start the college application process

A Complete Guide to the College Application Process

Find answers to common questions prospective college students have about deadlines, essays and more.

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Students should generally begin working on applications the summer between their junior and senior year of high school, experts say.

The college application process can seem intimidating, especially if students don't have parents or siblings who have already been through it and can offer advice.

Since there are several steps, such as writing an essay and obtaining letters of recommendation , experts say a good way for students to get started is to create a to-do list during their junior year of high school.

"Once you can see it visually, the number of tasks and a schedule to do them, it simplifies a lot of things," says Christine Chu, a premier college admissions counselor at IvyWise, a New York-based education consulting company. "It will take away a lot of the anxiety."

Though there is often prep work, students generally begin working on college application tasks the summer between their junior and senior years of high school, experts say.

Here's what prospective undergraduates need to know about completing a college application.

What Are the Important College Application Deadlines?

High school seniors have multiple deadlines to choose from when applying to colleges.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Applying to College

Applying to college.

• Complete the FAFSA
• Fill Out the Common App
• Write a Standout College Essay
• Ask for Recommendation Letters
• Learn the Ins and Outs of Financial Aid
• Decipher College Tuition Costs
• Find Scholarships to Pay for College

Early Decision

First are early decision deadlines, usually in November. Students who apply via early decision, or ED, hear back from a college sooner than their peers who turn in applications later. ED admissions decisions often come out by December.

However, students should be aware that ED acceptances are binding, meaning an applicant must enroll if offered admission.

Some schools also have a second early decision deadline, ED II, which is also binding. The difference is in the timelines. ED II deadlines are usually in January, and admissions decisions often come out in February.

Early Action

Early action is another type of application deadline that tends to be in November or December, though some schools set deadlines as early as Oct. 15. Similar to early decision, students who apply via early action hear back from schools sooner. The difference is EA acceptances aren't binding.

Restrictive early action , which is uncommon, allows students to apply early but only to a single school (though there are exceptions). It's also nonbinding.

Regular Decision

Students can also choose to apply by a school's regular decision deadline, which is typically Jan. 1. Students who apply regular decision generally hear back from schools in mid-to-late March or early April. This is the most common way students apply to schools.

One other admissions policy to be aware of is rolling admissions . Schools with rolling admissions evaluate applications as they receive them and release admissions decisions on an ongoing basis. These schools may have a priority filing date, but they generally don't have a hard cutoff date for applications. The institutions continue accepting them until all spots in the incoming class are filled.

Regardless of the type of decision students pursue, it's important to start the application process early, says Denard Jones, lead college counselor at Empowerly, a college admissions consulting company. Jones previously worked in college admissions at Elon University in North Carolina and Saint Joseph's University in Pennsylvania.

“If you chunk it up and break down these tasks and can get ahead and start early, you’re not stifling your creativity because you’re trying to rush through to get everything done by October or November deadlines," he says. “Time management is something you’re going to have to deal with the rest of your life, regardless of what you go into.”

In deciding when to apply, as well as how many colleges to apply to, students should consider financial aid implications . Experts say if money is a concern, as it is for most families of college-bound students, applicants should choose nonbinding deadlines – EA and regular decision. This will enable families to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools.

Experts also suggest students research applicable scholarships, like those related to their hobbies , to help offset costs.

For regular decision deadlines, students typically have until May 1 to decide which school they will attend and pay an enrollment deposit.

Which College Application Platform Should I Use?

Students have several options when it comes to college application platforms.

The Common Application

One popular choice is The Common Application , which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, including some outside the U.S. Students fill out the Common App once and can then submit it to multiple colleges.

However, in addition to the main application, Common App schools often have a supplemental section, Chu says. The supplement sometimes includes additional essay questions, so students may need to budget time for more writing.

Some schools do not accept the Common App, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Students have to fill out separate applications for these schools, generally through the school's website.

Coalition Application and Common Black College Application

Other application options include the Coalition Application, a newer platform accepted by 130 schools, and the Common Black College Application , accepted by most historically Black colleges and universities.

Additionally, some colleges have school-specific or university system-specific applications. For example, the University of California system has its own application – the only platform used by UC schools – and students can apply to multiple campuses with one application.

Students can visit a college's website to find out which application platforms are accepted. Also, the Common App , Coalition Application and CBCA websites list their partner schools.

What Do I Need to Know About the College Application Essay?

As part of the application process, most colleges require students to submit at least one writing sample: the college essay . This is sometimes referred to as a personal statement.

There's usually a word limit of around several hundred words for a personal statement. The main essay on the Common App should be around 650 words. The Coalition Application website says its essays should be between 500 and 650 words. Institution-specific supplemental essays typically have a word count of around 250 words.

Regardless of which application platform they use, students have multiple essay prompts from which to choose.

"The application essay prompts are broad and open-ended, and I think that's sometimes what challenges students the most," says Niki Barron, associate dean of admission at Hamilton College in New York. "But they're open-ended for a reason, and that's because we do really want to see what students choose to write about, what students feel is important."

Experts say students should try to tell a story about themselves in the essay, which doesn't necessarily mean writing about a big, impressive accomplishment.

Barron says the most memorable essays for her focus on more ordinary topics. "But they're done in such a self-reflective way that it gives me so much insight into who a student is as a person and gives me such a sense of the student's voice," she adds.

What Are the Other Key Components of a College Application?

Here are other parts of the college application that prospective students should be ready for.

Personal Information

In the first portion of a college application, students have to provide basic information about themselves, their school and their family.

High School Transcript

Colleges also ask for an official high school transcript, which is a record of the courses students have taken and the grades they have earned.

Admissions offices typically ask that a transcript be sent directly from the high school rather than from the student, says Geoff Heckman, school counselor and department chair at Platte County High School in Missouri. Students usually submit a transcript request to their high school's counseling office, but some schools use an online service, such as Parchment or SENDedu, that allows students to request the transcript be sent through a secure online provider, Heckman says.

Students can also send their transcript via a registrar if their school has one rather than through the counseling office.

Standardized Test Scores

Many schools require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, which are usually sent by the testing companies. The number of schools requiring standardized test scores has dropped dramatically as the coronavirus pandemic upended these exams.

Prospective students should know, however, that testing policies vary even when such exams are not required. Key terms to pay attention to include test-blind and test-optional . Test-blind means that scores will not be considered if submitted. By contrast, test-optional colleges do not require ACT or SAT scores but will consider them if submitted as part of an application.

Chu notes that "admissions officers still want to see test scores if possible" and that high marks will only help. Strong scores can lead to scholarships, in some cases, experts say. A good ACT or SAT score varies by college, and Chu encourages students to look at a college's first-year student profile to determine admission goals.

SAT-takers are allowed four free score reports each time they register for the exam. Students can select which schools they'd like their scores sent to before or up to nine days after the test, according to the College Board, which administers the standardized test. The fee for each additional score report is $12.

Similarly, students who sit for the ACT can send their score to up to four colleges at no cost, according to the ACT website . Additional score reports are $18 each. However, some students may qualify for a fee waiver , which allows test-takers to send additional score reports for free to colleges and scholarship agencies at any time during the college search process, according to the ACT website.

Letters of Recommendation

Colleges often ask students to submit two to three letters of recommendation .

Students should seek out recommenders – often they have to be teachers or counselors – who know them well and can comment not just on their academic abilities but also their personal qualities and achievements, Chu says.

It's a good idea for students to provide recommenders with a copy of their resume to help them cover all these bases, Heckman says.

Students should request letters of recommendation well before the application deadline. Chu advises at least two months in advance.

"The more time students can give the authors of those recommendations, I think the more thorough and helpful those recommendations are going to be for us," Barron says.

Information on Extracurricular Activities

College applications give students the chance to provide information on the extracurricular activities they participated in while in high school. In this section, students should detail all of the ways they spend their time outside of class, Barron says. This includes structured activities like sports or clubs, as well as family obligations such as caring for siblings or part-time employment, she says.

Some admissions officers spend significant time evaluating this section, Jones says, but he adds this is often the most overlooked part of the application. Many students rush through it and don't thoroughly explain the extent to which they were involved in an activity. Be sure to explain any leadership roles or accomplishments, he says.

"The extracurriculars are the things that they spend their entire high school career doing that lead up to these wonderful moments and accolades over time," he says. "So take the time and be detailed."

Do I Need to Submit a Resume?

On some college applications, it may be optional for students to upload a resume .

But much of the information generally contained in a resume – such as awards, work experience and extracurricular activities – is asked for in other parts of a college application, often in the activities section.

How Much Do College Application Fees Cost?

There's no set price for college application fees, which experts say typically range from $50 to $90 per application, though costs can stretch upward of $100 in some instances. Prospective students should check college websites to determine these individual fees.

How Can I Get a College Application Fee Waiver?

There are several ways students from low-income families can submit college applications for free .

Students who received SAT or ACT test fee waivers are eligible for college application fee waivers from the testing companies. The College Board sends such waivers automatically to students. Not all schools accept these waivers, but many do.

Similarly, the ACT has a fee waiver request form students and school counselors can fill out and send to colleges. The National Association for College Admission Counseling also offers a fee waiver request form .

In addition, eligible students can request a fee waiver within the body of some college applications, including the Common App.

There are other times schools waive application fees , and not just for low-income students. Students can sometimes get an application fee waived by participating in instant decision day events at their high school or on a college's campus. Applicants should also keep an eye out for free application periods in some states, when some colleges waive fees to apply.

Using a College Visit to Decide Where to Apply

A common piece of advice offered by admissions consultants and college officials alike is to tour a campus. Visiting a college can help prospective students get a sense of the culture and community and understand how they may or may not fit in. While it's not part of the formal application process, exploring a college can help students determine which schools to apply to.

Such visits, Chu says, offer a "glimpse into a day in the life" of students living and learning on those campuses. But in the absence of the opportunity to visit – say, due to cost restrictions or other travel limitations – students should consider virtual tours , which emerged as a popular option for applicants after the coronavirus pandemic began.

While virtual tours may offer fewer opportunities to make personal connections, students should still attempt to forge them.

"Virtual visits can be the next best thing" to an in-person tour, Barron notes. She also encourages applicants to "check college websites for offerings and opportunities to connect virtually with current students, admission staff, professors, coaches and others."

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College Application Process

• How to Complete a College Application
• Use the Common App to Apply to College
• What Colleges Look for In An Application
• Avoid These College Application Mistakes
• Tips for Choosing a Major

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Applying to College: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Applying to college typically involves taking standardized tests, writing personal statements, collecting letters of recommendation, and filling out applications.

Applying to an undergraduate program often requires gathering a range of materials to showcase your abilities as a student and your interest in higher education. Though it can be quite involved, the process is relatively standard across most institutions in the United States.

Need help maneuvering the college application process? In this article, we've broken down that process to give you a clearer picture of what you need to do—and when.

College application requirements

First, let’s take a look at the materials you'll typically need to complete and pull together in order to apply to colleges and universities in the US. 

Application: You’ll likely have to fill out a general application for each school you want to attend. These tend to cover information like a list of extracurricular activities and parent or legal guardian information.

Academic transcripts: Your transcripts—from high school, and other academic institutions you might have been enrolled in like community college—show colleges what classes you’ve taken and the grades you got in them.

Letters of recommendation: Many colleges require two or three letters of recommendation from trusted adults in your life. These typically come from teachers or counselors who can speak to your academic abilities, but they can also come from club or team coaches, employers, volunteer organizers, or others who can discuss your various strengths.

Personal statements and essays: Colleges want to take into consideration who you are beyond your grades and test scores. The personal statement (or college essay ) gives you the opportunity to show a more rounded picture of who you are.

Standardized scores: Taking a college entrance exam , like the SAT or ACT , used to be standard, though a growing number of schools have stopped requiring scores. That being said, even when they're optional, submitting your scores can help detail your college readiness.

Financial information: Some schools will request information on your or your family’s financial situation to see if you qualify for scholarships. The deadline for financial information might be later than the application deadline, though it’s good to double-check. You’ll want to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the very least.

Read more: What is a Bachelor’s Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More

The college application process: Step-by-step

It’s a good idea to start the college application process several months before application deadlines, especially if you have other obligations like school or work. For standard admissions, many high school students start their applications in the fall of their senior year – but many also start even earlier in the summer before 12th grade [ 1 ]. If you include standardized tests, this process can begin in the spring of your junior year.

1. Know your application deadlines.

At the very beginning of your college application process, you should start compiling a list of where you want to go, including dream schools, target schools, and safety schools.

Dream schools are those you'd attend if money or qualifications weren't a factor; target schools are those where you'd fit in well as a student; and safety schools are those you're confident you'd be admitted to. For each school, note application deadlines. Many schools have early January deadlines, but you should double-check, especially if you want to take advantage of applications like early admit or rolling admissions .

Learn more: When Are College Applications Due?

2. Sign up for standardized testing.

Many students take the SAT or ACT for the first time in the spring of their junior year, leaving them room to retake either test if they want to improve upon their results. The latest you’ll want to take standardized tests for applications due in January is the fall of senior year. The College Board recommends taking at least six to 20 hours to study for your first SAT [ 2 ]. 

