You’ve been considering colleges for a while now; visit
booths at college fairs, pursuing websites and pamphlets, and even venturing
out on campus visits – all the while looking for that perfect campus that says
home away from home.
Well, the time has come to start applying, if you haven’t
already that is. October is College Application Month and now is the time to make some decisions
about what colleges interest you enough to fill out that application and hit
submit.
The application process is actually a lot easier than most
people think, but depending on where you decide to apply there can still be
some steps to the process.
Step 1:
Narrow your choices. You should apply to 3-5 schools to keep your options open. You want to apply to your top schools, but you also want to make sure your final list includes a safety school. What is a safety school? It’s a school that you know you’ll get into and that has your program of interest. You want to always have a back-up plan and your safety school is your admissions back-up plan.
Narrow your choices. You should apply to 3-5 schools to keep your options open. You want to apply to your top schools, but you also want to make sure your final list includes a safety school. What is a safety school? It’s a school that you know you’ll get into and that has your program of interest. You want to always have a back-up plan and your safety school is your admissions back-up plan.
Step 2:
Review each school on your list and determine their application process and requirements. Are the applications online free? Is there a benefit to applying on campus? What pieces of information are required such as ACT score, GPA, letters of recommendation, or essays? Make a list for each school and then begin compiling everything you need.
Review each school on your list and determine their application process and requirements. Are the applications online free? Is there a benefit to applying on campus? What pieces of information are required such as ACT score, GPA, letters of recommendation, or essays? Make a list for each school and then begin compiling everything you need.
Step 3:
Fill out the application. Be thorough and don’t leave anything blank. If you have to submit additional information be sure you proof read everything and check off each item as you submit it to the school.
Fill out the application. Be thorough and don’t leave anything blank. If you have to submit additional information be sure you proof read everything and check off each item as you submit it to the school.
If there’s an essay make sure you are following all the
instructions. Some schools will provide a prompt or topic they want you to
write about. Others may simply ask for a personal statement. Remember that you
can reuse certain parts of essays but be sure to tailor each essay to the
specific school
Once you’re organized the application process is pretty
straight-forward. Just remember to take your time and be yourself on your
applications. Try and submit your applications by early to mid-November so you
have plenty of time to focus on scholarship applications at each college. And
remember, you can also be working on your Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA.)
That’s about it. Now get out there and submit those applications.
Brittania - ICAN Hiawatha Center
