To Do List | College Admission

Our New Guide to the Application Form, Including Changes to the Common App

Posted on Tue, 12/17/2013 - 14:41

It's here -- our completely revised and updated guide, The Application Form, a real-time digital supplement to College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

It's a complete guide to filling out the college application, which serves as the cornerstone of a student's admission file, including:

A walk through the new Common Application, step by step.
An explanation of why colleges want this information and our best advice for how to provide it.
Answers to students' questions about extracurricular activities, academics, testing, and essays are addressed.
Guidance on fee waivers, deadlines, "fast apps," and resumes.
A To Do List for the many moving parts so students can put their best foot forward when completing their applications.

Download your complete free copy here.

Posted on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 12:27

Attention, juniors! Here's your checklist as you head back to the classroom:

If you haven't yet made a testing plan (think PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT, SAT IIs, AP exams...), do it now.
Research colleges by browsing online. Enter the email addresses of any college of interest in your address book so emails get through the spam filter.
Make sure you have a challenging, college-prep course load. If you feel your course load needs adjusting, discuss this with your advisor, counselor or principal prior to the start of the school year.
Talk with your parents about planning a college road trip.
Try out a net price calculator - with your parents, if possible. Set aside 15 – 20 minutes, and visit the financial aid website of one of the colleges on your list, or try one of the net price calculators available at http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org/ to begin to understand financial aid.

Posted on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 07:17

Attention, seniors! You will need to hit the ground running this fall:

Just getting started with your college search? Sign up for the tests you will need to take - the SAT and/or ACT.
If you haven't asked two teachers to write recommendations for you, make your request now.
Narrow your list of colleges to the eight to ten schools to which you will apply.
Decide if you will be applying under an early decision or early action plan at any schools.
Try out a net price calculator - with your parents, if possible. Set aside 15 – 20 minutes, and visit the financial aid website of one of the colleges on your list, or try one of the net price calculators available at http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org/ so you can begin to understand what your financial aid package might look like.