| Applying to colleges or universities is an exciting | | | | efficiently. Careful consideration is being given to |
| milestone for many high school graduates; yet far | | | | utilizing software that reduces the chances of a |
| too often, the application process itself becomes | | | | student's online application being lost in cyberspace. |
| frustrating and intimidating. | | | | The diligent approach to eliminating online application |
| Faced with a myriad of information via booklets, | | | | errors, while being of the utmost concern, is not the |
| forms and well-meaning but often misguided parents | | | | only drawback to the universal acceptance of the |
| and peers, things can become a bit overwhelming. | | | | electronic application process. Students' access to |
| Thankfully, the days of huddling over a typewriter | | | | technology, their level of technological expertise and |
| with whiteout in hand have been relegated to the | | | | their cultural backgrounds may militate against the |
| past. The modern-day offices of higher education not | | | | successful completion of online applications. |
| only accept electronic applications, but also encourage | | | | This too is being addressed at the entrance level with |
| them for their mutual convenience and ease of use. | | | | more and more institutions offering viable alternatives |
| Electronic College Applications are becoming | | | | for students who may not be as familiar or |
| increasingly popular with higher learning institutions and | | | | comfortable with the internet as a valuable resource. |
| students alike because of their contribution to a | | | | University and college Registrar offices always have |
| better level of customer service. | | | | staff available to offer advice and support to all |
| Electronic applications give both student and faculty | | | | incoming students. For those who prefer a hands-on |
| an easier method of tracking the status of | | | | approach when completing their college entrance |
| applications and of determining financial aid status. | | | | applications, the option of filing their application |
| This results in a more time efficient method by | | | | manually is still encouraged. |
| providing immediate confirmation of receipt of | | | | If you decide to go the online application route, here |
| applications and real-time status of its progress. | | | | are some crucial tips to guide you: |
| By taking advantage of a streamlined electronic | | | | 1)The essay that is attached to a college application |
| entrance application system, institutions are realizing a | | | | is vital so don't rush it. You will more than likely need |
| marked increase in labor savings, which may lead to | | | | to write several drafts before submitting it. It is also |
| becoming a determining factor in helping to offset | | | | vital to use proper grammar when writing it. |
| the high cost of post-secondary education. | | | | 2)Proofread your work carefully. Minor proofreading |
| Although electronic college applications are hitting the | | | | errors can make a poor impression on admission |
| main stream at a progressive rate, there is still a | | | | officers. Print out online applications and proofread it |
| modicum of fear by some that electronic filing does | | | | since it can be hard to spot errors on the computer |
| not offer the security or personal touch of hard copy | | | | screen |
| applications. | | | | 3)Contact the admissions department if you need to |
| Most institutions are largely allaying these fears by | | | | ask questions concerning your application. Don't |
| their rollover to more technologically adept software | | | | assume anything. This is your future we are talking |
| that makes electronic applications safe and secure. | | | | about so there is really no such thing as a silly |
| By offering dedicated as well as generic applications | | | | question. |
| online, some institutions provide students with the | | | | 4)Don't submit the generic applications to a number |
| option of using the same information for various | | | | of different colleges even though this option is |
| applications. | | | | available. Treat it like a job application in the sense |
| In addition to paving the way for a more seamless | | | | that just as every company is different, so is every |
| entrance application process, alot of colleges and | | | | college. This will have a more positive impression on |
| universities have waived application fees for those | | | | the admissions officers who want to know that you |
| students who opt to use the electronic application | | | | have taken the time to know their college. |
| method. | | | | 5) Don't wait until the 11th hour to submit your online |
| However, there still remains a bit of grey area | | | | application. Put some thought into what you are |
| regarding the electronic online application process. | | | | writing. Furthermore, an unexpected computer crash |
| There have been reports of an increased error ratio | | | | could derail a last minute application resulting in missing |
| on electronic applications when compared to | | | | the deadline. It is better to give yourself adequate |
| traditional paper submissions. | | | | time to finish and submit the application. |
| Once again, many of the higher learning institutions | | | | 6)Double check to make sure your college application |
| are attempting to address this problem by | | | | was received. Many colleges will issue you a |
| streamlining their forms while offering how-to advice | | | | password so you can check the status of your online |
| that students can readily understand and use more | | | | application realtime. |