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FALA alumni, Keetra Bippus (2021), made a comprehensive "How to Apply to College" worksheet for her peers. We wanted to share information per a student perspective; it's listed below. For more information, keep scrolling below.
How to Apply to College by Keetra Bippus.pdfSending your Transcript
Sending your Transcript
You can send your transcript several ways.
The most common way is directly sending a transcript to a school through the FALA website. Under "Student Resources" you will see a tab called "Transcript Request". There you will input your information and the school's information you need to send the transcript to.
Two day prior notice is required to process transcript request. Transcripts must be sent directly to institutions. Correct info is essential. NO OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS will be sent if there are outstanding fees owed to FALA.
The second most common method is through the Common App. Check out this Quick Guide for more information.
Remember, you need to follow the college's requirements as everyone differs.
The Common Application
The Common Application
What is the Common App?
The Common Application (informally known as the Common App) is an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to 700+ member colleges and universities in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, China, and many European countries.
Note: it can be less expensive to apply to the university directly compared to applying through Common App. Although you are paying a little more, Common App is a convenient way to reach out to many universities through a streamlined and organized process.
If you want assistance in figuring out how to navigate the Common App process, there are several ways to do that:
Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success
Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success
The Coalition is similar to the "Common App". It is a set of free online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college. With an easy-to-use application, interactive collaboration space, and convenient digital storage locker, MyCoalition empowers students to make smart college choices for success in school—and beyond.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation play a critical role in the admission process at many institutions. They provide an outside perspective and add important commentary to complement the grades, standardized test scores and additional information found in a student’s application. In addition, they provide colleges with a firsthand account of a student’s strengths and offer unique insight regarding a student’s potential for success.
Please allow the recommender at least three weeks to prepare your letter of recommendation. The more time you allow, the less rushed the writer will be. Also provide the email address for the recommendation form when completing online applications.
Some questions for you to answer and give to those you asked to recommend you:
Why are you a good fit for this particular university or scholarship?
If not answered above, what are your future goals?
What will make you stand out from others who are applying?
Describe an area/class in which you excelled academically.
Discuss any extracurricular, service or leadership activities that may assist you in this application.
The College Essay
The College Essay
Your college essay should clearly demonstrate how you’re an ideal fit for the institution you’re applying to. Study the philosophy and mission statement of the school and find ways to speak to how your interests, abilities and accomplishments reflect the school’s philosophy. You can’t simply recycle essays; each essay should be unique and tailored to the school to which you’re applying.
Your essay should be consistent with the information provided in other parts of your college application. At its best, the essay supports and expands information provided elsewhere. For example, if your grades and test scores are outstanding, you don’t need to state that you’re an excellent student. Instead, discuss what motivates you or how you’ve developed your work ethic and how it applies to other aspects of your life.
Colleges also want to see a sample of your writing, so the essay should be well-crafted and free of errors. Brainstorm, pre-write and write multiple drafts. Enlist others to proofread your essay and offer suggestions.
Resources to help with writing the college application essay:
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