Commonly required pieces of a college application. Remember to check each school’s application requirements as you prepare!

1. Application Form - Common App, School-specific application, Common Black App, etc.

2. Essay or writing sample - start early!  Your chance to express yourself in writing.  If possible, have an adult or English teacher review for editing.  

3. Letters of Recommendation - from your counselor and your teacher(s)

4. Test Scores - students send directly to schools via SAT (College Board) & ACT

   1. Check with the admissions office of each school of interest to find out if they are test-optional

5. Fee or Fee Waiver Form (if you qualify) - many schools charge an application fee.  Students eligible for FARMS typically qualify for fee waivers.  Check with your counselor if you have any questions.  

6. Official Transcript - submitted by staff at your high school.  Students request transcripts via Naviance for Common App schools.  Non-Common App schools have their own method for submitting documents.  Request transcripts early to avoid delays.

Many colleges accept the majority of their applicants by early or priority deadlines.  Early action or priority deadlines are encouraged for students who hope to be considered for merit scholarships awarded by colleges.  See below to learn more.  Be sure to check with each college to determine all deadlines and/or if there are separate applications to be completed for scholarship consideration.    

Non-Binding Application Options: Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1 to consider their options and confirm enrollment.

• Early Action (EA) or Priority: students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date.

  • Students interested in the University of Maryland, College Park should apply by the Early Action deadline of November 1st!

• Restrictive Early Action: students agree to file just one early application at any private institution. 

  • Students may, however, apply to other colleges via regular admissions or rolling admissions. They may also apply for a public school’s early application program or apply to a foreign college or university at any time, so long as those programs are non-binding.

• Regular Decision: students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time.

• Rolling Admission: institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admissions decisions throughout the admission cycle.

Binding Application Options: Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions.

• Early Decision (ED): students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll.  The application deadline and decision deadline occur early.

  • This is regardless of cost, financial aid, and/or other factors.  Once committed, you are expected to attend.

  • Counselors will review these this type of application with students and parents/guardians to ensure understanding.

Priority Deadline - This is a set deadline for applications whereby students who are accepted are given PRIORITY consideration for admission, housing, scholarships, and other aid.

This program is intended to allow degree-seeking MARYLAND residents to enroll at certain out-of-state institutions in undergraduate programs of study not offered at a MD public college/university and to pay in-state tuition. This is a cooperative tuition-reduction agreement among Southern Regional Education Board states, of which Maryland is one.  

If PUBLIC institutions in your home state do not offer degree programs in your field of study, it may be possible to arrange a waiver of out-of-state tuition to attend a cooperating PUBLIC institution in another participating state. These programs may change yearly. 

• More Information and to Search for Programs

• Eligibility and Application Information

During the pandemic, colleges have introduced more flexibility and choice into the admissions process. Many have decided to adopt a “test-optional” policy regarding college entrance exams, either temporarily or permanently. If a college or university has a test-optional admissions policy, that means they allow all or some applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT® scores as part of their application.  (from CollegeBoard)

Please note:

• Understanding test-optional policies can help you make informed decisions about whether to take the SAT, the ACT, or both. 

• Some schools only exempt students who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use test scores solely for placement purposes. 

• Be sure to read each college’s policy carefully so you understand what you need to do to qualify for admission, scholarships, financial aid, etc.

• Writing the College Essay   

• Sample Student Resume & List of References  

• College & Career Center Suggestions for Success

• Colleges Where Demonstrated Interest is Important or Very Important