As a hopeful high school senior waits for a decision letter to roll out, they anxiously await an answer only a few minutes away. As the minutes tick by, the time comes for the letter to come out: the senior clicks on the message through the admissions portal and reads the note: Congratulations!
To get to this point, however, there is a multitude of intricate steps required for such success. This article will detail a brief overview of the different steps needed to apply to colleges.
Standardized Testing/Academics
One of the most critical factors that colleges look at is academic success; they measure this through a transcript. Colleges utilize this tool to estimate how one would fare at their college and be a good fit, with different colleges possessing different thresholds they would like the student to meet.
Similarly, course rigor is also taken into account. AP (Advanced Placement) and Honors courses show a greater depth of skill and better prepare for college courses as well.
While standardized testing with the SAT and ACT have decreased in value, especially after the COVID season, they are still a valuable tool to demonstrate one’s skill to universities as these tests allow colleges to compare high school students around the nation. A significant number of schools also operate a test-optional policy, allowing students to forego the standardized testing requirements.
Common App
The Common App is an online college application tool utilized by hundreds of colleges and allows for streamlining of the application process. The app allows a student to apply to numerous colleges through the app and shortens the process; any information put into the Common App that applies to all colleges, such as a student’s extracurriculars, academic records, etc. need only to be added once onto the app, allowing all colleges the student applies for through the app to see that information.
Extracurriculars
Alongside academics, extracurriculars are one of the main factors in the process. While everyone attends school, external activities allow one to showcase their own passions and talents to universities, an excellent differentiating factor from other high school students. Whether it be joining a club, winning an award, or simply partaking in an exciting hobby, extracurriculars, especially those tied to one’s major, are an excellent advantage in the admissions process.
Essays
Essays are also an essential part of the application process. Similar to extracurriculars, essays present a great opportunity to differentiate oneself from similarly competitive students and showcase both past challenges and future ambitions. The Common App offers a college essay that is utilized by most colleges on the app. These colleges also have additional short answer questions to complement it. Masterfully answering these questions would similarly become a great advantage in the admissions process.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation help round your admissions profile, further providing colleges with insight into your personality from the perspective of close teachers and other support figures. With this, colleges can receive a better overall picture of the student as a member of their school. A good recommendation can undoubtedly improve one’s admission chances.
Financial Aid
Due to the expensive cost of attending college, financial aid is often available to students. To apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans, one must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Colleges will use this form both to determine federal aid eligibility and to determine eligibility for their own financial aid. Students will receive a Student Aid Report detailing types and amounts of aid as well as expected costs.
Types of Applications
Students may apply to colleges in several different ways: early action, early restricted action, early decision, and regular decision.
Early action is a non-binding early-round application, meaning that if admitted, a student is not required to attend the institution.
Restrictive early action is also non-binding, but the university requires that one does not apply early to any other colleges.
Early decision is binding, requiring accepted students to enroll.
Most early decisions arrive in December.
Finally, regular decision deadlines are usually in the months of January and February with results usually arriving anytime afterward.
Counselor Interviews
Mr. Fitzsimmons, a senior counselor who helps guide the students through the college application process, stated that
“students should have different aspects they need to focus on during their four years of high school.”
“In their freshmen and sophomore years, for the most part, they have to get the best grades that they can and participate in things around Jesuit.”
In junior year, more specified tasks will be undertaken, including the counselors “meeting with families,” introducing the college essays, and creating the “10 college list.” Finally, the senior year will consist of the actual process, with the counselors guiding the way.
Mr. Shoemaker specifically touched on the task of essay writing, stating that “the more selective the college you’re applying to is, the more you can be expected to write.” As such, different students must spend varying amounts of time throughout the application process.
Oftentimes, Mr. Fitzsimmons says that “6-8 colleges are a good number to apply to, but this can easily vary.” However, one should attempt to have a sufficient number of safety, target, and reach-level schools.
When picking these colleges, Mr. Shoemaker also stresses the importance of finding the right “fit.” While there are thousands of colleges of various selective levels, one must truly research that college and figure out whether that school would benefit them.
Furthermore, Mr. Fitzsimmons makes it clear that when making decisions about applying early or regular, one should carefully take into account that an early decision is a “binding contractual agreement” requiring an accepted student to attend that school and “withdraw all other applications.”
Mr. Shoemaker similarly states that early action or decision applications are a “way to demonstrate commitment to the school, saying that I’m most interested” in that school. “Normally, those applicant pools are smaller” as well, a perhaps useful edge at very selective schools.
For more college news, stay tuned to The Roundup.
