Your Guide to College Admissions
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Bachelor’s programs maintain an official process for reviewing and extending offers to prospective students known as college admissions. Schools accept new students on the basis of their academic achievement and extracurricular involvement as well as other factors like personal essays and letters of recommendation.
Although many prospective students and their families find the undergraduate admissions process complex, it doesn’t have to be. Continue reading for a comprehensive guide to undergraduate admissions, including an overview of application components and a step-by-step admissions guide.
Types of Undergraduate Applicants
College applicants come from all walks of life. Many prospective students apply during their senior year of high school, while others wait until later in life to begin their college journey. Here are common types of undergraduate applicants:
- Traditional/First-Year: The “traditional” or first-year applicant is typically 18-24 years of age and has not attended college previously. This category typically includes current high school seniors as well as recent high school graduates who are taking a gap year before starting college.
- Transfer: Transfer applicants have completed some degree requirements at one or more institutions but seek to finish their undergraduate degree at a different school. A transfer student also might obtain an associate degree at a community college and then transfer to a four-year university to finish a bachelor’s program. Even though transfer students have previously applied and been accepted to one institution, they must submit an application to transfer to a new institution.
- Nontraditional: No single characteristic defines the “nontraditional” applicant. The nontraditional applicant may be older than 24, may have delayed their college application after graduating high school, or, in some cases, may not have completed high school at all. Applicants with dependents other than their spouse and who work full-time also fall under the nontraditional category.
- International: International applicants do not hold United States citizenship or permanent residency in the U.S. at the time of their application. If the applicant has submitted a residency application but has not received formal approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, they are considered an international applicant.
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Components of a College Application
College applications involve collecting and submitting a variety of materials. Each college maintains its own particular requirements, so be sure to check your prospective school’s website before applying. Continue reading for a list of common materials required for applying to college.
Application form
College applicants must submit an application form. Typically, these forms are online and require information about academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and other personal details.
Many institutions participate in the Common App, which streamlines the application process for prospective students. Accepted by over 1,000 schools, applicants can use the Common App to apply to multiple colleges simultaneously.
Official transcripts
High school transcripts display an applicant’s academic record, including courses taken, grades earned, academic honors, and a cumulative GPA.
Admissions offices want to see a total record of your academic achievement. First-time applicants must submit official high school transcripts, and transfer students who have completed some college need to submit official college transcripts, too. If a high school student has taken any college courses, they will also need to submit college transcripts.
Letters of recommendation
In order to get a well-rounded view of the applicant, admissions offices often require letters of recommendation. These letters can come from teachers, supervisors, coaches, or other community leaders who know the applicant well.
In order to ensure a smooth process, request your letters of recommendation well in advance of the submission deadline.
Personal statement
A personal statement gives the admissions committee the opportunity to understand you and your goals. Colleges often offer a specific prompt, although sometimes applicants have complete freedom to choose the essay topic.
While your other application materials demonstrate your qualifications, your personal statement gives the admissions committee a chance to learn what motivates you and how college fits into your broader goals.
Standardized test scores
Depending on the school, you may need to submit standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT. Additionally, you may need to show proof of AP exam scores if your official transcripts do not show them. Additionally, some programs may require SAT scores or SAT subject test scores.
International students may also need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate proficiency in English.
Resume
Although most colleges do not require a resume, some applicants can enhance their application by including one. For traditional first-year applicants who have extracurricular experience not documented in other application materials, consider submitting your resume.
Additionally, nontraditional applicants with significant professional experience should submit their professional resume.
Portfolio
Portfolios showcase examples of your work in art, design, or another creative field. Although most college applications do not require a portfolio, creative programs related to fine arts or design often do.
A successful portfolio typically showcases your strongest, most recent work. Check your prospective program’s website for specific guidance on portfolio requirements.
Interview
Although most colleges do not require an interview during the application process, some more selective colleges or programs do. During an admissions interview, applicants can demonstrate their interest and qualifications face-to-face with an alum or admissions officer. Admissions interviews may take place virtually or in person.
Audition
If you are applying to a music, theater, or other performing arts program, you will likely need to participate in an audition with a monologue, musical number, or other performance. Audition requirements vary by school and program, so make sure to check the program’s website to see what its requirements are. Some schools accept video submissions, while others hold auditions in person.
How to Apply to College
Although college applications may seem daunting, a clear process can make the task manageable and efficient. Continue reading for a step-by-step breakdown of the application process designed to help you knock out your applications with confidence.
Step 1: Reflect on your interests and goals.
A bachelor’s degree should serve your goals, and the educational process should play to your strengths. Before you begin applying to schools, reflect on your career goals and learning style.
Although more specific career goals can make school and program selection easier, even just articulating a broad range of interests can serve as a solid starting point for choosing a major.
Additionally, your learning style ought to factor into your program selection. For example, do you prefer online or in-person learning? Do you prefer smaller or larger classrooms?
Step 2: Choose where to apply.
After understanding your goals, it’s time to choose where to apply. If you have a specific type of program in mind, do some research to narrow your list of schools down to those that meet your specific criteria.
Keep in mind that you should only apply to schools that hold institutional accreditation. Students at an accredited institution receive a quality education and also qualify for federal financial aid. Depending on your specific major and goals, you may also want to consider programmatic accreditation, which ensures the rigorous quality of a specific program within an institution.
Step 3: Take the required standardized tests.
If your school requires standardized testing as part of its admissions process, you’ll need to schedule, pay for, take, and pass your exam. Most students take their exams during their junior year of high school.
In addition to a total score, the SAT scores its two sections separately: math plus reading and writing. The ACT consists of four sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
Before scheduling a standardized test, keep in mind that some schools have test-optional or test-free application policies.
Step 4: Plan when to apply.
Applicants who have a clear favorite school may consider applying during the early decision round. Colleges typically require early decision applications in early November. If the school extends an early decision offer, the applicant must accept it.
In contrast, early action applications do not bind the applicant to the school. The deadline for early action applications tends to fall in November or December.
The deadline for regular admissions usually falls in January or February, with offers sent in March or April. Rolling admissions continue until a program is full, with no hard deadline.
Step 5: Complete and submit your application.
Once you’ve selected your school and you understand the application timeline, it’s time to gather your application materials. Research your school’s application requirements to ensure you have all the necessary pieces for submission.
Most schools charge a fee when you submit your application. This fee typically ranges from $15-$90, though international applicant fees sometimes exceed $100. Some schools do not charge an application fee, and many offer application fee waivers to those who qualify.
Step 6: Apply for financial aid.
Financial aid comes in many forms: federal and state grants and loans as well as private scholarships. In order to qualify for federal aid, you must fill out the FAFSA. Additionally, you can only use federal aid to attend an institutionally accredited school.
In addition to federal aid, research private scholarships to help further offset the cost of education. For example, some private schools offer merit-based and need-based scholarships to their students. Explore all funding opportunities to ensure you don’t leave any money on the table. Lastly, be sure to apply for financial aid early, leaving yourself sufficient time to review offers before college commitment deadlines.
Step 7: Choose where to attend.
Once you receive your acceptance letters, it’s time to make a final decision. Before accepting, make sure you compare all offers.
Consider, for example, the financial aid packages for each school. Is there a school that would present less of a financial burden than the others? If you have multiple offers, feel free to contact the financial aid offices to inquire about additional scholarship or funding opportunities.
Additionally, review the specific curriculum for each program. Does one program speak to you more than the others?
Finally, once you’ve narrowed your offers down to one or two, visit the campuses or do virtual tours prior to making your final decision.
