Can anyone break down what the entire college application process involves? I'm especially curious about deadlines, essays, and how to approach recommendations. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and trying to get organized.
No problem, I can break that down:
1. Researching Colleges: You first need to make a list of colleges you're interested in, based on factors such as desired major, location, size, extracurricular opportunities, financial affordability, and selectivity. Use resources like CollegeVine's school search tool to help narrow down your list.
2. Standardized Tests: Many colleges require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores (for example, Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech). Some remain test-optional, including Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UChicago (although even at test-optional schools, submitting a test score can be a wise choice for many students), and others, like the whole UC system, are actually test-blind and don't consider test scores at all, even if you submit them. You should prepare for and take these tests ahead of your applications. To learn more about testing policies and how to navigate them, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional
3. Transcripts and Grades: Order your high school transcript, as you'll need to submit it with your application.
4. Letters of Recommendation: Begin asking for letters of recommendation. Ideally, you should ask two teachers (although the number required can vary by college) who know you well and can attest to your abilities and growth. Give them plenty of notice before the deadline. Some schools might also allow a recommendation from a coach or another adult who knows you in a different context.
5. Essays: This is where you will need to spend a considerable amount of time. Most colleges require a personal statement, and many also require additional supplemental essays. Start working on these well in advance of the application deadline. Remember to be authentic and detailed, steering clear of cliche anecdotes.
6. Applying: Generally, colleges provide two deadlines: Early Decision or Early Action (usually in November) and Regular Decision (usually in January). Keep in mind that Early Decision is binding—if you're admitted, you're expected to attend that school barring exceptional circumstances like financial hardship. Early Action is not binding.
7. Financial Aid: If you're applying for financial aid, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA and possibly the CSS Profile, depending on the colleges you're applying to. These also have deadlines, usually near the college application deadlines.
8. Interviews: Some, but not all, colleges offer optional interviews. For those that do, it's generally a good idea to participate as it can be an opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm. However, many schools don't offer interviews, or offer them on a limited basis, so not getting one doesn't mean anything about the strength of your application. For example, Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins do not offer interviews at all.
9. Decisions: College decisions typically come out in the spring. Once you receive your decisions, you'll choose the college that is the best fit for you and send in your deposit by the May 1st deadline in most cases.
10. Finalizing: Once you've committed to a college, you'll wrap up any last steps they require, like submitting a final transcript, completing housing forms, and signing up for orientation.
Hope this helps! You've got this.
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