College Application Process
The college application process includes various pieces. Those pieces can include the application, standardized tests, a transcript, an essay, an interview, an activities resume, recommendations, and portfolio.
Please note that the following is general information. More detailed information can be found in the Post-Secondary Guidebook.
Application fees should never be a barrier to applying to college. Fee waivers are available to help students and families who have a lower-income pay for college applications. If you think you may qualify for fee waivers, please speak with your school counselor.
As you consider your college application choices, you will also need to decide when you will apply. There are several admission application options: Regular Decision, Early Action, Early Decision, Open Admissions, Rolling Admission, and Priority Date/Deadline. Please be aware that each college has their own admission application options. You should carefully read the information regarding application deadline and policies on the college's website.
Candidate's Reply Date
May 1 is the common date by which accepted applicants must indicate their intention to enroll at the college they choose to attend. By use of a common reply date, students may evaluate all notices of admission and financial aid awards before deciding on any one college, allowing students to make an informed decision.
Being waitlisted or deferred from the college of your choice is never easy. Waitlists and deferrals are two different outcomes, but they share some similarities. A deferral is unique to the early admission process whereas the waitlist is unique to the regular admission process. In both situations, you will have to wait longer to hear a final admission decision. While they vary slightly, there are overlapping strategies with which to respond. Below are constructive and concrete steps you can take in response.