Applying to College

The ASPIRE College Bound Grade Level Checklists provide essential information for students planning to attend college after high school. Organized by grade level, these checklists ensure that students receive relevant details at the right time.

• 9th Grade Checklist

• 10th Grade Checklist

• 11th Grade Checklist

• 12th Grade Checklist

Many other resources have college application checklists and timelines that may be useful in your process, but it is important to remember that Grant has our own deadlines. You must use MaiaLearning to ensure that the appropriate documents are sent to the colleges you apply to. We encourage you to explore the resources below to assist in your college application process: 

• Big Future College Application Checklist

• College Board College Planning Checklist for 12th Grade

• The Ideal College Application Timeline - with deadlines

• Khan Academy Master Timeline: College Admissions

1. Read your email: Your counselors will be sharing valuable information with you about upcoming events, scholarships, and deadlines. It is important that you check and read your PPS email on a daily basis. 

2. Meet with your counselor: All seniors should meet with their counselors. Your school counselor will offer the resources and guidelines to help you understand the college application process. Schedule follow-up visits as needed. 

3. Review transcripts: Students can access a copy of their transcript in StudentVUE under course history (it is best to try to access your transcript from a laptop). Review your transcript at the end of each semester. Check your transcript carefully for errors. If you find a mistake, notify your school counselor as soon as possible. Official transcripts for universities and colleges must be requested through MaiaLearning (see instructions).

4. Attend college rep visits: College visits are offered at Grant multiple times per week, some in-person and some virtually. This is an excellent way to learn more about the schools and to ask the college admissions representative questions.

5. Plan and get organized: Make a list of application deadlines and supporting materials needed (i.e., test scores, essays, recommendations.) Read through all your applications thoroughly. Post the list somewhere and/or set notifications on your calendar/phone, so you don't miss critical deadlines.

6. Request Teacher/Counselor recommendations: When applying to a private college, chances are you will need at least one letter of recommendation. Recommendations must be requested through Maia - see instructions. Be sure to ask your recommender at least 30 days in advance to complete a recommendation. Follow up with them about their progress before the deadline. Counselors will meet with students about counselor recommendations.

7. Follow application directions: You will need to check each college for application instructions. Many colleges use Common App, but the University of California system, Cal State system, and certain Texas colleges have their own online application.

8. Write essays: If the application requires an essay, look over the prompts and begin drafting your essay in a separate document in Google Docs. Ask an adult you trust to review your essay (i.e. teacher, counselor, college coordinator.) Agree upon a timeline and make edits as needed before the final submission. See the Essay Writing resources below for additional support. 

9. Complete financial aid forms: Complete the FAFSA/ORSAA as soon as possible. Don't forget to create your FSA ID in September so that you can access the FAFSA. A parent or guardian will need to create an FSA ID as well. FAFSA is scheduled to open in October. Complete the OSAC Scholarship application by March 1st. Complete the CSS Profile as needed. 

10. Sign up for the NCAA Clearinghouse: If you are a student-athlete intending to play a sport at the NCAA Division I or II college level, you must sign up for the NCAA Clearinghouse and request your transcript be sent to NCAA.

ASK QUESTIONS! When in doubt, visit the counseling center or College & Career Center to get help. Waiting until the last minute can make the process overwhelming.

For many students, essays are the most challenging part of the application, so we recommend that students start early and use all the resources available, including the College & Career Center. 

The College Essay Guy has several resources to help you prepare for college and scholarship applications and essays: 

• How to Write a College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide, 

• How to Write a Scholarship Essay: Complete Guide + Examples, 

• How to Write Your College Application Essay 

• Supplemental Essay Guides

• How to Write the UC Essay Prompts 2024/2025 (+ Examples)

• College Application and Admissions Timeline

Over the summer, we partnered with the College Essay Guy for a series of Essay & Application Boot Camps. Students can register at https://www.collegeessayguy.com/sub-ceg-live-students to access additional essay writing resources and watch recordings of previous workshops. 

The following resources offer free online essay reviews:  

• Get Schooled College Essay Review 

• College Vine Essay Review 

Don't hesitate to contact the College & Career Center if you need help with your essay. 

1. Click on Universities, then Applying List

2. Click Add University and search by name - If you already saved colleges in your Considering List, you can click Move to Applying to move them to your Applying List.

3. You can identify the level of interest for each college by selecting an option under “Choice” (optional)

4. You MUST fill in the application details below:

• Application Type: Coalition, Common App, Online App, or Other App (i.e. paper application)

• Term (will be fall in most cases)

• Application Plan: Early Decision, Regular Decision, Priority, Early Action, Rolling. Deadline will auto-populate once you select a plan

• Leave “Status” blank and do not change/edit “Internal Deadline”

Note: You must request all documents you need from counselors and teachers through Maia Learning: transcripts, letters of recommendation, and Common App forms.

Shortcut Steps: Universities > Applying List > Add University

If you are applying to colleges using the Common App, you MUST sync it with Maia BEFORE you can request any materials, including transcripts.  

Here is a video that shows you all of the steps involved: Connecting MaiaLearning and Common App Accounts 

 Follow the steps below in the order written.

