The College Application
The College Application
Transcript
OK, you've got your list of colleges together. It's time to apply. As you've probably inferred from the earlier modules, applying to college is a detail-focused task. Even the word application oversimplifies what is required. In this section, you'll start to think of your application as a packet-- a series of documents, essays, and supporting materials that hopefully offer a college a complete portrait of you.
Today, we're going to break down this process by focusing on application forms and requirements, how to approach this task-- that is, how to think about assembling all of the right materials-- and we'll reinforce the importance of meeting deadlines. Many of you will be completing the Common Application, or Common App, which allows you to complete the application online, and for a separate fee, send the application to as many participating schools as you require.
The other possible application you may encounter is the Coalition Application. Same idea as the Common App. Most colleges will have supplemental requirements, which may include additional essays. Keep a sharp eye out for these other requirements. A few colleges and universities have completely separate applications for their non-traditional students.
This include Yale's Eli Whitney program and Columbia University School of General Studies. Those applications are found at those divisions of the broader university's website, and are submitted directly to that division of the university. Fees can add up, so always make sure to check to see if your application fee as an active duty service member or a veteran can be waived. It never hurts to ask.
Your transcripts are amongst the most important items in the admission package. Colleges and universities require official transcripts, which can be requested online or via phone from the previous institutions you've attended. While the term official transcript means sent directly from the previous institution to the new office of admissions, it doesn't hurt to keep personal copies on hand or access them from your current institution's portal.
They'll be considered unofficial, but they can often serve as a placeholder while the official copies are being sent from one institution to another. If you don't have a copy on hand, you can request one, just as you would request an official copy for a college application. Never withhold a transcript, even if you failed out of a college or university. Colleges and universities often check to see if there are other transcripts available for an individual.
We've seen and worked with service members and veterans who neglected to submit a transcript and didn't tell us. When the higher education institution found out, their admission was rescinded. It's considered academic dishonesty, and this is not how you want to start the admission process. Remember to submit copies of your Joint Services Transcript-- JST-- and College Level Examination Program-- CLEP-- credits. While these don't always transfer, it's better to submit them than not. These transcripts can also give an admissions committee a peek into the kind of work you've been doing since you last left school.
These courses might not always grant you college credit, but they show that you've continued learning after you left the classroom. They give the readers of your application a better sense of who you are as an applicant, even if the transcript doesn't get you closer to a degree. Check with your potential college as soon as possible to see if you need the SAT or ACT.
Some colleges and universities are testing optional. Don't cut out of potential school just because they require a test. You're limiting yourself before you've even explored it as an option. Some colleges and universities even take into account that it's been a while since you may have taken these exams in high school.
Remember, you've taken these kinds of tests before. The ASVAB has many of the same components as the SAT and ACT. Your AFQT and GT scores might give you a sense of how you do on standardized tests, or you may already have a test score from high school. If you have a score from high school, you'll need to check with the university to see how recently tests have to be taken to be accepted. The time limit can be five to eight years, so make sure to ask.
Similar to transcripts, your official test scores will need to be sent directly from either the College Board or ACT versus coming from you. Some colleges may require your entire testing history. It's in your best interest to contact the admissions office, or at least do a thorough reading of the college's website to make sure you understand the requirements and have enough time to register for the appropriate exam. If you're still on active duty, remember that you have the option to take the SAT to ACT for free through DANTES. Take advantage of that. Every penny counts.
If you have the time and think you can improve your score, consider looking into test prep courses online. Some studies indicate that courses don't produce huge changes in scores, but I've had members and veterans say to me that they benefited from this review, especially for the math section. If you think it will help as a refresher course, then go for it.
If nothing else, make sure you take a couple of full-length practice tests before setting for the exam. You want to remember what it feels like to focus on these kinds of questions for hours at a time. A couple of full-length practice tests will remind your body and brain what the experience is like. You'll show up on test day more prepared for the challenge.
If you have any AP credits, scores are sent from the educational testing service to the college. Keeping with our theme, please check to make sure that the college you're applying to wants these scores during the application process or after admission. So what are the pieces to the application? Remember, there's a difference between the application-- which is the form with your name, date of birth, potential major, et cetera-- and the application package-- which includes that form and all other supporting documents that a particular college or university requires.
As you begin putting together your application package, remember, this is the one place where you are in control. Remember to be yourself and try not to guess what the college admission officer wants to hear. Give yourself plenty of time to put together an organized and carefully thought out application. Admission officers can tell right away whether somebody has spent time putting together their application package or if it's been thrown together at the last minute.
This can make a tremendous difference if you end up being on the cusp for admission. Make sure the 30 minutes they spend on your application-- yes, it's about 30 minutes-- have an impact. Each school will have its own set of specific questions. Take care to address the questions asked of you. While all the questions may not make sense for someone who's been out of high school for some time, do your best to answer the questions and be succinct and concise.
