College Applicatons
HOW TO APPLY
You can check on a school’s website to see how they prefer you to submit an application. The three most popular websites for applications are Common App, Coalition, and CFNC. Many schools use one of these three websites to make the process simpler. 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?
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. Ultimately, 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 home? 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?
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?
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 RCC Transcript (if applicable)
Test Scores*: ACT or SAT scores
*For the 2023-24 Application Cycle, no public NC colleges require test scores
Essay(s): Long (500-700 words) or Short (150-300 words)
Reuse essays if possible! Some prompts may be similar, while others will be school-specific
Letter(s) of Recommendation: Teachers, Coaches, Counselors, etc.
Application Fee: These can range from $35-$85, depending on the college
Fee Waivers are available! See Ms. B. if you are in need of one
During College Application Week (Oct. 16-20), many colleges waive their fees. Stay tuned for a list of participating colleges here:
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Every college will have different deadlines, so check their website to keep track! The earliest applications will be due around the middle of October, 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: 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.
EARLY ACTION: 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 also normally tied to the college's scholarships, so apply early!
REGULAR DECISION: 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, but still offer you the same chance at admission as Early Action does.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS: The college has no specific deadline in the fall/spring and instead reviews applications on a first come, first serve basis. UNCP and community colleges are examples of colleges with this deadline.
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!