by taking demanding courses.
• Results from the SAT I or the ACT (including the writing portion). We use the highest score on each part of the SAT I and the highest composite score on the ACT.
• We strongly recommend results from two SAT II Subject Tests in any subjects of your choice.
• Recommendation from the high school, usually from the guidance or college counselor. We encourage an additional recommendation from a teacher; we prefer that this recommendation be submitted with the application, not sent separately to the Office of Admission.
• Completed application. The form consists of several parts; the Basic Application, School and Transcript Report, First-Year Supplement, and Mid-Year Grade Report. Since the Basic Application opens the admission file, we recommend that candidates submit it as soon as possible in the fall of their senior year.

We neither require interviews nor use them in the evaluation process. Admission is need blind; that is, we consider candidates without regard to their financial circumstances.