In order to apply to a college, you need to fill out....an application. While a school may accept multiple types of application, you should fill out only one for each school.
It is helpful to have a good core of your college list determined before you start filling anything out. The key to making this part easier is to minimize the number of different applications you will fill out. If you have a very long list, you will also need to choose wisely, as some applications have a limit, and some schools only accept one type of application.
The main application types are:
Common Application (can create now - most students use the Common for a good portion of their schools)
Group applications - Some groups of colleges have their own application (e.g. PASSHE schools in PA, the University of California Schools, etc.)
Individual College Applications - Some schools require their own application, or offer their own application in addition to one or more of the others.
Start a spreadsheet (you can start with this one!), where you track what is required and accepted for each school. The more schools you plan to apply to - the more necessary this is. This is definitely necessary if you are applying to BS/MD programs!
Remember that the Common App has a limit of 20 schools. Full stop.
Use your PERSONAL email address for all college applications. Make it professional. Check this email regularly.
Make a note on your phone where you keep all of your college-related usernames and passwords.
If you are eligible for free & reduced lunch, you qualify for fee waivers. Speak to Mrs. Thomson, so that you know what this includes and how to use it wisely.
Max of 20 schools can be applied to using the Common App
The main part - the Common App tab - goes to ALL of the schools. You can start this anytime. You can work on things in any order. You will get a check in each section, and eventually, a check on each page (on the left)
Courses & Grades is only required by some schools (see the section about transcripts/self-reported grades)
Under My Colleges, you will add each individual school you are applying to. They have their own questions - some more than others. This is where you will find the supplemental questions. Don't do this until August - because it will not rollover from the current year.
There is a VERY SPECIFIC PROCESS for entering your recommendation requests in Common App. You will NOT ENTER teacher email addresses. We submit recommendations using SCOIR.
There is not one big submit button. You will submit individually to each school.
This application is now housed within SCOIR.
You'll complete the basic demographic information on SCOIR, and then will be brought to the individual school website to complete additional requirements, and pay.
Beginning with the Class of 2024 - Rutgers will accept the Common Application! Since most students complete this application, we recommend applying using the Common App unless you anticipate exceeding the 20 school limit.
The Rutgers App usually opens in early September
You can preview the application here
Rutgers only accepts a limited number of activities and awards on their application - they want your 5 most important
Rutgers has its own essay prompts, but will also accept a design your own, so you can use your main Common App essay
Rutgers doesn't accept transcripts (you must do a SRAR - see that section of this page)
Rutgers doesn't accept letters of recommendation
Class size: 575
GPA: Weighted. Use the cumulative weighted GPA from your transcript. Don't round or convert to a 4.0 scale.
Rank: We do not rank.