Application Process

Types of admissions & Deadlines

Applicants have the option to choose when they want to apply and around what time they want to submit and get a decision through the several types of admissions available

It is still important to keep a steady eye on college deadlines and avoid leaving everything to the last minute


Major Components

Application FORM

It can be accessed either through a site like the Common App or Coalition App for public institutions and College Board's CSS Profile for private institutions allowing one to access and complete multiple college applications through one shared profile, or directly through the college's dedicated application page

Either way, the application form requires personal and demographic information of the applicant along with academic information pertaining to the student like:

Moreover, applicants may need to include a list of honors and extracurricular activities such as clubs, hobbies, sports, or work along with any leadership positions gained and a brief description and level of participation estimate for these activities 

Lastly, some institutions require an application fee after submitting, although an application fee waiver can be obtained depending on extenuating circumstances from an academic advisor or school official


ESSAYS & Personal statement

This aspect of the application is of particular importance since it can highlight the applicant's own voice or characteristics that are not showcased with a transcript or test scores

Many institutions require the submission of at least one essay and general sites like the Common App include a personal essay shared for all colleges the individual is applying to 

Some considerations to take note are:

Some colleges also require applicants to complete supplemental questions, which can range from why the applicant wants to enter that institution or explaining a bad grade

Nonetheless, advice from the personal statement or major essays can apply to these questions with more of an emphasis on being direct in answering the question and doing some research on the college in question if the prompt ties to that topic

RESUME & PORTFOLIO

Some institutions require the submission of a resume or CV which summarizes the applicant's education, extracurricular activities, honors, and qualifications 

The format of these documents can vary but should provide the reader with a concise but detailed understanding of the applicant's professional and academic experiences 

On a similar note, some majors require the addition of a portfolio which is a collection of projects or pieces that highlight the applicant's skill and experience in a field

RecoMmentation LETTERS

These are usually written accounts by a person of choice about the applicant in question and in most cases are submitted directly by the recommender

Who the applicant chooses to be their recommender is up to the applicant but should be individuals who have some level of authority like a teacher or advisor and who know the applicant well and can talk about their capabilities in detail

It is important to note that the applicant should request a recommendation letter well before the due date to allow the recommender the necessary time of writing one


Interview

A few institutions include this aspect of the application usually set after submitting the form itself and would entail either a virtual or in-person interview set in the institution

It is recommended to come prepared when it comes to answering the basic questions like why did they choose that college, an aspect about oneself that is not found on transcripts, and goals in college after being admitted

One should also have some questions to ask the interviewers in mind to showcase interest in getting admitted 

Moreover, the interviewee should leave a good impression on the interviewers by being polite, collected, and honest along with sending a thank-you email to the interviewer after the event

What's Next

Following submitting an application form, there are still some items applicants must do to secure a position for their institution's incoming class: