As the Class of 2026 at Stephen Decatur High School begins their senior year, many are reasonably stressed about the looming prospect of college applications.
The first step in the application process is to choose a list of schools to apply to. For some, even that sounds daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. First, narrow down the general location. It could be in-state, within a three-hour radius of home, or across the country. Then, think about the academics of the school. Whether it be a party school mainly known for Greek life, or an Ivy League with a slim acceptance rate, it must be specific to the applicant. Finally, it’s important to consider the size of the school. The University of Maryland College Park has an estimated student population of over 40,000, which is one end of the spectrum, whereas Bowie State University has a total student population. of 6,353 as of Fall 2024. It’s crucial that applicants select a school that they feel comfortable in, no matter the size. Luckily, if applicants are not sure which school they want to apply to, it’s now very easy to apply to many schools at once through Common App, however, applicants must remember to consider the attached application fees and possible school specific essays.
For the second step, applicants need to gather everything they need. This means, if not already completed, studying, registering, and taking the SATs and/or ACTs. Even though several colleges have opted for test optional policies following Covid, a high SAT or ACT score could increase an applicant’s chance of acceptance, especially in competitive applicant pools. Next, ask your guidance counselor for your transcript as well as class rank and unweighted GPA. Another important step is to ask teachers, coaches, and employers for letters of recommendation. This is optimal to do at least four to six weeks in advance to allot them enough time to write the letter. It’s best to ask in person before requesting letters of recommendation through the SchoolLinks website. Some teachers may also prefer applicants to complete and submit a resume or brag sheet detailing important information about themselves before they write the letter. All of this should be done as soon as possible if applicants wish to make the upcoming fall deadlines for college applications.
The third step is to write your personal statement essay. This may be the most procrastinated step, but it’s critical that applicants are not pushing this part of college applications to the last minute. Applicants can pick any topic to write about or choose from a list of topics from Common App. College admissions officers are looking for what makes an applicant stand out, and what they offer to the school’s community. With one essay, you can apply to every college on your list, unless the school asks for an additional writing.
The fourth step is to apply for financial aid, FAFSA. Even if applicants know for certain that they are not eligible for financial aid, it’s critical for scholarship opportunities that FAFSA is at least filled out. Applicants must create an account with StudentAid.gov and locate their social security number, parent’s social security number, if applicable, as well as financial information in the form of bank statements, W-2s, tax returns, and records of untaxed income. Next, applicants need to go to FAFSA.gov, start a new form, enter their information, invite parents to fill out their information, if possible, have all contributors sign the form, and then applicants can finally submit their request for financial aid. Colleges will use applicant’s FAFSA information to give them financial aid offers. Applicants may also contact their school’s financial aid office for more information.
The fifth step is to fill out your Common App. Common App is a tool used by the college system across the country to streamline college applications and make the process easier for students. Applicants can simply visit the Common App website, create an account, fill out biographical and academic information, and plug in their essay. After completing the Common App, it’s possible to go down a list of colleges and apply to each within minutes.
The final step is to apply for scholarships. Useful resources for finding scholarships are the SchoolLinks, CollegeBoard, and StudentAid websites. Local organizations and groups give away scholarships as well. Additionally, applicants can also search for scholarship opportunities through honors societies if they are members. A lot of other scholarships are specific to an applicant’s school and are usually only available to apply for after applicants are already accepted. Scholarships typically require an essay and student transcript, so applicants should set aside plenty of time to focus on applying for scholarships.
The most important part of college applications is to not put off the process. Some early action deadlines are due as soon as October 15. The sooner applicants start the process, the easier it will be in the long run.
