The College Application Process: An Overview

This is it — the last year of high school for your child. In addition to a busy round of social and academic activities, college-bound seniors will also face the application process. If you and your child are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of steps required to gain admittance to a post-secondary school, here is a breakdown of some things your child could face over the coming year.

Getting Organized

The first step is to gather the information required for the application. Entrance requirements can differ for every college, so pay close attention to the application forms to make sure your child provides everything they need to. The earlier a student determines the requirements of each school, the better.

They could start by printing off a copy of each application form and creating a file folder for each school to store copies of all materials sent to that school.

They should jot down all the admissions deadlines on a calendar or in a date book -- and check it often. They may want to record the deadline dates on the outside of each folder as well.

It’s important to know what kind of admissions list your child is on -- early, regular or rolling.

Early admission is when a student applies earlier than the regular deadline. It’s broken down into early action and early decision.
Early action means the school will inform students of their acceptance status earlier than they would for regular applicants. Although students apply earlier, the deadline for notifying the school of their decision is the same, and applicants can still apply to other schools.
Early decision is more limiting. If a student is absolutely positive they want to attend a particular school, they can send their application in early. If they’re accepted, they must agree to attend and not accept any subsequent offers from other colleges.
Regular admission means you apply by the regular deadline.
Rolling admission is a system whereby a school is willing to accept students right up to the time that school starts or classes are full. Since slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, students should be sure to apply early.

Doing the Work

In general, schools will look at the following factors: high school courses, grade point average (GPA), class ranking, test scores (SAT/ACT), personal essays, extracurricular activities, other personal or special skills and letters of recommendation. Sometimes a school will conduct an entrance interview.

Application Form
Students should read the instructions carefully and fill in all the information. They should double-check spelling, grammar, the name of the school and any numbers they had to enter. You might want to volunteer to help check everything over.
Transcripts
If there’s no formal time period for students to fill out transcript release forms at their school, they should talk to their career or guidance counselor about getting one completed. This should be done early -- at least a few weeks before the college needs the transcript -- to give the office enough time to fulfill the request.
Most of the time, a transcript will be sent directly to the college, so students don’t have to worry about sending it themselves unless directed to do so.
SAT/ACT Scores
Since most schools accept either -- and each exam tests students slightly differently – many students try taking both to see how they do.
Recommendations
Some schools don’t need letters of recommendation. Some only require the letters for scholarship applications.
Help your student check how many recommendations they need and who they should be from. (For example, can any teacher write it or does it have to be a particular subject teacher?) Once they know exactly what they need, help them make a list of possible names. You and your child can determine who knows them best -- as a student and as a person -- and would be willing to write a unique and positive assessment of their abilities and attributes.
They should approach the person early in their senior year in order to give them lots of time to compose a thoughtful letter.
Finally, include the completed letters in sealed envelopes with the application materials, or arrange to have them sent directly to the college if that’s what the school wants.
The Essay
Not all schools require an essay. But if your student does have to write one, encourage them to consider it a blessing. Think of it this way: an essay offers a chance for the real person to shine through to the admissions board.
Contrary to popular belief, schools aren’t looking for studying machines -- they’re looking for bright, well-rounded people. Here are some tips to pass on to your high school senior:

Have a deadline and stick to it.
Since most topics will ask them to talk about themselves (interests, goals, accomplishments), suggest they start by doing some self-analysis: for example, listing all their activities, travels, significant life events, hobbies, dreams, heroes, embarrassing moments, anecdotal stories and personality traits.
Students should write what they know, not what they think they should write to make a good impression.
They should let their first draft sit for a few days before they read it again. Then they can read it out loud or have other people read it to them so they can see what sounds awkward. Parents can volunteer to act as audience for this step.
Essays should be simple, concise and forward -- not wandering all over the map. They should have a central theme. But remember: being direct and clear doesn’t mean being boring. It’s possible to be creative and original without gimmicks.
Essays should not be vulgar or tasteless.
Proofread, proofread, proofread! Spelling, punctuation and grammar should be correct.

The Interview
Not many undergraduate programs require an interview, except some selective programs such as engineering or nursing. For private, independent colleges, however, interviews are often necessary. If one is required, here are some tips:

If possible, schedule the interviews with the least favorite schools first. That will give your student some valuable interviewing practice.
Students should look polished. It helps to check on the dress code.
Encourage your child to research the school ahead of time so they can ask intelligent questions.
Suggest they send a thank-you note afterwards.

Submitting Your Applications

Be sure to print copies of all your applications and prepare any additional packages that need to go out. It’s time to send everything off!

While your family waits for the college to respond with its decision letter, encourage your child to keep working hard at school. A sudden decline in grades at the end of the year -- which happens all too often -- may mean a closed door where there could have been a welcome mat.

Your child will also want to update the schools with regards to any new events. If they take the SAT or ACT again and do better, or they receive any awards, send the new information along.

Getting the Reply

If your child gets accepted to their first choice, great!

If they’re stuck in the happy dilemma of having to choose between two or more schools, have them try (1) making a pros and cons list, (2) following their instincts, or (3) visiting the schools again.

When the decision is made, be sure to tell the other schools so they can offer the spot to someone else.