College Admissions Tips When Filling Out Applications:

The application process can be overwhelming process. There are a couple of keys to success. Get organized and stay organized. Create a system that will work for you. It helps to have support. If you tend to procrastinate, beware. You won’t do your best work if you write your admissions essays the night before.

The applications: Go online to each school's website to determine their application process. Almost all college applications are now completed and submitted online. There are circumstances where schools will waive the application fee. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch (although all lunch is free this year!), see Jeff in the College & Career Center about available fee waivers. The Common Application is used by over 1000 schools worldwide for undergraduate admissions, and might be an alternative to consider over the school specific applications when applying to 2 or more schools on the Common Application list.

Know your deadlines: Deadlines are usually between January 1 and February 15, although they may be earlier if you are applying early admission. Deadline information can be found on the schools website.

Get organized: Create a file for each school you are considering. Keep records! Log in each contact you make, get the name of the person you talk to, and keep all correspondence. Write down questions you have about a school as they come to mind. If you have any questions that the Summit Future Center staff cannot answer with 100% certainty, we will refer you to the school itself. Always, the school is your best source of information.

Read your instructions: Most of the mistakes on college applications are the result of not following the instructions. Be sure to take your time and proofread your application.

Athletes, Musicians, and Artists: If contacting coaches or heads of departments, do so early on (ideally, by the end of junior year for athletics). This can be done via phone, letter, or e-mail. If you are a serious candidate applying to a competitive program, you want to give yourself ample time to make a video for sports, a work sample for music, a portfolio for art.

Build your activity chart: You will need an activity chart for private college applications and most scholarships for which you apply. Cautionary note: Private college admissions counselors look at activity charts all the time and will be able to spot an over embellishment of activities. Always be truthful in you application process.

Recommendation letters: Look at the recommendation request forms For private schools, you will usually need to ask two teachers and your counselor to write a letter of recommendation. Give them the appropriate forms, filled out legibly and make sure to allow enough time—at least three weeks. Some teachers will only write a certain number of letters each year, so ask early! Remember to send thank your letters. Come see Jeff in the Future Center to pick up your recommendation form.

The Essay: Many college applications require essays. Generally, the more selective the institution or program, the more details beyond grades are considered. You must be meticulous in editing—no typos! The admissions office wants to know who you are; they want students who are a good fit for their school. You want to go to a school that values who you are, and where you feel like you’ll be comfortable. You should write honestly, insightfully, humorously (if it comes naturally), and articulately. You do not want to sound negative, arrogant or angry. Admissions officers want to know what you’ve learned from your life experience. Some applications ask for more than one essay and/or additional short answer questions. Editing help is available through the College and Career Center. Ask your parents and teachers for their feedback.

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA): If you’re absolutely sure you know where you want to attend, you can apply Early Decision. Students who apply Early Decision commit to enroll at the college if admitted upon being offered a satisfactory financial aid package. Application deadlines are usually in early November with a mid-December notification date. Students who apply under a college’s Early Action plan receive a decision earlier than the standard response date but are not required to accept the admission offer or pay a deposit before May 1.

Keep copies of everything: Keep copies of your applications, your recommendations letters, your essays, and all other materials that are part of the application process. You never know if something will be lost in transit. Not to mention, you can recycle essays previously written if they have the same prompt or use pieces of your previous essays in new work.

Notification methods: Admissions notification dates vary and may be sent by email or official letter. With rolling admissions, in which each student’s application is considered as soon as all of the necessary documents are received, the college may notify the applicant of its decision within a few weeks. Be sure to use your personal email and not a school issued email when filling out college, financial aid, and scholarship applications.

Clean up your social media accounts: Now is the time to clean up all of your social media accounts as college admissions officers and coaches can look at them. Remove anything that is inappropriate, and use the platforms to show off your unique personality and accomplishments.