Steps in the College Process

Take Entrance Exams

Take both the SAT and ACT in the spring of your junior year. You may retake one or both again in your
senior year. Schools will use only the highest score you receive.

Gather Information

By the middle of summer prior to the senior year, students should have gathered information about several colleges. Factors to consider include: private vs. public, housing, scholarships, financial aid, extracurricular activities, general atmosphere of the school, degree programs, and entrance requirements. Factors that a college admissions office may consider in evaluating an applicant include: high school curriculum, grades, admission test scores, rank, essay, recommendations, interview, community service, work, summer activities, school involvement and leadership.

Narrow Your Choices

By the beginning of the senior year, students should know what schools to which they are applying; this usually includes a Dream School (a reach), a Good Bet School (good school/good match), and a Safety Net School (sure thing). It is important to consider the degree of difficulty in getting in to a particular school. Don’t apply to only “Dream Schools” and then have to scramble in the spring if those don’t work out. A checklist for college selection is:
• Does the college offer the program I want to study?
• Do I have a good chance to be admitted?
• Can my family manage the costs?
• Is the location an acceptable distance from home?

Apply for Admission

The process of applying for admission varies from one college to another. It is your responsibility to know the steps and deadlines. At a minimum, applying means sending an application form, high school transcript and entrance exam scores to the college. You may apply even if you do not have an entrance exam score, it may be sent later. Schools may also request recommendations, an essay, an interview, etc.
Know what is required.

Apply for Money

Over 90% of financial aid comes from either the federal government or from the school you will be attending. Fill out the FAFSA in January to access money from the government. Get on a school’s website to see what they have available, some will have deadlines in the fall.

Accept Offer of Admission

Most colleges will have a deadline of May 1 to let them know that you are coming. A form they provide saying you are coming and a deposit are normally required. You must also, at the same time, inform the schools to which you were accepted that you are not coming.

Apply for Housing

Most colleges require on-campus living for freshman students, it is important to know the procedure for housing arrangements at the school of your choice. An application form and a deposit are usually necessary.

Register for Courses

Many colleges will have a registration process on-line with a deadline in the summer. Other schools will have a summer orientation program during which you will select your fall schedule. Pay close attention to material you will receive from the college you will be attending.