Q&A for How to Apply to College

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How important is the essay that goes with my application?

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
College Applications Consultant
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

College Applications Consultant

Expert Answer

Extremely important! You really want to make sure you submit a polished, original essay. A lot of students think that their grades and transcripts will speak for themselves, but schools really care about the essay. It's your chance to stand out and show them who you are, so don't waste your shot!

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Question

It is almost time to start college, and I still have not applied. Can I still make it?

Community Answer

Some schools do have late admission, but it might be best to apply the following year.

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Question

What are all the applications/grants that need completed?

Community Answer

Depends where you are going. Most college websites will show you all the options, and instruct you on how to apply.

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Do you have to be a certain age to apply to go to a college (USA)?

Community Answer

Different colleges have different rules about what grade you have to be in. Most colleges seem to allow you to apply at the end of your high school junior year.

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What is the importance of the SAT?

Community Answer

The SAT or ACT tests in the United States are used to compare how good you are academically against all other applicants. They are highly regarded tests almost every junior in the country takes when applying for college.

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How many colleges should I select?

Community Answer

The amount of colleges one applies to varies from person to person. Most people apply to 3-10 colleges. Remember to apply to enough that you have safety schools (schools where your stats are better than the average student), match schools (schools where your stats are about the same), and reach schools (schools where, you guessed it, your stats are slightly lower than those of an average student).

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I am an American citizen, but am currently going to a high school in Japan. How would I apply to an American college?

Community Answer

It depends on the school. Some institutions consider all students with a US passport - regardless of their current country of residency - as domestic students, whereas other institutions consider all applicants whose country of residency is not the United States as international students. You'll have to check out the information page of the institutions you are interested in to see under which category you fall.

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When is the best time to apply for college?

Community Answer

The fall of your senior year is the best time to apply to most colleges. However, you should check with the specific colleges that you are applying to as they may require specific dates for their applications.

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What are some requirements to apply for a college?

Community Answer

The most common requirements are the following: - Standardized test scores (SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL - the requirements differ from school to school) - High school requirements (units of English, math, science, etc.) - School report and transcript - Letters of recommendation - Mid-year report - Application fee (or fee waiver)

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Can I take the SAT or ACT tests if I'm an international student?

Community Answer

Yes, you can easily take the SAT and ACT exams either online (possibly) or at a testing center near you if one is available.

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What do I do after filling out the online application?

Community Answer

It varies by college, but typically after you fill out the online application (including the college's supplement, if you're using the Common app), colleges will e-mail you a username and password to set up a portal account. When you log into the portal account, you will see a list of next steps. Often you will have to get the college board to send official SAT scores and your counselor will have to send a mid-year report with your grades. (If you are homeschooled, your parent can fill out the mid-year report.)

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Question

How do I get a scholarship?

Victoria

Top Answerer

Check out How to Get a Scholarship for information on how to get a college scholarship.

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