APPLICATION TIPS AND DO’S AND DON’TS

“Begin while others are procrastinating. Work while others are wishing.” – William Arthur Ward

College admissions applications come in different formats and sizes. Some require recommendations from a teacher or a counselor, some do not. Some require an essay, some do not. Your organizational skills are the most important aspect of the application process. Your completed application will be all that an admissions committee will consider in making their final decision.

TIPS FOR ONLINE APPLICATION

READ OVER THE APPLICATION AND THE INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY

Although they may seem self-explanatory, there will be important special instructions.

WRITE DOWN AND SAVE YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD

You will need this information to get back into the application site: to finish the app, send to campuses, or to check submitted information. 

GATHER INFORMATION BEFORE STARTING WORK

You should have your test scores, transcript, parent and family information, etc., on hand and ready to enter. Also, have a credit card available if you are choosing this payment option.

CHECK YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ACCURACY

And for appropriateness! Be sure that your account will accept emails from the college: check your spam folder frequently. If for some reason you change an email address, notify the college right away. Make sure the address is appropriate. Consider setting up a Gmail account solely for applications.  

SAVE FREQUENTLY

Do not assume that your information is being saved as you move from screen to screen.

WRITE (AND REWRITE) THE ESSAYS SEPARATELY FROM THE APPLICATION

Copy and paste from a program such as a Word doc, into the boxes / fields on the application. Do not write the essay in the box or try to rewrite it there either. Most applications do not allow special formatting features, so you may not even be able to start a new paragraph. Check the appearance of the essay after it is transferred to the box. Proofread always, and respect size and font limits.

PROVIDE AS MUCH DETAIL AS SPACE ALLOWS

Provide as much detail about your achievements and activities as possible. Be sure to include offices held with any organization.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE

Sites do get jammed with procrastinators, and computers do still crash. Or, you may suddenly find that you are missing important details or an essential piece of information. Deadlines are real, so do not be left out!

PROOFREAD YOUR APPLICATION

Speed and convenience can be a hazard in applying online. A student must double-check the application before hitting submit. Once the application is submitted electronically, there may be no way to edit it online.

CREATE A FILE FOR EACH SCHOOL TO WHICH YOU APPLIED

Keep a permanent record of your application so that you can resubmit a copy if necessary.

EXPECT TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC CONFIRMATION

If you do not receive a confirmation email when you submit, contact the admissions department the next day to make sure that they have it and it is complete.  

SEND ALL INFORMATION AS THE COLLEGE REQUESTS

Additional items may still need to be sent to the school, through hard copy. You may even need to submit the fee payment through a check or money order. You will also need to arrange for official test scores to be sent from College Board or ACT.

APPLICATION DO’S

o   Do report your official test scores to every college to which you have applied, if applicable. This can be done at CollegeBoard.com or ACTstudent.org.

o   Do get an early start. Check all application deadlines well in advance and know your state’s deadlines. While most private school deadlines are not until January or sometime in February, completing your applications early will allow you to enjoy your senior year. It will also give you ample time to review any details that you may have overlooked.

o   Do write down all usernames and passwords as you register to apply to schools and receive information on setting up your admissions portals.

o  Do use your legal name on all applications, testing, and financial aid documents. This name is found on your social security card and birth certificate. Do not use nicknames on any applications.

o   Do proofread your entire application, check for spelling mistakes, the correct word usages (example: except / accept, etc.). Use spellcheck. Be sure that if you mention a college, it is the correct one (example: “I’ve always wanted to go to Bucknell,” but you accidentally sent the essay is sent to Texas A&M.)

o   Do keep a copy of everything that you send.  If the school misplaces a document or never receives it, you can easily resend and move on. 

o   Do make sure your email address is appropriate and not offensive. Since most colleges will be contacting you through email, it would be wise to create a Gmail account to be used exclusively for college admissions.

o  Do check your email regularly. Schools may use email to contact you if something is incomplete, and some schools will notify you of their admissions decision through your online portal. This is critical, because you could miss an opportunity to accept an offered spot.

o   Do send your official transcript along with your application. Let your registrar know which schools you are applying.

o   Do pay to apply when asked to pay. Most schools will accept a credit card online. If you are using a fee waiver and paying is not clear, connect with your counselor or college admissions representative to learn how to do so.

o   Do inquire about housing when applying and send in your housing application if you receive it with your admissions application. Schools with limited housing need early notification. You should get your housing deposit back if you choose not to attend that school.

o   Do give your social media accounts a good once-over and remove anything that may be objectionable. If your grandmother wouldn’t like it, chances are the admissions staff sure won’t like it either.

APPLICATION DONT’S

o   Do not misrepresent yourself. You may not get caught if you lie, but it is a possibility. If you do get caught, you certainly won’t be accepted. If the school finds out after admission, your acceptance can be revoked. The most memorable applications are genuine and honest, revealing your real personality.

o   Do not begin filling out your application until you have read through it entirely.

o   Do not leave spaces blank. If the question simply does not apply to you, write “N/A”.

o   Do not use abbreviations anywhere on your application. ASB means nothing to a reviewer who does not know “Associated Student Body”.

o  Do not wait until the last minute to send in your application. If your internet is down, or a computer crashes, YOU are the one who suffers the consequences. Schools do not accept late applications.

o   Do not pester the college admissions department. Avoid being an overly enthusiastic applicant who calls and emails admissions officers daily or sends gifts. Make sure your parents do not do it either!

GET ORGANIZED ON YOUR OWN, AND KEEP IN REGULAR TOUCH WITH YOUR SCHOOL CONSELOR, REPORTING ALL CHANGES AND NEW ADDITIONS.