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College Admissions important information:
- Do your research! You should be applying to college during the summer/fall of your SENIOR year, therefore, you should start your college research earlier than that! Fall of Junior year is a great time to start researching colleges so you have time to visit and make an educated decision on which colleges are the best fit for you.
- Challenge yourself; colleges look for rigor. This means they want to see you taking the highest level of courses you can be successful in.
- Keep your grades up! If you are struggling in a subject, ask for help! Attend tutoring, stay after with your teacher.
- Start applying early so you do not miss out on important deadlines. Stay organized!
- YOU are responsible for making sure all the necessary documents arrive at the colleges you are applying to. You will need to link your Common App account to Xello to request transcripts, letters of recommendation and counselor recommendations.
- Be sure to check your application status often to be sure the college has received all of the necessary paperwork to process your application.
- If you need a letter of recommendation, ask your teachers, coaches, counselors early enough to give them time to write it. Approach them at least a month prior to the due date so they have time to write you a comprehensive letter. Include a resume so they know what you have accomplished and they can write a more inclusive letter.
- Spend time on your essays. Ask someone else to proofread it for you and be creative!
- Most importantly, GOOD LUCK!
Applying to College: FAQs
Here are answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions about applying to college.
When should I start?
The summer before your senior year is the best time to start. Most students do the majority of their application work in the fall of their senior year.
How do I begin?
Find out what goes into an application and begin collecting the materials you need. Create a folder for each college you are applying to. At the front of each folder, put a checklist of what you’ll need for the application and when it’s due.
How many colleges should I apply to?
Five to eight colleges is the recommended number. They should all be colleges you’d be happy to attend. It’s good to apply to some colleges that are a bit of a stretch for you and some that you feel will likely admit you. But most should feel like good, realistic matches.
Should I apply early?
It depends. If you are sure about which college you want to attend, early decision or early action might be the best choice for you. If you’re not sure, keep in mind that some early application plans require you to commit early. You may want to keep your options open.
Should I use an online or a paper application?
Check with the college to see which is preferred. Most colleges prefer online applications because they are easier to review and process — some even offer a discount in the application fee if you apply online. Applying online can also be more convenient for you — it’s easier to enter information and correct mistakes. Whichever method you choose, be sure to tell your school counselor where you have applied so your school transcript can be sent to the right colleges.
Should I send additional material?
It’s best if you can express everything about your qualifications and qualities in the materials requested. Colleges spend a great deal of time creating their applications to make sure they get all the information they need about each applicant. If you feel it’s absolutely necessary to send additional material, talk to your counselor about it.
Some arts programs may require portfolios or videos of performances. Check with the college to find out the best way to submit examples of your work.
Is it OK to use the same material on different applications?
Definitely. There’s no need to write a brand-new essay or personal statement for each application. Instead, devote your time to producing a great version of basic application parts.
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is a standardized application used by more than 525 colleges. Instead of filling out eight different applications, you can simply fill out one and submit it to each college.
Be aware that you may need to submit additional or separate documents to some colleges. You also still need to pay individual application fees for each college.
Should I apply to colleges if my admission-test scores or grades are below their published ranges?
Yes. The admission scores and grades that colleges show on their websites are averages or ranges — not cutoffs. There are students at every college who scored lower (and higher) than the numbers shown.
Remember that colleges consider many factors to get a more complete picture of you. For example, they look at the types of classes you take, your activities, recommendation letters, your essay and your overall character. Colleges are looking for all kinds of students with different talents, abilities and backgrounds. Admission test scores and grades are just two parts of that complete picture.
Should I even bother applying to colleges I don’t think I can afford?
Absolutely. Remember that after financial aid packages are determined, most students will pay far less than the "sticker price" listed on the college website. You don’t know if you can afford a college until after you apply and find out how much aid that college will offer you (if you’re accepted). Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible after Jan. 1 to qualify for the most aid.
Even if the aid package the college offers is not enough, you have options. Many colleges are willing to work with students they have chosen for admission to ensure that those students can afford to attend.
Article from https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/applying-to-college-faq
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