Applications

Make sure to pay attention to the deadlines for the listed colleges with codes at the bottom. (EXL MSU's is open October 1 to October 15!) 

Please make sure that you take your time on applications as colleges prefer correct applications with clear time and effort put into it, not a rush job. 

Early Decision: Can only do this for one college because it is binding- If accepted by Early Decision, you are enrolling there regardless of other college offers (Students only would do this for their TRUE first choice) (Talk to a counselor/parents/trusted adult before choosing to submit this type of application considering you are deciding right then and there (if accepted) that you are going there regardless of how financial aid calculates) 

Early Action: You apply early and find out early about your acceptance/deferral/denial to the college- You can do this for multiple schools and can choose to compare offers before accepting an acceptance. HIGHLY recommended for those with College Additional Requirements for their pathway/major as those tend to have sooner deadlines than the general application 

Are early applications right for you?: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/facts-about-early-decision-and-early-action

If you don't have additional requirements for the major you are intending on studying and aren't really benefitting from either option above, general applications also work. (just know that recieving a response to general applications might be a longer wait depending on where you apply)

It is a good idea to gather materials and information on all of the colleges you are putting on your college list. Here are the most common things you need to have/know:

• Personal Email (NOT your school email (ending in wwcsd.org), and make sure your inbox is not full so you can receive messages)

• Personal Phone Number

• Social Security Number (Eligible Citizen Number if applicable)

• Transcript (Transcript Instructions)

• Home Address

• High School Information

*State Photo I.D. (Driver's License, Passport) and/or Birth Certificate is sometimes needed for verification*

The more competitive colleges to get into (places like University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Ivy League Schools) tend to have stricter deadlines and additional requirements (essays, activities list, CSS profile, etc.)

I highly recommend using a Google Sheet, notebook, or printed template to keep track of college applications. Each application has different requirements and various information to put into it.

There are 35 participating Michigan schools that use the Common App. If you are applying for multiple schools, it would be worth checking if they all participate in the common application process. 

The First-year toolkit from the Common App website has a lot of information about the common application and how the process works.

Disclaimer: Still have to pay the application fee for each college you apply for (OTHER than Free Application Month (October) for some colleges)

If you are planning to go to an HBCU (Historically Black College or University), this is the website where you can apply up to 5 out of 67 HBCUs for only $20! 

The full list of HBCUs participating are all on the home page.