The College Application Process

This section outlines the entire college application process, and address the criteria that colleges use when evaluating your application. The information here may look overwhelming at first, but don't let it get to you.

College Applications

First things first! The very first thing you need to do when applying for college is to acquire and secure all the needed requirements and various documentations needed, including the college application form. While being able to secure the college application form is actually not much of a problem for some people, filling it out correctly is a different thing altogether.

Slice and Dice!

CHAPTERS

1. Applying to College
   
   This section tells you more about the college application and admissions process, and how ADCOMs look at college applicants.
2. GPA and Transcripts
   
   Learn why nothing is more important than the strength of your academics, and why acceptance into college may depend largely on your grades.
3. Standardized Tests
   
   The hype over standardized testing, such as PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Or are your test scores truly the be-all and end-all of the college admissions process?
4. Extra Curricular Activities
   
   What's your passion? Most colleges offer extra-curricular activities, but ECAs vary from school to school, and from country to country.
5. Myths and Facts about ECAs
   
   Recognitions and awards do work in a college applicant’s favor. Get ready for some myths and facts about extra curricular activities and awards.
6. Early - Regular - Rolling
   
   There are several types of college application processes, and admission decision programs, it all depends on the college.
7. The Application
   
   The very first thing you need to do when applying for college is to acquire and secure all the needed requirements and various documentations needed.
8. Writing the College Essay
   
   When you write the essay, you want to be sure that you are able to express yourself clearly. What is it about yourself that you want to talk about?
9. Letters of Recommendations
   
   Your letters of recommendation are another part of the admissions process. They allow ADCOMs to see you as an applicant from a different viewpoint.
10. Supplementary Materials
    
    There are various supplementary materials that applicants may need to add to their college application, depending on the requirements.
11. College Interview Tips
    
    Accomplish all your college application requirements! But it’s a whole different ballgame when you have to face the admissions interview.

How to Fill Out Your College Application:

Don’t think that all college applications are the same. First and foremost, read the labels carefully beginning with the general information section. Sometimes a college application form leaves a space for your FIRST name while others tend to provide a space for your LAST name on the first blank of the document. So Another problem when you assume things is that you might end up erasing some of the stuff that you’ve put in there once you realize you made a mistake. Not only will it look unprofessional, it’s very unsightly for the admissions officers to look at and it speaks a lot of how responsible you are.

1. When they ask to list your activities, PLEASE use the format that is provided. There is a reason why they ask you to fill it in the form exactly the way it comes. Colleges are used to a format that they designed, and while you are usually allowed to send in an extra sheet, do fill out the ones on the forms first in their requested format.
   
   
2. If you need more space, you can always attach a separate sheet to it. Although some schools allow you to send a resume, I think that you should use the same format as in their application form.
   
   
3. List activities in order of their importance to you. The one you spend the most time on should come first. This is another way to tell the colleges about your passions*.
   
   
4. Fill out your college application form neatly, correctly and orderly – verify information with your parents first like the dates of their birthday, their occupation and maiden names. Make sure that you have enough time before the submission date of your college application form so that you won’t be in a hurry when you are filling everything out.
   
   
5. Try to write legibly, even if you have chicken scrawl for a handwriting – you must make the effort to make your handwriting readable for the admissions officers.
   
   
6. Lastly, you should refrain from using multicolored pens especially red or purple ink when filling out your college application form. It’s best to just use black or blue ink for your college application