PART 1: In the Common App - Click here for a student helpsheet

1. Create & log in to your Common App account

2. Complete the required fields in the Profile section. In the high school portion, use our CEEB Code 380880 to find and select Grant High School

3. Enter at least 1 college on your My Colleges list. Go to College Search to add a college if needed. Select 1 college from your list, and click Recommenders and FERPA and then Complete Release Authorization

4. Check the box next to “I have read and understood the FERPA Release...” and click on Continue

5. On the following screen, check the box "I acknowledge that every school I have attended may release all..."

6. Check the box next to "I understand..." and enter your name and date. Click Save and Close

Shortcut Steps: Select 1 college from your list > Recommenders and FERPA > Complete Release Authorization > Check the box next to “I have read and understood...” >  Continue > Check the box "I acknowledge that every school..." > Check the box next to "I understand..." > Name, date, Save and Close

PART 2: In Maia Learning - Click here for a student helpsheet

1. In your Maia account, click on your Profile

2. Scroll down to Application Systems and select the link Click to link your account

3. A pop-up window will appear. Click Continue. You will be redirected to the Common App site. Log in using your Common App account username and password. In the pop-up, check the box next to "I Agree" to share your Common App information with MaiaLearning, and click Connect

Shortcut Steps: Profile > Application Systems > Click to link your account > Continue

1. Under Universities, click on your Applying List to see the schools you plan to apply to

2. Check the box next to Request Transcript

Important Note: If prompted to enter a date, select a WEEKDAY prior to the application deadline for that college and make sure it does not fall during a school break. For example, if your application is due Monday, November 30th, select Friday, November 20th.

Shortcut Steps: Universities > Applying List > Request Transcript > Submit Application

Not all college applications require recommendations. 

Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: When applying to a private college, chances are you will need at least one letter of recommendation. Recommendations must be requested through Maia Learning (see below). 

Be sure to ask your recommender at least 3 weeks in advance to complete a recommendation. Follow up with them about their progress before the deadline. Counselors will be working with students directly if they need a counselor recommendation.

REQUESTING TEACHER LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

1. On the left-side navigation menu, click Universities and select Request Recs.

2. A list of recommenders (teachers and counselors) is at the top left of the page. Search by name or browse the list, and check the box next to those you want recommendations from.

   • Use this process only for TEACHER requests. Counselors will be working directly with students for counselor recommendations. 

3. In the next box, select the universities you want these recommenders to write letters for.

   • You must identify the date you need a recommendation by. In Date Picker, select the WEEKDAY that is prior to the application deadline for which you are applying AND that does not fall over a school closure. For example, if your application is due Monday, November 30th, select Friday, November 20th as the Date Picker. 

   • Add a note to your teacher/counselor.

4. Repeat this process as needed with different universities and different recommenders.

Shortcut Steps: Universities > Request Recs > Identify Date

Each school and program has its own admission requirements which you can look up on the school’s website. To apply for an undergraduate program, you need to have graduated from high school, and you will need to fulfill the school’s language requirements.

What you should submit with your application differs from school to school. You will find this information under Admission Requirements (or a similar headline) on the school’s website. Some international colleges accept the Common App, but not all do. If you plan to apply to U.K. universities for undergraduate admission, you can do so via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, or UCAS.

Applying to college in another country may not be that different from applying to college in your home country. In fact, it may be even easier. Most accredited institutions abroad have specific application guidelines for international students, and as long as you follow those, you should find the application process rather simple. However, it can be difficult if you don't know where to start.

Step 1: Research Schools Abroad

The first step in applying to college in another country is to do your research. Before you begin researching, though, you'll need to recognize who you are and what you're looking for in terms of your studies. Once you know the category into which you fall, you can begin searching online. Some research tips are to narrow your search down to the program you want to study, determine whether or not you want to study in your native language or if you're interested in a full language-immersion program, choose the country or region of the world in which you want to study and learn the cost of the school. Below are resources that may be helpful:

NACAC Guide to International University Admission 

College Essay Guy: How to Research Universities Outside of the U.S.: Tips & Resources

Step 2: Read Over the Requirements

After you've narrowed it down to a few schools to which you potentially want to apply, read over their requirements to study abroad. Make sure that you have met all the qualifications before applying, and if you're unsure as to whether or not you possess one of those requirements, don't be afraid to call and/or email the prospective school to ask. Schools abroad may use different terminologies in their application guidelines than what you are used to, and this can make research a bit confusing. Therefore, it's OK to ask questions.

Step 3: Gather the Necessary Materials

When you know that you've met the requirements at your prospective schools, it's time to gather whatever materials you need to complete your application. For instance, the schools to which you're applying will likely require you to send over copies of your transcripts and/or your high school diploma or bachelor's degree, depending on the program to which you're applying. Some colleges accept transcripts via Maia Learning and/or the Common App, but you may have to request that they are sent directly from the Counseling Office to the Admissions Office. You may also need a copy of your passport, a financial statement (such as a bank statement), and proof that you meet the school's language requirements. They may also ask for a personal statement or for you to schedule an interview. As you are applying from abroad, it's very unlikely that the school will ask you to be physically present. Thankfully, due to technology, much of the application process can be done virtually.

For example, many schools will schedule an interview over video chat or use an online system to submit your documents. However, there may be instances in which you'll have to mail in some of your paperwork. Because you have to mail it abroad, you need to leave extra time. Therefore, do what you can to get yourself organized and ready well before deadlines approach.

Step 4: Start Your Applications

Finally, it's time to start applying. For this part, it's a good idea to have a checklist for each of the schools to which you are applying. You can check off materials and schools as you complete each application or write notes on any materials you still need to provide.

If you've organized all your materials, this step shouldn't take that long, especially because most applications are done online. Block out some time each week to work on applications and take note of due dates so that you don't miss any deadlines. After completing an application, follow up with the school to check on the status and be proactive about your application overall.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has a Guide to International University Admission. The booklet provides overviews of popular study destinations and even includes information about situations in which students can use US federal financial aid to help cover the costs of their education abroad.  

Please contact your school counselor or the College & Career Center if you need help with the application process!