Applying to College

Deciding to go to college is a big decision but ultimately one that can set you on a path to success! While the application process can be daunting and confusing, we have compiled the basic information as well as some insider tips to help you achieve your goals. Plus, check out our College Tracker Sheet to help you get started on your college journey. 

Strategies to Make Your Application Process Easier


 

The College Application Dictionary

  • Binding - A term used in reference to admissions decisions, specifically ED; decisions that are binding mean that a student agrees to enroll in a school immediately if they are admitted; this agreement may be broken if the financial aid package is insufficient or for other extenuating circumstances
  • Deferral - When a student who has been accepted to a college postpones enrollment, usually by a year; requires confirmation with the college
  • Fee Waiver - Typically given to students with financial need to waive fees for college applications, standardized tests, or other processes
  • Legacy - A college applicant whose relative has graduated from that college; may be given priority in admission by some colleges
  • Need-Aware Admission - When colleges make admissions decisions with consideration to the financial circumstance of a student; may be able to meet a student’s full financial need
  • Need-Blind Admission - When colleges make admissions decisions without consideration to the financial circumstance of a student; may not be able to meet a student’s full financial need
  • Registrar - A person who works in the college office who registers all students; may be responsible for permanent records and student files
  • Types of Admission
    • EA - Early Action, a deadline option that allows you to submit an application before the regular deadline; not a binding decision; may increase the chances of admission; students may apply to multiple schools using the EA deadline
    • ED - Early Decision, a deadline option that allows you to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline; a binding decision; may increase the chances of admission; students may apply to only one school using the ED deadline
    • REA - Restrictive Early Action, a deadline option that allows you to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline; not a binding decision; may increase the chances of admission; students may apply to only one school using an REA deadline or may only apply to one private school using an REA deadline (meaning they can apply to a public school using an EA deadline), depending on the school 
    • RD - Regular Decision, a deadline option that you will submit most applications by; this is not a binding decision
    • Rolling Admission - An admission policy of considering an application as it is received, rather than setting an application deadline and considering applications in a batch; admissions decisions are usually received quickly 
  • Types of Application Forms 
    • Coalition Application - A typical application form accepted by the ~90 colleges that are a part of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success; allows you to fill out a general application once that can be sent to multiple colleges
    • Common Application - A typical application form accepted by the ~700 colleges that are a part of the Common Application association; allows you to fill out a general application once that can be sent to multiple colleges
    • Note: Many colleges, such as the University of California schools, require applications to be submitted on their own sites and will not be available using one of the above application forms
  • Types of Colleges
    • Community/Junior - 2-year institutions that students typically graduate from with an associate degree; community colleges are generally public institutions and junior colleges are generally private institutions
    • Private - Institutions mainly funded by students’ tuition fees and donations; generally have higher tuition rates but may offer more financial aid
    • Public - Institutions mainly funded by state governments; may also receive donations; generally have lower tuition rates but may offer less financial aid
  • Types of Essays
    • Personal Statement - An essay, such as the Common Application Essay, that reflects a personal attribute of a student’s life; likely required for a college application
    • Supplemental Essay - An essay that must be completed in addition to a personal statement in response to a prompt given by a specific college; generally seeks to explore a student’s interest in a specific college
  • Types of Fees
    • COA - Cost Of Attendance, typically includes tuition, room, board, transportation, and books/supplies fees to attend a college
    • Room & Board - The cost of housing and dining plans that is not considered in tuition but is considered in COA
    • Tuition - The cost of college courses that does not include books, room & board, or other fees and is considered in COA
  • Types of Schools to Add to a College List
    • Fit/Match - Schools where your application fits in with the average student, meaning your GPA/SAT/ACT scores and your extracurricular engagements are similar to that of other students
    • Safety - Schools where your application exceeds that of the average student and you are confident you will get in; typically have a higher acceptance rate
    • Reach - Schools where your application might be below the average student because your GPA/ACT/SAT scores and extracurricular engagements are slightly below that of other students; typically have a lower acceptance rate
  • Types of Tests
    • ACT - A common college entrance exam with four sections and an optional fifth writing section that requires an extra fee but may be required by a college application; typically taken in junior or early senior year; there is no penalty for wrong answers
    • AP Exams - Advanced Placement Exams that are given in May to assess proficiency from an AP course; may qualify for college credit; there is no penalty for wrong answers
    • PSAT - The practice version of the SAT that can be taken during the sophomore and junior year but is not considered in college applications; the PSAT/NMSQT taken by a junior can qualify them for the National Merit Scholarship; there is no penalty for wrong answers
    • SAT - A common college entrance exam with three sections and an optional fourth writing section that requires an extra fee but may be required by a college application; typically taken in junior or early senior year; there is no penalty for wrong answers
  • Transcript - An official record of courses taken and the grades received for the course; a high school transcript is typically required for college applications and may be submitted by your counselor
  • Transfer Student - A student who enrolls in a college after attending another college; may be from a community college to a 4-year college or from one 4-year college to another
  • Waiting List - The list of applicants who will be admitted to a college if space is available; placement on the waiting list is not a rejection but is contingent on other students who have been admitted but will not attend that college
  • Weighted GPA - A Grade Point Average that is calculated with the assumption that more difficult classes receive a higher point value than a typical class