Ready, set, apply. Ready to get your college degree and start the next phase in your life? Great, but do you know when to start applying to college? The best thing to do is put together a list of schools that you want to attend and then get started in gathering the information you need to get accepted and get your degree. You will need to give yourself time to fill out the application, get your letters of recommendation, school transcripts, and file any financial aid forms necessary.
You should check into your target schools and make sure you know whether they have rolling admissions or a set admissions schedule. If they have rolling admissions you still probably want to set some deadlines that match up with the other schools you are interested in that may not have a rolling admissions schedule. Some colleges even have multiple start dates which can make things a little more complicated.
Know Your Target Application Deadlines
Take your list of target schools and find out from each one when their applications are due. Once you have this list of deadlines you can plan your customized timeline. It is best to make two sets of deadlines for each school, one that is your target of when you would like to send all the materials in and one that is the absolute deadline provided by the school itself.
If you are still in high school then you should review your college plans and goals with your guidance counselor including your GPA, SAT and other college test scores.
Those of you already in the work force should also use the people around them to help with the planning phase. Often a mentor or senior manager is a good start. Sometimes it makes sense to speak with someone in the HR department about career advance options and how a degree will help you reach your goals.
Organize Applications, Request Transcripts, Recommendation Letters
Request the college admission applications from your target schools. Many schools now have online applications that you can start, save your work, and come back later to complete them. You should go ahead and make sure to bookmark all of these links for your desired school list.
For your letters of recommendation you should create your list of potential people you want to ask. It is best to have people who know you and are high up in your company or have an interesting background or point of view about their experiences with you.
The best way to get your transcripts in order is by requesting as many copies as you think you will need plus a few extra for safe keeping. Contact your high school and any colleges you have attended and follow their instructions for requesting the transcripts. Make sure you review the college applications first in case you need transcripts sent directly or you need multiple copies of them for the school.
Start Applications, Ask For Recommendations
Start filling out applications and get your essay outlines going. The earlier you start the less stress you will have about your essays. This is probably the second most important part of the application after your grades and test scores so take the time you need to write them well.
You should ask all the people who you want to write your recommendations if they are willing and provide them with a deadline of when you need them. Make sure to give them a deadline before you need to send them in so that if they are not what you expected or they don’t come through with the letter you can still get a replacement.
Open up a copy of your transcripts and make sure that everything is included and correct.
You may want to go to college and career fairs so you get a good idea of your options and tips on applying from school representatives.
If you have a multipart application you should send out the common application portion at this point. This often includes all of your basic information and background.
Those people who decide that an early application is a good option should send it in at this point. Often you can apply early and if you do not get in you can apply again for standard admission.
Compile a list of scholarships, grants and come up with a financial aid plan. There are many resources to help you find scholarships, do your research and get all the applications that you think you might qualify for.
Extra Tip: Before you mail your application materials you should make copies for your files. If you have copies then if anything gets lost in the mail or messed up with the online application, you can quickly resend the documents.
Finish Full Application, Find Housing, Apply for Financial Aid
Go ahead and fill out the full application at this point. You should send it out early enough so that if there are any mail delays it wont effect you. We suggest that you call a few weeks after you send the application in to make sure the school received everything.
The FAFSA application is a good place to start if you need any type of financial aid. Often scholarships, grants or other money sources for college require parts or all of the FAFSA to be completed prior to applying for additional funding.
Many schools require you to apply for housing at the time you send in the final application. If not you may have to find college housing on your own.
Extra Tip: When it comes to application materials you may want to send them in a registered return receipt envelope from the USPS, this way you can be sure that the application gets in on time.
This application schedule is just a recommendation. You should allow yourself at least six to nine months prior to when you want to attend college, or when the new academic schedule begins, to get all your application information in. Not everyone can begin the process this far in advance and if you are one of them don’t worry you can still get everything organized and in to the schools in time. Start as early as possible.
Now that you have a game plan, get to it. The earlier you start the better. This can be a stressful time but if you stick to the plan and get everything done in advance you will have the best chance to get into the college you desire.