Ready, set, apply. Ready to get your college degree and start the next phase in your life? Great, but do you know when to start applying to college? The best thing to do is put together a list of schools that you want to attend and then get started in gathering the information you need to get accepted and get your degree. You will need to give yourself time to fill out the application, get your letters of recommendation, school transcripts, and file any financial aid forms necessary.
You should check into your target schools and make sure you know whether they have rolling admissions or a set admissions schedule. If they have rolling admissions you still probably want to set some deadlines that match up with the other schools you are interested in that may not have a rolling admissions schedule. Some colleges even have multiple start dates which can make things a little more complicated.
Know Your Target Application Deadlines
Figure out which colleges you want to apply to and compile a list of application deadlines. Make sure you put a soft deadline and hard deadline on the calendar. The soft deadline is your application submission goal. Often it is better to try and get your materials in before the actual due date so that if something goes wrong, like your printer breaks or your internet goes down, you still have time to complete the application before the actual deadline or hard deadline.
High school students have the opportunity to work with their school guidance counselors to help them gather information and put together a customized application plan. You can review all of your target schools as well as your grades and test scores to make sure you have a realistic list of schools that you are targeting.
If you have been working for a while you may want to look to someone in your company who you respect and trust to help provide some guidance during this process. A mentor or senior manager who has the degree you are looking to get is a good option.
Gather College Applications, Letters of Recommendation and Request Transcripts
Request the college admission applications from your target schools. Many schools now have online applications that you can start, save your work, and come back later to complete them. You should go ahead and make sure to bookmark all of these links for your desired school list.
For your letters of recommendation you should create your list of potential people you want to ask. It is best to have people who know you and are high up in your company or have an interesting background or point of view about their experiences with you.
The best way to get your transcripts in order is by requesting as many copies as you think you will need plus a few extra for safe keeping. Contact your high school and any colleges you have attended and follow their instructions for requesting the transcripts. Make sure you review the college applications first in case you need transcripts sent directly or you need multiple copies of them for the school.
Work on Applications, Organize Materials, Request Recommendations
Write your essays and fill out as much of the application as you can while you wait for additional materials. You should write your essay outline first and make sure that each essay has a compelling idea behind it. Always put yourself in the shoes of the admissions person reviewing your application, why should they pick you?
Request your letters of recommendation by phone, in person meetings or email. Make sure you provide a timeline so that those people writing about your accolades will know when you need them.
Take one of the transcripts you should have received by now and open it to verify the class and grade information. Make sure to notify your school of any errors right away so that they is enough time for them to send you an updated copy.
You may want to go to college and career fairs so you get a good idea of your options and tips on applying from school representatives.
Some applications have multiple parts the first part is often basic information called the "Common Application". You should send this first part of the application in at this point.
Those people who decide that an early application is a good option should send it in at this point. Often you can apply early and if you do not get in you can apply again for standard admission.
Now that you have begun the application process you need a good plan on how to get scholarship money . The best approach is to make a list of all the scholarships you are interested in the same way you did with the college applications.
Extra Tip: Make copies of everything you send to the schools in case things get lost in the mail or you want to reuse some of it for other applications.
Main College Application, Campus Housing, Student Funding
Go ahead and fill out the full application at this point. You should send it out early enough so that if there are any mail delays it wont effect you. We suggest that you call a few weeks after you send the application in to make sure the school received everything.
You should fill out your FAFSA application and any other scholarships or grants you would like to apply for.
If you want to live on campus you should send in your housing information at this point. If you are not sure about how to find a good place to live do some research online to find out whether campus housing or off campus apartments are right for you.
Extra Tip: When it comes to application materials you may want to send them in a registered return receipt envelope from the USPS, this way you can be sure that the application gets in on time.
To use this timeline you should start about 6-9 months in advance of your first application deadline. If you can't start that early it is OK but make sure you give yourself enough time to get your transcripts, letters of recommendation and any other materials you need to get from other people.