Though many schools have stopped requiring standardized test scores for admission, others still do. And, submitting your scores may help you qualify for scholarships or other merit-based aid.   Learn more: Your Guide to College Entrance Exams

3. Start your personal statements.

Colleges generally ask for one or more personal statements or essays. These are opportunities for you to convey who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Dedicate a few hours to brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, and writing a first draft. Then have trusted friends, teachers, or family members look it over for feedback. 

If you’re applying through the Common App, you’ll likely be able to use one personal statement for multiple schools. Some schools may have another essay prompt you’ll have to answer in addition to the Common App prompt.

Learn more: College Essay Topics and Writing Tips

What is the Common App?

The Common Application, colloquially known as the Common App, is an organization that provides a way to apply for many different colleges using one application. The Common App reports nearly 900 member colleges.

4. Ask for letters of recommendation.

Ask for letters of recommendation a few months ahead of your application deadline. This is because teachers might be swamped with recommendation requests toward the end of the year. You’ll want to give them plenty of time to prepare the letter and collect any information they need from you.

Teachers might ask for your GPA, a copy of your transcript, or perhaps even a draft of your personal statement—information they could use to get to know your strengths and motivations. Ask them what they might require when you ask for a letter of recommendation.

Need some more tips? Read about how to ask for a letter of recommendation .

5. Submit your transcripts.

Most colleges require official school transcripts to see how you performed in academic settings. This includes your high school transcript, as well as transcripts from any other academic institutions you might have attended, like community college .

If you’re still in high school, visit your guidance counselor to request to send your high school transcript to the colleges you’re applying to. If you’ve already graduated high school, you’ll generally have to fill out a transcript request form online or in person. If you’re in community college , contact your counselor or registrar’s office to send an official transcript to the universities you’re applying to. 

Schools will generally state what date you need to send them electronically or have them postmarked by.

6. Fill out your application.

Don’t forget to take some time to fill out the application itself. The application might ask for general information like your extracurricular activities, parent or legal guardian information, and any honors you have received.

The application might include some questions that require some thought, like a list of your favorite books, or a section you can take to explain any dips in your grade. 

7. Double-check and submit your application.

When the application deadline is approaching—perhaps a week away—double-check the application to see if everything you need has been uploaded or submitted. If there are letters of recommendation that haven’t come through yet, gently remind your letter writer of the approaching deadline. 

Submitting an application generally requires a fee, which typically ranges from $50 to $90 per application. 

I don’t think I’ll be able to make the deadlines in time. What should I do?

If you don’t see yourself making the early January deadlines, don’t panic—you still have several options. Many colleges have later deadlines or offer rolling admissions; look through a list to see if you’re interested in any. Community colleges and online colleges might also offer more flexible deadlines, or allow students to start in the spring semester.

You can also consider taking a gap year and save applying to college for next year. A gap year can give you time to volunteer, work, or travel, and learn about the world in a way you can’t in a classroom. 

Start exploring your options

Get started on your college application process by finding schools you’re interested in. The College Board offers a tool that can help you find colleges by location, major , type, and campus lifestyle. Reach out to school counselors, and visit campuses if you can.

Interested in online programs? There are plenty of high-quality programs to choose from, including several on Coursera. Browse through online bachelor’s degrees to find program in in-demand areas like computer science, marketing, and general business.

Learn more: Is College Worth It?

Article sources

The College Board. " The College Application Process , https://parents.collegeboard.org/planning-for-college/applications-and-admission/college-application-process." Accessed October January 31, 2024.

The College Board Blog. " What is the Best Way to Prepare for the SAT? , https://blog.collegeboard.org/what-best-way-prepare-sat." Accessed January 31, 2024.

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How to Start the College Application Process: 38 Tips

InGenius Prep

June 21, 2018

The college application process has long been notorious for its daunting requirements. Nowadays, the hype begins years in advance. To be competitive when you’re a senior, you must find your own way to keep up, figure out how to start the college application process !

We get that you might just want to put your head down and not think about college. But the reality is, the earlier you start chipping away at your college applications, the more manageable the process will feel.

It’s tempting to keep putting off starting your college applications when a homework assignment or procrastination opportunity comes up. But trust us – you don’t want to be that applicant who leaves everything until the holidays. Here are 38 tips to help you begin your college application process today and feel excited about the future ahead of you.

How to Start the College Application Process – Organizing Yourself

1. keep track of all college application dates.

What’s the last SAT test date before you must hit submit? Do you know the 2018-2019 Common Application essay prompts? When are applications due for your dream school? With numerous application components to juggle, there are quite a few dates to anticipate. When wondering  how to start the college application process , make a calendar that has all of the dates you’ll need to track, from the SAT, the Common App, school specific deadlines, and FAFSA.

2. Create a Master College Research Spreadsheet

Keep track of your research in one document so that you stay organized. This spreadsheet should include logistical things like testing requirements, application fees, deadlines, and supplemental materials you must submit. As you research school websites and visit campuses, make sure you track important or interesting features that resonate for you personally. What aspects make this school different from others? Is there a dual degree program that combines two of your favorite things? Noting all of this information in one document will help you begin to see the differences between schools, and —bonus — it will also help you write all of your inevitable “Why do you want to go to (fill in the name of the school)?” essays!

3. Go Ahead and Create Application Accounts

You can't plan on how to start the college application process without familiarizing yourself with centralized application systems. Both the Common App and Coalition Application now allow accounts to roll over from year to year . Log in, review the sections, and start to understand what goes into the process. Knowing what the application physically looks like will help you understand how to use each section strategically. The Coalition Application encourages students to use their “Student Locker” to upload accomplishments throughout high school. This can help you visualize the kind of activities and community engagement you will want to have.

4. Gather the Necessary Information for Your Financial Aid

You can fill out the FAFSA and your CSS profile as early as October 1st, but before that you'll need to prep some materials. Not only will you need to provide your own information, but your parents will also need to supply their personal and financial data. Start talking with your parents early about tackling both of these forms and, most importantly, make sure that your family’s tax forms from the previous year are in order and easily available.

5. Pick Your Test Dates

There’s no denying that standardized test scores are a big part of what makes you competitive for college. Planning out your test dates for the SAT or ACT and Subject Tests is a big part of thinking about how to start the college application process.  This will help you structure your year so that you’re ready when it’s go time. There is no “perfect” test date for these requirements, but aiming to take them earlier rather than later will help reduce last minute stress. In order to maximize your study time, try to align your AP classes with whichever subject tests you plan to take.

6. Determine Which Application Platforms You’ll Need

While the Common Application is the most popular way for schools to accept applications, many schools also use the Coalition Application or the Universal College Application. Some schools use their own unique application portals, designed specifically for their school. Do your research, create accounts for each, and get to know the systems so that you are aware of everything you’ll need to apply.

7. Interview Early

If you’re applying to a particular school and plan to request an interview, make sure you schedule the interview the summer before your senior year or early in the fall. You’ll be increasingly busy as the semester progresses and the finite number of interview slots fill up QUICKLY. Watch out for schools like William & Mary that only interview rising seniors the summer before 12 th grade.

8. Update Your Resume

While you may have a resume from that summer job you applied to sophomore year, you’ll definitely want to update it and follow professional formatting guidelines when thinking about how to start the college application process . Keep a 1-page version of your resume, as well as a longer one that includes all your previous and current jobs, extracurricular activities, volunteering, research projects, awards, etc. Some schools ask you to upload a resume, and even if they don’t, this document will really come in handy when you start working on your Common App Activities List .

9.  Create an Appropriate Email Address

Nothing screams “I’m immature!” like a “ [email protected] ” email address. When you apply to colleges, you’ll need to add your email address to your applications and potentially communicate with admissions officers via email. Be prepared with a professional email address that is clear and appropriate.

10. Tune Up Your Social Media Presence

While most admissions offices don’t have a policy of looking at every student’s Instagram, anything you post publicly on social media is fair game. And the craziest stuff has a way of spreading like wildfire. Take a moment to vet your social media presence and make sure the mortifying YouTube video that seemed like a good idea 3 years ago does not become a factor in your application. Google yourself and see what comes up. Check your privacy settings on all of your social media accounts. Delete, change, or limit content that you would not want admissions officers to see when deciding if you should join their college community. Be careful and protect your online identity before applying!

11. Set Smaller Goals

The college application process can be daunting and stressful to think about, so start with smaller tasks for yourself. Pick ONE thing to focus on per week (or per day when you get closer to the deadline). Break tasks into smaller steps and write them down so you feel less overwhelmed with all that you’ll need to do.

How to Start the College Application Process – School Research

12. figure out your preferences.

In the US alone, there are over 3,000 colleges and universities. Even if you started your search at the Top 100, there are incredible differences. In the college search, one size doesn’t fit all. Take some time to reflect about what you really want in a college. What size campus are you looking for? What type of weather can you tolerate? What do you plan to study? There are many relevant questions you can ask, and each one will help to make the college search process more manageable.

13. Explore College Websites

Spend a few minutes every night researching a new school online. Become acquainted with each school’s requirements, admissions standards, and application process. Look through housing setups, student activities, and social groups as well as course listings, professor bios, and any interdisciplinary or dual-degree programs. Getting a sense of both the social and academic life on campus is key for understanding what kind of school fits you!

14. Visit College Campuses

If you are able to travel and actually visit college campuses, then definitely take advantage of this. There are many ways that you can capitalize on your college visits. Start by choosing a date to visit while students are still on campus in order to get an accurate sense of the vibe and to be able to ask real students questions. There is no better way to see if a school is right for you than walking around and seeing if you can picture yourself there.

15. Research the Campus Climate - and We’re Not Talking About Weather!

Going to college is exciting. But for some students, college can also be a scary and dangerous place because of bias or hate incidents on campus. School climate reports typically include a wealth of detailed information including demographics, bias crimes, and the institution’s vision for the future. This report is usually available on the website and if not, just ask for it! Once you get it, you and your family should pay attention to the number of bias incidents recorded over the last few years. What is the university’s vision for increasing faculty and student of color retention? Do campus affinity groups support these initiatives? What is the school’s position on undocumented students? Empower yourself to ask these questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision!

16. Compare Pre-Professional Programs to Liberal Arts Curriculums

Many people start their search by targeting a school like Stern or Wharton from the moment they set foot in high school (or even earlier). In 99% of such cases, students don’t really have a firm grasp of the difference between majoring in Economics in the School of Arts & Sciences and jumping head-first into a program that will result in a Bachelor of Science in Business. Think far ahead about how certain curriculums will help you build the necessary foundation for graduate school and your career beyond that. Some of these coveted “pre-professional programs” are more selective, but they’re not necessarily better and might be a poor choice for many students depending on their objectives and interests.

17. Think Critically About Joint Programs

Interdisciplinary programs are generally smaller (and more selective), especially at top schools. Applying to the Jerome Fisher Program at the University of Pennsylvania makes acceptance considerably less likely than applying to the College of Arts & Sciences. This is the case at most schools that offer such joint or interdisciplinary programs.

See this graphic below as an example of prestigious and highly selective programs at the University of Pennsylvania:

Consider the pool you will be applying in for specific university programs, and strategize what path makes the most sense for you.

18. Consider Honors Colleges and Scholarship Options

Many colleges have strong, unique academic opportunities through honors colleges and scholarships. Research is extremely important here, since each college has its own system for these programs. Some colleges simply consider all applicants for scholarships or honors college opportunities as part of the application process. Others require separate applications or essays to be considered, and qualified applicants may later be asked to interview. Learn about each college’s process so you don’t miss out on a potentially amazing opportunity!

19. Use Resources from Admissions Offices

Every college has countless events, online webinars, virtual tours, blogs, student ambassadors, and Q&A sessions where you can directly interact with the Dean of Admissions. All of these resources are intended to provide you with an “insider perspective” on campus life. They also help you understand what each college will be looking for when they read applications! Sign up for newsletters and notifications so that you’re sure to take advantage of these free resources.

20. Develop a School List (and Be Realistic)

It’s important to develop a comprehensive list of schools that you intend to apply to before beginning the process. Do your research and include your dream schools on your final list, but also be realistic: include schools that are a fit for you academically. As you know, admit rates are low at the top schools. Be sure to balance your college list so you will get positive results when application season is complete.

How to Start the College Application Process - Talk to People!

21. talk with current students or recent alums.

By the time you start your application process, you will be an expert at knowing all the quirky facts and figures of your prospective schools. But current students can give you insight into how this school might be experienced by a person like you because they’re living it! Recent grads can give you the good, bad, and the just okay because they’ve moved on to other things.  Contact your local alumni group, which will include graduates with a range of experiences. You can also contact a campus affinity group to gather some specific perspectives. It’s a little bit of homework now for a big payoff in the end!

22. Remember Your Guidance Counselor

The guidance counselor recommendation is often ignored by students, but it can make a real difference to your application. Find out who from your school will write this recommendation for you, and then put effort into sharing your dreams and enthusiasm with them. Too many kids only talk with guidance counselors when they are upset about something. Let these important recommenders see your best side as well!

