| Like applying for a job, you have to apply to go to | | | | typically go directly to your college admissions office, |
| college. Don't worry! This is not quite as scary as it | | | | and not to you. They will be in a sealed envelope. If |
| seems. Most colleges and universities now have the | | | | you obtain the transcripts directly, do NOT open the |
| ability to apply online so you can check out the | | | | sealed envelope or you will need to go through the |
| application first. If at all possible, meet your | | | | whole process again. |
| Admissions team face to face. Call the college and | | | | There are multiple ways to request your transcripts. |
| ask for the Admissions office. Most colleges will be | | | | - Online. Many school districts have websites that |
| happy to schedule an appointment with you. | | | | allow you to order your transcript online. Use a |
| Your Admissions Counselor should take the time to | | | | search engine and search for the name of your high |
| walk you through the campus and acquaint you with | | | | school district and "get my transcripts". If you don't |
| the layout of the school, answer any questions that | | | | remember the name of your high school district, call |
| you have, and provide you with any additional | | | | your high school. |
| information you need. You are about to make a large | | | | - Call the high school district office and request to |
| investment of your time and money; be comfortable | | | | have a copy of your transcript sent to the college. |
| with the school you choose. Remember, the job of | | | | They will either direct you to a website or fax a |
| the Admissions office is to admit students. They | | | | form to you authorizing the release of the transcripts. |
| want to work with you; they want to help you | | | | - Many colleges request your transcripts for you. You |
| through the process! Let them. Your Admissions | | | | will need to complete a form authorizing them to do |
| officer can be an invaluable resource. Each college has | | | | so. |
| different requirements for the Admissions process. | | | | Pre-Admissions Testing |
| Generally speaking, this is the process. | | | | Although most colleges require that traditional |
| | | | students take either the ACT or the SAT |
| 1. Fill out the application. (There may be a fee | | | | (standardized tests for college admissions usually |
| associated with the application; many schools waive | | | | given to high school seniors), most colleges with a |
| the fee if you complete the application online.) Some | | | | non-traditional student program do not make this a |
| schools require you to write an essay and submit it | | | | requirement. Nevertheless, remember that |
| with your application. Follow the guidelines closely. If | | | | requirements differ for each school. Your school may |
| they say it needs to be 500 words or less, do not | | | | require some form of pre-admissions test. If your |
| decide that your essay should be 1000 words. | | | | college requires an admissions test, you can find test |
| Conversely, don't decide that two sentences make | | | | preparation guides at most major bookstores, or |
| an essay. If you are unsure as to what the essay | | | | your college may offer test preparation courses. |
| requirement entails, talk to your admissions counselor. | | | | When to Apply |
| 2. Request your transcripts (aka Student Record | | | | Most colleges have some type of deadline to process |
| Request). In all likelihood, your high school will no | | | | admission applications. Find out when the deadline by |
| longer have a copy of your transcript. Transcripts are | | | | checking your school's website or by asking the |
| usually archived off-site within a year or two after | | | | admissions counselor. Apply early in the process. It |
| graduation. The district to which your high school | | | | would be disappointing to make the decision to go to |
| belongs will have a copy of your transcript. | | | | college and then have to wait a year because you |
| There is usually a nominal fee involved. Transcripts | | | | miss the admissions deadline. |