There are many details that accompany the application process. You should follow the procedures outlined by your high school’s guidance office, as there is tremendous variation in how high schools process applications. In some schools, the counseling office is responsible for reviewing and mailing out applications, mailing each student’s applications separately or as a batch to each college. Other high schools ask students to mail their own applications and the guidance office sends in transcripts, letters of recommendations, and the school profile. Applications may be due to your guidance office two to four weeks before the actual application deadline, giving counselors enough time to pull all of the materials together.
Some suggestions for making the process more efficient are as follows:
- Get organized. Use folders or an accordion folder to keep copies of all correspondence with colleges, confirmations of campus tours, hotel confirmations, copies of applications, and other materials for each college.
- Check that your e-mail address is user friendly. If there is any doubt, create an e-mail address that you will use specifically for college applications, and check your e-mail frequently.
- If you are under 18, verify whether the application requires a parent’s signature in addition to your own; this may vary from application to application.
- Do not ask teachers for letters of recommendations at the last minute. Give them plenty of time to complete your letter and, if appropriate, give them pre-addressed stamped envelopes to mail letters to the colleges. Inform teachers whether you want them to send letters directly to the college or give them to the guidance office.
- Check that you have indicated whether you waive your right to see letters and other information contained on your application.
- Keep copies of your application, especially your essays and resume. Print hard copies in case your computer crashes and these documents are not retrievable. Save the information on a flash drive to protect and save the data on the application.
- Jot down your user name and password when applying online. Try to use the same user name and password for all your college applications, so it’s unlikely you’ll forget them. I’ve seen many students panic when they realize they can’t access their accounts. Much time can be wasted trying to retrieve this information.
- If you are not applying online, your application should be neat with no cross-outs. (The use of correction fluid is okay.) It should be neatly handwritten or typed. Make a copy of the original first, and when it is perfect, you can use the original paper application. Most paper applications can be downloaded, so you can reprint them as necessary.
- Print and submit all required forms to your counselor, including the school report, teacher recommendation form, and midyear report.
TIP: Many high school guidance offices communicate with their students via e-mail, the school’s Web site, mailings home, or notices posted in the guidance office. Be alert and read everything; it is your responsibility to read these communications from your guidance office as they contain critical information and deadlines about the admissions process.
Should You Give Your Social Security Number?
With the growing concern over identity theft, many colleges are moving away from requiring Social Security numbers. If you have any concerns, check the application; as long as it is not required, you do not need to submit your Social Security number. Ask the college if they can use your date of birth instead of your Social Security number. It is not uncommon for a large university to have several students with the same name, so use your middle name or initial and your date of birth to distinguish you from other applicants.
Cliffsnotes Roadmap to College Copyright © 2009 by Karen Wolf. All Rights Reserved. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
