College Application Checklist

So, it seems that lately a lot of seniors have been worried that they are missing steps related to their college applications. The most accurate and most important response that I can give to you is to look at exactly what the college is asking for and make sure that they have each item requested by the deadline date. (And remember, that means that they actually have the materials in their office - not the date that you bring it to WKHS or even mail it by the postmark deadline - it is the date that they need to have your entire completed application packet.)

1. Complete your application online.

2. Write your essay. I have mixed emotions if I should list this as #2 because you can't actually complete your application without your essay if one is required, but you probably don't know what the essay questions are unless you have started the application. Some schools will not require an essay while others will require multiple essays. Please plan accordingly because they take a long time to perfect.

3. Complete the Transcript Release card for each school where you are applying. You will get this card in my office. There is a $1.00 transcript fee for transcripts that will be submitted by hard copy. (Common App and a handful of other schools are able to be completed electronically so you do not have the fee for those schools.)

Sometimes people ask what are the other papers that might need to be mailed along with the transcript. This is one of those pieces that goes back to what the colleges require. Many will have some kind of a college prep/ counselor form that I will need to complete. Although less common, some colleges will have other requests such as a resume, an extra essay, teacher recommendation letters, a picture, etc. If it is to be mailed to the college, then you should include it all in the same packet that is mailed with your transcript and school profile.

Because colleges receive so many different items in the mail, I strongly encourage you to put together 1 large envelope of all of the supplementary materials that the college is requiring and mail it together! So, if you need your transcript, a teacher recommendation letter and a counselor recommendation letter you will be mailing 3 individual envelopes together to the college in the larger envelope.

4. Send your test scores - You need to make sure that you have submitted your ACT or SAT test results directly from the testing agency to each college where you are applying. You complete this step directly with the testing companies. If you are not sure if your test was sent, please log on to their site and double check.

5. If your college requires a teacher or counselor recommendation I really hope you have already arranged for someone to write them. Again, you should be giving your recommender at least 30 days notice to write a letter.

6. Double check your entire application, pay your application fee and submit the application.

It truly is not meant to be overly difficult, but it does require a great deal of organization and follow through on your part. With over 300 seniors in this year's graduating class it is important to remember that you have to stay on top of things because deadlines are real and you do not want to lose the opportunity to apply to a school or to earn a scholarship just because you had not taken care of all of the details required.

If you have questions, stop by and see me and I will try to help make sure that we are all on the same page regarding what you need to do before your deadlines to complete all of your college applications.