College Application Steps

1. Getting Ready/Your Plan!

• Compile a list of colleges/universities you are considering, including your top choice and a 'reach' school.

• Meet with your counselor to discuss your choices. Individual or small group meetings will take place during early fall.

• Make note of college application deadlines, especially early action deadlines.  

• Make a Senior Resume or Senior List of all your extracurricular activities during high school.  Share with individuals writing letters of recommendation for you.  (Download Senior Resume template from Forms & Documents Page).

• Sign up for SAT and/or ACT, if needed.  SOME 4-year colleges require an acceptable score on at least one of these tests for you to be considered for admission.  Information on acceptable scores may be found on the colleges’ websites. Information and practice tests can be accessed in the WRHS Counseling Department and online.

**NC PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WAIVED TESTING REQUIREMENT**

You do not have to report ACT/SAT scores when applying to any of the 16 public NC colleges and universities for admission for the fall of 2024.  Applicants may self-report scores to enhance their application.  Scholarship programs and some college programs may still require a strong score for qualification.

2.  College Application and Test Scores

• Apply online to college! NC college applications are accessible through College Foundation (CFNC.org), Common Application (commonapp.org); or the Coalition Application (coalitionforcollegeaccess.org).

• Write essays and have someone EDIT them.

• Send your official SAT/ACT scores from the specific testing service.  (Colleges will only accept official test scores). 

If you took the SAT (or need to register for the test), go to www.collegeboard.org

If you took the ACT (or need to register to retake the test), go to www.actstudent.org

• Keep track of application deadlines—they will come up quickly! 

• Use CFNCDeadlines to see a PDF of admissions deadlines and info for all NC colleges and universities.

3.  Transcripts and Counselor Forms           

     Keep a record of when you send your official transcripts. You can send transcripts in  

     different ways—using the Transcript Manager through CFNC, through uploads via    

     Common App, or with a paper copy from WRHS.  

     Current students can obtain transcripts for free--request here:     

     https://rssnc.scriborder.com/

CFNC’s Transcript Manager allows public high school students in North Carolina to electronically request their official high school transcript and submit it with their application when applying online through CFNC.org.  The Transcript Manager also lets students track their submitted transcripts. They can view the date their transcript was sent, the confirmation number of their transcript request, and the status of their transcript. Through the Transcript Manager, students can also verify that a particular college or university has received their transcript. The college should receive a successfully requested transcript within 1-2 business days.  

NOTE:  Transcript requests can take a couple days to complete. Do not wait until the last minute to request a transcript.  

 4.  Recommendations/Counselor Forms

• Complete all identifying information on recommendation forms before giving to your teacher, coach, administrator, or counselor.

• Ask your recommender in advance if they will write a letter of recommendation for you.  Don’t just assume they will write one.

• Make sure you give them the form (if required), a stamped, addressed envelope, and a copy of your senior resume so they are aware of your extracurricular activities.  Tell them the date you need your completed letter.

• If you need a Counselor Form filled out, please give this to your school counselor several days in advance.  Your applications are most important to you, but each counselor works with many students. Just as with recommendations, be considerate--give them ample time to devote to your form or letter.

• Don’t forget to thank your recommender for their time—you may need their assistance again for scholarship recommendations.​

  5.  Admission Decisions

1. Most colleges will let you know the timeline to hear back from your application.  Look online on their admissions website for this information.  Typically, admission decisions can take a minimum of 4-6 weeks.

2. Once you are accepted, please turn in your letter to your school counselor.  They will make a copy of it to keep on file.  

6.  Planning to Enroll in a NC Community College?

Community Colleges are a great way to earn a diploma, certificate, or two-year (associate) degree.  Many students complete two years of study at a community college and transfer to 4-year colleges to complete their bachelors degree.  Community colleges generally have an ‘open door’ policy, which means most applicants are admitted. Community college applicants may be required to take an academic placement test. 

You may be exempt from testing if you meet any of the following criteria and provide an official transcript for evaluation:

• Graduated from a public high school or North Carolina private school within the last five years, with an unweighted GPA of 2.6 or higher and passing grades in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and a fourth higher-level math.

• Completed transferable college-level coursework in English and math with a grade of C or better.

• Received an associate degree or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Completed SAT or ACT within the past five years.

  • SAT scores: Math (530) and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (480)

  • ACT scores: Math (22) and Reading (22) or English (18)