Given that you most likely have more life experience than the typical college applicant, pivoting your response to such a question to include your more recent military career may offer an opportunity to illustrate how that life experience has made you grow as an individual since your high school years. Adding extra letters of recommendation, certificates, projects, or commendation papers will not necessarily make your application better.
Indeed, sending more material may actually make a negative impression on the admissions committee. Admission officers have a limited time to read applications, and there is an art appreciated by admissions officers to make your accomplishments stand out in the allotted space and format. Make sure to keep track of all your applications once they are submitted. Keep all the online confirmations in one place and make copies of all the applications you have submitted.
Deadlines are an important detail around which you will organize your application process. Colleges have application deadlines, testing agencies have exam deadlines, your references will need deadlines to submit their letters of support. Deadlines are everywhere. Instead of looking at these dates-- and there'll be lots of different dates to keep track of-- as an obstacle, use them to backwards plan your approach to the application.
This is one of those areas where your time in the military will really help you out. While all colleges and universities broadly require the same documents for their applications, many have their own unique process, with specific options and deadlines for applying. For example, at some, if you're applying as a first year student, you can do so early action, early decision, or regular decision.
The process is slightly different if you apply as a transfer applicant. And as I've mentioned already, there are even some colleges and universities that have a separate application process for non-traditional students altogether. What do all of these options mean? Regular decision is the broadest of the three. Year application moves forward in a large pool, and can have a slightly later deadline. If, however, you're certain about a college or colleges you want to attend, consider if applying for early action or early decision is the right thing for you.
Generally, early action applications are due in November, and by December, your application is either accepted, denied, or deferred, which means the college isn't ready to make a decision, and you'll be reconsidered in the regular applicant pool. While the college commits under early action, you on the other hand are not committed to that college, and can if you want to apply to other colleges or universities.
Early decision is different than early action in that it's binding to you. By applying early decision, you're saying to the college, this is my first choice. You'll have to withdraw all other applications, so you need to be 100% certain this is where you want to attend. As with early action, you generally apply in November, and by December are accepted, denied, or deferred.
It may be a good idea to apply early decision or early action if you're sure where you want to apply. Submitting applications early shows commitment, and also means you'll be competing against a smaller applicant pool. Transfer applicants usually have deadlines which follow first year student admission deadlines. With transfer applications, you might consider applying for spring admission, as there are generally fewer applicants at this time, which can mean slightly better odds in general for admission.
Today, we're going to break down this process by focusing on application forms and requirements, how to approach this task-- that is, how to think about assembling all of the right materials-- and we'll reinforce the importance of meeting deadlines. Many of you will be completing the Common Application, or Common App, which allows you to complete the application online, and for a separate fee, send the application to as many participating schools as you require.
The other possible application you may encounter is the Coalition Application. Same idea as the Common App. Most colleges will have supplemental requirements, which may include additional essays. Keep a sharp eye out for these other requirements. A few colleges and universities have completely separate applications for their non-traditional students.
This include Yale's Eli Whitney program and Columbia University School of General Studies. Those applications are found at those divisions of the broader university's website, and are submitted directly to that division of the university. Fees can add up, so always make sure to check to see if your application fee as an active duty service member or a veteran can be waived. It never hurts to ask.
Your transcripts are amongst the most important items in the admission package. Colleges and universities require official transcripts, which can be requested online or via phone from the previous institutions you've attended. While the term official transcript means sent directly from the previous institution to the new office of admissions, it doesn't hurt to keep personal copies on hand or access them from your current institution's portal.
They'll be considered unofficial, but they can often serve as a placeholder while the official copies are being sent from one institution to another. If you don't have a copy on hand, you can request one, just as you would request an official copy for a college application. Never withhold a transcript, even if you failed out of a college or university. Colleges and universities often check to see if there are other transcripts available for an individual.
We've seen and worked with service members and veterans who neglected to submit a transcript and didn't tell us. When the higher education institution found out, their admission was rescinded. It's considered academic dishonesty, and this is not how you want to start the admission process. Remember to submit copies of your Joint Services Transcript-- JST-- and College Level Examination Program-- CLEP-- credits. While these don't always transfer, it's better to submit them than not. These transcripts can also give an admissions committee a peek into the kind of work you've been doing since you last left school.
These courses might not always grant you college credit, but they show that you've continued learning after you left the classroom. They give the readers of your application a better sense of who you are as an applicant, even if the transcript doesn't get you closer to a degree. Check with your potential college as soon as possible to see if you need the SAT or ACT.
