The College Admissions Process: Finding, Selecting & Applying to Your Dream School

Many look forward to the day when they will finally be able to start applying to college. After months of preparation, dropping that first application into the mailbox is bound to make you feel accomplished. However, it is important to note that getting to that fateful day involves much more than answering a few simple questions on a form. Rather, applying to college involves finding schools, collecting information, meeting requirements and a whole host of other tasks.

But don’t get discouraged. It is possible to be admitted to the school of your choosing. You just have to do some planning.

How Can I Find the Right School for Me?

Finding colleges you would like to attend is one of the first things you should do. However, maintaining good grades and meeting the requirements of each college you’re interested in is something you have to keep an eye on, much earlier than the day you put your foot down and day, “I want to go here!”

The point is, the process of finding the right college for you begins somewhere back during freshman or sophomore year. Or, if you are returning to school, you should plan between six months and a year ahead, depending on where you would like to attend.

You can find schools by meeting with your guidance counselor, looking online or browsing a college directory. If you have an interest in a particular program, it is beneficial to seek out those schools that specialize in your desired area.

At this stage, it is also important to determine what type of school you would like to go to. A community college is a great way to save money and to feel out the college atmosphere, while still working toward a degree. A four-year university is another choice for those that have, perhaps, excelled in high school and are confident in their choice of major. This isn’t always the case, but it can be a good way to determine the appropriate school type for you.

How Can I Apply?

The application process for every school is different, which is why you need to start early. Getting your hands on applications is the best way to see exactly what you need to do, as individual schools may have different requirements than the norm.

So what can you expect on a very general basis? You will need to fill out an application form of some type. This form may require you to input the classes you have taken in high school, the grades you earned, your overall GPA and personal information. You may also need to write an admissions essay in answer to a given prompt. These requirements are typical of four-year colleges and universities.

It is also important to take note of the admissions deadline for each of the schools you will be applying. You may need to secure a copy or send a copy of your transcripts to your potential school, so be sure to allow enough time for this.

What Exams Will I Need to Take?

Exams are another important aspect of the applications process. Here are a few good things to note depending on the type of school you will be attending:

  • Community colleges and trade schools: You will typically only need to take proficiency exams to determine which English and math classes you will need to enroll in.
  • 4-year colleges and universities: If coming directly out of high school, you will need to have taken the SAT or ACT and received a certain score or higher in order to be admitted. However, if you will be transferring from a community college, these exams are not required.

These exams provide schools with a general look at your proficiency in math and English mostly. While the accuracy of these tests and their true ability to determine your skill level in certain areas has been debated, they are still a requirement for admittance in many schools.

You can prepare for the SAT or the ACT by taking classes and taking the pre-examinations to assess your score. Finally, you will be able to take the SAT or ACT prior to graduation from high school. If you are unsatisfied with your score, you may retake it several times in order to improve. While these tests are important for college admittance, they are not the be all and end all of your academic worthiness. Admissions officers look at other areas as well.

How do I Write an Admissions Essay?

The admissions essay is something that can make or break your application. I say this because if your grades aren’t stellar the essay can get you admitted. Showing you can write and that you really want to attend college are great ways to boost your application’s status in the eyes of the judges.

How to write an admissions essay will vary depending on the requirements of each school. Some may require you to answer a prompt that has to do with a well-known issue such as, “Come up with and defend three solutions to global warming.”

However, other essay prompts may be much more free-spirited. You may be asked to retell a time in your life when you felt particularly challenged and how you faced that challenge. Or, you may need to detail why you want to go to college. Regardless of the prompt, it is best to stay away from the sob story or the blatantly obvious answer. Try to be creative.

Also, make sure you have someone read your essay before you send it out! I don’t care if you proofread it one hundred times, your eyes still might miss something. Making a good impression starts with providing flawless prose to the judges.

What about a Letter of Recommendation?

For some colleges, four-year institutions in particular, you will need to provide a letter of recommendation. This letter should be written by someone that knows you well, like a favorite teacher, a counselor, a coach or even a boss. This individual should detail your positive attributes and explain why you are a good candidate for the college.

You can help your potential letter writers out by writing a standardized letter yourself, giving it to your teacher or what have you and let them customize it as they see fit. They will no doubt appreciate the time you have saved them!

You may need more than one letter of recommendation, so be sure to read the application requirements carefully. Also, as a matter of courtesy, be prepared to request letters of recommendation at least two weeks before you need them. This will give people enough time to write your letters.

Applying to college can be an involved process, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. So long as you plan ahead and follow the directions, you should be fine. Just make sure you keep up your grades in school while taking care of all of this application business!