The Acronym’s Guide to the College Application Process

Calling all IMSA Seniors! Are you prepared for the upcoming college application process?

Applying to college can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have parents or siblings who have already been through it and can offer advice. From filling out applications to requesting recommendations, there’s a lot to get done. This guide will outline the process and hopefully clear any of the lingering questions you might still have.

The Common Application

The Common Application, or Common App, is an online platform used by more than 900 colleges and universities to better organize the application process. 

If you haven’t done so already, here’s a step-by-step process on how to set up an account:

1. Visit the Common App website.
2. Click on “Create an Account.”
3. Fill in your personal details and create a username and password

The Common App has various sections, including Personal Information, Family Information, Education History, Testing, Activities and Work Experience, and the Writing Section, which includes the personal essay. The personal essay is a big piece in your application: it is one of the main methods of showcasing your personality and experiences. The personal essay has a maximum limit of 650 words, and with it, you can apply to a maximum of 20 colleges through the Common App. There are a total of seven available prompts to choose from. A great way to get ahead is to start writing early and experiment with multiple ideas, if possible. After completing an initial draft, seek feedback from teachers and peers to refine your essay. Ultimately, however, it is your essay. While it is good to consider outside opinions, make sure you stay true to your instincts, voice, and personal experiences.

The Application Timeline

Planning out your college application season is very important to ensure a smooth and organized process. There are many application deadlines that colleges offer and each may have an impact on the chances of admission.

With Early Decision (ED), you can expect to hear back from a college sooner as ED admissions decisions often come out by December. However, be aware that ED acceptances are binding, meaning, in most cases, an applicant has to commit to the college or university if given admission. Some places also offer an ED II option, which is also binding. The only difference is that the deadline is pushed back to January.

With Early Action (EA), you can apply to colleges earlier and receive admissions decisions by December without the binding commitment required by Early Decision. This gives you the flexibility to apply to other schools and compare financial aid offers before making a final decision. There is a variation of EA called Restrictive Early Action (REA), which a small handful of colleges offer. Make sure to conduct additional research about REA applications if you are looking to apply to a school with an REA deadline rather than the usual EA. 

Regular Decision (RD) is a common deadline for applications which takes place in January. RD offers a lot of flexibility, as you can apply to multiple schools and receive decisions by March or April. It also grants you extra time to submit your applications. But if you apply for an RD, make sure you aren’t in a rush to hear back from those colleges.

Financial Aid deadlines are also crucial; the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1, and some schools require the CSS Profile for financial aid decisions. Furthermore, keep track of external and institutional scholarship deadlines to ensure you don’t miss any extra opportunities that might cut down your overall college fees.

Teacher Recommendations

Teacher recommendations are another important part of your college application. Colleges often ask students to send 2-3 letters of recommendation from teachers who have influenced your learning and overall character. Choose teachers who know you well and can highlight your strengths from a classroom standpoint. Ideally, select teachers from your junior or senior year. When requesting recommendations, ask early, preferably at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year. Make sure to provide your teachers with information on what you intend to study in college and where you look to apply. Remember, you want them to write you a detailed letter, so give them as much information as they need to do so. As deadlines approach, meet with your teachers or send gentle reminders whenever possible.  

Although the information covered in this article isn’t nearly enough to help you understand all the intricacies of the college application process, a great way to increase your understanding is to do more research. Make sure to look into colleges based on your specific fields and other institutions of interest to make sure that you receive personalized information. Most importantly, it’s always a great idea to meet with your college academic counselors whenever you need some guidance with the process.

The Acronym wishes the best of luck to all the rising seniors! Remember, your hard work will always pay off in the end!