There are so many moving pieces going into the perfect college application that both students and parents might feel a bit overwhelmed when embarking on this rewarding journey. However, there’s no need to panic. As long as you get your college application process started early and have proper guidance along the way, you are on the right track to getting into the colleges of your choice. Here’s how it should be done:
1. Have your checklist ready
A major project like college admissions requires dedication, time, determination, and a carefully crafted roadmap. Your to-do list should be by your side throughout high school starting as early as possible, but no later than your sophomore year. It will be your guiding light through the ambiguity of the right classes, perfect grades, extracurricular activities, standardized tests, financial aid, letters of recommendation, and college essays.
The road ahead is long, and it might get bumpy at times, but if you start early, work hard, and have your support team alongside you, including your parents and college coaches, you will come through the other side as a proud college student!
Make sure to discuss with your college coach about your academic plan, review deadlines, and application requirements, identify recommenders for the required recommendation letters, define campus visits, research majors and minors, etc. Write down every step you need to take for a complete college application and schedule every task accordingly. Milestones and deadlines play an important part in the college application process, and you want to make sure you never miss them. Prep work is crucial to have the perfect college application process, but many have completed this mission successfully and will offer well-intentioned help, but be careful because some have done it only once and do not fully understand all the nuances of the process. Although well-intentioned, they are not professionals, so, you will be better off trusting your academic and future professional life to Morzep college coaches that have navigated the process thousands of times for many years and are knowledgeable, resourceful, and sincerely interested in your future.
Most students usually start filling out their college applications the summer between their junior and senior year of high school, so it’s a good idea to already be familiar with the admission requirements by then.
2. Know all your deadlines
Whether you are going to apply early or regularly, every application deadline is set in stone, and there’s no way around it. Make a list of schools you want to apply to and know their deadlines and application steps. Talk to your school counselor or college coach for guidance and choose the best deadline for you. The good news is that colleges have multiple deadlines to choose from, so if you’ve missed the early decision deadlines that usually take place on November 1st or in some special cases on October 15th, you can always send your application in time for the regular decision deadlines by January 1.
Students who decide to be ready for Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) will have their answers earlier than regular applicants. They will most likely hear back from the admissions department with a decision by mid-December. Be aware that ED acceptances come with strings attached: the acceptance is binding, and the applicant, the school counselor, and one of the parents must sign an agreement to enroll if the student is granted admission. Learn what the acceptance conditions are and be prepared to abide by them if you choose this route.
Depending on the prospective schools and degree programs on your list, you may find colleges that have a second early decision deadline in January. In this case, the admissions decision should get to you by February. Students should not confuse early decision with early action. The process is similar, but early action is not binding.
The regular decision deadline can be anywhere from the end of November until the beginning of January. Students should have their answers by late March or early April and accept admission no later than May 1. If you are looking for financial aid, you should opt for nonbinding deadlines, so you can get a chance to compare the financial aid offers before deciding on your admission.
3. Choose the right college application platform
Most colleges use centralized applications to streamline the admissions process. This allows students to apply to multiple schools faster. The platforms are designed to facilitate a seamless application process. Students get to input all their personal information, test scores, and college essays just once and then apply to every school on their list after completing the required supplemental essays or short answers, if applicable.
The most widely used college application platform is the Common App which launched more than 40 years ago. Home to more than 900 colleges and universities, the platform offers access to the application system of Ivy League schools, as well as public and private institutions.
While the Common App is home to numerous schools, it is not favored by all schools and universities in the US. Some colleges have chosen the Coalition Application, a newer platform used by more than 150 schools, while other schools prefer to keep the process in-house and use specific applications made available on their own platforms. School-specific application systems allow students to apply to more than one campus using the same platform.
4. Get all your application materials in order
Every year of high school is a milestone that brings you closer to the moment when you’ll be sending out your college application. It’s hard work and requires attention to every detail but if you work with Morzep college coaches, you’ll be better prepared and get the best information, planning, execution, and results.
Definitely, one key piece of your college application is your personal and supplemental essay. There are numerous things to know about how to write the perfect college essay, but one thing you need to remember is that this is your chance to stand out among thousands of students. Use your voice and add a genuine story to your school transcripts, standardized test scores, and carefully selected extracurricular activities.
Every aspect of the college application matters. Discuss everything that goes into the application with your Morzep college coach and counselor. Although it’s your responsibility to fill in your personal information, extracurriculars, summer activities, essays, and application fees, and do the work for excellent standardized test scores, Morzep will be there for you every step of the way.
Most schools require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores that need to come directly from the College Board (SAT) or the ACT organization. Students have a choice to select colleges to receive the scores while they are registering for the tests or when they receive the scores back. Some colleges also want to have access to the results of AP tests. Consult with your college coach to make sure you meet all the requirements.
5. Consult with your guidance counselor and teachers
Your guidance counselor, also known as a college counselor or advisor, will be the one in charge of submitting your high school transcript, mid-year and final-year reports with grades, as well as the secondary school report and/or counselor recommendation. These materials help colleges understand your circumstances and get more information about your academic background. This is why it is important to let your guidance counselor know about your selected colleges and their relevant deadlines. Many high schools use technological resources like Naviance and Maia Learning to concentrate all your information and help you during your college planning process. Make sure you know how to take advantage of those tools and link them to your application process. If you need help with those tools, let your Morzep College Coach know and you will be properly guided in the process.
The last piece of the puzzle is the letter of recommendation that should accompany the application. Many colleges ask students to submit one, two, or three letters of recommendation from their teachers that attest to their academic abilities, qualities, and achievements. While it is not often mandatory, a high school resume is a nice touch to the application, especially when paired with letters of recommendation.
If there is one piece of advice Morzep college coaches usually give out is to always start your college prep work as early as possible. You don’t want to make decisions on the spot without thinking things through. Allow our college coach and counselor to provide guidance along the way and help you take things slowly, step by step, so you have plenty of time to enjoy your high school years and have fun! A perfect test score doesn’t mean excluding the joy of getting together with your friends and doing the things you love. It does, however, include excellent time management, proper scheduling, and commitment. Let us help you find the perfect balance!
