You might feel like you’re in a maze of deadlines, essays, tests, and choices when you apply to college. If you plan ahead and stick to it, the truth is that the college application process is a lot easier to deal with. You can move with confidence instead of stress if you know how the process works, whether you’re a freshman starting early or a senior racing toward deadlines.
Here is a well-organized and useful guide that will help high school students make smart decisions from the beginning.
Make a List of Colleges that Are Realistic
Make a balanced group of schools
There should be a mix of things on your list:
- Safety schools: You have a good chance of getting in
- Match schools: Your academic record is a good fit
- Reach schools: More competitive, but still worth applying to
Things to Think About When Picking Schools
Some important things are:
- Place
- Size of the campus
- School programs
- Services that help
- Campus culture and diversity
- Ways to get help with money
BigFuture, Niche, and official college websites are some of the tools that make research easier.
Know What Each School Needs for Admission
Every college has its own requirements for applications. Most will need:
- Official transcript from high school
- Scores on standardized tests (if needed)
- Essay about yourself
- Letters of recommendation
- List of activities or a résumé
- Extra essays
- Fee for applying or fee waiver
Keep things in order
Make a spreadsheet to keep track of:
- Requirements
- Due dates
- Extra things
- Portals for logging in
Being organized helps you avoid mistakes and lowers your stress.
Be Aware of Important Deadlines for Admissions
If you miss a deadline, you may not be able to apply. The main plans for the application are:
Different types of admissions timelines
- Early Decision (ED): This is a binding choice that works best for students who are sure about one school.
- Early Action (EA): Not binding; get a decision faster
- Regular Decision: The most common time frame
- Rolling Admission: Decisions are made all the time, usually within weeks.
Most early deadlines are in October or November, and most Regular Decision deadlines are between January 1 and February 1.
Prepare for the SAT or ACT, Even if You Don’t Have to Take it
Even schools that don’t require tests may be interested in seeing good scores. Good SAT or ACT scores can:
- Make your application stronger
- Make it easier to get a scholarship
- Make sure you’re ready for school
How to get ready
Begin studying in your sophomore or junior year by using:
- Khan Academy
- Tests from the College Board
- Tests to practice for the ACT
Even small changes in your score can make a big difference.
Ask for Letters of Recommendation Early
In the fall, teachers get a lot of requests, so ask early, like at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year.
Pick people to recommend you who know your:
- Work ethic
- Character
- Growth
Give each person who recommends you a short “brag sheet” that lists your goals and accomplishments.
Write a Strong Essay About Yourself
Your personal essay lets admissions officers hear your true voice.
What makes an essay strong
A good essay should:
- Tell a story that means something
- Focus on growth, strength, or curiosity.
- Stay away from clichés
- Don’t just tell, show
Start thinking about your message early, write several drafts, and keep making changes until it sounds strong and real.
Fill out the FAFSA and Look into Your Financial Aid Options.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is very important, and a lot of students can get help even if they think they can’t.
More resources for financial aid
Check out:
- Help with money from the state
- Scholarships based on merit
- Help from the school
- Scholarships from outside sources
- Grants based on need
Start early because some scholarships have deadlines in the fall and there may not be enough money for all of them.
Go to Campuses, Either in Person or Online.
Visits to campus help you understand:
- The environment
- Life as a student
- Help with schoolwork
- Culture
If you can’t travel, look into the virtual tours, webinars, and student panels that most colleges offer. It can be very helpful to sit in on a class or talk to a current student.
Keep Everything in Order the Whole Time
The hardest part of applying is often dealing with all the requirements at once.
How to stay on track
- Use a planner or calendar on your phone
- Take things one week at a time.
- Set deadlines inside your company that are earlier than the real ones.
- Make a special folder to keep copies of essays and other documents in.
Being organized can help you feel less stressed and make your applications stronger.
Take Care of Your Mental Health Along the Way
It can be very stressful to apply to college, especially if you have to balance your schoolwork, activities, and personal life.
Many students feel better when they get help from people other than their teachers. One of these resources is the book “Entering the Arena.” This guide is calm and helpful and helps families understand the admissions process without making them too stressed.
Take breaks, set limits, and ask for help when you need it.
You’re More Ready Than You Think
Applying to college as a high school student is a big deal, but it’s easier if you break it down into smaller tasks like research, deadlines, essays, letters, tests, and financial aid.
When you apply to college, you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to tell your story, show how you’ve changed, and talk about your goals. If you get ready and ask for help, you can confidently go through this journey and take the next big step toward your future.
Your journey has already started. Keep going; your future campus is closer than you think.
