| You're ready to apply for college. To ease the | | | | package, we suggest doing them first. For the |
| process you have decided to use the common | | | | common application you will need to write a short |
| application. | | | | essay about one of your extracurricular activities, and |
| Great! But, where do you start? College applications | | | | a longer personal essay. |
| can be intimidating, but with a few simple steps you | | | | This portion of your application needs careful |
| can find the right attack. It's all about planning and | | | | preparation and planning. Starting early will allow you |
| preparedness. | | | | to perfect your essays, and make a statement |
| Here are a few ideas to get you on the right track: | | | | about you. |
| 1. Plan Ahead: | | | | 5. Get the Required Information and Documentation: |
| Before we worry about applications you are going to | | | | Gather together all of the information (that you didn't |
| need to know a few things. What are the application | | | | have in step 3). If your application requires teacher |
| deadlines for the school you plan to apply to? Once | | | | evaluations, counselor recommendations, or other |
| you have this information, plan to have your | | | | supporting documents, spend the time to gather all |
| application in earlier. If the deadline is July 31, plan to | | | | of them. |
| have yours in earlier. What you are trying to establish | | | | 6. Make a Draft: |
| is how much time you have to get it all together, and | | | | By now you should have all of the papers that you |
| setting a deadline for yourself. | | | | need to fill out, and the required documents. Take |
| 2. Getting Organized: | | | | the time to fill out the printed copies of the |
| Now that you know when you're going to apply, it's | | | | application and the supplements. |
| time to get organized. Using the Common Application | | | | 7. Edit Twice: |
| website, find out which forms you will require. Along | | | | Once you have your first copy filled out, scrutinize |
| with the application, many schools (and some specific | | | | your college application. You don't want something |
| programs such as arts or sports) require | | | | like a spelling error, or any other mistake for that |
| supplemental materials. Using the list of schools on | | | | matter, hindering your chances of getting accepted. |
| the site, gather together all of the forms. Print a | | | | Edit your first copy twice to ensure any errors are |
| copy of each. | | | | taken care of. |
| 3. Familiarize Yourself: | | | | 8. Applying: |
| Read over all of the material that you printed. Go | | | | Using your printed copy as a guide, and you're now |
| through it and look for information that you don't | | | | ready to begin the application process. Many |
| know. Get familiar with the application to get an idea | | | | institutions now accept the Common App online. |
| of everything you're going to need. | | | | However you do it, ensure that each application is |
| 4. Write Your Essay(s): | | | | filled out correctly, and that all required supplements |
| You could leave your essays until later. However, | | | | are attached. |
| since it is such an important part of the application | | | | |