APPLYING FOR COLLEGE

Applying to college doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think.  The application process should be broken into four main steps.  It is important to give yourself enough time to complete the four parts of you application: the personal information section, the academic profile, the essay, and the recommendation.   These steps can be place on a timeline to help you prevent a last minute scramble.

Requesting applications- Once you have chosen a few colleges to apply to you should request your applications before the fall of your senior year.  The applications should arrive either August or September, but the earlier the better.  To aid with all sections of the application, consult the following website:

http://www.wiredscholar.com/applying/content/app_learn_todo.jsp

1)   The personal information section of the application should be completed as soon as possible. For the UC schools and other private colleges this section should be completed, preferably, by early September.  The first section of the application is very simple and only requires you to fill out your address, birth date, etc. This allows the college or university to which you’re applying to get to know you better and for you to make your first impression on the college. 

2) The academic profile section should be completed alongside the personal information section.  It contains your high school transcript as well as all your test scores and extracurricular activities.  This section allows you to distinguish yourself academically from other students applying to the same college and to impress the admissions staff who have seen thousands of worthy candidates for admission. 

3)  The most important part of your application is the personal essay.  This gives you the ability to make a lasting impression with the officers and give them something to distinguish you from the other applicants.   It can also allow you to tell the officers about any hardships you’ve had to endure or personal adversity you’ve had to face that may have had adverse effects on your academic record.

4)  The final section of an application is the teacher recommendation.  All you have to do in this section is give the form to your teacher with an addressed envelope and sufficient postage and your teacher will confidentially send it to the school.   You should get to know a teacher early in your high school career so that when you ask for a recommendation your teacher can give a description not only of your academic prowess but also of your personality.  Having a good teacher recommendation is yet another way of distinguishing yourself from other applicants in the admissions process.  To be courteous to your teacher you should give the form to your teacher in early November so that they can send it in with plenty of time to spare.

Here is a basic timeline of when to have each section of your application completed.

• July/August - Request applications from the colleges

• Late September/ early October - Complete the personal information section ASAP, but no later than

• October - Give your teacher recommendation to a teacher during so that they can  send it off by November

• Early November -Have a rough draft of your personal essay done

• Mid-December – Have your final draft of the personal essay done

If you follow this timeline your application will be received in plenty of time and you will be well on your way to college.