| Academic Timeline | Applying to College | Paying for College | Preparing for College |
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Applying to college is a big decision and can be a lot of work. Many colleges and universities will match your interests and priorities. The key is to remember that there's no such thing as the perfect school.
Determining the College For You
There are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States, and each has a different personality. This section offers a brief description of some of the most common types of colleges and what makes them best suited to your needs.
There are more options for schools beyond the ones listed here, and you can find more information about specific colleges and universities by doing library research, browsing in bookstores, talking to advisors and conducting Internet searches using keywords suited to your interests like “college” and “medicine” or “universities” and “science.”
Public Colleges and Universities
Public colleges and universities are administered by the state and are partially paid for by taxpayer dollars. The cost of public colleges and universities varies from school to school, and costs are lower for students who come from the state where the college is located (in-state tuition) than for those who are from another state (out-of-state tuition).
The following is information about the three types of public colleges and universities found in California. Virtually every state has two-year community colleges and some type of four-year university. If you are not from California, reading this section will acquaint you with the California public university system. You can learn more about the colleges in your state by talking to your counselor or teachers or doing library research or an Internet search.
California has a three-tiered public university system:
- Community Colleges: Offer classes to anyone wanting to take college-level courses. They are located all over the state, and, most likely, there is one near you. Community colleges offer classes toward a two-year associate's degree, and once you have your Associate Arts (AA) or Associate Science (AS) degree, you can often transfer to a four-year college. Courses are also available here for academic or professional enrichment, and some community colleges offer specific job-skills training programs such as high-tech computer classes or language skills classes. Most community colleges have counselors who are very familiar with how you can transfer to a four-year college, so be sure to meet with them early in your academic career.
- California State University System: Twenty-three campuses located across the state offer classes toward a four-year bachelor's degree. Some have graduate and job-skills training programs. California state universities have more challenging admissions requirements than community colleges. Admittance to the California State school system is based partly on your grade point average and SAT scores. To qualify for regular admission, your GPA should be at least a 2.0.
- University of California System: Nine University of California (UC) campuses offer classes toward a four-year bachelor's degree, and each also offers graduate programs in a variety of specialties that vary from university to university. The UC schools are the most selective public universities in California. In general, applicants are expected to have a high school GPA higher than a 3.0 and have taken the SAT I and II.
Applicants can apply to any or all UC schools using one application. Completed applications are due to the UC schools by Nov. 30 of the school year prior to the year you enroll in college.
Private Colleges and Universities
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Unlike public colleges, private colleges and universities do not receive funding from the government. Private colleges and universities can range from small liberal arts colleges that do not have graduate programs to large research universities with many graduate programs. Large universities offer many opportunities for undergraduates to work on research projects with professors, and some private colleges have job-training programs. There are almost always opportunities to live on campus at private universities; some colleges even require that you do so during your freshman year. Private colleges and universities range in their selectivity. Many require strong academic records and SAT I and SAT II scores and a detailed application with essays. Some, however, are less selective and have a less involved application process. It is usually possible to transfer to a private college after attending a different college or university.
Generally, the cost of attending private colleges and universities is the same for all students, and tuition costs do not vary depending on your state of residence. Costs tend to be higher than those of public colleges and universities, but the private institutions' financial aid programs are usually more generous than those of public colleges and universities. Students may receive more help from financial aid to pay for their college education.
Historically African American Colleges, Tribal Colleges and Christian Colleges
Each of these types of colleges and universities, whether they are public or private, has its own particular strengths to offer. Research these options on the Internet, at your local library or ask your school counselor to find out if these schools are right for you.
Historically African American Colleges
- Peterson’s Black American Colleges and Universities
- HBCUConnect.com
- The Princeton Review: Is a Historically Black College or University Right for You?
Tribal Colleges
- Yahoo! Education Directory: American Indian Tribal Colleges
- Native American College Resources
- Department of Education: White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities
Christian Colleges
Vocational / Technical Schools
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Vocational/technical schools provide real-world training in a variety of different careers through classes and internships. Many vocational/technical schools train people for entry-level health care jobs like a home health aide or medical assistant, and students learn on the job by working in their field of choice.
Eligibility requirements and registration fees vary among vocational/technical schools. To find the vocational/technical schools in your area, search on the Internet, look them up in the yellow pages or visit your local library or community college to ask about nearby schools and their programs and fees. You will generally have a better chance of finding a job if you attend a vocational or technical school that has been accredited by the state, which means that the state approves of its classes and training program. Accredited schools can also offer federal financial aid (such as Stafford loans and Pell grants) and resources to help graduates find a paying job after they leave the program.
