Application Process
Once you have done your research, visited campuses, talked with admission representatives, and narrowed your list of colleges, it is time to apply! Many colleges have both paper and electronic applications. Check to see which they prefer, and start working!
Be Organized!
Once you start the application process, you'll get really confused if you're not organized. Keep all materials from each school in a separate folder, and clearly mark the application deadline and what supporting materials are needed on the outside cover. Have a calendar with application deadlines noted. And don't put things off until the last minute! Submit applications well before the deadline. You can use this handy Application Checklist to track your progress.
NOTE: Don't send off an incomplete application! Your file will not be processed until your application and ALL of the other documents are received. This includes: your transcript, the application fee, essay (if required) and resume (if required). BE DILIGENT ABOUT GATHERING THE NECESSARY MATERIALS.
When the application materials start arriving, you'll be tempted to set them in a stack to look at later. Don't do it! Look them over immediately and make note of these things:
Application Deadlines: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Merit Scholarship (if available), and Financial Aid deadline. If a school is on rolling admission, the earlier you apply, the better.
Testing Requirements: Does your school require the ACT with writing? The SAT? SAT subject tests? Look at this long before the application deadline so that you will have all of the testing requirements met.
Recommendation Letters: Are teacher recommendations required or recommended? Is a counselor letter required? You must give teachers plenty of advance notice to write for you, or you'll never make it happen.
Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines! We cannot stress this enough. Make sure your completed application will be at the admissions office before the deadline date! If you're mailing everything, take into account slow mail times, such as the holidays. Your application will not be considered if it arrives after the deadline.
Q: I would like to apply to four schools, but I can only afford to apply to one. What should I do?
A: There is help available. Ask your school counselor or college advisor if any of the colleges in which you are interested offer fee waivers. Many colleges will waive teh application fee if paying it presents a hardship on the family. You cannot request one yourself; the request needs to come from your counselor or advisor, so don't be afraid to ask!
Admission Options
There's more than one way to apply to college (usually)! The following definitions should be helpful.
Regular Decision
Regular decision means that applications must be filed during the late fall and early winter months with notification in late March or early April. Regular decision deadlines will vary from school to school. You have until May 1, the national Candidates' Reply Date, to let colleges know your decision.
Rolling Admission
Many institutions work on a rolling admission calendar. This means that applications are reviewed as they are received (instead of on a certain date) and decisions are released on a regular or rolling basis. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will receive notification. Many large institutions or state schools use rolling admissions, and spaces do fill up. No matter what the deadline, apply early when applying to a school that uses rolling admissions.
Early Decision
Early decision is a commitment-based plan for the student who has decided on his or her first choice. This is a binding plan, so an early decision plan should be as definite as possible. This translates to a very thorough college search and self-assessment before the fall of the senior year. If you have lingering doubts, then you should not apply early decision. Generally speaking, early decision applications are due mid-November with admission decisions released before the end of December. A college may accept, defer, or deny an application during the early decision process. If accepted, a student is ethically bound to attend the institution and to withdraw other applications immediately. If you apply early decision, you may apply to other colleges prior to early decision notification, but you may have only one application under early decision consideration. You must be prepared to honor an early decision commitment!
Many schools will offer early financial aid estimates if you are applying for need-based aid. If your family feels the award is not sufficient or there are circumstances not considered, you may appeal your award. If receiving financial aid is essential for you to attend college, early decision may not be the best route. Applying to several colleges under regular or early action plans will allow you to compare financial aid packages before making a final decision by May 1.
Early Action
Early action is similar to early decision except that it is non-binding. A student admitted under early action is not required to make a commitment until May 1, the national Candidates' Reply Date. If a school offers early action, this plan allows you to express your interest early on and to receive an early response while exploring other college options. Like early decision, schools may admit, defer, or deny applications during the early action round.
Wait List
If you are given a wait list decision, then a school has neither accepted nor denied your application. A wait list offer holds out the possibility for admission should space in the class be available. A student may be offered a place on the wait list if there has been a drop in senior grades and the college wants to see more senior work. (Colleges do request first semester and sometimes second semester grades, so the work you do during the senior year is important!)
If you are placed on a wait list, the college may ask if you are interested in remaining on the list. Whatever your decision, you should respond to them promptly. If you are interested, it may be a good idea to send a letter indicating your interest. It is certainly appropriate to inquire about how a school has used the wait list in the past and if there are things you can do to strengthen your chance of acceptance.
Most colleges will not make offers off the wait list until after May 1, the National Candidate Reply Date. This means that you must go ahead and submit an enrollment deposit at another school so you have an enrollment option for the fall. If you are offered admission from the wait list at your first choice college, it is appropriate to notify the first college where you deposited of your change in plans. Whatever you do, do NOT deposit at two schools. This is unethical and it can result in both colleges canceling your acceptance. While you may accept a place on more than one waiting list, you should never hold an enrollment reservation at more than one college at a time.
Application Forms
Apply Yourself!
There are several ways to apply to most colleges. Once you know to which schools you would like to apply, check out your options.
Online vs. Paper
Most colleges offer both paper and online applications, but many prefer the online versions. Some colleges will actually waive the application fee if you apply online, so it is worth your time to double check. To request a printed version of a college application, call the college or visit its web site. Both online and paper applications will ask for the same information, and it is extremely important for you to PROOFREAD both types of applications. If you don't know how to answer some of the questions, save the application and come back to it later. Do not just guess!
Online applications will still require the same supporting documentation as a paper application. It is your responsibility to make sure all materials (transcripts, resumes, essays, application fees) get there prior to the deadline. Be sure to let your counselor or advisor know that you need a transcript sent. Read the application carefully for specific instructions on how to send the rest, and call the college if you have any questions.
Remember to PROOFREAD everything that you submit, whether online on on paper. Sure, use spellcheck, but you KNOW that you can't completely trust spellcheck! ("There" and "their" are both spelled correctly, but mean completely different things, for instance.) Read everything carefully before you submit it, whether on paper or online. Better yet, let your mom or some other eagle-eyed person proof it before you send it in.
Common Application and Black Common Application
These applications allow you to apply to multiple schools via one application. To see a list of the schools that accept either of these applications, check the Common Application and Black Common Application websites. (The schools that use the Black Common Application are historically Black colleges and universities.) Some schools use the Common Application as their only application (such as Harvard, Vanderbilt, and Agnes Scott), while some will let you apply using either the Common Application or the school's own application (such as Belmont). These colleges treat both applications equally, so there is no disadvantage in using the Common Application. You can apply via the Common Application or Black Common Application through a paper or online application.
If you use either version of the Common Application, be sure to check each college's requirements for deadlines, application fees and additional documentation. Many colleges will have a supplemental questionnaire that you need to fill out along with the Common Application. Your application will not be complete until all of the information is submitted. All supplementary forms can be found on the Common Application web site.
And did we mention that you should PROOFREAD everything?
Fee Waivers - Help is Available
Students who can demonstrate that they have a financial need may request fee waivers for both standardized testing and college application fees. Need can be determined through participation in the Free or Reduced Lunch program or by submitting completed tax returns. Ask your college advisor if you qualify.
Fee waivers are available for a variety of college necessities, including college application fees, standardized testing fees (the ACT and SAT), and for the NCAA Clearinghouse for those who wish to play sports in college.
How to Request Fee Waivers
You cannot request a fee waiver on your own; instead, work through your school counselor or college advisor's office.
More Information about Fee Waivers