23. Talk to Your Parents!

Parents always have hopes, expectations, and goals for college experiences. Being on the same page as your parents will help your college application process proceed smoothly, and this means talking to them early on. They know you well and can help you think about impressive aspects of your life and personality. Ask for their help when brainstorming stories you might want to highlight through your application and when deciding the kinds of schools you’d enjoy.

24. Get to Know Your Recommendation Writers

Most teachers have written many recommendations throughout their careers. I’m sure you’ve heard that some use generic templates that they dust off every year and just fill in the blanks. But the best of the best recommendations vividly describe unique individuals, using specific anecdotes that demonstrate character. Cultivating personal connections like this requires time and forethought! Make the effort to get to know teachers all year, so that when the time comes, they can genuinely endorse your application in a thoughtful, personal, original letter.

25. Give Your Recommendation Writers Plenty of Advanced Notice

In addition to getting to know your intended recommendation writers well, you should be sure to ask them for their letters very early in the application cycle. Assuming you’ve had sufficient time to build a strong relationship with your reference, there is no reason not to ask for your letters at the end of junior year or at the very beginning of your senior year. Even though many regular decision applications aren’t due until January, you don’t want your recommendation writer to rush through your letter. In no case should you give your reference fewer than four weeks notice to write his or her letter.

26. Practice Some Interview Skills

We talk about ourselves all the time, but typical banter is not necessarily the same as a college interview. Read up on what college interviews are like and ask people you know that have gone through this experience. What kind of questions do interviewers ask ? What kinds of questions should you ask your interviewer? You can start casually practicing how you would conduct yourself in an interview and decide what things you want to make sure you communicate. Practice early so that showing your strengths becomes more natural and you don’t freeze up later!

How to Start the College Application Process – Essay Planning

27. look at essay topics early.

In your master college spreadsheet, make note of which essays you will have to write for each school and give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm. Look at these essay prompts once they are released, even if you do not plan on writing anything right away. Do you notice any common themes? Giving yourself a few weeks to just write down bullet points as they come to you will help you mull over the topics. When it comes time to write, you won’t have a blank page in front of you!

28. Start a Brainstorming Sticky Note on Your iPhone or Laptop

We can’t tell you how many times we've had great ideas only to let them slip away to the back of our minds...lost forever. In the months (or even years) leading up to 12th grade, you should create a sticky note on your phone, laptop, or the old-school way, in a notebook. Any time you think of an idea for an essay—an anecdote that exemplifies your personality, anything that makes you unique, an experience that has shaped your perspective, etc. — write it down immediately. Add to this list over time so that when it is time to apply, you’ve got a long list of great ideas to pull from right there on a note — not lost in the depths of your mind!

29. Develop a Personal Theme

Take time to reflect on your own personality, quirks, and interests in addition to your academic and extracurricular life. What are one or two lines that capture who you are and who you aspire to be? What are the underlying currents that string together your hobbies and other passions and commitments? Try brainstorming a “theme” for yourself, tweaking as necessary as you proceed in the application process.

30. Finish the Easy Parts Early

You can begin to fill out the biographical and education profile in the Common Application now! Inputting this information doesn’t require a lot of thought, but it does demand time. Another big time sucker is the Activities List. If you create a strong Activities List finished by the time August rolls around, your future self will thank you endlessly. You can get the ball rolling for your Personal Statement once school is out. Save the later months of summer and early fall for your college-specific essays!

31. Focus on Fit in Your Writing

‘Fitting’ a school means knowing the school culture in distinct and nuanced ways. While there are stereotypes about each school (MIT kids are hands-on, Swarthmore kids love learning-for-learning sake), most schools want a diversity of experiences, thoughts and opinions. To be truly compelling, you need to match your convictions with what you know and feel about a specific school. Authenticity is key here, so reflect on your own convictions first, then what you love about a school, and finally merge the two in your writing.

How to Start the College Application Process – Understand What’s Ahead

32. familiarize yourself with admissions types.

Make sure you understand the differences between Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), Restrictive Early Action (REA), Single Choice Early Action, Regular Decision (RD), Early Decision II (ED II), and Rolling Admissions in order to understand which option is best for you. All of these terms and acronyms are hard to keep straight! There is overlap in how these options work, but distinct differences will impact your admissions process. Familiarize yourself with all of the early admissions options .

33. Know How Each College on Your List Will Interpret Your Test Scores

When it comes to interpreting your testing history, not all admissions committees are created equal. Some schools allow the use of score choice, other schools require you to submit your entire testing history. Depending on your testing record, the differences in these policies can generate very different scores in your file across schools. Map out all of the standardized test rules for every school on your list, so that you know what scores will appear on each application!

34. Recognize the Importance of Demonstrated Interest

All colleges and universities want a campus filled with students who are genuinely happy and excited to study there. One way that some admissions officers ensure this is through keeping track of demonstrated interest, or points of contact by the student. This could be attending a campus tour, meeting an admissions officer at a college fair, or talking to an admissions officer when they visit your high school. That said, there are some universities where demonstrated interest doesn’t play a role in their admissions process. For example, you could visit MIT 100 times and it wouldn’t improve your chance of being admitted. Looking into whether the colleges you are applying to consider demonstrated interest should be a part of your research process.

35. Understand Your Financial Situation

Will you apply for Financial Aid? How much aid does your family need for you to be able to attend college? Even though you’ll complete your FAFSA and CSS Profile during the application process, your financial situation should help shape your school list. Schools have varying amounts of money available to students. Sometimes this exists in the form of grants, sometimes it’s loans, and sometimes it’s merit scholarships. A few schools will meet all demonstrated need and others aren’t able to. Learn about the financial options at schools you’re interested in and talk to your family about financing your education.

How to Start the College Application Process – Final Tips

36. read every line out loud one last time.

Your counselor, friends, parents and even teachers may have helped you make sure that your essays and activities list are perfect. But, it’s your responsibility to make sure everything is good to go before you hit “submit.” A great strategy is to read everything out loud one last time, slowly, line by line. You might catch grammatical errors or phrases that just don’t flow. Do this and you’ll have the peace of mind that everything is ready for submission

37. Ask 3 People to Read Your Personal Statement

You should ask one person who knows you well to read your essay. They can tell you whether or not the narrative you’ve chosen sounds authentic. The next reader should be someone who doesn’t know you well, perhaps a teacher or family friend. They will view the application in the same way an admissions officer might view your application. Finally, ensure you have a good writer review your application. They can help you with syntax and catch spelling or grammatical mistakes. Having multiple people provide feedback on your personal statement is always valuable.

38. Remember That Results Don’t Dictate Who You Are

Many students see where they get into college as validation of their life’s hard work, if not also their intelligence and self-worth. While it is hard to remain rational during this process, it is also very important to remember that the results do not change who you are as a person. Not all Harvard graduates are successful and not all movers and shakers in the world are Harvard graduates. Don't spend too much time worrying about  how to start the college application process . You will leave your mark and impact regardless of which college you attend!

Tags : college application , college application process , How to Start the College Application Process , applying to college , college admissions experts , college planning , college prep , college preparation , early college planning , college admissions tips , college admissions advice

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College Reality Check

How to Apply to College: Application Process From Start to Finish

The college application process includes sending transcripts, writing essays, collecting recommendation letters, and taking standardized tests.

More students apply to more colleges in the last few decades. To increase admission chances, it is vital to know how to apply to a college or university and which steps to take in which order.

The following are the 11 steps to applying to college:

• Know college application deadlines
• Ask teachers for recommendation letters
• Take SAT and ACT tests
• Build a balanced college list
• Narrow down college list
• Register on the Common App or Coalition App
• Write college admissions essay
• Answer supplemental questions
• Gather all required documents
• Apply for financial aid
• Submit application

1. Know College Application Deadlines

College application deadlines, which are the latest dates by which applications to postsecondary institutions should be completed by students, can vary from school to school and from admission plan to admission plan.

It is a must for high school students to determine the application deadlines for institutions on their college lists.

Otherwise, late applications will not be considered by admissions officers for review and college-bound teenagers who fail to beat the deadline may have to wait for the next admissions cycle or apply to schools with later deadlines or a rolling admissions policy.

Some college application deadlines are several months earlier than the rest. Read more here about getting into a college .

In most instances, early admission plans come with certain restrictions — for instance, some may prohibit students from applying to other colleges, while others may forbid accepted students from attending other institutions.

The following is a table demonstrating the different admission plans and important dates:

Besides college application deadlines, it is also important for students who are preparing to work on an undergraduate degree to keep in mind other deadlines to beat such as:

• FAFSA filing – June 30 (for priority consideration: April 1)
• CSS Profile – January 1 to March 31 (can vary for different colleges)
• SAT registration – around 1 month before the test date
• ACT registration – around 5 weeks before the test date
• AP exam registration – varies from one school year to the next

So, how long does a college application take?

It can take around 40 minutes to enter general data into the Common App or Coalition App. However, since there are various materials high school students need to get their hands on, all in all, it can take them more than 1 month, usually around 6 weeks, to complete the process.

The starting process of applying to one’s top-choice college, however, can be as early as the freshman year.

Here is a typical college application process timeline:

Freshman year

• Meet with the counselor to determine which courses to take
• Search for interesting clubs and organizations to join
• Start talking with parents about financial aid

Sophomore year

• Undergo practice PSAT
• Take a summer job or a summer class

Junior year

• Take more college-level classes for increased academic rigor
• Sit for the PSAT for SAT preparation and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program
• Research colleges and universities
• Look into various financial aid options
• Prepare for the SAT or ACT in the spring
• Start taking campus tours of local colleges
• Reach out to writers of recommendation letters
• Take the SAT or ACT in the spring

Senior year

• Continue taking campus tours
• Finalize college list
• Determine college application deadlines
• Complete college essays
• Take the SAT or ACT one more time (if necessary or preferred)
• Obtain letters of recommendation
• Submit college applications and required materials and/or documents
• File the FAFSA
• Follow up on receipt of applications and scholarship opportunities
• Submit midyear reports
• Check mail for college decision notifications
• Compare different financial aid packages
• Choose the college to attend
• Inform other schools the student will not be attending
• Sit for AP exams
• Send final high school transcript to college

How to start applying for colleges can seem a simple task that can easily become a complicated matter once the entire picture, which involves anything from taking certain steps to increase the level of rigor of the high school curriculum to meeting application deadlines, is taken into account.

2. Ask Teachers for Recommendation Letters

A recommendation letter is a document written by an individual who is not related to the college applicant but knows him or her very well. In most instances, it is or has to be written by a school counselor or a teacher.

Most colleges and universities require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation or two (or sometimes even more, whether compulsorily or optionally) because it allows admissions officers to obtain additional insight into the high school student’s character, strengths, potentials, academic abilities, and potential to reap success in college.

Around 80% of postsecondary institutions consider recommendations an important part of the admissions process, according to The Inside Higher Ed report.

The best time for a student to approach a teacher to write his or her recommendation letter is at least a month before the college application deadline.

It is also recommended for the high schooler to avoid waiting until the end of the semester when most teachers are extremely busy with scoring exams and computing grades.

Generally speaking, it is better to ask a teacher to write a student’s letter of recommendation as soon as possible as it is not uncommon for some teachers to have a cap on how many recommendations they write.

That being said, some of them may, in fact, have a first-come, first-served policy as far as recommendation letter writing is concerned.

In most cases, junior-year teachers are the best teachers for graduating high school students to approach. Such is because they have known them very well for about an entire year as well as the students are still fresh in their minds.

Some admissions officers recommend asking a STEM teacher and a humanities teacher.

This also fulfills the admissions requirements of some colleges and universities where applicants should obtain recommendation letters from teachers who have taught them major high school courses in the last two years of their secondary education.

Recommendations from freshman and sophomore years may not be considered by some schools.

However, some admissions officers, as an article by Inside Higher Ed pointed out, letters of recommendation are unfair to high school students who have no access to counselors or teachers who can spend time writing recommendations.

For instance, while the ratio of students to counselors in 4 states (Hawaii, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming) is below 250 to 1, it is more than 500 to 1 in 13 states (including California, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota).

As a matter of fact, a vice president of enrollment management and student success at Tuskegee University said that most short and very vague letters of recommendation usually come from low-income and disadvantaged students as well as those from feeder secondary institutions that provide local students to the historically black land-grant university.

3. Take SAT and ACT Tests

The SAT and ACT are standardized tests whose scores many colleges and universities in the US commonly use in the admissions process for undergraduate applicants.

According to the College Board, around 1.7 million students in the high school class of 2022 took the SAT at least once.

On the other hand, based on data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, only 1.295 million high school graduates in 2021 took the ACT.

Since they have standardized formatting, both the SAT and ACT allow college admissions officers to compare students coming from different high schools and determine their college readiness.

However, many postsecondary institutions have become test-optional as early as 1970.

It was in the 2000s when the test-optional movement gained traction. The University of California going test-optional is considered a milestone:

“The (proposal to stop using the SAT as a part of the admissions process) first occurred in 2001 when Richard Atkinson, president of the University of California, recommended that colleges stop using the SAT and switch to tests tied more closely to the high school curriculum” (Enrollment Matters, 2011).

As of this writing, more than 75% of colleges and universities do not require SAT or ACT scores.

