A Senior’s Guide to College Applications

Attention seniors! College application deadlines are approaching, and the process can feel overwhelming. From filling out the FAFSA to perfecting your college essay, the elements of the college application process can seem never-ending. With most regular decision deadlines falling in December and January, there is no better time than now to kick-start the process. Continue reading to find out where you should be in the college application process as a senior!

Finalizing Your College List

Whether you envision yourself at a large, public university or a small, liberal arts college, your college list should be final at this point in the process. Both the College Board and SCOIR offer students a wide range of information about different colleges and universities in the United States. Determining your reach, match, and safety schools is a great place to start. Your next focus should be learning more about each individual school and the programs that they offer. The majority of universities are offering virtual opportunities for students to gain an idea of what the school’s environment is like. Information sessions and virtual tours that can be found on university websites are essential to deciding whether or not a school is the right fit for you.

The FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA has been open to the class of 2021 since October 1st. Filling out the FAFSA is by far the most important way for students and their families to determine their eligibility for financial aid. College is an investment - an expensive one at that, but the FAFSA informs the schools that you are accepted to about what financial aid you qualify for. After you and a parent or guardian create separate accounts and fill out the required information, your FAFSA is to be submitted to each of the schools on your list.

The Common Application vs. The Coalition Application

If you haven’t already, now is the time to begin filling out all of the personal and academic information on either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Starting the lengthy process that is completing personal questions will save you the work down the road. You can begin by creating an account on either platform, choosing which colleges you are interested in, and filling out all of the required sections. It is a good idea to link the Common or Coalition Applications to the email that you check the most frequently. It is crucial that you fill out all of the required fields accurately and in as much detail as is allowed. The Common Application and Coalition Application both allow students to send a single application to multiple colleges, but the Common Application is more commonly used by colleges and universities and can be easily linked to SCOIR.

The College Essay

All senior English classes have begun the tedious process that is writing and revising college essays. The college essay is a major component of your application, as it is your opportunity to demonstrate your personality and strengths to colleges. Your essay, or personal statement as described in the Common Application, should be kept to a 650 word maximum. The Common Application includes a list of 7 prompts that students can focus on, as well as the option to discuss a topic or story of their choice. Your essay should represent you as a person as it is one of the best ways for you to stand out to admissions officers. It is a good idea to have at least three people proofread your essay before you submit it to ensure that you are on the right track.

Letters of Recommendation

By now, you should have at least two teachers in mind who would be best-suited to attest to your abilities as a student. It is best to choose a teacher who knows you and your strengths well. It is wise to ask a teacher that you have known for at least a year or two or a teacher that you had during your junior year. Asking a teacher for a recommendation that you had for a core subject that you excel in or one that applies to your major are both good candidates. It is best to ask your teachers or counselors for letters of recommendation at least three weeks before any deadlines, this way they have sufficient time to write a cohesive letter. Since we do not have the luxury of asking teachers for letters of recommendation face-to-face at the moment, it is a good idea to either request a virtual meeting or send an email. You should also complete the Student Brag Sheet available on the school website under the guidance department and the “Interaction Sheet” that can be found on SCOIR. Both forms are the perfect way to detail aspects of your performance and your participation in specific classes and activities.

Remember, your counselors are here to help. As deadlines get closer, you may feel like there is too much to get done in such a short time, but this is the final leg of the high school journey! Stay motivated, keep track of deadlines, and keep your grades up this year. Good luck, Seniors!