College Application Process
Helpful Resources
College Application Process
CommonAppWalkthrough.mp4Common App Walkthrough
Step 1: Build a College List
What is Match & Fit?
Match:
GPA & Scores
Demonstrated Interest (application/essay)
Fit:
Is it right for you?
Location, Activities, Programs, Financial Aid
What schools are a Match?:
Likely: your GPA and test scores fall above the middle 50% for the college
Target: your GPA and test scores are within the middle 50% for the college
Reach: your GPA and test scores fall below the middle 50% for the college
How to Find Schools?
Step 2: Make Note of Important Deadlines
Early Action:
submit your application early in the fall (non-binding)
can give you priority to financial aid and scholarships
can apply EA to as many schools as you'd like (except "restrictive EA schools")
receive an admissions decision by Dec./Jan.
Early Decision:
similar to “early action,” except it's binding
if you choose to apply ED and you are accepted, then you have committed to going to that school
you must withdraw your applications at other schools
only apply early decision for one school, and it should be the one at the top of your list.
Regular Decision:
default application deadline
non-binding and available at most institutions
typically receive admissions decision by April and must respond by May
Rolling Admissions:
allows students to apply at any time up until a certain date (usually early summer)
the application remains open and students are admitted as long as there are spots
it's non-binding, but you’ll want to get your application in sooner rather than later
Step 3: Complete FAFSA and RDS
*See FAFSA, RDS and Financial Aid section to learn how to complete these forms
Step 4: Prepare Application Materials
In addition to the application itself, you can expect to need the following for your applications:
Essay(s), Letters of Recommendation, Test Scores, Resumé, High School Transcript
Essays
a chance for the college to get to know you beyond your grades
not always required by the school, but still DO IT
make it interesting and make it unique to you! (remember, hundreds of thousands of other high schoolers are also applying to college) what makes YOU stand out?
be sure you are meeting the word minimum and word limit requirement
remember you are writing about YOU, be careful not to center your essay around other people in attempt to share your experience
have ME and/or a trusted teacher/friend look over your essay(s) before submitting
Letters of Rec
request 2-3 letters of rec at least 2 weeks in advance
send counselor and other recommenders a brag sheet & resume to help them write on behalf of YOU
recommenders can include: teachers, coaches, mentor, employers (not family members or friends)
Using Common App?
Add your counselor and recommenders with these instructions
If applying to the school directly or through CFNC, each college will have instructions on how send these
send a thank you note, thanking them for their time!
Test Scores
Colleges accept both tests!
All juniors will take the ACT for free through RHS
You may sign up to take the PSAT (practice for the SAT) your Junior year through RHS
SAT: (out of 1600)
English, Reading, Math, Writing
longer time to answer each question
math score worth 1/2 of total score
ACT: (out of 36)
Reading, English, Math, Science
can use a calculator for the whole test (higher level math concepts)
Don't know which to take? Take a practice test of both!
How to Request Transcripts?
3 Ways:
Request Directly on: https://durhamnc.scriborder.com/
Request through the CFNC.org "Application Hub"
If applying on Common App, counselors upload your Transcript to your application directly! Be sure you contact them & let them know you have added them to your Common Application (Add them under "Recommenders and FERPA")
How to request transcripts on CFNC
Step 5: Apply!
College Foundation of North Carolina
used to apply to NC colleges and universities
Every Oct. (Countdown 2 College) apply to 40+ colleges FREE on their application hub
Send Transcripts, Letters of Rec, and essays seperately
Common App
used to apply to most schools across the US
complete one main application & shorter essays/questions for each school
counselors and teachers and upload documents themselves
Common Black College Application
pay one $20 application fee to apply to 60 member HBCU institutions
counselors must make an account to upload transcripts (email your counselor letting them know you've applied on CBCA)
students are asked to rank their top 4 member institutions to gauge interest in the college
Fee Waiver Eligibility (1).pdfSend this to your counselor!
Do you Qualify for an Application Fee Waiver?
Qualifications:
Student has received or is eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
Student is enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).
Student’s annual family income falls within the income Eligibility Guidelines* set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Student is enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
Student’s family receives public assistance.
Student lives in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or is homeless.
Student is a ward of the state or an orphan.
After You Apply:
