START HERE: College application checklist

Application Types:

First, decide which application you are going to use when applying to a college/university. This decision should be made before you do anything. Careful research should be done on the student's part when determining schools he is planning to apply to. NOTE: It doesn't matter which application a student applies to a school on. One application over another will not increase his chances of being admitted. 

• The Common Application - Over 900 colleges use the Common Application which allows students to fill out one application for multiple schools. For more information about the Common Application visit http://www.commonapp.org/.

*All public Illinois colleges and universities are on The Common App!

• Directly to the college/university's website - The school’s application may be the only choice for applying directly to the institution.

• The Coalition Application - Some colleges use the Coalition Application only. Only one school exclusively uses The Coalition Application - University of Washington. If you are applying to this school, you must use the Coalition app at http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/.

Helpful Terminology:

• Self-Reporting - If a school asks you to "self-report" your grades/courses, this means that you report your grades exactly the way that they appear on your transcript. If a school asks you to "self-report" your test score(s), this means that you report your test score(s) exactly the way they appear on your ACT and/or SAT score report. You do not need to send an official transcript and/or official score report if a school asks you to self-report.

• Direct Admit - Students are able to begin your college career as a student in the program of your choice. That means you do not later have to apply for admission to your major. 

• Superscore - Some schools will allow you to "superscore" your ACT or SAT subject scores. This means that if you took multiple exams, you would report the highest subject score in an ACT or SAT category, ultimately generating a "composite superscore". 

  • • • Note: Don't ever try to superscore on your own. Make sure that you always report all the correct subscores on all your score reports.

• Deferred Application: Means that application wasn't accepted or denied. Typically, the college/university will re-evaluate your application at a later date. Second semester grades and/or test scores may be used to help aid in this process.

• Waitlisted Application: The college/university hasn't finished reviewing your file and  has not made a final decision. Typically, you would be put on a waiting list to see if additional spots in the class open up. 

• Test-Optional: Due to the unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19, many colleges and universities have chosen to go "Test-Optional". This means that a standardized test score, such as an ACT or SAT score, are NOT REQUIRED for admission purposes. Students will be evaluated based upon a holistic review of their application, major they intend to apply to, GPA, course rigor on their transcript, essay(s) (if applicable), and extracurricular/leadership opportunities.