Once you have your college list, it's good to start to gather all the documents needed to complete that application.
To help, we have a College Application Organizer Handout
Here, you will:
Keep track of all of your accounts, logins, and passwords
Populate your college list in the organizer
Create a Document Tracker for each campus/application
Brainstorm your Activities List for the UC Portal
Brainstorm your Activities List for the Common App
Once you know what colleges you are applying to, you will go and discover what documents, information, and work you need to do to apply.
Research and Input Important Information
It is so important to know that each individual college or college system will have its own set of essays, documentation, requirements, fees, and more. So please research every school ahead of time and create a clear "to-do" list for each school you are applying to.
Here are some guidelines and key information you should record and keep track of:
Application deadlines - Consider if your school has one or multiple deadlines. Decide which one you want to do.
Application Fees
Test Scores - are they required? If so, make sure you send them
Application Essays - Beyond the main college essay (on Common App/Coalition), what are the supplemental essays required? Mostly only Private Colleges will have additional supplemental essays. CSUs don't have essays at all. Be sure you research the Essay Requirement thoroughly.
Letter of Recommendation - See how many you need and ask your teachers to write one for you (the earlier the better)
Interview/Additional Steps - Investigate to see if you need to interview or if you are applying to a special program, whether you need to prepare a portfolio or offer additional documents as part of your application
Another resource is to create a Google Drive Folder and organize all your documents as google files. To help, here's a resource that offers organizing principles and tips if you want to create a folder.