1. Safety School: Your GPA and test scores are higher than what the college typically accepts. 

2. Match School: Your GPA and test scores are right around what the college typically accepts.  

3. Reach School: Your GPA and SATs are lower than what the college typically accepts. 

Explore the Campus

• Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus

• Register and attend open houses & tours to show demonstrated interest in the school

• Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, residence halls, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities

Gather Information

• Sit in on a class that interests you; if classes aren’t in session, see what the classrooms are like

• Take notes and pictures of your visit so you can remember the different schools when sitting down and figuring out if this school is one you wish to apply to

• Ask questions that are important to you

Early Action

(typical deadlines: November 1st or 15th, December 1st or 15th)

• Students who apply under a college's Early Action plan receive a decision before the standard response date, but are not required to accept an offer of admission or to make a deposit prior to May l. 

• Students should be sure to read the college policy carefully. Some colleges have "single choice Early Action" plans. In these plans, colleges place some restrictions on the applicant's right to make applications to other Early Decision or Early Action plans.

Early Decision 

(typical deadlines:  November 1st or 15th, December 1st or 15th)

• Students who apply under Early Decision commit to enroll at the college if they are admitted and offered a satisfactory financial aid package. 

• Some colleges have both Early Decision and Early Action plans.

Open Admission

• Virtually all applicants with high school diplomas or the equivalent are accepted.  

• Typically, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not required.   

• Most community colleges practice open admission, although they may have specific requirements for certain programs such as Nursing.

Rolling Admission

• In this frequently used procedure, a college considers each student’s application as soon as all the required credentials, such as school record and test scores, have been received.

• The college usually notifies an applicant of its decision without delay.

• At many colleges, rolling admission allows for early notification and works much like nonbinding Early Action programs.