College Applications - Applying to College

APPLYING TO COLLEGES 

Begin with your college list. Know WHERE you're applying, then organize HOW to apply. 

You'll apply online through various application portals depending on your college list. Dates and deadlines will vary as well. Find a system that works for you to stay organized and on top of deadlines.  Application Websites:  Bookmark these websites & refer to excellent resources below:

College Foundation of North Carolina Application

Open August 1st, submit by various deadlines

Apply to 4-year and 2-year colleges/Universities in NC

Search campuses

Common Application

More than 1000 colleges + universities utilize the Common Application. Your online application portal to apply to multiple out of state and private universities. 

Open August 1st, submit by various deadlines

Common App Application Guide for First-Year Students 

Coalition Application

More than 150 member colleges + universities utilize the Coalition Application. Deadlines vary. 

ApplyTexas

Online application system for Texas colleges + universities. Deadlines vary. UT Austin and other Texas colleges are not also on the Common App.

Colleges' own application site 

Some colleges give you the option to apply directly through their website. Create an account and follow deadlines, material submissions directly on the college's website. Note, if a college gives you multiple options (apply on the website, or Common Application, for example, choose the option that best fits you). 

Understand which application cycle is right for you:

Early Decision (ED1): Early November application deadline, decisions by mid-December.

Binding: students may apply elsewhere but must withdraw all other applications if admitted in ED. Acceptance rates notably more favorable than in ED2 or RD. Widely available. You may only choose this option if you are aware of what your costs will be if admitted as you will not be able to compare costs/financial aid at other institutions since this is a binding "contract" where you, parent/guardian and counselor sign off that you understand these implications.

Early Decision II (ED2): Early January deadline, decisions by mid-February.

Binding: students may apply elsewhere but must withdraw all other applications if admitted in ED2. A second chance at ED. Acceptance rates more favorable than RD but not as advantageous as ED1. Becoming more widely available at some highly selective institutions. You must understand your costs if admitted as you will not have the opportunity to compare costs/financial aid with other institutions.

Early Action (EA): Usually November deadline, variable decision dates.

Non-binding: students can apply elsewhere and attend if admitted elsewhere. Acceptance rate advantage of EA differs widely among schools. Widely available. 

Single Choice Early Action (SCEA): Deadline November 1, decisions by mid-December.

Non-binding, but students can apply to only one SCEA school and cannot apply elsewhere in ED or EA (except to international or public state universities). Slightly favorable admissions rates compared to RD. Offered by four extremely competitive schools: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford as their alternative to ED.

Restrictive Early Action (REA): November deadline, decisions by mid-December.

Non-binding: students are restricted from applying to any other schools in ED but can apply to other EA schools. Variable acceptance rate advantage. Offered by only a few schools including Georgetown and Notre Dame.

Regular Decision (RD): Non-binding: Deadline usually in early January, later for some schools, decisions most commonly in late March. All selective schools receive vast number of RD applications, making the RD competition highly intense. Available everywhere.