What Students Need to Include in College Applications
Your child’s college application, taken as a whole, creates a portrait. It shows colleges who your child is and what your child can bring to the campus. The best way for your child to give colleges an accurate, and useful, self-portrait is to fill out each application honestly, carefully, and completely.
Your child can check with the high school counselor to find out which parts of the application the school sends directly to each college. Make sure it’s clear which items your child is responsible for sending. Your child should also find out if the school has suggestions for when to request teacher and counselor recommendations and other application-related items.
It is imperative that your child meet all deadlines — those of the high school and those of the colleges to which your child is applying. Our college application calendar can give your child a general overview of what actions to take when.
Applications vary from college to college, but most require some or all of the following parts:
Application Form
Your child should check with colleges and find out if they prefer an online application, or if applicants need to get a printed application form and package from them.
Application Fee
College application fees vary. Most are in the $35 to $50 range. The fee is usually nonrefundable, even if your child is not accepted. Many colleges offer fee waivers for applicants from low-income families. If in need of a fee waiver, your child should talk with the high school counselor.
High School Transcript
The transcript shows all the courses your child has taken and the grades earned starting with ninth or 10th grade. It’s probably the most important part of the application: It’s your child’s academic record.
The high school sends the transcript directly to colleges. on your child’s behalf. It includes a school profile, which helps colleges interpret the transcript — explaining available courses and levels.
The school also sends a final transcript, at the end of senior year, to the college your child decides to attend. The college wants to see that your child has kept grades up through graduation; if that’s not true, it may affect admission offers.
Admission Test Scores
Many colleges require applicants to submit SAT® scores, SAT Subject Tests™ scores or both. These admission tests are standard tools for measuring a student's ability to do college-level work. Scores are sent directly from the testing organization to the colleges.
When signing up to take the SAT, your child can choose which colleges should receive the scores, and which scores to send them. The test fee includes the costs of sending scores to several colleges. Learn more about how Score Choice™ works.
Letters of Recommendation
Many colleges ask applicants to submit one or more letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or other adult who knows the student well.
When asking for recommendations, your child should be sure to do so well before the college's deadline. Your child may also want to give a short written summary of achievements and goals to the person writing each recommendation.
Essay
The application essay often plays a very important role. Whether it’s an autobiographical statement or an essay on a specific theme, the essay should express your child’s individuality. This helps the admission officers get a feel for who your child really is.
Interview
If the colleges your child is considering offer interviews, it’s a good idea to schedule one. Requesting a college interview is considered a sign that an applicant is very interested in a college, and that can count in your child’s favor during the admission process.
Even if it's not required, setting up an interview is a good idea because it gives your child a chance to make a personal connection with someone who has a voice in admission decisions. If you live too far away for an on-campus interview, try to arrange for your child to meet with an alumnus in your community.
The interview is also a good time to ask questions, so your child can make sure the college is the right choice.
Auditions and Portfolios
If applying for a program in music, art, theater or a similar subject, your child may have to provide samples of work. This may mean sending a portfolio, auditioning on campus or submitting a video.
