The Application

Important Factors in the Process

The college application is the first and sometimes only impression that a college will get of you. As you begin your application process, there are certain facts that you need to consider:

• MEET DEADLINES: No college wants a student who doesn't care enough to get his first assignment in on time. It is a red flag, and late applications are often filed in the rejection folder.
  
  
• APPLY ONLINE:  Most colleges now prefer that you apply online. Some even give you a financial incentive to do so, and many accept the common application. Applying online means that you must take extra care that there are no mistakes. Before beginning the application, read the "application checklist."  You can save your information and go back and work on the application as many times as you wish before submitting it. Remember that once submitted, corrections cannot be made. Ask your parents to double check for you (or print a copy to be checked by a teacher) before pressing the SUBMIT button.  Be sure to print a paper copy for your records before sending. Keep this paper copy in your files.  Either bring your "secondary school form" to your counselor or put her email on the application.  Do the same for "teacher recommendations."
  
  
• If you must send a paper copy, BE NEAT: This means no pizza smudges, marked-out words, or pounds of whiteout. Complete using black ink, no pencil.  Make a copy of the original application, and after it is perfected, transfer your information to the original.
  
  
• BE GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT: Have several people (preferably an English teacher) check the application for spelling and grammar before you mail it. This is especially true with the essay.
  
  
• INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED: Be sure to have all forms completed. Check to make sure that you signed all appropriate places and that your parents completed and signed their sections, where needed. Most applications also require an application fee, so don't forget to include the check or credit care number.
  
  
• MAKE A COPY OF YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR YOUR FILE: You never know what could happen in the mail, online, or in a busy office.

COMMON APPLICATION