Credible takeaways
- The college application process begins early, with key activities like standardized testing starting in 11th grade.
- College applications generally require you to submit official transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and a personal statement.
- Since application deadlines vary by school, creating a timeline of key dates can help you stay on top of your apps.
The college application process has a lot of moving parts, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed as you're writing essays, requesting letters of recommendation and taking standardized tests. Fortunately, you can navigate the process with more confidence and less stress by starting early and familiarizing yourself with the application process.
Use this guide to meet your deadlines and join over 17 million students enrolling in college in the fall. Here's a closer look at how to apply, including a college application checklist and what happens after you send off your applications.
Your college application checklist
Staying organized is key to navigating the college process successfully. Use this checklist to learn about the main parts of a college application.
1. High school transcripts
Colleges want to review your academic performance, so they request an official transcript from your high school. Your transcript lists the classes you took and the grades you earned.
In most cases, you won't send your transcript directly to colleges. Instead, you'll request that your school counselor sends your official transcript on your behalf. School counselors are familiar with this process, so speak with yours about any specific steps you must take to make your request.
2. Letters of recommendation
You often need to send two to three letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors, mentors or other trusted adults. Ask for recommendations from people who know you well and can give insight into your personal strengths.
It can also be helpful to provide your recommender with a copy of your resume and a "brag sheet" that highlights your interests, achievements and skills. This information can help your recommender write a glowing, personalized letter that will impress an admissions committee and boost your chances of getting into college.
Tip:
Make your request at least three to four weeks before your deadline, as your recommender may be juggling requests from other students.
3. Personal essays
Personal essays are another major part of your college application. Admissions committees read your essays to get a deeper sense of who you are as a person. Plus, they give insight into your writing skills and capacity to reflect on and draw meaning from your experiences.
If you use the Common Application to apply for college, you can choose from several essay prompts. Here are a few examples of Common App essay prompts:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
You can also write on a topic of your choice. These open-ended topics give you a chance to share your story and write about something that's important to you. Your essay is a major part of your application, so start writing early and go through several rounds of editing.
Along with your personal statement, some colleges require you to answer supplemental essay questions. Your responses will be shorter (perhaps a few hundred words), but give them the same level of thought and consideration that you put into your personal statement.
4. Standardized test scores
You may also send standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT to colleges. Some colleges require these scores, while others are test-optional. Some schools say they are test-blind, meaning they won't consider test scores at all.
Both the SAT and ACT allow you to send your scores to up to four colleges at no cost. Additional reports cost $14 for the SAT and $18.50 for the ACT, unless you qualify for a fee waiver.
Many students take the SAT and ACT more than once to achieve their target scores. If you take the SAT for the first time in your junior year, for instance, you could retake it again over the summer or in the fall of senior year if you're not satisfied with your scores.
5. A completed FAFSA
As you prepare your college applications, don't forget to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This free form puts you in the running for financial aid, which may include grants, work-study opportunities and federal student loans.
Colleges rely on your FAFSA to put together your financial aid package and provide an award offer if you get accepted.
The FAFSA usually opens on October 1 each year, and it's a good idea to submit it as soon as possible. Financial aid, such as grants and work-study, are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis since funding is limited.
How to submit your applications
Many students apply to several colleges, including reach schools, target schools and safety schools. If your school participates in the Common App or Coalition App, you can fill out a single application and send it off to multiple institutions. In a few rare cases, you'll have to apply directly with the college itself. Here's a closer look at each option.
The Common App
Originally established in 1975, the Common App is accepted by more than 1,000 schools. You can fill out the Common App once and send it off to up to 20 colleges.
The Common App asks for various information, including your personal details, academic honors and achievements, extracurricular activities and a personal statement. Through your Common App account, you can also invite recommenders to submit reference letters on your behalf.
Some colleges will require you to answer supplemental essays questions, which you can fill out on the Common App. This platform is free to use, but you'll have to pay an application fee to each college you apply to, unless you qualify for a waiver.
The Coalition App
Similar to the Common App, the Coalition App is a platform that you can use to send one application to multiple colleges. The Coalition App hasn't been around as long as the Common App-it was founded in 2015-and so far about 150 colleges accept it.
The Coalition App mainly partners with colleges that help students graduate with low or no student debt. It's committed to working with students who are underrepresented in higher education.
Individual college applications
If your college doesn't accept the Common App or Coalition App, you can apply for admission using its individual application. You can find this application on the college website, along with details about the process and deadlines.
Some notable schools that don't use the Common App are MIT, Georgetown University and University of California schools, such as UC Berkeley and UCLA.
Check out: How To Get Into College for Free
College application deadlines
Each college sets its own application deadline, and some let you apply early decision, early action or regular decision.
Here are some typical college application deadlines to be aware of, but note that every school is different. Check the admissions section of your school's website to confirm its application deadline.
What is early decision and action?
As the names suggest, early decision and early action deadlines fall earlier than regular decision deadlines, usually by a few months. You'll find out your admission decision earlier, too.
Early decision applications are usually binding, meaning you pledge to enroll if you get in. Early action is more flexible, but you may have to accept or decline your offer of enrollment before you hear back from other schools.
Applying early may be appealing if you have your heart set on a specific school and feel ready to apply by the deadline. If you want the chance to compare financial aid offers, however, or need more time to put together a strong application, then applying for regular decision would be the better move.
What is rolling admission?
Some colleges also accept applications on a rolling basis and release decisions as they make them. That doesn't mean you should procrastinate on applying, though, as these schools only accept students until all open spots have been filled.
Check out: When To Apply for Student Loans
How much are college application fees?
College application fees vary depending on the school, but they can typically range between $60 to $100. The average college application fee at Ivy League schools is around $80.
Students who used the Common App applied to an average of 5.7 colleges in the 2023-24 year. That equates to an average total application cost of nearly $456.
If these fees feel out of reach, you may be able to qualify for a college application fee waiver. Students who got an SAT or ACT fee waiver, for instance, are automatically eligible. You can also qualify for several reasons, including: Your household income falls below a certain threshold, you participate in the federal free or reduced price lunch program (FRPL) or you provide a supporting statement from a school official or other designated professional.
You can apply for a college application fee waiver through the Common App, Coalition App or National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Alternatively, you can contact the college's admission office to request a waiver.
What happens after I apply?
After you apply to college, you'll play a waiting game while the admissions committee reviews your application. Keep an eye on your email to see if the college requests any supplemental information.
Some schools request interviews, so schedule one with an alum or admissions officer if that's part of the process. You might also spend time visiting campuses to help you decide on your top-choice school.
Don't forget to maintain good grades in school, too. You'll eventually send off your final transcript to your college, so you want to stay engaged with your academics. Make sure to submit the FAFSA and apply to scholarships to obtain financial aid for school.
You should have all your admissions decisions by April or earlier, depending on when you applied. Once you've got all your letters, you can compare offers and decide on where you want to enroll in the fall. Colleges usually want your decision by May 1.
