How and When to
Apply to College

When should I apply to college?

Seniors should begin applying to colleges in September of their senior year and complete all applications on/before October 31. Some college scholarship deadlines are as early as November 1.

What do colleges need from me?

Colleges will need a completed application, a transcript, and official test scores. Some colleges also require a counselor recommendation or a student profile. If a college or scholarship requests a recommendation, then please fill out the recommendation request on the website. In order to receive financial aid, you will also need to complete the FAFSA in October.

Where can I find the application?

College applications are available on college websites. It is best to use the application provided on the college website. Do not use a third party application unless you are required to do so.

Does it cost money to apply to college?

Most, not all, colleges charge an application fee. If you have completed the household income form AND you qualify for free/reduced lunch, then you can request a fee waiver through your Parchment account. Some colleges also have special events where they will waive the application fee. Contact the college admissions office for information. There is no need to pay for an application if you can get a promo code. :)

How do I send my transcript?

Use the Parchment link to send your transcript to colleges. You MUST send a transcript when you apply and you MUST send your final transcript as soon as you graduate. Athletes must also send transcripts to the NCAA or NAIA eligibility center. During the recruiting process, athletes can also send coaches their transcripts through Parchment.

How do I get a counselor to complete my student profile or counselor recommendation form?

If an application asks for a counselor e-mail, then that is a good indicator that the counselor will receive a form to complete. Students who need the student profile or recommendation must complete the recommendation request form at least two weeks before they need it. The forms are completed in late September or early October. The student also needs to see the counselor to make sure he/she received the form. Items can be sent directly to the "junk" folder. It is also important to follow up if the items haven't been submitted near the end of October. Sometimes, there are glitches with the digital submission process.

How do colleges get my official test scores?

When you sign up and take the ACT or SAT, you are asked to provide a list of the colleges that will receive your official scores. If you decide to go to a college that did not receive those scores, then you will need to sign in to your ACT or SAT account and pay to send those official scores to the college.