Even if a student is applying to a test-optional institution of higher education, taking the SAT or ACT, in most instances, is still recommended — while some test-optional schools may not require applicants to submit test scores, taking any of them and submitting their scores as well is often recommended.

Submitted SAT or ACT scores may at times be taken into account in the college admissions process when admissions officers are deciding between two applicants who share the same academic profile .

So, in other words, standardized test scores, even if optional, may occasionally serve as a tie-breaker .

Although some colleges have a test-optional policy, certain programs they offer, particularly competitive ones, may still require college-bound high school students to submit their SAT or ACT scores.

Likewise, some scholarship programs require applicants to submit their standardized test scores to determine which of them are more eligible, especially among scholarships that are merit-based — SAT or ACT scores, in such a circumstance, are seen as indicators of a student’s academic ability and likelihood to succeed in his or her college career.

When determining whether or not to take the SAT or ACT, students must consider the requirements of their top-choice schools or academic programs as well as whether or not it is required by the scholarship program they are interested in.

Generally, the best time for students gearing up for college to take the SAT or ACT is in the fall or spring of their junior year and another time in the fall of their senior year.

According to the College Board itself, most high schoolers get a higher SAT score the second time.

On the other hand, ACT organization suggests sitting for the standardized test no more than 2 to 3 times, for it is unlikely for test-takers to be able to substantially boost their scores beyond that.

At which time they should sit for their preferred standardized test will depend on their academic and personal commitments and how long they wish to prepare for it.

When choosing between the two, students must consider the fact that colleges do not prefer one over the other.

4. Build a Balanced College List

A balanced college list consists of institutions of higher education that a student would likely attend. It is a combination of reach, match and safety schools that fit the college-bound teen’s academic, financial and social needs and preferences.

The following is the definition of each of the types of college one should shortlist:

Reach schools

Also sometimes referred to as dream schools, reach schools, simply put, are institutions with very low acceptance rates, typically accepting not more than 20% of undergraduate applicants per admissions cycle.

While the applicant’s academic profile falls below the average academic profiles of admitted students, reach schools are ideal for an applicant who, should he or she get accepted, will be willing to take on the challenges posed academically by attendance to it.

However, one must keep in mind that the chances of receiving an acceptance letter from a reach school are very low.

A balanced college list should have 1 to 3 reach schools.

There is no need for a high school student preparing for a postsecondary education pursuit to add more than the suggested number of reach schools since it will only cause additional money and energy to go into applying to institutions from which a student is unlikely to get an offer to attend.

Match schools

A college or university whose admitted students have academic profiles that are similar to the academic profile of an applicant is aptly known as a match school. In some instances, it is also called a 50/50 school or a target school.

It is not uncommon for students applying to match schools to feel confident that they have high chances of getting in since their high school GPAs, test scores and other academic factors and, at times, non-academic factors, too, meet the minimum requirements for eligibility.

Colleges with acceptance rates of up to 80% but not 20% or lower are considered match schools.

In order to further increase a student’s chances of getting into at least one of the shortlisted postsecondary institutions, it is recommended that 3 to 5 target schools are included in his or her college list.

Safety schools

As the name suggests, safety schools are institutions that make it safe for college-bound high school students to assume that they will receive an offer from them to enroll. However, it is important for applicants to keep in mind that, while admissions rates at safety schools are greater than 80%, getting in is not a guarantee.

Someone who is applying to a safety school can be considered an overqualified individual because his or her academic profile is better than the academic profiles of the most recently admitted first-time, first-year students.

There should be 2 to 3 safety schools added to a college list to make it balanced.

Adding more safety schools than needed can make the college list unnecessarily longer and cluttered since one’s chances of getting into any of them are considerably higher than at match schools and, even more so, at reach schools.

While the acceptance rates for reach, match and safety schools are different, these institutions share one thing in common: students who apply to them are likely to attend should they get an offer to enroll.

Needless to say, students should be able to afford them and also willing to do the necessary steps to be able to work on their chosen degree programs successfully.

So, how many colleges should you apply to?

While there is no magic number, an article by Harvard Business Review said that applying to 5 to 8 colleges might be enough.

5. Narrow Down the College List

Narrowing down shortlisted schools allows high school students who are getting ready to pursue an undergraduate degree helps to make the college list not only more balanced but also more realistic.

While a student may have plenty of schools that he or she would fit in perfectly, attending all of them is not possible.

In order to save both time and money (it is time-consuming to fill out the Common App or Coalition App and gather various required materials and, unless one is eligible for an application fee waiver, applying to a college comes with a price tag), students should trim down their college list to a more manageable and sensible length.

The process of narrowing down one’s college list starts with the student considering many different characteristics and features of schools and retaining only institutions that are able to meet his or her preferences and requirements.

Some of the most important considerations usually include:

• Academic programs
• Special programs (accelerated programs, co-op programs, study abroad programs, double majors, etc.)
• Campus culture
• Campus diversity
• Campus type and size
• Clubs and organizations
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Financial aid packages
• Housing options
• Religious affiliation
• College rankings

In some instances, the best way for students to determine whether or not a college or university meets some criteria is by taking a campus tour.

Also sometimes referred to as a college tour, a campus tour is often carried out not only by high school teenagers who are considering attending the institution being visited but often with their parents, too.

Experts in higher education have long observed the importance of campus tours in the decision of students to matriculate.

As a matter of fact, such is the case for the vast majority of college-bound teens:

“In 2009, Cohen used Zinch.com, a college admissions portal, to survey a random sample of 1,100 high school seniors who had completed the college admissions process and made college choices. He found that visits to colleges were, by far, the most important factor in a student’s decision about where to apply” (Cohen, 2009).

Meredith College says that the following are some of the reasons why a campus visit is vital to the college search:

• It is the best way to assess the fit of a college
• It allows students to meet with faculty members and even sit in their classes
• It enables applicants to talk with current attendees
• It makes it possible to ask college admission officers or counselors questions in person

Students who are on a tight budget or a time crunch may instead opt for a virtual campus tour.

An Inside Higher Ed report said that more and more students are grabbing the opportunity to replace in-person school visits with virtual ones.

Fordham University, for instance, saw 2,200 visitors take a virtual tour in 2022 versus 730 visitors for the months of March and April of the previous year, not to mention the more than 3,000 attendees at virtual events.

Other than taking a campus tour, in-person or virtual, high schoolers may also attend college fairs, which lets them learn more about their shortlisted schools as well as consult with people who have firsthand experience with attending them.

In the process of narrowing down one’s college list, students must also take into account where they stand compared not only to other applicants but also to the most recent admits.

Doing this allows for the establishment of reach, match and safety schools, which is essential in determining how many of those should make it to the finalized college list.

6. Register on the Common App or Coalition App

While some colleges and universities in the US have their proprietary application portals, many share the college admission platforms the Common App and Coalition App.

Some higher education institutions accept both, while others accept only one. There are also those that use a particular platform for certain applicants only, such as freshmen or transfer applicants.

Gone are the times when students had to mail colleges to request for application forms — nowadays, those who wish to enroll in a postsecondary degree apply to colleges online, usually through the Common App or Coalition App.

As of this writing, more than 1,000 academic institutions are partners with the Common App.

Meanwhile, only over 150 degree-granting schools from 35 states and Washington, DC, use the Coalition App, which primarily caters to students coming from historically underrepresented groups.

Registering on the Common App and Coalition App comes free of charge, although it is important to bear in mind that many schools that accept them charge applicants a fee.

In addition, high schoolers preparing for their college careers need to register only once — they can use their Common App and Coalition App accounts to apply to numerous colleges.

Creating an account with either college application platform is easy and should only take students a few minutes.

Furthermore, students can choose to register on the Common App or Coalition App even if they are not planning on applying to any college or university for another few months or even for another few years.

In some instances, a high school student may have to create an account with both college application platforms.

Suppose that he or she is planning to apply to both University X and University Y. If University X accepts only the Common App and University Y accepts only the Coalition App, then the student should register on the Common App as well as the Coalition App.

7. Write College Admissions Essay

A college admissions essay is a written composition that an applicant submits along with his or her college application.

An important component of the college application process, especially where a holistic policy is imposed, it serves as an opportunity for the student to show admissions officers his or her personality, interests, experiences and writing abilities.

Not all postsecondary institutions require applicants to submit a college essay.

Some schools that do, on the other hand, sometimes require applicants to submit more than a single essay — commonly, it is for admissions officers to know an applicant just fine as well as to see how interested he or she is in attending.

Needless to say, a well-written college essay can help an application stand out from the rest, although a good essay is not usually enough for a student with a low GPA and test scores to get admitted.

Meanwhile, a poorly written essay may undermine an otherwise good application, although it is rare for a promising student to be denied on the grounds of a bad essay alone.

No matter the prompt or word count, applicants should give their college essay enough time and thought:

“So, yes, plan ahead, follow good writing practices, proofread, and use spell-check. Show your draft to friends, parents, teachers, and counselors, but make sure their editorial suggestions don’t strip away your distinctive voice” (Beseda, 2014).

Other than the fact that a college admissions essay highlights the uniqueness of a student who is looking to earn an undergraduate degree, it should also be tailored to the school to which it will be submitted as a part of the admissions process.

Needless to say, writing a separate college essay for each school on one’s college list is the way to go.

It is good practice, due to this, for college-bound teens to start writing college essays early on.

During the summer before their senior year of high school — generally speaking, this is the best time for students to start coming up with the best possible college essay.

Doing so allows them to have enough time and concentration to draft and, ultimately, polish their written submission.

One of the things that make writing a college essay challenging for applicants who do not have anything to say and those who simply have a lot to say is the word limit, which is 650 for both Common App and Coalition App essays.

However, most colleges and universities usually ask students to keep theirs between 400 to 600 words.

Generally speaking, staying under the specified word limit shows that the applicant knows how to follow instructions as well as how to write concisely and succinctly.

In contrast, though, coming up with too short a college essay may seem like the applicant is unable or unwilling to write a well-thought-out and fully-developed composition.

As an education supplement report put it:

“While students should never go over a word limit, they can be well under it if the essay is cogent and well written. In fact, most admissions officers prefer a shorter, tightly constructed essay over one that’s longer but rambling” (Kelly, 2020).

8. Answer Supplemental Questions

In addition to the main college essay, some postsecondary institutions require applicants to submit supplemental questions, which are also oftentimes referred to as short-answer questions, for they are only 150 to 250 words in length.

A student’s response to supplemental questions can show how he or she would fit with a college or university.

While the Common App and Coalition App require students who are filling them out to compose a college essay that is no longer than 650 words, neither asks for supplemental questions mandatorily.

But college applicants be wary: some of the colleges they are applying to may have them as application requirements.

In the writing section of the application platform of their choosing or the preference of the institutions they are eyeing to attend, there is a table that lists the requirements of each school — some of them could include short-answer questions.

Applicants, needless to say, should answer them if required to keep their applications from being incomplete.

One common mistake that I see is when students treat an admission application as if it were just another online form. They enter stuff without capitalization or punctuation. They don’t proofread and polish. They are too informal in how they approach short-answer questions. Nesmith, 2018

Unlike a main college application essay, fortunately, supplemental questions are to be answered using considerably fewer words, which means that they are not as time-consuming to write and thus allow students to have plenty of time for gathering other required materials and partaking with their educational and personal commitments.

Additionally, it is possible for students to reuse parts of their supplemental questions, particularly when answering non-institution-specific questions, such as their favorite food or hobbies.

As such, answers to supplemental questions should still follow a basic structure:

• A topic sentence that tackles the question
• Sentences that provide evidence to support the answer
• A couple of introspection sentences

It is true that short-answer questions can be as short as 150 to 250 words only.

However, they have the potential to increase an applicant’s admissions chances. Short-answer questions can be challenging to answer, too, and some college applicants are not taking them seriously.

9. Gather All Required Documents

A college application consists of multiple parts, and each school usually requires the submission of slightly different documents or materials. Completing all of them is essential for admissions officers to consider reviewing one’s application.

Many parts of the application platform used in the college application process require students as well as their high school counselors and teachers to upload certain documents, some of which may be mailed to the admissions office in the traditional manner or via email or sometimes through paper and electronic document security services.

According to a report by US News, an incomplete application is one of the reasons why applicants get rejected.

So, in other words, the importance of submitting everything a college requires cannot be stated enough.

However, failure to submit requirements does not necessarily beckon the end of a prospective college career.

Receiving hundreds of incomplete applications per admissions cycle, it is commonplace for many college admissions offices to send prospective attendees emails pointing out missing requirements. However, unless the recipients ignore them completely, their chances of getting admitted are almost never compromised.

While it is true that different documents are required by different colleges and universities, as mentioned earlier, the vast majority of them ask applicants or their counselors or teachers or standardized test providers to submit the same things.

Documents submitted by the students

• Filled out Common App or Coalition App
• College and supplemental essay/s
• Standardized test scores (if self-reporting is allowed)
• Other materials (portfolio, audition piece, additional essays, etc. if required by the program)

Documents submitted by individuals other than the students

• Official high school transcript (submitted by the school counselor)
• Mid-year and final-year grade reports (submitted by the school counselor)
• Secondary school report (submitted by the school counselor)
• Counselor recommendation (submitted by the school counselor)
• Teacher recommendation (submitted by the teacher)
• Official standardized test score report (submitted by the College Board or the ACT)

Many of the documents college applicants have to be submitted by others.

