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HOW TO APPLY
You can check on a school’s website to see how they prefer you to submit an application. The two most common websites for applications are Common App (most four-year schools in U.S., and CFNC (community colleges and some four-year schools). Some schools may have you submit an application directly through their website.
Click on the boxes below to learn more about these application platforms.
WHERE SHOULD I APPLY?
WHERE SHOULD I APPLY?
This is a great question! The college you choose should not only match your academic abilities and interests, but also fit your personal lifestyle and needs. If interested in four-year schools, you want to apply to around 3-5 schools that give you a good variety of options. Here are some things to consider:
Grades/GPA: How does my GPA fit in with the average GPA range of the college?
Your list should try to include one college that's higher (Reach), one that is lower (Likely), and 1-2 that are right in the middle (Target)
Location: How far do I want to be from Kannapolis? Do I prefer rural or urban spaces?
Size: Do I want to go to a big school, with lots of different opportunities? Or a small school, with smaller class sizes and a bigger sense of community? Or something in-between?
Major/Career: Does this college teach classes in the things that I'm interested in? Do they offer opportunities for experience (i.e. internships)?
Organizations/Activities: What do you enjoy doing outside academics? (Remember, you will be living in this community for 2-4 years!)
Identity: Are there parts of my identity that are extremely important to me? Which colleges have centers or resources for people like me?
College Search Tools:
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
In addition to personal info about yourself, your family, and your interests, most applications will also require at least one of the following:
Transcript(s): Official High School Transcript and RCCC Transcript (if applicable)
Test Scores*: ACT or SAT scores
*For the 2024-25 Application Cycle, public NC colleges will require test scores IF your GPA is below a 2.8.
Essay(s): Long (500-700 words) or Short (150-300 words)
Many four-year schools will require a Common Application essay with a minimum of 250 and a maximum of 650 words. You will select one of the seven prompts viewable here.
In addition to the Common Application essay, some schools will also require short-answer responses typically focused on why the student wants to attend the school, or the student's academic interest. If required, these prompts will be housed within the school's specific Common App application.
Letter(s) of Recommendation: Schools may ask for these from teachers, coaches, counselors, employers, or other key figures who can speak to the student's character, service experience, work ethic, and general aptitude for college success. Ask early, and be sure to ask people you trust to speak well of you!
Application Fee: These can range from $35-$85, depending on the college
Fee Waivers are available! See Mr. Jordan for help. It is likely you will qualify!
During College Application Week (Oct. 21-25), 50+ colleges across NC waive their fees. Please review the list of participating colleges here.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Every college will have different deadlines, so check their website to keep track! The earliest applications will be due October 15th for UNC-Chapel Hill, while some colleges have deadlines extending into the Spring. You can begin submitting applications as soon as they are available, which is typically early August. Below is a list of the different types of deadlines you will face:
Types of Deadlines:
EARLY DECISION (ED): Applying to a college under this deadline means that you legally bound to attend if you are accepted. This means that you will have to commit to the school, even if you have applied elsewhere, often before financial aid packages are released. Only use this deadline if you are 100% committed to this school, and have a plan to pay in case you do not receive full funding. These deadlines are typically Nov. 1st or Nov. 15th.
EARLY ACTION (EA): Applying to a college under this deadline means that you will receive your admissions decision earlier, but you are NOT legally bound to attend if admitted. These deadlines are typically Nov. 1st or Nov. 15th and normally tied to the college's scholarships, so I encourage you to apply early if you are seriously interested in the school! If EA is offered, universities typically fill the majority of their incoming class from this pool.
REGULAR DECISION (RD): Applying to a school under their regular decision deadline means you will receive your admissions decision later in the spring, and are not legally bound to attend if admitted. These deadlines tend to have more limited space to accept applicants, so please prioritize Early Action deadlines (NOT ED!) if possible. I recommend using this option in two cases: (1) you have a number of schools you prefer that you're applying in the EA window but still want to submit an application, and (2) you need to wait until after a good fall semester that may increase your GPA/strength of application.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS: The college has no specific deadline in the fall/spring and instead reviews applications on a first come, first serve basis. Community colleges all use this deadline, and some four-year universities do as well.
NC Public University Info: This is a spreadsheet containing information on all of North Carolina's public universities. PLEASE use this great resource to help keep track of application deadlines.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know that my application and transcript has been sent?
Check your email!!!! Colleges normally send you confirmations that they have received everything and will email you with reminders if they are missing anything. You can also check the website that you used to apply, which will tell you if you have completed all of their steps.
When will I hear back from colleges to see if I got in?
It depends! Some colleges have quick turnarounds, while others choose a specific date to let all of their applicants know. On average, give it about 1-3 months and keep checking your email and student portal!
I got accepted, what now?
First of all, congratulations! Next, start checking on your financial aid packages (see the FAFSA page) so that you can make an informed decision about where you'll be attending school in the fall. Remember, you have until May 1st to respond in most cases, so don't rush!
Extra Resources:
Extra Resources:
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