Use the following Collegeboard.com worksheets to help you organize your college search:
- Student Word Portrait (
) - College Comparison Chart ()
- Student Profile Worksheet ()
- College Cost Comparison Worksheet ()
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Choosing Where to Apply
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"My big problem was that I did not think I was good enough [for college]. No one in my family even has a high school diploma ... with the pushing of my pals from SMYSP I decided not to sell myself short. I worked hard to be who I am, and the great part about it is that I have ambition...." Lura Roberts, SMYSP 1998. |
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Now that you know more about the types of schools available to you, how do you decide where to apply? There are several factors to take into account, and this is a good time to reflect on and think about your goals and hopes for the future.
Decide on Your Priorities
Choosing a college is a very important decision. Think carefully about where you will feel comfortable and what kinds of programs and services you want. Would you like to live in a small college town? Do you want to attend a college with a diverse student population? Are you looking for a school with research opportunities?
Once you have decided what your top priorities are for a college, write them down. Then ask your school counselors, mentors, teachers, friends or family members about colleges that might best meet your requirements.
You can also learn more information by conducting an Internet search or by using a college information web site.
Make a Balanced List
Once you have looked at specific colleges, make a list of those that interest you. Then make a list of those colleges where you will apply. Apply to a reasonable number of colleges. Choosing about six colleges is a reasonable place to start, but you can always apply to a couple more or less. (Applying to more than 10 colleges is probably too many and applying to less than four colleges is probably too few).
The list of colleges to which you apply should be well balanced. You do not want all of the colleges to be extremely selective, nor do you want all of them to be a sure bet, rather you want your list to represent a range that is realistic for you. You should aim to apply to at least two colleges from each of the following categories:
Dream Colleges: These are schools that may be difficult to get into, but they represent where you would really love to go.
Good Chance Colleges: These are schools where you have a good chance of being admitted and that you think you'd enjoy attending.
Secure Colleges: These are schools where you're almost guaranteed admission.
Your admittance to the specific colleges that fall into each of these categories will depend upon your qualifications, including your GPA, standardized test scores and academic and personal interests. You can find out college admission requirements throughout the nation by reviewing college selection books or online at each school’s Web site.
Also, talk with your counselor and college admissions officers as you try to decide which options are realistic for you. This is not to say that you should not apply to the extremely selective college that you have always dreamed of attending; just don't put all of your hopes into something that may not be a sure thing. If your goal is to attend college, the most important thing is to ensure that you are able to do so – leave your options open!
Geographic Location: Even if you are certain that you want to go away from home, look into at least one school in your local area. If you want to stay near home, look into at least one school that is a little further away because it may offer opportunities that aren't available at local colleges. Circumstances change, and you want to leave your options open.
College Cost: If you are worried about being able to afford college, don't be afraid to apply to private colleges and universities. In general, they are able to offer generous financial aid packages and will not end up being as costly as their price tags suggest.
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How to Request College Applications/Information
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Get in Touch with the College
You can request applications from colleges by mail, telephone or over the Internet. If you know a college’s address or telephone number, write or call the admissions office to request an application. Most often, you can download college applications from their web sites.
Call Admissions Officers
It's okay to call college admissions officers before you decide if you will apply to their college. Often, they can help you decide if their college is a good match for you. Take the time to write down a couple of questions or some notes before you call, and be sure to tell the admissions officer your name, high school and the state where you live. Remember to ask them specific questions about programs you are potentially interested in. Don't get discouraged if the person you speak with is in a rush or is not as helpful as you had hoped – application time is a very busy period for colleges. You might get more help if you call back at another time or talk with another person.
Request Applications Early
The summer before your senior year in high school is the ideal time. Colleges will send you applications for free, so request applications from as many different colleges as you’d like. From the information in the applications, you will be able to compare different colleges and the services they offer. You are not obligated to apply to all the colleges that send you applications.
How to Apply Without Paying
If application fees are more than you can afford call the admissions offices of the colleges that interest you to request fee waivers (these allow you to apply without paying the application fees). Don't be afraid to call and ask about fee waivers; many students request them, and colleges have funds set aside to help low-income students pay for the application process. Your high school counselor should have more information about fee waivers.
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When to Begin Your Financial Aid Search
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Begin as early as possible collecting the forms you need from the different sources to which you will be applying, such as colleges, the federal government (which gives the FAFSA) and private scholarships.
Submit applications as early as possible. Do not wait until you have been accepted to college to begin applying for financial aid. Apply for financial aid at every college you have sent an application, even if you do not yet know if you have been accepted. You should send in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after the initial acceptance date of January 1 during your senior year of high school.
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Application Item Checklist
Different colleges have different application requirements. Some colleges have long, extensive applications that ask you to write essays, while others may ask you for only one page of information about yourself. Don't let a complicated application discourage you from applying. If you really like the college, it's worth the effort to fill out the application to the best of your ability.