Despite this, it is still the responsibility of college-bound students to make sure that they will get to the institutions to which they are applying on time.

This means that they should request for the necessary parts of their applications early on, remembering to do a follow-up that politely reminds school counselors and teachers about the deadline.

10. Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid is assistance provided to college students to help them pay for their postsecondary education.

There are many different kinds of financial aid, from scholarships, grants, loans to work-study programs. Similarly, financial aid funds can come from various sources, ranging from the federal and state governments, academic institutions and private organizations.

Most types of financial aid require students who wish to apply for them to fill out the FAFSA form.

Short for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA is the first step to having access to the largest source of federal financial aid. The FAFSA form becomes available every October 1 of the academic year.

Low-income students who demonstrate need and thus seek eligibility for federal aid are not the only ones who should complete and submit the FAFSA — students who wish to apply for need-based institutional financial aid, or aid provided by the college itself, should also file the FAFSA form as many institutions use FAFSA details in order to determine eligibility.

Some schools even require students who intend on seeking merit-based aid to hand in a completed FAFSA, too.

For application to non-federal aid, some colleges and universities require students to submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, which is required by around 300 schools for application for institutional aid.

Other than federal and institutional financial aid, there are also outside scholarships. Also sometimes referred to as third-party scholarships or private scholarships, these scholarships require students to apply using their respective forms or registration methods.

Also, deadlines for application can vary from one outside scholarship provider to the next.

Meanwhile, as far as federal aid application is concerned, the FAFSA deadline is on June 30 — state and institution FAFSA deadlines can vary, which is why it is a must for students to check with the colleges they wish to apply to.

Financial aid affects not only the ability of a student to pay for college but also the urge to go to college.

In the admissions process, financial aid affects not only (the) students’ enrollment decision, but it also influences their preparation for college application: if one cannot pay for college, he does not exert enough effort to get into a college, possibly resulting in low GPA or SAT scores Heo, 2020

11. Submit Application

The last step in the college application process is the submission of the completed Common App or Coalition App. It goes without saying that the submission should be done on or before the stated deadline, which is determined by the admission plan and academic institution of the student’s choosing.

Making sure that no space is left blank, no words are misspelled and no sentences are grammatically wrong is vital for the smoothest sailing application to one’s top-choice institution possible.

It is, therefore, important for a student to ensure that he or she completes the application form correctly and completely.

College application checklist

1. Fill out the application form by providing the following:

• Personal information
• Extracurricular activities
• Personal essay
• College-specific questions
• Supplemental essay/s
• Courses and grades
• Recommenders

2. Review and submit – Students must check for incorrect information and typographical errors as well as confirm requests for transcripts, records and recommendations.

3. Pay application fees – After students confirm that their applications are ready to be submitted, they will be routed to a third-party payment vendor so that they may be able to pay the application fee.

I Want to Go to College: Where Do I Start?

The quest to pursue an undergraduate degree begins with determining which particular degree the high school student would like to earn — a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, a certificate, etc. — in accordance with his or her interests and, more importantly, long-term career and lifestyle goals.

Afterward, he or she may search for colleges that offer the desired program and learn about eligibility requirements.

When should you apply to colleges?

College application start times and deadlines can vary from one postsecondary institution to the next as well as from one admission plan to the other.

Usually, the right time to apply to college is established by how determined a high school student is to attend a particular college and how complete or strong his or her most recent credentials are.

Applying to colleges can commence as soon as the student has finalized his or her college list. It’s also important to ensure that his or her most recent academic profile matches the chosen schools’ admits and that applications are sent by the deadline.

Some schools, particularly those with a rolling admissions policy, even accept applications all year round.

How early can you apply to colleges?

Depending on the admission plans available, some colleges and universities accept applicants as early as August.

Early admission options allow high schoolers to apply earlier than everybody else to their top-choice institutions as well as hear back from those sooner than usual, thus allowing them to settle the entire college application process quicker.

The College Board says that there are approximately 450 colleges and universities in the US with early admission plans, which means that students can apply earlier than regular decision and get a college’s admissions decision, too.

Early admission plans benefit both college-bound teeners and colleges themselves.

According to the report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), colleges with early decision policies had a higher acceptance rate for ED applicants (61%) compared to other applicants (49%).

While it can be owed to early applicants who are interested in attending, it can also be due to a comparatively stronger application pool.

On the other hand, ED schools enjoy an increased yield rate — the percentage of accepted students who enroll — as applicants who apply early have committed to attending even before they are given an offer to attend.

How many colleges can you apply in EA and ED?

Because early decision is binding, applicants can apply to only one Early Decision school . Meanwhile, students can apply to as many non-binding Early Action schools as they want. However, non-binding restrictive early action (REA) limits a student to apply to only one REA school.

ED is a binding admission plan, which means that students who are applying ED sign a statement agreeing to attend the college if accepted. As a result of this, college-bound teens can apply ED to a single institution at a time.

Experts call it the conflicting strategy, in which colleges compete for the most desirable students:

Peer institutions compete for top students by limiting students’ choices and preventing applications to their rivals. “Colleges tend to use early decision programs such that students can apply to only one college in the early admissions process” (Avery and Levin, 2010).

ED applicants should make sure that they will be able to afford to attend no matter the financial aid package offered — they are obliged to attend whether or not the financial aid offer is generous.

Because of this financial aspect, some colleges and universities have switched from ED to EA.

Simply put, EA is similar to ED in that it is also an early admission plan .

However, EA is non-binding, which means that students who are accepted are not obligated to attend if they are unhappy with the financial aid offer. In addition, students can apply EA to various schools.

How late can you apply to college?

Most college applications end on March 15 — accepted students have until May 1 to make a decision. However, some postsecondary institutions have late application deadlines, some of which even accept applicants until late August. There are also colleges with rolling admissions, which means that students can apply practically anytime.

In some instances, failure to hand in one’s application on or before the slated deadline does not necessarily mean that the student has no other choice but to wait for the next admissions cycle.

Some colleges have admission deadlines later than usual, while others accept applications all the time.

It is not an uncommon occurrence at some institutions to continue accepting applications past May 1, which is also known as National College Decision Day in the US, in order to fill unfilled seats in their freshman class.

Every year, NACAC comes up with an annual College Openings Update, a list of colleges and universities that still have openings for first-time, first-year students and/or transferees for the coming academic year.

As of this writing, for instance, the said list has a total of 341 institutions of higher education to which late college applicants may still submit their applications.

How to apply to colleges for free

Students from low-income backgrounds may take advantage of the Application Fee Waiver of NACAC, which they can use with the help of their high school counselors. They may also apply for an application fee waiver at the colleges to which they are applying, although not all institutions offer them. Some colleges have no application fee.

College expenditure, in most instances, begins not with matriculation but with application to a college.

In 2022, the average college application fee amounted to $45 — the most common amount was $50, while it was anywhere from $80 to $100 in some of the most expensive American institutions such as Duke University and Stanford University.

Fortunately for low-income students, many colleges waive the application fee of applicants who are eligible for it. Most of the time, all it takes is applying for the fee waiver in the Common App or Coalition App.

Students who received an SAT or ACT fee waiver usually automatically qualify for a college application fee waiver.

How to apply to college after a gap year

Applying to college after a gap year is like applying after high school, except that the experiences and insights gained by the person can be leveraged to his or her advantage. However, since the procurement of some high school documents may prove to be challenging, applying to college before taking a gap year is sometimes recommended.

High school students who are looking to take a gap year may still apply to college like their classmates.

Doing so allows college-bound teens planning on having an enriching experience prior to working on an undergraduate degree to find it easier to gather important application requirements such as high school reports and teacher recommendations.

Students may ask their top-choice colleges about their admissions counselors about their policies on gap years.

Once accepted, they may request for a deferral — more and more institutions of higher education are adopting a formal policy around deferrals since there is an increasing number of students requesting them, usually for taking a gap year specifically.

Since this approach can help save students from having to go through the exhausting process of applying to college, which can be even more grueling if carried out a year after high school, they can focus on their reason/s for taking a gap year.

As a result, students can maximize the opportunity for them to learn more about themselves as well as their priorities.

It does not mean, however, that applying to college before taking a gap year is the only way to go.

Carrying out the entire college application process is also possible toward the end of the gap year, although it may interfere with the experience as well as make the acquisition of some application requirements from one’s high school harder.

When planning a gap year, high school teenagers should take into account not only the places they will travel to and the activities they will partake in but also the college application process, such as whether they will apply before proceeding with or after completing the gap year for a smoother transition from high school, the gap year to the undergraduate studies.

How long does it take to apply to college?

Omitting the different college admission requirements, it can take students less than an hour to fill in the basic information on the Common App or Coalition App.

On the other hand, writing college and supplemental essays can take a few weeks. It can also take several weeks for requested documents from one’s high school to become available.

Most colleges and universities recommend that high schoolers apply before they hit senior year status.

Admissions officers at Western Colorado University, for instance, suggest beginning the entire college application process during the summer before the senior year of interested students.

As a matter of fact, the public institution says that students may apply while still in their junior year of high school if they want to be more proactive.

In most instances, it only takes around 20 minutes to complete filling out the Common App or Coalition App for one college. However, it doesn’t mean that they should do so 20 minutes before applying to their top-choice school.

The time it takes to accomplish the application process can vary from one college to the next.

It all depends on each school’s requirements — according to a premier college admissions counselor, students should consider giving themselves anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to complete their applications, which includes providing the necessary information, composing the essays and gathering the required materials or documents.

How much does it cost to apply to college?

Using the Common App or Coalition App is cost-free. However, most colleges that use the said platforms charge their own application processing fee. For the Common App, for instance, the amount is usually from $30 to $70 for US applicants and more for international applicants.

Users of the Common App and Coalition App may apply for a fee waiver if needed.

The cost of pursuing a bachelor’s degree begins with applying to a college.

Whether or not the applicant is accepted to the institution of his or her choosing and whether or not he or she decides to attend, the application fee will remain with the college — it is non-refundable, as stated in the application.

Slapping a fee on the application also helps colleges determine whether applicants are interested in earning an undergraduate degree or simply jumping on the bandwagon since most high schoolers are doing it (Abdul-Alim, 2022).

Because applying to colleges and universities more often than not comes with a price, narrowing down one’s college list, as discussed earlier in this post, makes a lot of sense.

Failure to have a balanced college list with an acceptable number of entries can cause the college-bound student to spend more money on application fees than necessary.

Colleges with no application fee and no essay

Low-income students will be more than happy to learn that not all postsecondary institutions ask applicants to shell out money for the application processing fee — some colleges are free to apply to.

Similarly, not all colleges require applicants to submit lengthy essays that can take a lot of time and effort to compose, depending on a student’s essay-writing skills.

Many things can make applying to colleges daunting to some students.

For instance, selective colleges may scare away applicants with low GPAs or schools with a holistic admissions policy may intimidate applicants who failed to participate in meaningful extracurriculars during their high school career.

Other than applying for an application fee waiver when filling out the Common App or Coalition App, which is subject to approval by the institution, depending on whether or not the student meets eligibility requirements, low-income students may also choose to apply to colleges and universities where application costs nothing.

While many of these institutions are serving poor degree-seeking students, thus demonstrating accessibility and inclusiveness, others do not charge application fees in an attempt to increase the number of attendees.

Unfortunately, though, many of them are low-tier colleges.

Still, there are colleges with zero application fees that can provide quality academic programs and meet many of the factors students are looking for in higher education institutions.

Some of the most highly-ranked ones by Niche are:

• Wellesley College
• Tulane University
• Colby College
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Macalester College
• Smith College
• Kenyon College
• Trinity University
• Colorado College
• Reed College
• Michigan Technological University
• Wheaton College – Illinois
• Saint Louis University
• Mount Holyoke College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• St. Olaf College
• Denison University
• University of Dayton
• Creighton University

It is also important for low-income high school students looking to get their hands on a college degree to note that US Military schools do not charge interested individuals application processing fees, too.

For instance, at the United States Military Academy (USMA) or more commonly known as West Point, the application fee is $0.

However, in exchange for free application is the selective admissions process as well as the student’s commitment to serving the country — West Point graduates, for instance, are required to be of service for a total of 8 years.

Help with college applications

Other than authorities in high school campuses such as counselors and teachers as well as admissions officers at colleges, various books and websites also serve as resources for college-bound teenagers.

Books about college admissions

The following are a couple of books high school students may consider reading to obtain the guide they need in order to gain admission to their top-choice colleges, both of which are available on the internet:

• Fiske Guide to Colleges – A former education editor of the New York Times, the author, Edward Fiske, aims to help students and parents navigate college admissions that get increasingly more complicated. Established back in 1982, Fiske Guide to Colleges is now on its 40th edition.
• The Princeton Review’s “The Best 388 Colleges” contains in-depth reviews of the nation’s best universities. It is authored by Robert Franek, the editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review.

