The college application process can be intimidating and perhaps overwhelming. That’s why we put together this guide for what you should know as you start your college applications.
3 ways to submit college applications
You can find college applications in several places. The easiest one that allows you to send a single application to multiple schools at once is the Common App. You can filter schools by size, private or public status, the location of campus, and others. This is great if you want to attend a mid-sized campus at a downtown location, for example, but you’re not sure what all of your options are. You can also search for a specific school and apply to those as well. Over 1,000 colleges and universities use the Common App.
Another option is to apply directly on the school website you’re looking at. There is a common misconception that students have a better chance of getting into a school if they apply directly on their website instead of the Common App. This isn’t the case, as applications go to a college admission office blind, meaning the admission office isn’t looking at the platform you used to apply, but is instead looking at the quality of your application. Applying directly on a college’s website is great if you only have a few specific schools you’re looking at, and it can sometimes be cheaper than the same school on the Common App, and in some cases, it can even be free to apply directly.
Another option is Direct Admission through sites like Niche. Direct Admission isn’t as widely available, but if the school you’re looking at uses it, it makes applying a breeze. You make a profile, and if you match the school’s predetermined criteria, such as your high school GPA, you will automatically be admitted to that school. This is one way to apply and get accepted to Drake.
Provide your academic transcripts
You will send official transcripts from your high school and/or other academic institutions like community college or dual credit programs. This shows admission offices what classes you took and what grades you received. Don’t be nervous if you didn’t do well in a class, or maybe had a few tough quarters or semesters. Admission offices look at more than just your grades. They look at who you are as a person.
Get letters of recommendation
A lot of colleges require letters of recommendation. You can get these from non-relative, trusted adults in your life. This might be a teacher, a counselor, a coach, a boss, or the coordinator of volunteer work you do. To get a letter of recommendation, we suggest talking to the person one-on-one and asking if they’d be willing to write you a letter of recommendation for your college application. They might ask when you need the letter by, so be sure to check your application deadlines so you don’t miss it.
Submit personal statements or essays
Personal statements and essays are your chance to show the colleges you’re applying to who you are beyond just your grades. Not all colleges require this, but in most cases, you can send one anyway. Admission offices want to know about you and your life. If they have a prompt, follow it. If they don’t, be sure you stay on topic. Have a friend or a parent read your statement or essay before you submit it to make sure it stays focused on you.
Provide your standardized test scores, like the ACT or SAT
Plan ahead and know whether you need to submit one of these college entrance exam scores to the school you’re applying to, and give yourself plenty of time to study before the test. If you search for your school online and see their students have an average ACT score of 32 or an average SAT score of 1500, and your scores are lower than that, we encourage you to either send them in or retake the test if you want to try for a higher score. An average means there are higher and lower scores, and having a composite ACT of 20 or an SAT of 900 won’t automatically deny you admission.
If you are applying to any test-optional schools, this means you can choose whether to submit your standardized test scores. You will not be penalized for choosing not to submit test scores if your school does not require them, but if you have strong scores, it can help your application if it is lacking in other areas.
Submit financial information to see if you qualify for aid
While it’s not always necessary to apply to college, some schools might request information about your family’s financial information to determine if you qualify for certain scholarships and grants and, if so, how much you qualify for. Scholarships and grants are free money that, unlike a student loan, you don’t have to repay once you graduate. Sit down with your parents or guardians and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what federal aid you are eligible for, even if you don’t think you will qualify.
Narrow your list: Make sure your college list includes the right fit for you. After all, college is an investment and is the place you will call home for the next several years. If you need help, check out these tips on building and maintaining a college list.
