How to Apply to College

Applying to college is no small task. Submitting a college application is more than just completing a form and sending it to the college admissions office. Rather, your application is more like a project; it involves everything from documenting your activities and achievements, to planning college visit and also writing your college essay or scholarship letter.

The first step in applying is deciding which schools you will target for college applications. This is no easy task, mostly due to competition and other external factors. You may know all about the college of your choice. Perhaps a parent or sibling attended the school and you are confident that it is the right choice. That won't matter if the school is highly selective and your high school achievements do not measure up against other applicants. External factors also influence college application decisions. Preconceived notions, reputations and even some written reviews of particular colleges are often incorrect or unfair. It is up to you to decide if your chosen college is the right option. WiseChoice has developed a college compatibility tool that can help you wade through the myriad choices of schools to find the colleges that best meet your academic, social, and financial needs.

There are many components to your college application process:

• Preparing for and taking admissions tests (like the SAT or ACT)
• Identifying the right colleges for you
• Keeping track of deadlines
• Preparing the necessary documents (like transcripts)
• Writing college admissions essays
• Figuring out your college funding
• Putting it all together

Once you have identified the colleges of your choice, you need to get organized. You'll need to bring together and organize the relevant details, information and documents that are required. You'll need to know the application process and requirements for each college – they are often different from school to school. You'll also need to keep track of required recommendation letters, college essays, and any certificates or achievements that set you apart. On top of all that, there is the financial aspect of your application. Will you be applying for scholarships and financial aid? If so, you'll need to organize your scholarship search, contacts, and processes. Staying organized is the key – use every resource at your disposal. Your parents, teachers, and guidance counselor will be able to help you each step of the way. You may also want to look at additional options to help keep your college applications organized. For example, WiseChoice makes it easy to keep all of your application information in one well-organized place. Don't hesitate to use every tool you can to give you an advantage during the college application process.

The college application process can be a challenging one. Take your time, follow procedures, stay organized and your applications will be complete and go out on time to the colleges of your choice.