CCS College Application Checklist

All SchooLinks links below will only work if you are already signed into your SchooLinks account!

Sign in to your SchooLinks account through ClassLink (how-to). 

1. Build your final list of colleges to between 4-8.  For directions on how to do this in SchooLinks, click HERE. You may have a little more or less depending on your personal goals.  How to do this?  Still searching?  Find more resources HERE.

2. Get organized!  Set up a professional email (if you don't have one yet) for your college applications and check it OFTEN!  Use ONE calendar that works best for you to track deadlines and then check it regularly too!  Make sure to store passwords for application & financial aid sites in a consistent place.  Many colleges (including OSU- Columbus campus) have a November 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration.  DON'T MISS DEADLINES!!!!!

3. Sign up for one of the scholarship search engines.  Find out more HERE.  Start applying for any that match your eligibility (deadlines start in October!). Keep applying all year!

4. Figure out what platform your colleges use for their applications.   Most of your colleges will use the Common Application or their own institutional application.  See descriptions HERE.  Currently, we advise CCS students NOT to use the Coalition Application.

5. Create your college resume.  Find examples HERE.   You can use this resume for your Activities List for your college applications and for scholarship applications.

6. Get started on your application essays.  Usually, you will need to write essays for any colleges that use the Common Application.  For ideas and tips see the information HERE.

7. If any of your colleges use the Common Application (CA), set up an account and add your chosen colleges.  Fill in your basic information and ask for help with anything you do not understand.  Use the CA tips and support resources, download the {inline app for more support and/or work with your school counselor and IKIC advisor.  

8. In your SchooLinks account (sign in through ClassLink), make sure you have completed your final list.  Request transcripts at this time if you are sure you will be applying to the college.  Instructions HERE.

9. Do you qualify for an application fee waiver?  Complete the Fee Waiver Application HERE! This includes CCS parents. If you believe you qualify, make sure to request a fee waiver in the Profile section of your CA. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, meet with your IKIC advisor- IKIC can pay three application fees per student for those who do not qualify for need-based waivers. 

10. Complete your CCS FERPA Waiver for college applications and scholarships. This allows your counselor to send your school documents (transcripts, etc...) to colleges, military and scholarship organizations. This includes CCS parents

11. Make sure to complete your Personal Details, FERPA waiver and Request for Application Fee Waiver (if you qualify) in SchooLinks too! Only students complete this.

12. Requesting Transcripts:  Make sure you request your Initial transcripts to be sent to each college AT LEAST two weeks prior to your deadlines.  You do this in your SchooLinks account.

12. • Make sure to indicate if you want your unofficial ACT/SAT scores on your transcript or not (do not do this if you are applying test-optional- info. HERE).   Many colleges, including OSU will not accept ACT/SAT scores from your transcript- you must send directly form ACT/SAT. Should you apply test-optional?

    • Make sure to indicate if you will be applying using the Common Application or another kind of application.  

    • Also indicate if you will be applying Early Decision. This is IMPORTANT!

13. Request any recommendations you might need from your teacher(s) and/or counselor.  Do this as early as possible- AT LEAST two weeks before your deadlines (preferably by late September).   

    • Read advice HERE about how to get great recommendations.  Make sure to ask your teachers and counselors if they have a form they need you to fill out for writing your recommendation.  

    • You must request your teacher recommendations in SchooLinks!  HERE is how to request teacher recs for the Common App. HERE is how to request teacher recs for colleges NOT on the Common App.

14. Finish your main Common Application essay.  Attend a workshop and/or work with a teacher, counselor, IKIC advisor or mentor to help you brainstorm, edit and revise your essays.  

15. Finish all parts of the Common Application, including activities section (be thoughtful about this list!)  See advice HERE. 

16. Make sure to send your ACT/SAT scores directly to any of your colleges that require scores directly from the test companies (not on your transcript).  When in doubt, ask your school counselor how to handle this.  Do not send scores to colleges if you will be applying using the test-optional choice.  Order your ACT scores HERE, SAT HERE.

17. Many colleges that use the Common Application also require extra essays.  Tackle those next!  Find excellent advice for how to write those Supplemental Essays HERE.  Again, make sure to have a teacher, counselor, advisor or mentor  provide feedback.  Revise, revise!  

18. IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A PERFORMING OR VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM and a portfolio or audition is required, or you have decided to submit an arts supplement to strengthen your overall application, begin working on them now. Check each college’s website to find out how they plan to handle auditions for the coming year and carefully follow the technical requirements for portfolios and auditions. See information on that HERE. Here is an example of what's typically expected- What To Include

19. Your demonstrated interest in a college matters so reach out! Make sure to attend for any colleges (or potential colleges) on your list: 

    • Virtual college rep visits set up by your school (these will be listed on your Naviance Student account

    • Virtual fall visits hosted by your colleges - check your college web sites or contact the admissions offices.  (Check the HBCU Virtual College Tour options HERE .)

    • Virtual college fairs that include your colleges (check the NACAC Fairs or  College Fairs Online.)

    • Sign up to attend the Kiwanis College Fair with your school! You can also attend the Columbus Suburban College Fair on your own with your family!

20. After December 1, apply for the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA).  The sooner you and your parent do this, the more financial aid you are likely to receive from your colleges!  EVERY student should do this.  Attend an I Know I Can FAFSA workshop and get 1-1 help!  Find more financial aid information HERE.  Besides the FAFSA, a few colleges (ex. Denison) may also require the CSS Profile (another more extensive financial aid application). You can find information HERE about that.

21. Some more selective colleges (those that accept fewer applicants) may require interviews.  Check their websites for instructions and prepare.  Get tips for interviewing HERE.

22. Complete any applications that are not on the Common Application.  They are usually shorter, but still take them seriously.

23. Meet your application deadlines!!!!  Make sure to finish all applications with two days to spare in case you have technical glitches or other issues submitting your materials.  Check with your school counselor and recommenders to make sure their pieces are done too.  You can track the submission status of your school application materials in your Naviance student account in your colleges section.

24. Congratulations on finishing your applications! Celebrate, but know there are a few things left to do!

25. Schedule and prepare for any interviews that may be required by your colleges. Find tips and trick HERE.

26. If the colleges you have applied to require Midyear Reports (first semester grades/updated transcript), request those from your school counselor. Even if your colleges do not require these (most do not), you may want to send them if you had a great semester and are awaiting an admissions decision. Questions?  Ask your counselor or review how to request different transcripts HERE!

27. Compare financial aid award letters from the colleges that accept you.  Review considerations HERE.

28. Enter ALL financial aid offerd by all colleges and ourstide scholarships in your SchooLinks account. This will allow you to accurately compare your offers. We must collect all of this information for all students! Here's how to do that!

29. Make your college decision by May 1 and take care of all enrollment fees and deposits.  If you plan to live on campus, you may want to do this sooner to secure preferred housing.

30. Request that your final transcripts be sent to the college you will be attending.  HERE are instructions on how to do that.

31. Make sure to attend any college orientations and follow all guidelines to register for any summer bridge programs & fall class registrations, and to send health records any other required information.  

32. You will also need to send any AP or IB scores (directly from College Board or IB Programme), as well as any college transcripts for college credit to your college's registrar's office!!  They will not provide credit from high school transcripts.

33. If you need assistance during the summer, you can reach out to your school counselor during the first two weeks after graduation.  You may also contact the IKIC office at 614- 233-9510.