Filling out college applications is the first step in furthering your education.
Applying for college can be a hectic time in any individual's life. Choosing the right school essentially means choosing your home for the next four years. The College Board recommends applying to five to eight schools--including schools you are confident about being accepted to, schools you are likely to be accepted to and schools that present an admissions challenge. Once you have decided on a list of probable schools, it is important to follow the application instructions and include all the necessary items with your applications.
Form
The application form is a necessary item regardless of where or what type of college you are applying for. Check with the schools you are applying to. Some schools may require that you apply online, while others will allow you to choose between an online and paper application. When filling out the form, make sure you answer every question--include an "N/A" or a line through any questions that are not applicable. If you are unsure of the answer to a question, ask a parent or a guidance counselor. Answer every question to the best of your ability. Be sure to review the application before hitting "Submit" or mailing your application. Remember to sign and date your application. Richard Montauk, author of "Get Into Top Colleges," indicates forgetting to sign and date your application is one of the most common errors prospective college students make. You should also be sure to check your application for grammatical errors. Grammatical errors give admissions officers the impression that you do not care. Errors may result in a delay in your application being processed.
Fees
Inquire about the application fee and be sure to submit it with your application form. Keep in mind that some schools will reduce the application fee completely or by a dollar amount if you opt to apply online. Remember that the fee is not refundable--it is required whether you are accepted or not or if you do not choose to go to this school after being accepted. Make sure to mail the application fee with your application. Many schools will not process your application without the fee. If your family or yourself are unable to afford the application fee, talk to a guidance counselor at your high school or contact the admissions office of your college. Many schools are able to reduce or waive application fees if you are able to prove that you cannot afford to pay.
Transcripts
All colleges are going to require transcripts. Transcripts are records of your academic progress thus far. They include the courses you have taken, your grades and other extracurricular activities. If applicable, provide any transcripts from any college work you may have completed. Keep in mind, you must submit official transcripts. Official transcripts come in a sealed envelope from your high school or college. If you break the seal on this envelope, your transcripts are no longer considered official.
Personal Essay
The personal essay may often set you apart from other applicants with similar test scores, grades and extracurricular activities. It is important to express yourself as an individual while writing your admission essay. Some schools may require an essay regarding your goals, while others may ask for an autobiographical statement or your reason for choosing a particular school. Remember to follow the instructions, stay on topic and stay within the word count. Make your essay stand out. All essays should tell a story, rather than show an admissions officer why you should be accepted. Be creative. It is important to avoid sob stories. You do not want to make the admissions department feel bad for you. Before you seal your personal essay and send it off, check it over for typos. Additionally, if you believe using big words will increase your chances of admission--keep in mind the admissions office wants to get to know you, not whether or not you can use a thesaurus--remember to make sure the big words you are using fit the context of your essay.
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