Application Process
Know What to Expect
Every college establishes its own application process. Requirements can vary by institution and may also differ for specific majors or programs.
Before starting an application, visit the college's admission website and identify exactly what you'll need, when it's due, and how it should be submitted.
Understand How to Apply
Colleges may accept applications through:
- Their own institutional application
- A shared application platform
- Another application system used by a particular state or group of institutions
If a college offers more than one way to apply, review the options and choose the one that works best for you.
Using a shared application can simplify parts of the process when you're applying to multiple colleges, but individual institutions may still require additional questions, essays, or materials.
Gather Your Information
Before you begin, collect the information you're likely to need.
This may include:
- Personal and contact information
- High school information
- Courses and grades
- Activities and organizations
- Employment
- Volunteer and community experiences
- Honors and awards
- College-credit coursework
- Test information, when applicable
- Parent or guardian information when requested
Having this information together before you begin can make completing applications much easier.
Your Academic Record
Your high school academic record is an important part of many college applications.
Colleges may review factors such as:
- Courses completed
- Grades
- GPA
- Academic rigor
- College-level or advanced coursework
- Academic progress over time
How this information is submitted varies. Some applications ask students to report their courses and grades, while others require an official or unofficial transcript.
Follow each college's instructions carefully.
Your high school may also need to send a final transcript after graduation.
Test Scores
Testing policies vary by college and program.
Depending on the institution, ACT or SAT scores may be:
- Required
- Optional for general admission
- Considered when submitted
- Used for scholarships
- Used for placement
- Required or considered for certain academic programs
Research the current policy for every institution you're considering before deciding whether to submit scores.
Letters of Recommendation
Not every college requires recommendations.
When one is required, pay attention to who the college wants the recommendation from. Some may request a teacher, school counselor, or another individual who can speak to your academic preparation, character, experiences, or potential.
Choose someone who knows you well enough to provide meaningful information.
Ask Early
Give recommenders plenty of time before the deadline.
When you ask:
- Explain what you're applying for.
- Share the deadline.
- Provide submission instructions.
- Give them information about your activities, accomplishments, goals, or experiences that may be helpful.
- Thank them for their time.
Don't assume a recommendation has been submitted. Check your application portal or follow up appropriately before the deadline.
Essays & Written Responses
Some colleges ask for a longer personal essay, while others use shorter written responses or supplemental questions.
Read each prompt carefully and answer the question being asked.
Your writing should help the college understand something meaningful about you—your experiences, thinking, values, growth, interests, or goals.
Learn How to Approach an Admission Essay →
Application Fees & Fee Waivers
Some colleges charge an application fee, while others don't.
If paying application fees creates a financial barrier, ask your school counselor or the college about available fee waivers or other options.
Don't eliminate a college from consideration solely because you see an application fee before investigating whether assistance is available.
Program-Specific Requirements
Admission to a college doesn't always guarantee admission to every program within that college.
Certain majors or programs may have additional requirements, such as:
- Separate applications
- Earlier deadlines
- Higher academic requirements
- Auditions
- Portfolios
- Interviews
- Prerequisite coursework
- Additional essays or recommendations
If you already know what you want to study, research both college admission and program admission.
Submit—and Confirm
Before submitting:
- Review every section for accuracy.
- Proofread written responses.
- Make sure required materials have been requested.
- Confirm you're submitting before the correct deadline.
After submitting, save your confirmation.
Then watch for instructions about creating or accessing your applicant portal.
Check Your Application Status
Use your applicant portal to confirm that the college has received everything it needs.
An application may not be considered complete until required transcripts, recommendations, test scores, or other materials have arrived.
Respond to Requests
Continue checking your email and applicant portals throughout the admission process.
Colleges may request:
- Missing documents
- Additional information
- Midyear grades
- Verification of information
- Scholarship materials
- Program-specific requirements
Respond promptly and keep copies of important communication.
Understand Your Admission Decision
Colleges use different terminology, but common outcomes include:
Admitted
You've been offered admission.
Review any next steps and deadlines, but don't feel pressured to make a final decision before you've reviewed your options and financial aid information.
Denied
The college isn't offering you admission for that entry term.
Admission decisions can reflect many factors, including institutional requirements, program capacity, and the applicant pool. Focus on the other options available to you and the next steps toward your goals.
Waitlisted
The college isn't currently offering admission but may consider you later if space becomes available.
If you're offered a place on a waitlist:
- Find out whether you must accept the waitlist position.
- Ask when you might receive a final decision.
- Understand whether waiting could affect housing, scholarships, or other opportunities.
- Follow the college's instructions if you want to provide updates.
- Continue moving forward with another college option rather than assuming you'll eventually be admitted.
Deferred
Students who apply through an early admission plan may sometimes have their application moved into a later admission round for additional consideration.
Follow the college's instructions and continue meeting deadlines at your other schools.
After You're Admitted
An admission offer tells you that you can attend. Your next task is deciding whether you should.
Compare your options carefully, including your financial aid offers and the amount you'll actually need to pay.
Before committing:
- Review the financial aid offer.
- Understand your remaining cost.
- Consider the entire cost of the program.
- Revisit academic and career fit.
- Review housing and enrollment requirements.
- Pay attention to enrollment deadlines.
