It’s All About You

Applying to college involves making some important decisions and keeping track of a lot of details, but it should also be an exciting process. You are in charge, but you also have lots of people and resources who can help.

Most important, your college choices and your application should reflect the real you — at your very best. Here are some tips to help you do that.

Start Early

Think of applying to college as a process. There is a lot you can and should be doing as early as 6th grade (see grade-by-grade checklists) to explore different options and decide what's important to you for college.

The Final Push

By senior year, it's time to start to narrow down the options, fill out the application forms, and assemble other materials colleges may require as part of the application package. No later than September of your senior year — or even sooner — you should be doing the following: 

• Narrow your list of colleges to five to eight top choices. Include one or two “safety” schools that you’re sure to get into, a couple of “likelys” where you feel pretty good about your chances, and one or two with more challenging requirements that you’d really like to attend.
• Talk with your school counselor for ideas on the best way to approach the application process for each school — for example, is it better to apply for early decision? Who would be the best person to write you a letter of recommendation?
• Create a separate folder for each college you’re applying to. Include a copy of the application and a list of all the items you’ll need to include with it — essays, letters of recommendation, references, standardized test scores, transcripts, etc. — and when you’ll need to submit each one.
• Make a master calendar with key dates and deadlines for each college you are applying to.
• Ask your teacher or teachers to write your letters of recommendation. Give them as much lead time as possible — at least two weeks.
• Get started on your essay or essays. Read the applications carefully so you’re clear on what each college expects. Talk with your counselor, college access provider, parents, and teachers about possible topics that express your personality and ideas in a way that fits the school’s criteria.

You can use the College Board's College Application Checklist to help you keep track of the application process.