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If you want to go to college but have no idea how to get there, here's some help. While the college admissions process is very complex (we wrote an entire book on the subject!), this quick summary will get you oriented quickly. The College Application. This is the "stats" sheet for colleges. It is a multi-page form for personal data such as test scores, academic honors, extracurricular activities, and work experience. With this information, the admissions officers get a quick summary of your achievements and can easily compare you to other applicants. Essays. The essay, usually 500 words or less, is the admissions officers' window into your thoughts and passions. It allows admissions officers to form an image of you beyond impersonal test scores and straightforward biographical information. The essay can be extremely difficult and time-consuming to write so you should allow yourself plenty of time. Teacher Evaluations. The admissions officers already know that you think you are the perfect candidate to attend their college. The evaluations provide the opportunity for teachers, employers, advisors, and others to verify this. These forms allow others to write about and rate such characteristics as your academic and leadership ability, motivation, and ability to work with others. Interviews. Most colleges require that applicants have an interview with an admissions officer or alumnus. Interviews are a time for you to speak about everything from academic interests to hobbies to current events. They are also a good time to ask questions of the colleges' representatives. Transcript. Your school will need to send an official transcript to the admissions office of each college. Colleges look at your grades starting with your freshman year. They evaluate not only your grades but also how challenging your courses were. Test Scores. You will need to take a battery of standardized tests. These may include the SAT I, SAT II, ACT, and AP. These scores are sent by the testing agencies to the colleges and you also need to report them in the applications. Some schools may require other information. For example, to be accepted to a music program you may need to submit an original composition. Don’t forget that all schools will ask that you complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and perhaps their own application if you want to be considered for financial aid. We highly recommend that you do this. It may seem overwhelming at first, but once you get started, you will find that it is achievable. Plus, after you’ve completed your first application, you can use much of the same information for all other applications. If you would like to know more, we recommend referring to our book, Get Into Any College: Secrets Of Harvard Students, in which you'll find detailed information and strategies for every part of the admissions process.
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