How to Apply to College

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  • Are you a high school junior or senior who is planning on going to college after high school graduation? If so, don't let the process become overwhelming. This page will walk you through how to apply to college, step-by-step.

  • Introduction

    The college application process can be intimidating. The sheer number of possible schools, the amount of information requested, the tests you have to take, the essays...all of it can seem insurmountable. As long as you are organized in your approach, however, and pay heed to the information given on this page, the process can become a great deal easier.

  • Step 1: Do Your research

    College applications can be time consuming. You do not want to put the time into a school that you know you do not want to attend, or you might not be able to get into.

    1. Purchase or check out from the library a book listing out colleges. Start reading about different schools.
    2. Make sure to look at the following:
      1. Geographic location
      2. Size of the student population
      3. Public or private institution
      4. Tuition costs
      5. Student to teacher ratio
      6. Usage of teaching assistants
      7. Availability of student housing
      8. How selective the school is
    3. Once you have created a list of schools you think you want to apply to, begin working on narrowing the list.
      1. Honestly assess your GPA, your extracurriculars and your test scores, if you have taken them already. Compare the assessment to what the schools on your list are looking for. While you should not shy away from applying to schools that might be a reach, if there are schools on your list that you know you will most likely not get into, you might want to consider removing them from your 'apply to' list.
    4. After you finish narrowing your list, make plans (if possible) to visit the schools still on your list. A campus visit is essential to knowing if you want to attend a particular college. While it might seem perfect on paper, an in-person visit can reveal nuances that will greatly impact your ability to fully enjoy your time there and to be a successful student.
      1. If you cannot visit the campus for some reason, check out the school's website to see if they have a virtual tour or if there is a way you can communicate with one or two of the school's current students to get a better perspective on what school there is like.

  • Step 2: Gather Required Information

    All college applications, regardless of school, need some common information to complete your application.

    1. SAT scores - request electronically
    2. High school transcripts - request via your high school directly
    3. Recommendations - usually from teachers who know your academic strengths
    4. List of extracurriculur activities, school clubs and honors
    5. Financial aid information (optional)
      1. This can include the FAFSA as well as variety of information about your parents' financial status.

  • Step 3: Complete the Application(s)

    1. Once you have all of the required supplemental information, you can complete each school's application form. These can usually be submitted online, and in recent years, more and more schools have begun using a common application, meaning you only have to complete common information - such as address and phone number - one time.
    2. Make sure you are aware of each school's deadline. Most of the time these are in December or January, and they are firm.

  • Step 4

    Step 4: Draft Your Application Essay(s) A key part of your college application are the essays. Almost all schools require at least one essay and most require more. These essays can be the final determining factor in whether or not a college accepts you, so you want to make sure these statements are as good as they can possibly be.

    1. Write your first draft, then have someone you trust - your mom, your English teacher, etc - review it.
    2. Make the suugested corrections in your second draft then have it reviewed again.
    3. Incorporate the edits, then read it over one more time. Your essay should not lie and it should sound like you. Once you are satisfied, submit it.

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