Colleges and universities typically publish a “freshman profile” of the prior year’s acceptances. This profile will help you determine how well your academic profiles matches the prior freshman class.
Consider categorizing your colleges as Reach, Target, and Safety:
Reach: You may not be accepted, but remember you will definitely not be accepted if you don’t apply. Your academic profile matches ≤ 25% of students admitted
Target: You feel confident you will be accepted. Your academic profile matches approximately 50% of the students admitted
Safety: You are sure you will be accepted. Your academic profile ≥ 75% of students admitted.
Reach: You may not be accepted, but remember you will definitely not be accepted if you don’t apply. Your academic profile matches ≤ 25% of students admitted
Target: You feel confident you will be accepted. Your academic profile matches approximately 50% of the students admitted
Safety: You are sure you will be accepted. Your academic profile ≥ 75% of students admitted.
How many college applications should you submit? It depends. If you apply to your dream school, you are admitted, and financial needs are met, you don’t need to apply to other schools. Otherwise, consider applying to 5 – 8 colleges, depending on application fees and colleges that best fit your career goals. If you qualify for a fee waiver for the SAT and/or ACT, you may qualify for fee waivers for college applications.
Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) vs Regular Decision (RD): ED and EA deadlines require students to submit their applications earlier than regular admissions, often as early as mid-October. Many institutional scholarship and Honors College deadlines require that students meet the ED or EA application deadline. RD deadlines are usually between January 1 and February 1 or later for some colleges. If you have achieved your target SAT or ACT scores, have a strong academic profile prior to your senior year, and are continuing to select high rigor courses your senior year, you should consider applying ED or EA.
What is the difference between Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA)? ED means if you are accepted to the college, you will withdraw all other applications and attend the college, regardless of your financial aid package. This acceptance is considered “binding.” If you deny an ED acceptance, it is a violation of trust and may negatively impact other college offers. EA means you will receive an admissions decision earlier than Regular Decision. However, the acceptance is not “binding.” There is no violation of trust if you decide not to attend. May 1 is the typical deadline to commit to attendance.
What is meant by Rolling Admissions? Rolling admissions means that colleges evaluate applications as they arrive and issue acceptances until all of their available spots have been filled.
What is usually required in a college application?
Application form – basic information
Application fee – remember some colleges offer fee waivers based on financial need, if you visit the college onsite or at a College Fair, or if your application is signed by an alumnus.
Transcripts – official high school transcript certified by your school; the college will also require submission of a final transcript after your high school graduation and may ask for a mid-year report after the end of the first semester of your senior year.
Test scores – most colleges will require an official SAT or ACT score report; some colleges will use your “superscore” which is the sum of your highest score in each section of the SAT or ACT. An official score report means that the scores are sent by the College Board (SAT) or from ACT directly to the college. Some colleges may accept an unofficial report sent by the high school or that you upload, and then ask for the official report after you are admitted.
Activities, Leadership Roles, Awards/Honors – think of this as your “resume.” Be clear and concise, emphasizing leadership roles or additional responsibilities beyond membership or normal participation. Start by writing everything down and then ask someone to help you identify the most important points.
Essays – some applications require essays. While these can feel quite stressful, this is a wonderful opportunity to add your voice, communicate your special qualities or experiences or speak about your passions. This can be a critical part of your application – give yourself plenty of time and ask someone to give you feedback. Some schools provide sample essays. It can be helpful to review samples, but be sure your essays reflect you.
Letters of recommendation – be sure to provide information to people writing a recommendation letter for you. Recommendations should provide information that supplements what you have already included in your application. It is helpful if you provide information to your recommenders that they may not be aware of such as activities, honors, interests, and future plans. Be sure to send a thank you note to express your appreciation to those who help you with your application.
Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) vs Regular Decision (RD): ED and EA deadlines require students to submit their applications earlier than regular admissions, often as early as mid-October. Many institutional scholarship and Honors College deadlines require that students meet the ED or EA application deadline. RD deadlines are usually between January 1 and February 1 or later for some colleges. If you have achieved your target SAT or ACT scores, have a strong academic profile prior to your senior year, and are continuing to select high rigor courses your senior year, you should consider applying ED or EA.
What is the difference between Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA)? ED means if you are accepted to the college, you will withdraw all other applications and attend the college, regardless of your financial aid package. This acceptance is considered “binding.” If you deny an ED acceptance, it is a violation of trust and may negatively impact other college offers. EA means you will receive an admissions decision earlier than Regular Decision. However, the acceptance is not “binding.” There is no violation of trust if you decide not to attend. May 1 is the typical deadline to commit to attendance.
What is meant by Rolling Admissions? Rolling admissions means that colleges evaluate applications as they arrive and issue acceptances until all of their available spots have been filled.
What is usually required in a college application?
Application form – basic information
Application fee – remember some colleges offer fee waivers based on financial need, if you visit the college onsite or at a College Fair, or if your application is signed by an alumnus.
Transcripts – official high school transcript certified by your school; the college will also require submission of a final transcript after your high school graduation and may ask for a mid-year report after the end of the first semester of your senior year.
Test scores – most colleges will require an official SAT or ACT score report; some colleges will use your “superscore” which is the sum of your highest score in each section of the SAT or ACT. An official score report means that the scores are sent by the College Board (SAT) or from ACT directly to the college. Some colleges may accept an unofficial report sent by the high school or that you upload, and then ask for the official report after you are admitted.
Activities, Leadership Roles, Awards/Honors – think of this as your “resume.” Be clear and concise, emphasizing leadership roles or additional responsibilities beyond membership or normal participation. Start by writing everything down and then ask someone to help you identify the most important points.
Essays – some applications require essays. While these can feel quite stressful, this is a wonderful opportunity to add your voice, communicate your special qualities or experiences or speak about your passions. This can be a critical part of your application – give yourself plenty of time and ask someone to give you feedback. Some schools provide sample essays. It can be helpful to review samples, but be sure your essays reflect you.
Letters of recommendation – be sure to provide information to people writing a recommendation letter for you. Recommendations should provide information that supplements what you have already included in your application. It is helpful if you provide information to your recommenders that they may not be aware of such as activities, honors, interests, and future plans. Be sure to send a thank you note to express your appreciation to those who help you with your application.
Remember – your application should tell “your story.” Why is the college the right fit for you as a person and for your career goals? Avoid repetition – admission officers have to review applications quickly and efficiently. You want your application to communicate what is most important for them to know.