A commonly asked question for many students is how do I apply to a college/university? In this article I will be giving tips for students who are struggling to apply to college or a university. Many students start applying during their senior year of high school. Colleges commonly start looking into you throughout high school, so it is important to look good on your application.
1 . Build a proficient high school career
A good college student should build a proficient high school career as noted in How to Apply to Colleges: Tips to Get Started – BigFuture. Students should start early as freshman year. Taking AP and dual-enrollment (some high schools do not offer dual-enrollment classes) classes is a good academic decision and looks good on an application. These classes do offer college credits.
According to College Applications: A Guide for High School Students | The School of The New York Times Colleges are looking for students who reflect not only academic excellence but character, leadership, and a passion for extracurricular activities. They are interested in students who will contribute positively to their campus community.
Take Standardized tests
As cited in College Admissions 101: Simple Tips for High School Students | Patriot Perspectives Blog | Dallas Baptist University , most students take state mandated standardized tests like ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP during their high school junior year. Some colleges and universities do consider or require scores on these tests when reviewing a student’s application. However, these scores are optional at some schools and universities.
2 . Research and apply for Scholarships and FAFSA
Researching potential colleges is one of the first steps in the journey of applying to colleges. Start by searching what you’re looking for in your college experience, including the size of the school, the location of the school, offered and available majors, and campus culture. As noted in How To Prepare for College: The Ultimate Guide for High School Students | MCPHS.
Attend College Fairs
Attending college fairs and informational sessions or meetings can provide valuable information on the college search and application process. According to How To Prepare for College: The Ultimate Guide for High School Students | MCPHS , these events are great opportunities to meet with experienced admission officers, ask questions, and collect information about various colleges and universities.
Understand each College’s Admission Requirements
According to How To Prepare for College: The Ultimate Guide for High School Students | MCPHS, each college has its own set of criteria students are expected to meet, which can include GPA, SAT, or ACT scores, and some specific course completions. Start by visiting the college’s website or contacting the admission office to gather more information.
Scholarships and FAFSA
As noted in College Admissions 101: Simple Tips for High School Students | Patriot Perspectives Blog | Dallas Baptist University , students need a solid financial plan to ensure they can afford college. Students and families should discuss the financial contributions they can make early on. Students are able to apply for as many scholarships as possible during their senior year. When scholarships open, they should also complete FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA analysis will determine the amount of Federal aid and which federal grants, loans, and work study programs a student can receive.
3 . Key College Application Components
Review the appropriate application timeline you should follow when signing up for college. Every school has its own different deadline. As noted in How to Apply to Colleges: Tips to Get Started – BigFuture .
Gather Necessary Documents
According to How to Apply to Colleges: Tips to Get Started – BigFuture , you may need the following to write your college application.
- Your social security number
- Your high school code
- A copy of your high school transcript
- Your score from a college admission test
4 . How to Write a Successful College Application
Start by making a list of pre-college experiences you’ve had that can be included in your application. As noted in College Applications: A Guide for High School Students | The School of The New York Times.
- Summer Programs/Workshops : Especially ones that provided academic enrichment and leadership.
- Internships : Fields of interest that have provided hands-on experiences.
- Community Service
- Personal Projects : Hobbies that demonstrate creativity, initiative, and dedication.
- Travel experiences
Common Application Format
According to College Admissions 101: Simple Tips for High School Students | Patriot Perspectives Blog | Dallas Baptist University your application should include the following:
- Personal Information: name, address, phone number, email address, social security number, and birthdate
- Official High school transcript: Students graduation date and final GPA. Students can request this from their high school counseling office.
- College Transcripts: Official transcripts from any college or university courses that were completed.
- Misc: Test scores, honors achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, jobs, and volunteer work.
- Essay: Open-ended questions allow students to share an experience or story that illustrates something personal about themselves, such as strengths, values, and background.
Review your Application before Submitting
As noted in How to Apply to Colleges: Tips to Get Started – BigFuture make sure to include all required information and that the information filled out is accurate and spelled correctly. Confirm that any required attachments are the correct files and have been properly uploaded. Double check that you filled out every field correctly and followed all instructions. Breath in and out, then hit the submit button.
Resources
https://www.dbu.edu/blog/college-admissions-101-tips-high-school-students.html
https://www.mcphs.edu/admission-and-aid/blog/how-to-prepare-for-college
https://nytedu.com/blog/college-applications-a-guide-for-high-school-students/