Make sure you know how to get the information you need for your applications, and start gathering information early. Your counselor can help you collect some required pieces, such as your high school transcript.
High School Transcripts
A transcript is a list of your high school courses and the corresponding grades you received. If you have changed high schools, the grades from your previous high school should be included on the transcript along with the ones from your current high school. Check with your counselor to make sure this is the case. You need to ask your high school to send transcripts to the colleges in which you are applying, and you need to provide them with stamped envelopes addressed to each college.
Standardized Test Scores
Some colleges require you to take the SAT or ACT, standardized tests in broad subject areas. If you're going to apply to colleges that ask that you take standardized tests, check with your counselor about how and when to register to take the tests. You should try to take these tests as early as possible, either in the spring of your junior year or fall of your senior year. Try to prepare in advance for these tests by either taking a review course or looking at books in the local library or bookstore that give you strategies for taking the tests.
Helpful links:
- CollegeBoard.com
- SAT and ACT Websites
Essay/Personal Statement
Some colleges will ask you to write a one- to two-page essay about a topic that they give you. This essay is a chance for the schools to learn about you and what's important to you. The essay can give you a chance to explain things about your transcript and activities that may be confusing for the college. If, for example, your grades dropped in the last year because of family problems, explain that in your essay. Browse through examples of college essays in college prep books or online.
Short-Answer Questions
Some applications will ask you to write responses to a few short questions. The same techniques you apply in essay writing work here too. Remember you have less space to get your point across, so pick one important point and stick to it. Choose a new aspect of yourself that you want the college to know about. Don't just repeat what you said in your long essay or simply list your activities. Short-answer questions can also give you the opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced or special circumstances in your life. If one of the questions is listed as "optional" (for example, "Is there anything else you want to tell us?") use it as an opportunity to write something about yourself that you haven't had a chance to share with the college.
Activities/Awards
Colleges want to know how you use your time and the activities in which you are involved, so highlight the hobbies or activities that are important to you. Include dates of participation and describe any leadership roles you have had. If you have held a part-time job or helped care for a sick relative, include these. Also, there is usually a section on college applications asking you to list any awards that you have won. If you don't have any, it is fine to leave that space blank. Your essay and teacher recommendations are other places that will describe your strengths.
Secondary School Report
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Your high school will send a secondary school report – a form that explains the classes that your high school offers, including details such as whether there are any AP or honors classes and the size of your graduating class – to the colleges to which you are applying. From this report, the college admissions committee can see how rigorous your course load has been. In addition to the secondary school report, your high school will send a mid-year school report, which shows your grades for the first half of your senior year and your schedule for the second half of the year. Make sure your high school sends these schools a secondary school report. Check with your high school counselor.
Teacher Recommendations
Many colleges ask for two or three letters of recommendation from teachers or adults who know you well. Choose teachers or adults who know your personal strengths, be they academic or extracurricular.
Helpful links:
Additional Information
If something happens to affect your qualifications after you've applied to colleges – such as if you win an award or your grades drop sharply because of a tough situation – don't hesitate to write a letter explaining the situation to the college and ask them to include it in your file. This is another way for colleges to learn about you and the situations you have confronted in your life. Try not to let other people intimidate you. You know the strengths and skills you have to offer and what you're hoping to gain. Be secure in that knowledge and show the best side of yourself in your applications.
College Interviews
Some colleges offer interviews to candidates for admission and, in many cases, these are optional. Your admissions literature should let you know whether interviews are available. If so, contact the admissions office to find out how to schedule one. If you live near the college, you may be able to make an appointment for a one-on-one interview with an admissions officer. Some colleges also offer alumni interviews for students who live far away. In these interviews, you meet one-on-one with a graduate of the college who lives in your area.
Interviews are a good opportunity for you to talk with someone who is familiar with the college and to ask questions to see if the college sounds like a good match for you. The person interviewing you will most likely ask you some general questions, such as "Why does this college interest you?" or, "Tell me about yourself." The interviewer will also allow you time to ask him or her any questions you might have. It is a good idea to think of a few questions about the college before the interview. Interviews are another way for the college admissions board to get to know you, so be yourself and try to communicate your interests and experiences.
Read Your Applications Carefully
Closely review your applications to find out what you need to gather for each college. Note the deadlines for each application, including financial aid applications, which often have different deadlines than the college applications.
Be organized; set up an easy-to-follow system for keeping track of your progress on each application. For example, attach a note to each application listing the information you need and the application deadline. Once you have completed all applications, be sure to make copies of all materials for your files before submitting. That way, if your application is lost or damaged, you can send it to the college again.
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