 |
Option
#1:
There
are only a few admissions slots compared
to the number of application received.
So prepare
your application submission carefully.
A good site to review is myfootpath.com.
It provides the inside intelligence
on how each college's admission system
works:
www.myfootpath.com
Submit your several applications
to an assembled list of colleges
or trade schools you'd like to
attend.
There are three
categories of schools you should
submit your application to:
- 2-3 schools that you could definitely get in
- 4-5 schools that you could probably get in
- 7-8 schools that you would
like to get in
You should budget on how much
you can afford for application
submission. You may need to
narrow your search to 3-3-3.
Note the application deadlines for
all of your schools. Early application
submission is usually November 1.
General application submission may
be in January or February. Get your complete
application in early.
The stronger your academics,
the better your chances for admission.
If this area is weak, try to make
it up by college admittance test scores,
strong essays, and a demonstration
of outside leadership.
Athletic, music,
art, or other non-academic disciplines
can be a plus for many college admissions.
It can give you an advantage when your application is compared with a similar application of academic achievement.
It is impossible to go back in time
to improve your academic scores. But
you can study hard
to achieve high college admittance
test scores.
An above-average test score is NOT
an automated ticket to admission.
But it does add points in your favor
with many colleges. Submitting your
application with high test scores,
good essays and recommendations, and
a fair academic record can get you
in many colleges.
Here is an opportunity to
show your creativeness and leadership
skills by writing strong essays
and having good recommendations from
leaders in your school and community.
We recommend that your essays
get reviewed by a professional writer
prior to submission. Submitting
an essay that is structurally weak
and grammatically incorrect can destroy your chances of being admitted.
Finally, colleges admit
applicants who display leadership
skills from their participation in
clubs, communities, church groups,
and other extracurricular activities.
Being just a "member" of
a club does not carry as much weight
as compared with an applicant who
displayed leadership capabilities.
Note that competition for admission
can be fierce for the top schools. It
helps to have good academics, high
test scores, strong essays, and good
recommendations.
Your application is one of thousands
that must be reviewed by the college's
admissions staff. Submit the best
application that you can.
|
 |
Option
#2:
Compare
your choice of schools head-to-head to make a decision on academics, collegiate major, cost and life style. Begin
grouping your college choices and rank
them based on your selection criteria:
You should plan to make a college visit before submitting your application. The cost to attend college can be high for many schools. So make sure this is the right school for you.
Arrange campus visits
with your select colleges and meet
with college recruiters that visit your
school:
|
 |
Option
#3:
Submit all required
documents at least two weeks before the deadline.
deadlines are in October - November
deadlines are in early January
- Select the colleges
or schools that you desire to attend.
- Obtain the applications from the school.
You can easily get the application online
or through your school counselor.
- Decide who you will ask to write your
recommendations. Give this person plenty
of time (at least 2-3 weeks prior to your
request date).
- Keep a track of important dates. You
don't want to miss a deadline.
- Begin working on your
essays.
- Collect your letters of recommendations.
Be sure to formally thank your recommend er.
- Complete the application in preparation
for submission (early submission dates
are usually November 1 for most schools).
- Make plenty of copies of your essays,
letters of recommendations and application.
- Complete applications
for early and regular admissions. Many
of these submissions can be made online.
- Early submissions are usually in November
and December. Regular submissions are
usually in January and February. Check
your college for submission dates.
- Start looking for housing during this
time. If you school requires first-time
student to live in approved housing, start
making arrangements. The best units can
go fast.
- Get your school transcripts
sent to your intended schools. See
your guidance counselor.
- Your school should be sending out acceptance
letters. If you haven't heard from your
school, contact them to make sure your
application is complete (they may be waiting
for a transcript or other item).
- Finalize your admissions
requirements:
— housing
— final transcript
— registrations
— medical checks
— other
|
 |
Task
#4:
Prepare for the College
Application
Many
schools now allow for e-applications where
you can submit one form to multiple schools. This will save you time from having to complete multiple application that ask for the same information.
Complete the College
Application
Request an application form from each of your colleges. You can find it online or request it from the school.
The package will include the application form, submission requirements (that include your essays, transcripts and other) and self-addressed envelopes for the letters of recommendations.
Early Decision Note:
you need to decide if you are going to do early admission. If so, you will need to have your application completed and ready to submit between October and November of your senior year.
The advantage of early decision is that you will know whether you have been accepted by early January. The disadvantage of early decision is that you may be legally bound to attend that school if you are accepted. So decide on early decisions for those schools that are your first choice.
|
 |
Task
#5:
Your college admissions application
will most likely require 1- 2 essays. Prepare for enough time to write
and edit your essays. The
essay is an important decisional parameter for college admission.
|
 |
Task
#6:
Most college admissions application require
1-2 recommendations from teachers
and/or community leaders. Select who should write your recommendation. Give the person plenty of time (about
3-4 weeks prior to your deadline).
- short autobiography and
school transcript
- list of your outside activities
- deadline when the recommendation
is due (please allow 3-4 weeks
prior to the deadline)
- stamped self-addressed envelope to the college admission office
- Please note that the teacher
or community leader that is
writing the recommendation
may receive several requests
from other students. So
get your request in early.
More advice: download
this FREE article from ivyedge.com
"Secrets to College Admission"
|
 |
Task
#6:
Register to take your college
entrance exams in the Fall of your senior year. Get with your guidance counselor about preparing for the college entrance exams. Don't miss the registration deadlines.
- colleges require different college entrance exams. You need to check with your college to determine which exam to take. Many students will sit for both exams to make sure they meet qualifications from all colleges.
When you register for exams, make sure test scores will be sent to your select colleges.
- SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests:
link to collegeboard.com for information and exam dates
- ACT College Exam:
link to ACT for information and exam dates
The ACT Assessment®
|
 |
Task
#6:
- arrange with your high school to forward required
transcripts to select colleges. Note
that everyone in your school will
request likewise. So act early!
- check with your college on what
will be required since you will not
be sending in an "official"
transcript. Check this valuable resource: amazon
bookstore
|
 |
Task
#9:
You want to show well-roundness in your
application. Just the right amount of studies
and outside activities. So don't think that
a lot of extracurricular activities are
a must. Show a balance.
|
|
|