Some colleges and universities are testing optional. Don't cut out of potential school just because they require a test. You're limiting yourself before you've even explored it as an option. Some colleges and universities even take into account that it's been a while since you may have taken these exams in high school.
Remember, you've taken these kinds of tests before. The ASVAB has many of the same components as the SAT and ACT. Your AFQT and GT scores might give you a sense of how you do on standardized tests, or you may already have a test score from high school. If you have a score from high school, you'll need to check with the university to see how recently tests have to be taken to be accepted. The time limit can be five to eight years, so make sure to ask.
Similar to transcripts, your official test scores will need to be sent directly from either the College Board or ACT versus coming from you. Some colleges may require your entire testing history. It's in your best interest to contact the admissions office, or at least do a thorough reading of the college's website to make sure you understand the requirements and have enough time to register for the appropriate exam. If you're still on active duty, remember that you have the option to take the SAT to ACT for free through DANTES. Take advantage of that. Every penny counts.
If you have the time and think you can improve your score, consider looking into test prep courses online. Some studies indicate that courses don't produce huge changes in scores, but I've had members and veterans say to me that they benefited from this review, especially for the math section. If you think it will help as a refresher course, then go for it.
If nothing else, make sure you take a couple of full-length practice tests before setting for the exam. You want to remember what it feels like to focus on these kinds of questions for hours at a time. A couple of full-length practice tests will remind your body and brain what the experience is like. You'll show up on test day more prepared for the challenge.
If you have any AP credits, scores are sent from the educational testing service to the college. Keeping with our theme, please check to make sure that the college you're applying to wants these scores during the application process or after admission. So what are the pieces to the application? Remember, there's a difference between the application-- which is the form with your name, date of birth, potential major, et cetera-- and the application package-- which includes that form and all other supporting documents that a particular college or university requires.
As you begin putting together your application package, remember, this is the one place where you are in control. Remember to be yourself and try not to guess what the college admission officer wants to hear. Give yourself plenty of time to put together an organized and carefully thought out application. Admission officers can tell right away whether somebody has spent time putting together their application package or if it's been thrown together at the last minute.
This can make a tremendous difference if you end up being on the cusp for admission. Make sure the 30 minutes they spend on your application-- yes, it's about 30 minutes-- have an impact. Each school will have its own set of specific questions. Take care to address the questions asked of you. While all the questions may not make sense for someone who's been out of high school for some time, do your best to answer the questions and be succinct and concise.
Given that you most likely have more life experience than the typical college applicant, pivoting your response to such a question to include your more recent military career may offer an opportunity to illustrate how that life experience has made you grow as an individual since your high school years. Adding extra letters of recommendation, certificates, projects, or commendation papers will not necessarily make your application better.
Indeed, sending more material may actually make a negative impression on the admissions committee. Admission officers have a limited time to read applications, and there is an art appreciated by admissions officers to make your accomplishments stand out in the allotted space and format. Make sure to keep track of all your applications once they are submitted. Keep all the online confirmations in one place and make copies of all the applications you have submitted.
Deadlines are an important detail around which you will organize your application process. Colleges have application deadlines, testing agencies have exam deadlines, your references will need deadlines to submit their letters of support. Deadlines are everywhere. Instead of looking at these dates-- and there'll be lots of different dates to keep track of-- as an obstacle, use them to backwards plan your approach to the application.
This is one of those areas where your time in the military will really help you out. While all colleges and universities broadly require the same documents for their applications, many have their own unique process, with specific options and deadlines for applying. For example, at some, if you're applying as a first year student, you can do so early action, early decision, or regular decision.
The process is slightly different if you apply as a transfer applicant. And as I've mentioned already, there are even some colleges and universities that have a separate application process for non-traditional students altogether. What do all of these options mean? Regular decision is the broadest of the three. Year application moves forward in a large pool, and can have a slightly later deadline. If, however, you're certain about a college or colleges you want to attend, consider if applying for early action or early decision is the right thing for you.
Generally, early action applications are due in November, and by December, your application is either accepted, denied, or deferred, which means the college isn't ready to make a decision, and you'll be reconsidered in the regular applicant pool. While the college commits under early action, you on the other hand are not committed to that college, and can if you want to apply to other colleges or universities.
Early decision is different than early action in that it's binding to you. By applying early decision, you're saying to the college, this is my first choice. You'll have to withdraw all other applications, so you need to be 100% certain this is where you want to attend. As with early action, you generally apply in November, and by December are accepted, denied, or deferred.
It may be a good idea to apply early decision or early action if you're sure where you want to apply. Submitting applications early shows commitment, and also means you'll be competing against a smaller applicant pool. Transfer applicants usually have deadlines which follow first year student admission deadlines. With transfer applications, you might consider applying for spring admission, as there are generally fewer applicants at this time, which can mean slightly better odds in general for admission.