applying for college

College Application Basics

Most students apply using the Common App (one central website that sends your information to over 1,000 colleges) or the SUNY Application (specifically for the State University of New York system). Regardless of the platform, the required pieces are generally the same:

The Application Form: Basic demographic information, family details, and a list of extracurricular activities. Crucial tip for your site: Emphasize that part-time jobs and caring for siblings count just as much as traditional school clubs.
The High School Transcript: Sent directly by the high school counselor, this shows every grade earned since 9th grade. Colleges care about this more than anything else.
The Personal Essay: A 650-word story written by the student. It shouldn't be an academic paper; it should sound like the student talking about a challenge they overcame, a deep interest, or how they see the world.
Letters of Recommendation: Usually one or two letters from junior or senior year teachers who can speak to the student's work ethic and character.
Test Scores (SAT/ACT): Many colleges are currently "test-optional," meaning students only need to send scores if they feel it makes their application stronger.

The Timeline:

When Does This Happen?

This is an ideal chronological flow for high school students applying to college

Junior Year: Spring

March - June

Students should take the SAT or ACT at least once, start visiting local campuses (or doing virtual tours), and ask two teachers if they will write letters of recommendation.

Senior Year: August

August 1

The Common App officially opens for the year. This is the best time to create an account and start drafting the personal essay before homework piles up.

Senior Year: Fall

October - November

"Early Action" applications are usually due between October 15 and November 15. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) also opens in the fall — this is required to get any financial aid.

Senior Year: Winter

January - February

"Regular Decision" application deadlines typically hit. After this point, students wait to hear back from colleges.

Senior Year: Spring

May 1

National Decision Day. This is the deadline for students to choose which college they will attend and submit their enrollment deposit.

College Application Costs and Fee Waivers

Applying to college gets pricey fast. With most schools charging $50 to $100 per application, applying to just six colleges can easily cost you around $450.

The good news? You might not have to pay that. Enter: College application fee waivers.

What is a fee waiver?

Simply put, it’s a free pass that lets you apply to a college for $0.

Who gets them?

You might be eligible if:

Your family meets certain income guidelines.
You are a first-generation college student.
You participate in specific educational/support programs.
You've faced significant personal or financial challenges.

Note: Some colleges also host "Free Application Weeks" where anyone can apply for free, regardless of income!

1. The Common App

The Common App wants to make sure fees don't stop you from applying. If you meet their qualifications, you can request a waiver directly in the portal that covers all your schools.

2. SAT/ACT Waivers

If you qualify for a fee waiver to take the SAT or ACT, you usually get college application fee waivers, too! Talk to your school counselor to see if you are eligible and to get your codes.

3. NYS Free Application Weeks

Every Fall, many New York State colleges waive their application fees for a limited time (fun fact: NY students saved $15 million this way in 2025!). Check here in the Fall for this year's dates and participating schools.

4. Just Ask the College (Direct Waivers)

Don't meet the strict federal income guidelines, but still struggling to pay? Just ask. Send an email to the college's admissions office, briefly explain your financial situation, and ask for a waiver code.

The Common App College Essay

The Common App Personal Statement is a 650-word essay that gets sent to almost every college a student applies to. Students get to choose one prompt out of seven options.

The goal of this essay is simple: Colleges want to know who the student is outside of their grades and test scores. It isn't a resume; it is a story that shows their character, values, and worldview.

2026-2027 Common App Essay Prompts

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design

Tips and Resources for the Personal Essay

The 3 Golden Rules of the College Essay

Be the main character: The essay should be about you, the student, not your grandfather, yourcoach, or your favorite sports team. If you write about someone who inspired you, 80% of the essay still needs to be about how you grew from that inspiration.
Focus on growth: Admissions officers love a story with an arc. A great essay shows a moment of realization—how a challenge, a failure, or a hobby changed the way you think, act, or feel.
Sounds like a teenager: Students shouldn't use a thesaurus to try to sound "smart." The best essays read like an intelligent 17-year-old having a genuine conversation with a trusted adult.