In the beginning of my search for colleges to apply to and methods of application, I was terrified. There was too much for me to understand, and there wasn't enough time in the world to understand it all. I didn't understand how to submit recommendation letters, how to pay for the application, where to do your financial aid, etcetera etcetera etcetera.
I still don't quite understand a lot of the process, but I understand how to get through it. I think it was my third application that got me into the hang of things.
I'm not an expert by any means, but I decided that it might be beneficial for somebody (like me) that doesn't exactly know how to get where they need to, to see a step-by-step process.
First and foremost, you use collegeboard.com. If you haven't already created an account for this website so that you can do your SAT score stuff, you need to create one. This website possesses important information that is extremely beneficial for you to get your apps done. The "College Search" allows you to filter down to the schools that would most appeal to you. You can put in your SAT scores and it will find colleges for you that accept those scores. You can put in the location you'd like to be in, and it will find colleges in that area that provide the major you're acquiring about.
If you already know the colleges you want to go to and everything you could possibly know on what they require to get in (as in amount of AP classes, amount of credits, SAT score, allowance of GED in place of a diploma) then your next step is the actual application.
I'm going to use NYU as an example. You start off on the website for the university. (If you can't find it, all you have to do is google or use the collegeboard search)
This is what the website is going to look like when you first get to it:
Next, if you're an undergraduate (which means you're done with high school and prepared to enter your first year of college) you will go to where it says "Undergraduate Admissions" under the ADMISSIONS tab.
From this page, you are going to click where it says APPLY in bright red letters. (Most college/university website will have a tab that says ADMISSIONS, and in turn Undergraduate Admissions. From there they will have a specific section for the process of application)
The information located in the Apply section will inform you whether or not the college's application is under CommonApp (an application server that allows you to apply to several colleges at once without having to repeatedly put in all of your information.)
NYU is a university that requires a CommonApp submitted application.
This is what the CommonApp website looks like.
You are going to CREATE AN ACCOUNT by clicking the tab next to the sign in information that says "Create An Account". You will fill in a series of login information and register information that will be used to begin your application process. This is very easy and will have step-by-step instructions. Once you have created your account, you can begin applying.
You will be led to a page that looks like this and is known as your Dashboard:
I've covered up my information so that it doesn't throw you off, with black boxes. Your dashboard is where you will see whether or not you have completed your application, what you still need to finish, and what the deadline for your application is.
For NYU, you are going to click on the tab that says "College Search" and put in the correct information to identify New York University.
You will then check the box next to the name of the school and click "Add". This will add the college to your list of colleges.
From there you click the tab "My Colleges" and begin finishing your application. The CommonApp website will guide you through everything and finish you off with your fee application (if there is one).
This is the method that most colleges use for their application process.
Other colleges will have you apply through different websites, but the process is almost always the same.
But the best thing to do when you have questions is to email the admission office of your school. On the school website there will be contact information and all you have to do is contact them to learn what to do. It might be a bit nerve-wracking, but it'll also be worth it in the end for you to rid yourself of the College App nerves.
- A couple of other tips I recommend when applying to colleges is to do early decision if you can! This means applying earlier than regular admission, so usually before December, sometimes even before then, and checking off that you're applying early when the application asks you which admission you're submitting your information under. Also make sure that you complete your FAFSA information on the FAFSA website so that you can receive as many financial benefits as possible for your education. This is what the FAFSA website looks like:
- There are a couple of other websites out there that will actually be scams and will charge you to apply for Financial Aid. FAFSA is supposed to be free (it is the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid). If you are paying to apply for financial aid, you are not applying to the right place!
- Always try and see if you qualify for Fee Waivers in your applications. Those that have free or reduced lunch at their school will most likely qualify for the fee waiver. Applications can be up to $80 and that is before even sending in your SAT scores (which also cost money and can be done on the collegeboard website). Make sure to check with your school to see if you qualify for a fee waiver.
- There are some colleges that don't require a fee at all to apply! Try and apply to as many of these as you can, because you never know if it could be the college you end up going to. It's free to apply so you might as well try it out and make sure you don't keep your options limited.
Happy January!
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