Other college admission resources

Numerous resources are available for junior or senior high school students who are gearing up for the college admissions season.

Some of them include online communities — Facebook, for instance, makes it possible for college-bound teens to meet attendees, especially like-minded ones, even before they step foot on campus.

YouTube channels such as Khan Academy’s College Admissions as well as The Princeton Review have plenty of videos that provide answers to some of the most pressing questions college applicants have on their minds.

How to Get Into the Best College

Applying to colleges and universities is one thing. Getting into one’s top-choice school is another.

Similar to the entire college application process, various steps have to be taken by high school students to get into the institutions of higher education of their dreams.

In some instances, it all starts as early as the freshman year of high school for students to meet some of the most important things many admissions officers at some of the most selective schools take into account such as the rigor of secondary school record, cumulative GPA, test scores and class rank as well as non-academic factors like extracurriculars and work experience.

• Holland, M. (2014). Navigating the Road to College: Race and Class Variation in the College Application Process. 1.
• DePaul University (2009). A Brief History of the Test-Optional Movement in Higher Education.  Enrollment Matters . 1 .
• Cohen, S. (2009). What Colleges Don’t Know About Admissions. The Chronicle of Higher Education. 5.
• Beseda, M. (2014). Why Your Application Essay Matters. 19.
• Kelly, F. (2014). Can You Really Write All of Your College Application Essays Over the Summer? 56.
• Heo, E. (2022). Financial Aid in College Admissions: Need‑Based Versus Merit‑Based. 266.
• Avery, C., Levin, J. (2010). Early Admissions at Selective Colleges.  Amer. Econ. , 2025-2156.
• Abdul-Alim, J. (2022). College Application Fees: A Necessary Evil? 31.

Independent Education Consultant, Editor-in-chief. I have a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and training in College Counseling. Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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College Application Process Guide

Start Planning Now

Quick Links: When to Apply | Application Deadlines | Requirements | How to Apply

Applying for colleges - how to begin.

The college application process can seem overwhelming, but with some background information on how to begin applying for college and staying organized, it doesn’t have to be.  

Start by focusing on the big college application to-do items. Outline everything you need to submit when applying for colleges. Look at college application deadlines, then work backward to give yourself a timeline of when you should work on each section to avoid feeling rushed. 

When should you apply for college?

The college application process isn’t something you can get done in a matter of weeks, so give yourself plenty of time to work on your college applications. Most students start the college application process towards the end of their junior year by collecting letters of recommendation, reviewing college essay prompts, and getting to know their priorities when selecting schools to apply to. 

Use your college list to narrow down which school applications to research. 

Prepare early for application season by learning about the four steps below: 

• Earn a Competitive ACT Test Score 
• Create a College List 
• Visit Campuses 
• Ask for a Letter of Recommendation 

Earn a Competitive ACT Test Score  

Whether you’re planning to meet early or regular decision deadlines , you want to know what your ACT score could be by then.  

One point on your ACT test could make the difference in acceptance into college and/or thousands of dollars in scholarships.  

If you think you might test more than once, take it in the early spring of your junior year to see where you are and familiarize yourself with the testing environment. Then, if you want to improve your score, consider testing again in the spring, summer, or fall of your senior year.  

Every student who takes the ACT more than once, automatically earns a Superscore . Your superscore is the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. 

Create a College List

There are thousands of degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. How do you sort through all these options and select the few institutions you want to learn more about?    The type of colleges you consider will depend on your goals and expectations.     Narrow down your choices by considering:  

• Major programs 
• Location 
• Cost of attendance 
• Extracurricular activities 
• Admission difficulty 

Keep narrowing your college list until you have 8-15 colleges you want to spend time researching. Review the important college list factors to consider. 

Visit College Campuses 

Once you have a narrowed list of colleges, visit college campuses and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a student. A school may look great on paper or online, but you might be surprised when you step foot on campus for the first time.     A successful college visit can give you the confidence you need to make a final decision on your future alma mater. Learn more tips on how to master a campus tour . 

Ask for a Letter of Recommendation  

Letters of recommendation are an essential part of the college application process. Admissions officers use this information to learn more about you from a new perspective. The letter should give them confidence in your ability to contribute to their school, showcase what makes you unique, and prove you have the drive to accomplish things inside and outside the classroom. Consider these tips when requesting letters of recommendation . 

What are the college application deadlines?

There are several college application deadlines to be aware of, including early decision, early action, regular decision, and rolling admissions. The deadline you choose to meet will depend on your goals and could impact the number of applicants you’re reviewed against.    Find out which application deadline is best for you. 

What are the college application requirements?

You will find that most college applications require the same types of documents. The ones they request will help them compare applicants and select the ones that appear to be the best fit for their school. 

College application requirements include:  

Application Form

This is likely where admission offices will gather your basic personal information, extracurriculars, awards, leadership opportunities, work experience, and more.   

High School Transcript

Your high school transcript will outline the entire list of courses you took, final grades received, academic accomplishments, and both your weighted and unweighted GPAs.   

Letters of Recommendation

Collect letters from respected individuals who know you well, including counselors, teachers, employers, or coaches. Let them showcase who you are to the admissions officers based on their personal and frequent interactions with you.

Essay and Personal Statements

Your college essay is the place to tell your story beyond your other application pieces. Some applications have additional questions or spaces dedicated to personal statements. Use these to show them what is most important to you and what you have to offer.     

Standardized Test Scores

Even with more schools going test-optional, having test scores to submit may help you stand out and help earn you some scholarships. Consider taking the ACT your junior or senior year before it's too late, even if you ultimately choose not submit your scores. 

Application Fee

Most colleges require an application fee, but there’s good news! Students who test with an ACT fee waiver may also request a Waiver or Deferral of College Admission Applications Fee. To have a college application fee waived, you must submit your fee waiver directly to the college to which you are applying (not to ACT). 

On Demand Webinar: College Admissions from A to Z: Ace Your Application Process (And Stay Stress Free)

Navigating college admissions can be overwhelming and full of questions, but we’ve got answers! Check out this free on-demand webinar as expert college application counselors from Collegewise answer all your questions from making the most of your high school experience, researching colleges and ultimately crafting your best application. 

How to start applying for colleges?

If you’re wondering how to apply to college, you’re not alone! It may seem overwhelming, but with some guidance, you’ll be well on your way to getting that acceptance letter. 

Follow these steps when applying to college: 

1. Research Colleges 

Towards the end of your junior year, review the list of colleges you're considering. Plan to apply to roughly 5-8 schools, including your dream school and one or two safe schools. Research and keep detailed notes about each of those colleges’ application requirements, deadlines, and scholarships. Is there anything unique this school requires as part of the application process?

TIP: Keep your notes organized in an Excel doc ( Download our college comparison tracker excel workbook ) or similar so you can easily compare the colleges

2. Gather Your Documents

After looking at the requirements for each school, create a to-do list. Add deadlines and due dates to a calendar so you aren't scrambling to get everything done in time.

TIP: If you are planning to meet early college application deadlines, you'll need all your documents collected before the start of winter break since most educators and schools are unavailable then.

3. Get Financial Support

Now that you are getting ready to apply it’s time to review your financial options to help pay for school. Talk with your parents about any financial support they plan to offer towards college costs. In addition to family support, there are other financial plans you can make. Students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . After being accepted, you'll receive a personalized financial aid package will outline any federal grants or scholarships you qualify for, federal work-study, and student loans. Pursue scholarships that may be awarded based on need, merit, or athletic pursuits. 

4. Fill Out and Review Your College Application

Go to the college's website to start your application. Often they open in August for the following academic school year. You may also consider submitting your application through the Common App, which allows you to apply to multiple colleges with the same application. Ask one or two trusted individuals to review all your materials to ensure you aren’t missing anything or have spelling or grammar errors. 

Get More Insights with Our College Application Guide

What are you waiting for? Get started on your college applications! Don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way and remember to stay as organized as possible so that you can meet all your deadlines.    To get more college application support, download the college application guide ebook. 

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College Admissions

Many students start college in the fall after they graduate high school, but their planning and applying starts years before. Application deadlines may be in the fall or winter of senior year, and completing each step on the path to college might start as early as freshman year.

This article answers all your questions about when to apply for college: when do you complete each step of the process, and when are your college deadlines? After reading this, you'll know exactly when to apply to college and what steps are needed.

When Do the Majority of Students Apply to College?

Most students apply to college in their senior year of high school. They graduate in May or June and then start college in September of that same year.

Most schools offer multiple options for when to submit your applications. These different options are known as admissions plans , and each plan usually has its own deadlines, requirements, and, sometimes, restrictions. The admissions plans that you’ll encounter as you research different schools include the following: early decision, early action, regular decision, and rolling admissions.

Generally speaking, most schools will require you to submit applications for early action or early decision by November of 12th grade (senior year). To meet a regular decision deadline, you'd apply a few months later in January or February. Let's take a look at each deadline in more specific detail, starting with early decision and early action.

When Do You Apply for Early Admissions?

Early admissions includes two options: early decision and early action. While early decision and early action differ in terms of their requirements and conditions, they share similar timelines. Both plans have a deadline in November and allow you to hear back about your admissions decision in mid-December.

Some popular schools with early action deadlines of November 1 are CalTech, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Notre Dame, Stanford, University of Virginia, and Yale. Popular early decision schools with a November 1 deadline include Boston University, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Northwestern, NYU, University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt.

Some schools with early decision now also offer an Early Decision II deadline, which is in January . Like Early Decision I, this binding option lets you hear back early from your first choice school, usually in February, about whether or not you got in. The main advantage of applying Early Decision II is that you’ll have a little extra time to polish up your application before submitting it. Some popular schools with Early Decision II deadlines of January 1 are Brandeis, Colby, Emory, NYU, Smith, and Vanderbilt.

Early admissions can be a great option for students who are prepared to apply early and appreciate early notification. If you're planning to apply early, when do you complete each step of the process?

Your College Planning Timeline for Early Deadlines

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither should your application be. You need to take time filling out your application, thoughtfully writing about your extracurricular involvement, and proofreading all of the information for errors. Apart from filling out your app, you'll have to take time fulfilling other requirements. Three that demand the most planning and time are your personal essay, recommendation letters, and SAT or ACT scores.

You should spend a few months thinking about and writing your personal essay. Giving yourself space to brainstorm and mull over ideas is an important part of the writing process that can take weeks. Since your essay is such an important part of your application, you should spend a couple of months drafting, getting feedback, and revising it until it feels precise and authentic, almost like a work of art.

To meet an early deadline, you might begin working on your essay over the summer before senior year. While it's rare that the Common App changes its essay prompts, they have done so in the past. Common App announced these changes in August. Most recently, Common App made changes to its essay prompts in February 2021; you can learn all about those changes here .

Keep this in mind when working on your essay, but don't worry about drastic changes in the questions. Generally speaking, they all ask you to communicate something important about your identity and show how you make meaning of significant experiences in your life.

A second piece of your application that requires your attention early on is your recommendation letters . You should ask your counselor and teachers at least a month before your deadlines , likely by the end of September. You might also ask your junior year teachers at the end of 11th grade. Apart from making the request, you should also spend a week or so thinking about and filling out your "brag sheet," so that your recommenders have some thoughtful material to consult when they begin to write.

Finally, you want to leave yourself plenty of time to take the SAT or ACT . You might take the tests two or three times to achieve your target scores. You also would benefit from several months to study and improve. To apply for an early deadline, you'd ideally have your test scores all set by the end of junior year. You might be able to take the tests in September or October of senior year, but these dates should be a last resort, rather than a "make or break" test date.

Note : Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are waiving their SAT/ACT score requirements for the 2021-2022 application year (and beyond).

To reiterate, in order to be ready for early admissions deadlines, you'll want to: 

• work on your essays a few months before your November deadlines,
• ask for recommendations in junior year or September of senior year, and
• start prepping and planning for the SAT or ACT at the end of 10th or beginning of 11th grade.

Applying early to college is an increasingly popular option among students, but the majority of students still apply under regular decision. Read on to learn about regular decision deadlines and how they impact your college planning.

When Do You Apply Under Regular Decision?

The most common regular decision deadlines are in January and February . January 1 is a common date, making for a busy winter break! January 15 and January 31 are popular ones, too.

Some schools with January regular decision deadlines are Boston University, Harvard, NYU, and Yale, among many others. Students who apply under regular decision usually hear back about their admissions decisions in March or April. Since regular decision deadlines are in the winter, how does your college planning schedule differ from that to meet an early deadline?

Your College Planning Timeline for Regular Deadlines

In many ways, your college planning timeline for regular decision will be similar to the timeline for applying for early admission--but with some key differences. You have to consider how busy the fall of senior year is, both for you and for your teachers and counselors.

If your senior year schedule is packed with challenging courses and after school involvements, then you still might want to work on your essay over the summer months, when you have more time and focus for it. You also might still ask for your recommendations in September, or at least October. Some teachers set a cap on how many letters they'll write, and they probably don't want to spend their entire winter holiday writing letters. Try to ask early in the fall semester.

