College Application Guide

Step 1:
Take a deep breath. You got this.

We’ll briefly outline each step in the process and provide some resources for learning more. If you’re looking for a quick overview of each step you should take when applying to college, this is a great place to start! If you need some extra support and guidance along the way - don’t be afraid to reach out!

We’re here for you!

 

Step 2:
Research & Visit Colleges

The first step to applying to college is deciding where you’d like to apply and much of this research can be done online. Because of COVID-19, many sites now offer 3D tours of campuses and live forums to ask questions from real students. If possible, visit the school in person to get a better feel for campus life and the student body. If you’re worried about making that happen - let us know how we can help!

Another great way to learn about different schools is attending college fairs, info sessions with visiting admissions representatives who may come to your high school, or talking to current students.

College Search Websites

Need help finding some schools? Take this quiz on Niche for some ideas.

Narrowing down your college search can be daunting. Here are some additional search tools to make the process easier.

Naviance: The login for this website needs to be provided by your high school. The website provides students with a scattergram showing a comparison of their GPA plus SAT and/or ACT scores to other students that applied to the same college from their high school in the prior year and shows whether the students were accepted.

College Confidential: A student and parent forum on Colleges and Universities. There is a Supermatch function that allows students to select attributes they want in a school to help determine a good fit for them.

CollegeBoard: This website has college planning and search categories.

College Scorecard: A resource provided by the US Department of Education. The website provides a college search and financial aid calculator.

Universities: The website allows you to research degrees, colleges and places.

CAPPEX: A resource that helps students with the college search and majors.

Playbill EDU: A resource for students that want to major in theater arts, dance, or music.

Master College List

The schools on this list have been compiled based on schools StART students have shown interest in and/or have applied to in the past. Schools are listed in alphabetical order the list was last updated in 2021.

 

Step 3:

Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Whether you apply using the Common App or a university-specific application, you will inevitably be asked for letters of recommendation. Before you request these, be sure that you understand the requirements as specified by your application. If you are uncertain on how to ask for a Letter of Recommendation you should read this, “How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation: Complete Guide”.

PRO TIP: Request recommendation letters at the end of 11th grade or early in the year during 12th grade. People need time to write a personal letter so ask at least a month before the application is due if not earlier.

Who Knows you Best

Check the requirements of your application to see how many letters you need and if they need to be written by someone specific (a teacher, guidance counselor, mentor, etc). The person who writes your letter should know you well enough to speak to your specific strengths and be able to provide concrete examples.

That’s where we come in! We would be honored to tell your schools how wonderful you are and how lucky they would be to have you.

Make a Brag Sheet

A Brag Sheet is similar to a resume but not as formal. It is used to provide additional information to a person you are asking for a Letter of Recommendation or can supplement a College Application. A Brag Sheet should be one page or less, have bullet points to keep the information clear and concise, include traditional academic and extracurricular activities. You could also include additional information such as most outstanding accomplishment, life events, greatest strengths academically and personally, what you are interested in studying, etc.

Here are some more references:
PCSB & Fastweb

 

Step 4:

Finalize Your Choices & Make A Plan

Once you make some decisions about where you’d like to apply, we suggest going to your calendar and writing down every deadline you have.

PRO TIP: Put notifications into your phone to remind you of upcoming deadlines.

Types of Admissions & What To Expect

  • Regular Decision is what most students choose and their application must be submitted by the due date determined by the college.

  • Early Decision this is binding and if you are accepted to this school - YOU MUST AGREE TO GO TO THIS SCHOOL and withdraw all other applications. You are only allowed ONE Early Decision school.

  • Early Action is non-binding and allows you to apply earlier than regular decision students. Early action applicants receive their decision letters before the regular decision students. Most early action schools give no restriction on your other applications.

  • Rolling Decision allows the applicant to apply any time during the school’s designated admissions period and the school responds to each application on a first come first serve bases. This is common with large state universities. 

  • Open Admissions accepts almost all students that apply. Community colleges and many online schools have this type of enrollment.

If a student is not accepted to the college of their choice they can either receive a denial of admissions or a deferral. If a student receives a deferral they may be admitted at a later date.

 

Supplemental Materials

Write Your Essays

Most colleges will require an essay or personal statement. We strongly recommend you write about something that is meaningful and important to you. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.

Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers. Start early and write several drafts. There are many places online where you can find examples of well written essays.

The Common App has specific prompts they want you to use.

Need to check your grammar? Run your essay through Grammarly.

 

Test Scores

Standardize test requirements vary from college to college. You may be required to take either the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Testing ).

However, over 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities are now test-optional.

Some additional things to consider:

  • High SAT/ACT scores can boost your admission chances, especially at highly selective schools.

  • Some test-optional colleges require standardized tests to award merit-based aid.

  • Consider withholding your scores if they fall well below your school's middle 50% range.

 

Prescreens & Auditions

If you are going to college and you’d like to get a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) or in some cases a BA (Bachelor of Arts) you may need to audition and in some cases, you must submit a prescreen video (think self-tape) before you are granted an audition spot. Please read through this carefully as many schools have different requirements.

More information regarding musical theater prescreens is available here.'

Portfolios

If you are planning on going to school for the visual arts or photography, you may be required to submit a portfolio. You may also be asked for a portfolio if you want to major in other art (directing, filmmaking, etc) and design degrees. Many schools use the Slideroom platform.

Step 5:

Paying For School

FAFSA

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • This application is free and is sponsored by the US government.

  • Largest provider of student financial aid in the country.

  • Aid is in the form of grants, loans, and work-study funds.

  • Aid is based on your parents’ tax return so ask them to complete it early.

  • The FAFSA Application must be filled out and submitted every year.

Using our College Tracker? Check out these tutorial videos

Scholarships

There are many legitimate scholarship opportunities out there to help you pay for school. Double check to make sure the one you are interested in is a verified scholarship. Be aware of these red flags.