Lesson 5: The College Application
Probably the most important part of the process of college selection is the application. Don't rush through the one area that can either make you stand out in the crowd or dash all hopes of admission.
The College Application
The college application generally consists of several items:
•An application
•An essay
•The high school transcript
•Financial aid data
•Teacher recommendations
•Preparatory test results (such as the SATs)
•The application fee
Most college applications should be completed in the fall of senior year. (There are colleges with rolling admissions which will consider applications in the spring of senior year. Colleges with open admission policies will accept students until the summer after senior year. Colleges which offer early decisions may require the packet in junior year.) Check the deadlines and adhere strictly to them. Allow enough time for the application package to arrive before the deadline. (Some financial aid is based on an “as available” basis. If they have $100,000 and award $5,000 to each of the first 20 students who are accepted and contract for admission, your child may be left out, even if s/he meets the requirements.) Moral of the story: try to get the applications in well ahead of the deadline.
The Application Fee
Be aware that most schools require an application fee, which may range from $25 to $100. At this point in the college selection process, your family has hopefully narrowed the search down to 3-4 schools and will apply accordingly. (Personal note: I let my children apply to 4 schools each: one of the 4 had to be a “state” school – with tuition that we could afford if necessary without financial aid. This also meant they might have to live at home. My daughter applied to 3 schools; my middle son 3 and my youngest 2. My daughter had her #1 choice, but wouldn’t have minded her #2 choice and applied to a state school to keep me happy. My son couldn’t really differentiate between his #1 and #2 picks and the third was state school. My youngest had his heart set on one school only and would go to the local school if he wasn’t accepted. He refused to apply anywhere else).
NOTE: If your last name is different than your child’s or if a parent, or grandparent, with a different address is writing the application fee check, please consider sending a money order. Make sure whatever form of payment you use includes the student’s name, correct address and social security number, if required. Keep copies of all paperwork sent.
The Essay
Many college admissions’ counselors will tell you that this part of the application package can make or break the acceptance decision.
•Adhere to the deadlines
•Make sure the essay is grammatically correct
•Spell check the essay
•Spell check the essay again
•Have several people proof read the essay
•Format the essay in an easy-to-read, acceptable font and type size
•Double-space
•Make sure the student’s name and identifying numbers are on each page, or as requested
•Let the essay reflect your child’s values, dreams, accomplishments and personality
•Make sure the essay answers the question(s) asked
Application Nuts & Bolts
•If possible, use a word processor. If not, print neatly. Some colleges allow applications to be submitted online.
•Spell check. Spell check and grammar check AGAIN.
•Use complete sentences
•Be honest
•Do not leave blanks. If not applicable, state it. (N/A is acceptable)
•Do not turn simple answers into another essay
•Give the information requested and not a personal history
•Keep copies of all paperwork sent
•If the entire application packet is not going to be sent in its entirety, enclose a written explanation, detailing what is missing and when it will arrive and from where. (E.g. “The teacher recommendations will arrive under separate cover directly from NAME of teacher at NAME of high school”).
Teacher Recommendations
This is another area which can make or break an application. If a school is undecided about your eligibility, a superior teacher recommendation can carry a lot of weight. Here are some do's and don’ts:
•Choose wisely
•Select teachers who know you well and really care about you
•Ask them as early as possible to write your recommendation (All students need teacher recommendations. If the popular teachers get 100 requests, the first ones in have a better chance)
•If the school requests 3 recommendations, send 3. Do not go overboard with 5 or 6 and NEVER have less than the amount requested.
•Give the teacher all the materials necessary once they agree to write a recommendation for you.
•If there is a form, fill out your personal information and hand it to them.