When you apply for regular decision, you might have one more opportunity to take the SAT or ACT in December. It's still advisable to take it at least once in junior year, and many students take it twice—in the fall of 11th grade and again in the spring. Again, you want to think about your schedule in the fall and how to best balance putting together a strong college application with all your other assignments, clubs, and/or sports.

Finally, some schools don't have set deadlines at all and are flexible about when applications arrive. This option is called rolling admissions.

When Do You Apply for Rolling Admissions?

Your timeline for applying for rolling admissions depends on a few factors and may vary from student to student. Schools with rolling admissions accept applications throughout a period of time , usually ranging from the fall to the spring. For example, the application for Indiana State University opened June 1 this year and will remain open through Spring 2022.

Since most schools with rolling admissions accept applications on a first come, first served basis—sometimes notifying you of admission only a few weeks after you submit—it's advisable to apply as early as possible. Sticking to an early deadline of November or regular deadline in January, even though you don't absolutely have to, is a good guideline to follow.

Not only will setting a deadline for yourself help you keep better track of your college planning, but it will help you apply early and thereby impress admissions officers, which gives you a better chance of admission.

Some schools with rolling admission also publicize a priority deadline, meaning students who apply by that deadline have an advantage. University of Maryland's priority deadline, for instance, is November 1. They'll still accept applications after, but you'll have improved chances if you apply by then.

So far, this article assumes that you're applying as a senior to go right into college. Of course, not all students immediately move onto college after graduating. Some choose to take a gap year or apply later in life. Others actually get a headstart on college and apply even younger. When do these students apply?

When Do You Apply If You're Not a High School Senior?

There are other timelines for applying to college besides the typical one that culminates in senior year. Maybe you want to work for a year or two before entering college. Maybe you have the opportunity to volunteer abroad or travel the world. Perhaps you graduated years ago and are now thinking about going back to school for your degree.

In these cases, you'll still apply to meet the same early or regular deadlines or rolling admissions time frame. However, you might need to leave yourself extra time to collect all your application materials. Let's consider each of the above situations individually.

"I Want to Take a Gap Year"

If this sounds like you, when do you apply for college? Actually, your timeline might still involve applying senior year. Lots of schools allow you to defer your admissions decision for a year. Deferring your admissions decision means you would still apply by an early or regular deadline, or rolling admissions, and then if you got accepted, you'd defer your enrollment for one academic year.

You might be thinking that you want to travel and then figure out where to go to college. This could be a good option too, but remember that your deadlines might still be in January. That means you'll still need to have your SAT scores finalized, letters of recommendation gathered, and essays written throughout the fall—possibly while you're traveling the world!

If applying to colleges while you’re traveling doesn’t sound like the plan for you, remember this: Not all that much time will have passed since high school, so it could be a lot easier to get your application materials collected while you're still in the swing of school and used to being a student.

If you've been out of school already for a year or two, then that's a different story.

"I'm Going Back to College After a Year or More Off"

If you've been out of high school for a while, then you'll probably have to reconnect with your school for teacher and counselor recommendations and official documents, like your transcript. if you haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet, then you may have to study and take one of those tests as well.

Your deadlines will be in November or December, as mentioned above, and you'll mostly want to follow similar steps, like asking for recommendations at least a month before your deadlines and leaving yourself a couple of opportunities to prep for and take the SAT or ACT.

If you've been out of school for several years, then colleges might not require you to take the SAT or ACT. You'll want to contact the colleges early to find out whether or not you need to prep for and take one of these exams.

It'd be advisable to leave yourself extra time so that you can meet with your recommenders and help them write you a letter. Since you're not a current student, you'll want to have extra time to set up appointments with faculty and gather all the documents you need.

Finally, when do students apply if they want to graduate high school earlier than senior year?

"I'm Graduating High School Early"

There are rare advanced students who earn enough credits, perhaps from courses at a local community college or online, to graduate high school early and go straight into college at a young age.

These students push their timeline earlier by a year or two, taking the SAT or ACT as freshmen or sophomores , and gathering all their documents early. If this sounds like you, you'll probably want to work closely with your counselors, administrators, and teachers to make sure they agree with your choice.

You might take your tests in freshmen and sophomore year, ask your sophomore year teachers for recommendations, and apply in the fall or winter of your junior year. You may also have to take the GED to earn the equivalent of your high school diploma. Make sure you've met all graduation requirements and, of course, have concrete, realistic reasons for graduating high school early and enrolling in college.

The aforementioned situations are exceptions rather than the rule, but can be great options if they apply to your situation and needs. In closing, let's review when most students submit their applications to colleges.

To Sum Up...

We've covered all the important details about the admissions plans available to you and what it takes to have your applications ready to go for each deadline. The majority of students apply to college in January or February of their senior year to meet regular decision deadlines. They hear back in April and choose a college by the national response date of May 1.

Other students might apply in November with early decision or early action, or through a range of time with rolling admissions.

To meet deadlines, college planning must start at least a year or two out. This includes prepping for the SAT or ACT and writing essays, but it also includes the time it takes to reflect on your interests, explore new ones, and think deeply about where you'd like to go to college.

As you explore and develop in high school, you should be thinking about your goals and what college communities would provide you with the intellectual climate and opportunities to thrive. This journey starts early in high school, and of course continues throughout the rest of your life.

What's Next?

Now that you have a sense of when to start applying for college, what about specific deadlines for schools? This guide has the full list of early decision deadlines , and this one has the complete list of early action deadlines .

Are you a younger student interested in getting more involved in community service? Learn all about community service here , plus check out the 9 best places to volunteer.

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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Admission Process

Our simple application makes admissions a breeze—get started today!

Our admission process is designed with your ease in mind—just follow the steps below and you'll be on your way to becoming a student at Community College of Philadelphia. We encourage you to apply by August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester to ensure you have enough time to complete the steps to enrollment before the start of the semester.

If you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college, be sure to file early in the admission process. Get started by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA.

Each type of student listed below requires a slightly different application process. Click on each link and read the descriptions carefully, then follow the steps to admission for the description that fits you best:  

In this Section

• Prior Learning Assessment
• Admission Events
• International Students
• Contact Admissions
• Paying for College

If you have never attended college, then you are a first-time student. If you have taken college courses while in high school, you are still considered a first-time student.

• Make sure to apply for Financial Aid (use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA).
• SATISFY Your English and Math Placement Requirement Submit your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, if taken, as they are used to determine if you qualify for a placement test waiver . If you do not qualify for a waiver or are unable to get transcripts and/or test scores, you will need to take the placement test .
• Confirm your acceptance. You will receive an email from the Admissions Office asking you to log in to your application account and confirm your admission.
• Sign up for a New Student Group Registration event. You must attend an event to be eligible to register for classes and receive an academic plan for the semester.
• REGISTER for Classes Once you attend a New Student Group Registration event, we will email you instructions on how to register for classes. Need help registering? Watch a video that takes you through each step of the registration process or follow our step-by-step guide .

PAY for Your Classes You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here .

• REQUEST Transcripts Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities for evaluation for transfer credit, and have them emailed DIRECTLY from your college(s) to traneval [at] ccp.edu (traneval[at]ccp[dot]edu) .  *Please note the following: Placement testing, a requirement to enroll at the College, will be waived if you have successfully completed college English and/or college math.
• REGISTER for Classes Call the Counseling Center at 215.751.8169 or schedule a registration appointment online.
• PAY for Your Classes  

You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here .

Please refer to the Transfer Credits Into the College resource for a listing of institutions and their equivalences, but please note that this listing is not a comprehensive catalog of all institutions.

Students are encouraged to have their transcripts evaluated prior to registering for classes.

If you attended Community College of Philadelphia more than two years ago, then you are a readmit student.

If you plan on taking courses to transfer to the college or university where you are currently a student, then you are a guest student. If you don't plan on earning a degree or certificate, and plan to attend the College only for personal or professional enrichment, then you are a visiting student. Guest and visiting are not eligible for financial aid.

• APPLY for Admission. Apply Online
• SEARCH available classes . Make sure to write down the 5-digit CRN number of the courses you wish to take.
• Permission letter from your college/university. Permission letter MUST include the following on letterhead: Semester/Term, full name of the course, signature of school official *Transcripts are required for students who wish to take any math, biology, physics and/or chemistry classes. Permission letters will not be accepted.
• College diploma may be used to satisfy enrollment into any course(s) requiring college-level English (ENGL 101) as a prerequisite
• Unofficial college transcript showing grade(s) of C- or above for course prerequisites
• Test scores may be used to satisfy placement into courses requiring college-level English college-level math. Visit the College's Placement Test page for a listing of test waiver options. NOTE: SAT, ACT and AP scores used to exempt students from taking the placement test must be taken within FIVE years from the student's first day of enrolling at Community College of Philadelphia. IELTS and TOEFL scores used to exempt students from taking the placement test must be taken within TWO years from the student's first day of enrolling at Community College of Philadelphia.
• COMPLETE the online Guest/Visiting request form After receiving your student ID number, or J-number, log into MyCCP , click the Student tab and access the Records and Registration forms located under Electronic Forms.
• REGISTER for Classes  Upon review and approval of submitted documents, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register online for classes. Be sure to check your MyCCP email for all communications pertaining to your request. Need help registering? Watch a video that takes you through each step of the registration process or follow our step-by-step guide .
• PAY for Your Classes  You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here .  

If you wish to take a college course while you are still in high school, then you are a dual enrollment student.

• APPLY for Admission. Apply Online *Please make sue to select the Dual Enrollment student type on the application.
• COMPLETE the Educational Records Release Form and Program Participation Consent Form and return to: Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden Street Winnet Building, Room S3-03I Philadelphia, PA 19130-3991 or FAX to: 215.496.6087 - attention Advance at College Program
• REGISTER for Classes   

For information on how to register for classes, please contact the Advance at College Program at advanceatcollege [at] ccp.edu (advanceatcollege[at]ccp[dot]edu) or 215.751.8933.

If you are either holding or seeking an F-1 visa to study in the United States, then you are an international student.

• SUBMIT Required Documentation After applying, you will receive an email with a checklist of items required to complete your application.
• SATISFY English and Math Placement Test Requirements Submit TOEFL/IELTS/SAT/ACT scores, if taken, as they are used to determine if you qualify for a placement test waiver . If you do not qualify for a waiver, you will need to take the placement test . This test can be taken remotely PRIOR to your arrival in the U.S.
• APPLY for F-1 Visa (if overseas) or Transfer I-20 (if already in the U.S.) If you are offered admission, you will receive an acceptance letter, I-20 and instructions regarding applying for your student visa. Once your visa is approved, you are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start of the semester. If you are already in the U.S., please have your I-20 record transferred to our school.
• Register and Pay for Classes Once you have arrived in the U.S., the ISS Office will schedule you for a New Student Registration Event, so that you can register for courses. You will then need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here .

Important Note about Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid early is critically important. Due to the volume of applications, it may take several weeks to process. Go to the U.S. Department of Education's website to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

Community College of Philadelphia's Federal School Code is 003249.

After activating your MyCCP account, be sure to check regularly for updates and important messages concerning your financial aid status.

For Fall Applicants: The FAFSA will be available October 1 of the year prior to when you plan on starting school.

If you need help, attend a free FAFSA completion workshop at the College. Visit the Financial Aid section of the College's website to view the latest schedule of workshops and explore other financial aid options.

If you have additional questions, please financialaid [at] ccp.edu (email the Office of Financial Aid) .

Credit for What You Know

If you’ve completed any of the following, you could be eligible for college credits:

• Workplace training and/or experience
• Military training and service
• Independent study
• Professional certifications
• Examinations (national exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, Excelsior College, and UExcel exams; departmental examinations)
• Civic activities
• Volunteer services

Learn More About Credit for What you Know

If you need assistance in the enrollment process:

• Visit us in the Welcome Center on Main Campus or the Regional Center nearest you
• admissions [at] ccp.edu (Email us)
• Call the Admissions Information Center at 215.751.8010
• Veterans: Visit the Veterans Resource Center on Main Campus in the Bonnell Building, Room BG-43, or online

International Students (F1 visa): Visit the International Student Services Office on Main Campus in the Bonnell Building, Room BG-42 or online

Why the college application process isn't adding up for students – and how to help them

When i talk to families, they say schools can do more to help them understand the true costs. amid student debt crisis, hold higher institutions to higher standards..

Every year, I help several hundred high school seniors navigate the college admissions process . Our students are not typically wealthy. About 20% are considered low-income and eligible for Pell Grants , and about 80% have expressed concern about college affordability.

For this reason, we specialize in a “cost-conscious” college search, meaning we help students discover schools that are a good fit and are also within their budget. This is becoming increasingly difficult given the lack of transparency around the true cost of college .

Last August, I gave a student the same advice we give to all high school seniors: Run the net price calculator to ensure that the schools you choose to apply to are financially feasible. The net price calculator is a tool that, in theory, will tell the family what their out-of-pocket costs may be for each institution based on the financial information the calculator requests.

I wasn’t surprised he discovered that the University of Delaware’s calculator was “being updated and will be available again soon.” I assumed that meant the institution was updating it to reflect the changes in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the updated tuition rates for the 2023-24 school year. 

