College Admissions Options:
Different types of schools generally offer various types of college admissions options.
Regular Admissions: This is the most common option for four-year colleges and universities. All students must submit their applications by a specific date.
Early Admissions:
Early Action: Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.
Early Decision: Under this admissions program, you agree to attend this school if accepted, and you can’t apply to any other college or university. If you receive an acceptance letter, you must withdraw any other applications to other schools. Since this option is binding, you need to be sure about your choice and realistic about your application.
Early Evaluation: Selecting this choice means you can apply early to find out whether your changes for acceptance are good, fair or poor. Your application usually needs to be submitted by November, and you’ll be sent a determination by December or January.
Rolling Admissions: Schools that provide rolling admissions allow students to apply at any time during their admissions period. Since admission is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, you’ll want to submit your application as early as possible.
Open Admissions: Typically, community colleges, online schools and distance learning programs offer this type of enrollment. Open admission means that nearly all high school graduates are admitted, provided they have a diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Steps to Apply to College:
Fill out an undergraduate admissions application on the college's website. You can also apply to NC colleges through CFNC or to many colleges at once using CommonApp.
Send your high school transcript.
If your school uses Common Application, they will send an electronic request to the counselor that you enter on the application.
If your school uses SENDedu, they will send an electronic request to the counselor that you enter on the application.
If neither of the above two bullets apply and your school is in North Carolina, you send your transcript yourself using CFNC.
If none of the three bullets above apply then complete the transcript request form.
Send your CVCC transcript though CVCC's "My Services". Be sure to use the address of the undergraduate admissions office of your college. You can also call your college to see if they require your college transcript. There is a cost for this.
Send your ACT scores. Go to ACT.org and create an account using the ACT ID on your ACT score report. If you lost it, your counselors have a copy of your report. There is a cost for this.
Send your SAT scores (if applicable). Go to SAT.org and login with the information you used when you registered for the test. There is a cost for this.
Pay for the application. Sometimes, you can qualify for free college applications.
SAT fee Waiver: If you received an SAT testing fee waiver, you have four free college applications.
Common App: If your college uses Common App, there will be a section where you can apply for a fee waiver based upon financial need
NACAC: If you receive free or reduced lunch or if your family income meets the requirements, you will receive free college applications. Go to the student services counselor for the application.
Colleges: Some private colleges offer fee waivers on their application based upon financial need and/or academic success. Some colleges have free applications for everyone. Just call to get more information