Apply Yourself!
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Note that Fee Waivers for applications are available for students who can demonstrate financial need.
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There are usually several ways to apply to most colleges. To request a printed version of a college application, call the college or visit its web site. Another option that can save you a lot of effort is the
Common Application, which allows you to apply to multiple colleges using one form and one essay. There is also a
Black Common Application for applying to multiple historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Online Applications
Many colleges offer you the option to apply online; some schools now actively encourage online applications instead of traditional paper forms. A few even offer a discount on admission fees for doing so!
If you submit an online application, it is your responsibility to notify your counselor so that other materials such as teacher recommendation letters, the counselor recommendation letter, your official transcript, and your secondary school form can be sent in a timely manner. To ensure that your counselor is aware of an online application, download and print a copy of the application you submit (along with any additional required forms) and turn that in to your counselor.
Remember to PROOFREAD everything that you submit online. It is wise to type any responses over a paragraph long in a word processing program so that you can spellcheck, but you should PROOFREAD as well. Have we mentioned that you should proofread your online applications (just as you should your paper ones)?!
Common Application
Hundreds of private and some public institutions accept the Common Application. The advantage of using the Common Application is that you complete only one form and write one essay and send copies to multiple colleges. You may only use the Common Application with participating schools, so check with the colleges in which you are interested to make certain they will accept it. If you plan to apply to two or more schools that accept the Common Application, using that form is an efficient way to complete your application. Colleges that are members of the Common Application group consider the Common Application exactly the same as their own--so you are not at any disadvantage if you choose to use it.
Some schools use the Common Application as their only application form--schools such as Harvard, Georgetown, Vandebilt, and Agnes Scott College, just to name a few. The paper form of the application is available in the fall through the College Access Center, or you can apply online through the Common Application web site.
If you use the Common Application, it is important that you review each college's admission materials for their requirements as far as deadlines, application fee, additional forms required for financial aid or merit scholarships, and recommendation letter requirements. Many colleges will send you a supplementary form if you use the Common Application. Some of these supplementary forms will require an additional essay, while others are just a few questions. If a school requires a supplementary form, your application will not be complete until the form is submitted. All the supplementary forms can also be found on the Common Application web site.
Historically Black Colleges & Universities Common Application
You can use the Black Common Application to apply to 33 historically Black colleges and universities at one time for $35. You are not required to pay any other application fees to apply to the 29 schools. However, in order to complete the application process, you are required to send your transcripts, test scores, essay and recommendations to all of the colleges you are interested in attending.
