An introduction to the college application process, broken down into four distinct phases. An outline of each phase and what to expect.
Congratulations! This article will provide a basic overview of the college application process from beginning to end. While it is possible to write whole volumes encompassing every possible step on the path to enrollment, in the interest of time and brevity one can divide the application process into four distinct phases.
The First Step: Is Higher Education Right for You?
The Consideration phase begins, in theory, the moment you begin to think about life after high school. Even if you have no plans to continue your education, it is wise to maximize your options after graduation by maintaining a high GPA, staying out of trouble, engaging in extracurricular activities, and finding employment, even if it is only a part time or minimum wage job.
The most important thing, however, is making the choice to seek higher education. While every individual has his or her own set of variables that factor into this decision, in the United States a college degree is fast becoming a prerequisite for most careers and substantially increases job opportunities upon graduation.
In addition, the oft-talked about "college experience" is something commonly seen in movies and on TV but only truly understood by those who have experienced it. Many college students enjoy the interim period between high school and the working world, which allows them to ease into living independently of parents or adjusting to a new environment.
Getting Ready and Applying
Next comes the Preparation phase, which should take place one to two years before graduation. This phase is spent enrolling in AP or College Prep classes (if offered), studying for and taking the SAT and PSAT, seeking out recommendations, narrowing down the criteria you will use to choose your final list of schools, and discussing financial matters with parents or other benefactors.
The Application phase is when you finalize your list of potential schools, decide on early admissions or action, and put together the information for your applications, which will include transcripts, test scores, an essay, teacher recommendations, and endless forms. You might also want to begin applying for scholarships or federal aid if you unsure of your financial situation. Early Admission applications are due in October or November, while the most common date for all other applications is January 1st, although many schools have application dates later in the month or in February.
The Post-Application Process: Making the Final Choice
The final phase of the process is the Decision phase, which begins immediately after the last applications have gone out. During this phase you must keep yourself out of trouble even if you've been accepted to your school of choice, as graduating seniors have a tendency to indulge in activities which could jeopardize admission status. Keep applying for scholarships if necessary. As spring rolls around, so does college visit season, and you should begin by touring those schools you feel most confident about.
Once decisions come back, usually in May or April, sit down with family to cut the list of schools down to a more manageable size and gather as much information as possible on those schools you feel strongly about, using online or text resources. With this information in hand, the final choice is ultimately yours, albeit with strong input from parents or friends.
College can be a fun, liberating time in your life, but it will also be a time of uncertainty and doubt. Remember this as you begin the application process, and don't give up hope. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers just like you go through the same paces each year, and before you know it, you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the results of your efforts and the beginning of a new phase of your life.