However, it’s now April and the calculator is still “being updated.” With the delays in processing FAFSA, like most families who are concerned about the cost of college, my client can’t make his final college decision without more information. 

When college net price calculator and financial aid don't add up

By federal law, every college and university in America is required to provide a net price calculator , but there is a key piece missing from the legislation:

Because the Department of Education doesn’t have an approval process to determine whether each school’s calculator is in compliance, institutions are left to police themselves. Essentially, this means that nobody is checking to see if the calculator at each institution is an accurate depiction of the family’s expected costs (or if the calculator exists, or if it’s in working order). Families are finding more frequently that the calculator results from across the country don’t actually align with the financial aid offer they receive from those institutions.

Under the law, colleges are allowed to provide a link to an external calculator. When another student client ran the calculator for American University, its website linked to MyinTuition . It should also be noted that there are several other calculators on American’s website, including for 2020-21 , so if a family isn’t paying close attention, they may wind up completing the wrong one.

Will Biden forgive your student debt? Why those unable to resume payments will face disappointment and hardship

The link to MyinTuition has since been removed from American’s website and replaced with a link to another external vendor called Meadow , but that change happened after my client's family determined that the school could be a good financial fit and after she had submitted her application.

When she recently received her financial aid offer letter, the cost came in over $15,000 higher than what was indicated by MyinTuition.

If calculators aren’t accurate and available, or can change throughout the cycle, how can families make informed financial decisions throughout the college application process? As the cost of college continues to soar, it is critical that families can better predict the financial feasibility of institutions  before  their student spends hundreds of dollars applying. 

College financial aid letters can also be misleading

However, these calculators aren’t the only problem in the world of cost transparency. Financial aid letters are also incredibly misleading. Fortunately, Congress is aware of this issue.

In fact, I just returned from a second trip to Washington, D.C., where I was lobbying for sponsorship of the  Understanding the True Cost of College Act . This bill attempts to streamline and improve transparency in the financial aid process by requiring that all colleges and universities in America provide a standardized and uniform financial aid offer letter with consistent standardized language.

It also would require that schools stop calling financial aid offers financial aid awards (because $60,000 in loans isn’t an “award” by any standard). 

Biden's legacy will be student loans. Everyone from Gen X to Gen Z should be happy.

This requirement would better enable families to compare financial aid offers because the line items will match up and it will be clear what money will require repayment. This is particularly critical following the discovery of astounding data from a 2022 Government Accountability Office report : 

• Many schools fail to utilize the word “loan,” even when the vast majority of the financial aid being awarded is indeed a loan and does require repayment. 
• Up to 31% of schools don't differentiate between gift aid (which doesn't require repayment) and loans (which do require repayment). Because the type of aid isn't clearly labeled, when families see the bottom line cost after aid is applied, they are unaware that most of that aid actually requires repayment, and that the out-of-pocket expense is significantly higher than what it appears to be in the financial aid offers.
• 65% of colleges leave out important information (like if the scholarship is renewable for subsequent years) that can impact whether or not a family can afford the school for more than one year.
• 91% of colleges understate the net price or fail to include it at all.

College acceptance season is always stressful for families, but this year has been especially fraught due to government delays in processing FAFSA. Hundreds of institutions are now delaying their enrollment deadlines to give families more time to make educated and fiscally sound decisions.

When I talk to families, however, I know that colleges can do more to help prospective students understand the costs. It is imperative that the Department of Education hold institutions to higher standards if we want to avoid exacerbating the student debt crisis.

Clarity should come at the start of the college application process – not the very end.

Jessica Chermak is a certified educational planner and licensed professional counselor. Contact her at  [email protected]

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Virginia Tech to start delivering financial aid notifications

The Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid plans on sending email notifications about financial aid packages to admitted out-of-state students on Monday, with a goal of sending notifications to admitted in-state students April 26.

• Jimmy Robertson

17 Apr 2024

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The Virginia Tech Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid will start delivering long-awaited financial aid notifications to admitted students in the coming weeks.

Out-of-state students will start receiving notifications by noon Monday, April 22. The Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid plans on sending email notifications to these students and encourages them to check their applicant portals regularly for important financial aid information.

Normally, financial aid packages are assembled and sent out in February. This past year, the federal government overhauled the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – known more commonly as FAFSA – process and then delayed the rollout, increasing difficulties both for families trying to access the FAFSA form and universities putting together aid packages, which are based partly on students’ information on the form.

“We’ve been doing our best to evaluate the data coming from the U.S. Department of Education,” said Beth Armstrong, director of the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid at Virginia Tech. “We want to make decisions that are most advantageous for students.”

The administrative staff within the Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid continues to evaluate in-state students for available aid and scholarships. State grant eligibility is tied to the FAFSA and more scholarships exist for in-state students, so aid packages for in-state students take a little longer to process.

The staff, though, anticipates notifying in-state students by 5 p.m. April 26, after the out-of-state student notifications.

Some admitted students need to correct mistakes on their FAFSA forms and resubmit those forms to the U.S. Department of Education. The Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid has started receiving some corrected FAFSA forms and will begin processing those as soon as possible.

“We know there has been a lot of frustration, and we want people to know that we have heard you and we understand those frustrations,” Armstrong said. “We want to ensure that we provide information they can rely on to make informed decisions about their next steps.”

For current Virginia Tech students, they will not receive financial aid notifications until after the posting of spring semester grades. The staff expects to send email notifications about financial aid to this group during the first or second week of June.

The Office for University Scholarships and Financial Aid is extending office hours to accommodate telephone calls and emails for families needing assistance (Note: office staff is not available for in-person meetings). Office hours now run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Starting Saturday and continuing each Saturday through May 11, office hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those with questions can contact the office at [email protected] or by phone at 540-231-5179.

Mark Owczarski

540-231-5396

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Related Content

Michigan football handed three-year probation, recruiting penalties and fine by NCAA

The Michigan football program will be on probation for the next three years and will face other penalties from the NCAA due to violations during a COVID-19 dead period and for having noncoaching staff members participate in impermissible roles under former coach Jim Harbaugh.

The penalties, which also include a fine for Michigan and recruiting penalties, were part of a deal between the NCAA enforcement staff, the University of Michigan, and "five individuals who currently or previously worked for its football program."

According to the release from the NCAA, one former coach did not participate in the agreement, and "that portion of the case will be considered separately by the Committee on Infractions." The coach who did not participate is not named by the NCAA.

Harbaugh served a school-imposed three-game suspension at the start of the 2023 season because of these violations, which are separate from the sign-stealing saga involving Connor Stalions, which broke in the second half of the year.

Michigan appeared to have a resolution in place with the NCAA last summer that would’ve suspended Harbaugh for four games, along with new head coach Sherrone Moore and new offensive line coach Grant Newsome for one game, but the deal fell apart in August just before the 2023 season.

Michigan first received a draft notice of allegations related to recruiting violations and coaching activities by noncoaching staff members in January 2023. The violations included in-person recruiting contacts and tryouts during the NCAA-mandated COVID-19 dead period and exceeding the number of allowed coaches participating in both “on- and off-field coaching activities," according to the NCAA. 

WHY HARBAUGH LEFT: Jim Harbaugh spent 9 years as Michigan football's power source. Now he's electrifying LA

The violations were labeled as Level II violations which are defined as actions deemed “more than a minimal but less than a substantial or extensive recruiting, competitive or other advantage” according to a description adopted in 2019. 

An additional Level I violation was brought against Harbaugh, who told the NCAA he had no recollection of the Level II violations, which the NCAA determined as misleading. A Level I violation is defined as a “severe breach of conduct” that “seriously undermine or threaten the integrity of college sports."

When the official notice of allegations was sent in December, just ahead of the Wolverines’ third consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff, sources told the Free Press Michigan acknowledged the Level II violations while Harbaugh maintained his innocence in the Level I violation. 

The Wolverines won the first three games of the season without Harbaugh, who then returned for the next six games before being suspended again by the Big Ten for a different scandal, causing him to miss the final three games of the regular season.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti handed down a second suspension to Harbaugh after Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing operation became public in late October. Shortly after the news became public, former recruiting staffer Connor Stalions was identified as the ringleader, where he would allegedly purchase tickets to games of future U-M opponents, send associates to attend games and film the opponent's signals on the sideline that weren't available on TV.

Harbaugh and Michigan initially filed a court order seeking to stop the three-game suspension from the Big Ten, but dropped the case before it was scheduled to hit court and accepted the suspension, which was handed down to Harbaugh for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy.

Harbaugh returned for the postseason, where he led Michigan to another Big Ten championship and the school's first national title since 1997.

In response to Tuesday's news, Harbaugh's lawyer Tom Mars told the Free Press via a text message he submitted a response on behalf of the former Michigan coach, but that ended Harbaugh's involvement.

"I filed a lengthy response to the NOA on behalf of Coach Harbaugh, which unfortunately hasn’t been made public and will probably never see the light of day," Mars said. "That concluded Coach Harbaugh’s participation in the case."

Since winning the national championship over Washington, Jim Harbaugh has left the Michigan program to take the head coaching gig with the Los Angeles Chargers , leaving former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore in charge.

Harbaugh's move also spurred a wave of staff turnover, including defensive coordinator Jesse Minter joining Harbaugh, among others.

What's in a College Application

Find the right college for you..

It’s the combination of all components of your college application that gives admissions officers an idea of who you are. Not every college requires every one of these elements. For example, some colleges don't ask for admission test scores, but this list includes the most common requirements. Be sure to find out from your school counselor or principal which items you can send, and which items your high school should send.

Parts of the College Application Process

If you want to apply to college, you’ll need to know the essential parts of the overall application process. Besides this, you need to know the admissions process (i.e., requirements) of each college you’re interested in.

Application Forms

To fill in all the blanks on the application form itself, you may have to dig up documents or get answers from your parents. Most students use online applications, but paper applications are usually available through the admissions office if you prefer to go that route. There are also websites that let you complete one application online and submit it to several colleges.

Application Fees

College application fees can vary. Some colleges charge nothing. Others charge up to $100. Fees are nonrefundable. Many colleges offer fee waivers to students who can't afford to pay. If you need application fee waivers, speak with your school counselor or principal.

Your High School Transcript

The record of the classes you've taken and your grades are important parts of the application process. Your high school should send your transcript and a school profile directly to the colleges you’re applying to. Ask your school counselor how to make this happen because this is a crucial part of the application process. Some colleges also want a mid-year transcript that shows your first-semester grades. Be sure to check the transcript for errors before it's sent.

Final Transcript

At the end of your senior year, your high school will send a final transcript to the college you've decided to attend. This transcript informs the college about classes you’ve taken and whether you kept your grades up during your last year in high school. Ask your school counselor how to complete this process. Follow up to make sure this transaction has taken place.

Letters of Recommendation

Many colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers or school counselors. Ask whoever is writing your recommendation to write their letter well before the deadlines. Ask how much time they’ll need. It’s courteous to give them at least 10 school days. You may want to give them a summary of your achievements, such as a student résumé, to help them write their recommendation.

Your essays are a chance for you to give admissions officers a better idea of your character and strengths. Make sure that you’re answering the essay question fully. Avoid recycling a previously written essay to save time. Remember to proofread your essays carefully before you send them in.

Auditions and Portfolios

If you're applying to music, art, or theater programs, the colleges may want to see samples of your work. This means you may need to audition or send portfolios or videos showing your artistic ability as part of your application.

Read College Interviews: The Basics to prepare for the interview if one is requested. An interview isn’t always required. If a college doesn’t recommend an interview or it’s not a part of their process, you’ll still have opportunities to speak with admissions reps at college events, college fairs, or school visits. If a college is far away, you may be able to speak with a local alum.

Review a list of important tasks to complete for each college application.

When should I start the college application process?

Consider finalizing the list of colleges you are considering by the end of your junior summer so you can begin your college application process early in your senior fall. This time frame gives you enough time to explore different colleges, shortlist your choices, and work on the application requirements. Getting an early start allows you to make well-informed decisions, prepare for standardized tests, gather essential documents, and draft compelling application essays. Remember that application deadlines vary across different colleges, so check the specific deadlines of the institutions that pique your interest.

How do I decide which colleges to apply to?

When choosing between colleges, research and consider various factors. Start by researching colleges on tools like BigFuture, college websites, and attending college fairs. Prioritize your preferences and assess how well each college aligns with your academic and personal goals. Remember that the college selection process is personal, so take your time, reflect on your goals, and make a decision that feels right for you.

What are common college application forms?

Many colleges and universities accept standardized college application forms, which can simplify the application process. The two most common forms are the Common Application (Common App), which is accepted by over 900 institutions, and the Coalition Application, which more than 170 colleges accept. Both forms include sections for personal information, academic history, activities, essays, and recommendations. Remember to adhere to deadlines and complete all components accurately and on time.

Should I apply for an early decision or early action?

When considering applying to colleges, make sure you understand the difference between early decision and early action . Early decision is a binding agreement, meaning that you’re obligated to attend that college if accepted. On the other hand, early action is nonbinding. It allows you to apply to multiple colleges. Always consider your circumstances, preferences, and the policies of the colleges you’re considering before deciding which option is right for you.

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