This application schedule should help you get organized and put some times to your application process. Stick to the plan and it will help manage your stress levels and give you the best shot at getting into the school of your choice.
You should check into your target schools and make sure you know whether they have rolling admissions or a set admissions schedule. If they have rolling admissions you still probably want to set some deadlines that match up with the other schools you are interested in that may not have a rolling admissions schedule. Some colleges even have multiple start dates which can make things a little more complicated.
Know Your Target Application Deadlines
Figure out which colleges you want to apply to and compile a list of application deadlines. Make sure you put a soft deadline and hard deadline on the calendar. The soft deadline is your application submission goal. Often it is better to try and get your materials in before the actual due date so that if something goes wrong, like your printer breaks or your internet goes down, you still have time to complete the application before the actual deadline or hard deadline.
High school students have the opportunity to work with their school guidance counselors to help them gather information and put together a customized application plan. You can review all of your target schools as well as your grades and test scores to make sure you have a realistic list of schools that you are targeting.
If you have been working for a while you may want to look to someone in your company who you respect and trust to help provide some guidance during this process. A mentor or senior manager who has the degree you are looking to get is a good option.
Gather College Applications, Letters of Recommendation and Request Transcripts
Request the college admission applications from your target schools. Many schools now have online applications that you can start, save your work, and come back later to complete them. You should go ahead and make sure to bookmark all of these links for your desired school list.
For your letters of recommendation you should create your list of potential people you want to ask. It is best to have people who know you and are high up in your company or have an interesting background or point of view about their experiences with you.
The best way to get your transcripts in order is by requesting as many copies as you think you will need plus a few extra for safe keeping. Contact your high school and any colleges you have attended and follow their instructions for requesting the transcripts. Make sure you review the college applications first in case you need transcripts sent directly or you need multiple copies of them for the school.
Work on Applications, Organize Materials, Request Recommendations
Write your essays and fill out as much of the application as you can while you wait for additional materials. You should write your essay outline first and make sure that each essay has a compelling idea behind it. Always put yourself in the shoes of the admissions person reviewing your application, why should they pick you?
Request your letters of recommendation by phone, in person meetings or email. Make sure you provide a timeline so that those people writing about your accolades will know when you need them.
Take one of the transcripts you should have received by now and open it to verify the class and grade information. Make sure to notify your school of any errors right away so that they is enough time for them to send you an updated copy.
You may want to go to college and career fairs so you get a good idea of your options and tips on applying from school representatives.
Some applications have multiple parts the first part is often basic information called the "Common Application". You should send this first part of the application in at this point.
Those people who decide that an early application is a good option should send it in at this point. Often you can apply early and if you do not get in you can apply again for standard admission.
Now that you have begun the application process you need a good plan on how to get scholarship money . The best approach is to make a list of all the scholarships you are interested in the same way you did with the college applications.
Extra Tip: Make copies of everything you send to the schools in case things get lost in the mail or you want to reuse some of it for other applications.
Main College Application, Campus Housing, Student Funding
Go ahead and fill out the full application at this point. You should send it out early enough so that if there are any mail delays it wont effect you. We suggest that you call a few weeks after you send the application in to make sure the school received everything.
You should fill out your FAFSA application and any other scholarships or grants you would like to apply for.
If you want to live on campus you should send in your housing information at this point. If you are not sure about how to find a good place to live do some research online to find out whether campus housing or off campus apartments are right for you.
Extra Tip: When it comes to application materials you may want to send them in a registered return receipt envelope from the USPS, this way you can be sure that the application gets in on time.
To use this timeline you should start about 6-9 months in advance of your first application deadline. If you can't start that early it is OK but make sure you give yourself enough time to get your transcripts, letters of recommendation and any other materials you need to get from other people.
This application schedule should help you get organized and put some times to your application process. Stick to the plan and it will help manage your stress levels and give you the best shot at getting into the school of your choice.
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