Applying 101

Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but the process is much easier when you start early. Identifying schools that appeal to you and taking the necessary tests can be done a year in advance, so don't add to your stress level by waiting to do everything at the last minute.

First Things First

• Most colleges require you to submit ACT and/or SAT scores with your application, so be sure to schedule these tests well in advance. Not only will you have one less thing to worry about, but taking them early allows you extra time in case you want to retake them to boost your odds of acceptance or increase your chances of earning a scholarship.
• Decide on a list of colleges you're interested in, and then request applications from them all. If you haven't visited them in person, be sure you ask for detailed informational materials as well.
• Keep track of application deadlines for each school so you don't miss crucial dates.

Sending Applications

• Some colleges allow potential students to submit applications for an early decision. If you want to be sure you get a spot at your first-choice school, send your application by the fall of your senior year. One caveat: Most schools require students to sign a statement saying theirs is the only college you're applying to early. If you're at all unsure about where you want to end up, skip the early admission route.
• Work with your high school counselor to get your transcripts sent to each college. Non-traditional students also must contact their high schools to make this request.
• Almost every college application includes an essay portion. Some give you specific topics about which to write, while others instruct you to write a general "about you" essay. Start working on these essays early! This is your only opportunity to speak directly to the people in charge of admissions. Make sure your essays are interesting (not a retelling of your life story), and ask multiple people to review them for grammatical errors.
• Letters of recommendation also accompany most applications, so make a list of teachers, coaches, and/or employers who can (honestly) give a glowing report about you. Ask them for letters well before they must be sent, and check back with your references to be sure they did indeed send them!

The Interview

• Many institutions make interviews optional for the simple reason that they don't have the resources to interview thousands of applicants. If you're serious about the school (and can afford to make the trip), say yes to the interview. Sometimes the decision to accept or reject a student rides on the student's perceived interest in the school, and participating in an interview makes your interest clear.
• Though they may accompany you to the school, your parents shouldn't attend the interview. The admissions staff is interested in you-not your mom and dad-and they may make assumptions about your maturity if you bring along the 'rents.
• The rules for a college admission interview are the same as for a job interview: Dress well, arrive early, offers a firm handshake, and be polite. Ask thoughtful questions to demonstrate your knowledge of the school.

Sealing the Deal

• If you're still in high school, your senior year isn't the time to slack off-even if you've already been accepted to a school. Some acceptance letters are contingent upon the grades you earn in the second semester. Keep doing well!
• Assuming you apply to more than one school, you'll receive multiple decision letters. Once you've made a firm decision about which school you'll attend, contact the other schools in writing to politely decline any acceptance offers you receive.

Graduate School

Graduate students should abide by the same directive as undergraduate students when it comes to getting your ducks in a row early. Applications, too, include the same staples with just a few tweaks:

• You'll likely need to take entrance tests like the GRE, although some fields require specific tests: the MCAT for medical students and the LSAT for law school, for example. Again, take these exams well before application deadlines in case you need to retake them.
• Obtain your undergraduate transcripts by contacting the registrar's office at your alma mater. They need time to process your request (and possibly re-process it if the transcripts never arrive to your graduate school), so get in touch with them at least a month in advance.
• You'll need more letters of recommendation. Ask professors or someone who supervised you during an internship, and be sure your letter writers know you as a person-rather than student #167.
• Graduate school essays typically include a directed question, rather than general, "tell me about yourself" instructions. Here's your chance to really wow them with your passion for your field and maybe even a moving story about why you want to pursue a certain career. Just be sure it's all true.
• Competitive programs, especially, use interviews to make final decisions about candidates. Prepare by doing practice interviews with friends or family members. Remember: It's not just the school's opportunity to assess you; you should also be determining whether the program is a good fit for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions!