Applying for college can sometimes require you to go through a very complicated process, but planning and figuring out what to prepare can make it easy. Depending on how high your goals are, applying to college can be very easy, very difficult, or casual.
Step
Step 1. Know that there are many destination universities for all prospective students who wish to apply
In the United States there are approximately 4000 institutions that are eligible to award undergraduate degrees. Almost all of them accept most of the applicants, only a few leading universities only accept less than half of the total applicants. There are hundreds of universities that accept almost anyone who applies. So you'll definitely be able to get into one of them if you really want to.
On the other hand, some top universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Duke, University of Chicago, and others get thousands of qualified applicants every new academic year. It is very important to have a realistic view of your academic abilities with the required requirements. Try to match your grades and academic ability with the minimum requirements of your desired university
Step 2. During your sophomore year of high school, try to fulfill some of the enrollment requirements needed to apply to a particular university
Some universities require your calculus and statistics grades as a requirement; others require grades from humanities lessons. Make sure you have determined the university you want to go to, then start fulfilling some of their requirements if needed.
Step 3. Successfully complete high school education or equivalent (such as SMK, MT)
People who continue their education to college have different educational backgrounds. Of all students in the United States of America, 43% are under 21 years old, 42% are between 22-39 years old and 16% are over 40 years old. Do not make age as a negative factor to continue your education to college.
Step 4. Take the SAT or ACT test because 85% of all universities make this a requirement for prospective applicants
Most schools accept both test results, but some schools only accept one particular type of test, so check the university's website for acceptable test score requirements.
Step 5. Use university and scholarship search sites
Look for universities that have features that interest you, such as top majors, class capacity, location, and the like. Visit their website, as most university websites contain information about new student enrollment. You can also read books about scholarships in the school library if you have one.
Many companies today contain information about universities that you can search for or purchase. These companies usually list how difficult it is to pass the selection, what minimum score on the SAT/ACT test you need, what the course activities are like, and the job prospects of university alumni after they graduate
Step 6. Contact the university directly for more information
If you contact the university's enrollment department and say you are interested in applying, they will likely provide a variety of information about the university. Most universities provide information on their websites. You should do this as early as possible if you are still in high school, as some universities have different application dates or have special requirements for some schools. The university will also remind you of important dates and provide additional information.
Step 7. Select the list of universities you want to go to
When entering the final year of high school, you should select the desired universities. It would be better if you have time to visit one of them. Decide what university you want based on information obtained from the university, information from others, and your own observations.
- By October when you are in your last year of high school, you should already know where you want to apply and what must be met such as requirements, test scores, and so on. Do not decide near the last date for submission of registration files. There is a lot of information that you should know, including the requirements that some universities require.
- It's also very important to be sure of your choice and not just register randomly or follow a friend to sign up. Your choice should be suitable and to your liking.
Step 8. Visit several universities
Every university is different - some have 30,000 students or more, and some have just hundreds of students. Do you prefer a campus located in the city center or in the countryside? North or South? Fostered by a certain foundation? Visit the place directly. If you have friends or relatives who study there, ask to show them the campus environment.
- Try talking to students in different classes and asking them what they think about the university. Listen to their opinions, but make your own about what you like and don't like.
- Try sitting in that university class. Try to imagine what it would be like if you were a student at that university. Would you feel comfortable if you were a student at the university?
- Often times, some universities will offer a discounted enrollment rate for students who visit them. This will save you an application fee of $50 or more, and moreover a visit in advance will help you determine whether you wish to enroll at the university.
Step 9. Apply to a university that matches your interests
This may sound mundane, but it is an important thing to consider. Your choices will affect you for years to come. If you are forced to enroll in a university, you will have to reconsider your options whether you want to stay enrolled or look for another place that may not be as popular as the first choice but provides what you want.
- Middle and top quality universities usually require you to write an essay. The university expects you to take this essay seriously, flawlessly and creatively. Make sure you can express yourself in a unique way, but don't overdo it because it will hurt you. There is a lot of advice on how to fill out this essay on websites, so look for some examples of this essay field.
- Find someone who can write a letter of recommendation for you. Give them plenty of time to write the letter and make sure they send it. You should think about this beforehand about teachers you can ask to write letters of recommendation for. A little bit of flirting with your teacher isn't a bad thing so they can write nice things about you.
- Also consider issues related to housing, daily expenses, quality of graduates from the university, availability of scholarships and your eligibility.
Step 10. Confirm whether you want to register early
Early registration is a way to let them know that you really want to study there. However, if the university accepts you, you will have to accept it. (For this reason, you can only apply to one university by applying early).
- Early registration has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you apply early, your chances of being accepted will be slightly higher. Universities use early enrollment as a benchmark to distinguish applicants who “really” want to join their university; many of the students they accept end up choosing another place, a situation that sometimes happens.
- The downside of applying early is that if you get accepted, you don't have the freedom to choose. You are required to choose the university, even if you get a scholarship elsewhere or your best friend enrolls at another university. Make sure you are comfortable with the university you choose before applying early.
Step 11. Complete the registration process in January
Most reputed universities require you to complete the application process in January of your final year of high school. Around April, the university will let you know whether you were accepted or not, then you have to confirm whether you want to accept it before the beginning of May.
- For some mid-level universities or universities that are not very selective, you can apply at any time and you will be notified whether or not you were accepted a few weeks later.
- There are also some (but not very well known) universities that have vacant seats in the new school year when classes start in September. So if you are not accepted in April, you can still apply to this university after the school exams are over.
Step 12. Thank the people who wrote you letters of recommendation
You may be required to include a letter of recommendation along with your application form. Don't forget to thank the people who were willing to write the letter for you! Without their contribution, you may not be admitted to the university of your choice.
Step 13. Once you are accepted, try asking for financial relief (if you wish)
Talk to the university, or make a request to FAFSA, the government agency. Many universities will provide waivers of application fees if your family income is below a certain number. Talk to your school's education advisor about this.
Tips
- If you feel compelled to choose a university because you are following someone, think again about what are your priorities in life and whether this choice is the best for you 5 or 10 years down the road. This decision may be good for you in the short term but not if it is ruining your chances in the future. Of course you will get the best decision if you think about this beforehand.
- Find out what interests you. Don't choose a particular major just because your friends/family force you. Do what interests you because then you won't feel like you're working a single day in your life.
- Continuing college education may be one of your goals or maybe your friend/parents/grandparents or grandparents think is the best but if you think about it, this might actually not be the right choice for you. Be honest with yourself and set aside pressure from other people or your dreams that are too exaggerated. Make decisions about continuing to college according to your desires, abilities, and needs, not because of coercion and pressure from others or your false dreams.
- Think seriously about how many loans you can take out. Most loans have an interest rate of 6.8%. DirectPLUS loans have an upfront fee of 4%. Think carefully about your future career path and estimate the salary you will get from your profession whether you can pay off the loan you take out as quickly as possible. Loans with 6.8% interest will make you have to pay double your loan 10 years later. If you can't find a way to pay off your loan as quickly as possible, choose a university that doesn't require you to take out a loan. After all, it's not your university that works after graduation, but you.
- Learn how to apply for a fee waiver if you need money for college. Some universities offer discounts of up to 100% if you really need them. Most universities require you to apply to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial needs.
- For students who have high grades (GPA 3.5+) and participate in a lot of extracurricular activities: While it's good for you to apply to a top university, keep in mind that mid-level universities are more likely to offer more discounted fees. It is very rare nowadays for students to get full scholarships. Very few scholarships offer a 100% discount on fees. Many universities offer scholarships of 40%-60% for application fees. You should talk to your parents and see how much money they can spend on your college. Is it worth it to go to a top university if you have to take out a $50,000 loan, especially if you can study elsewhere and study the same thing without taking out any loans?
- Don't let other people's opinions bring you down. If being accepted into a particular university is very important to you, work your way up to it. Goals are time bound dreams, reach them as soon as possible and you will be able to get things done.
- Start your registration process early! Many less-selective universities and public universities have a phased enrollment system, and the sooner you apply the better your chances of being accepted and the sooner you'll be notified. Even for universities that don't have an enrollment system like this, applying early can give you more time to write your essay and write letters of recommendation.
Warning
- Don't be late in submitting the registration form; there will be no waiver for lateness and you will have to wait for next year.
- Don't let indecision keep you from moving. If you are always afraid to take risks, you will not be successful in life.
- Think about the future, and how it will affect you financially. The less fees you have to pay, the easier your life will be, and you will be happier in life.
