Once the summer wraps up, it’s the busiest time of the year for high school seniors: college application season.
From juggling deadlines, to standardized tests, to finalizing your college list, the process of applying for college can become quite tumultuous and hectic.
If you need a breakdown on how to apply for college, here’s seven easy steps you can follow to guide you through the process.
Step One: Visit Colleges
Many students fixate on the academic fit, student culture, or prestige of colleges when forming their college list, often without considering where they will be living for the next four years of their life.
Visiting prospective colleges in-person is an important step to take when figuring out what you’re looking for in a college geographically, spatially, and climate-wise.
For example, if you’re from a big city and the college you’re visiting is in a tiny, suburban town, consider how adaptable you might be with the change. If you’ve grown up in sunny weather your entire life, consider how altered climates might impact you.
Visiting colleges is also a great way to get a feel for campuses, interact with students, and attempt to envision your four years there. After all, seeing pictures of a college campus on the Internet versus being there in person are incomparable.
If visiting colleges is not an option for you, opt-in for virtual tours that the college offers, and contact the admissions office to connect you with current students who can share their experiences with you.
Step Two: Take the ACT or SAT
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities became test-optional for the application cycle, and some even became test-optional permanently.
Test-optional is when the student is allowed to submit their college application sans standardized testing scores, without any disadvantage to their strength as an applicant.
The UC System has gone test-optional permanently, Harvard extended their test-optional policy to 2026, and now MIT has gone back to requiring standardized test scores.
Because the test-optional policy varies from school to school, be sure to determine which schools require standardized test scores so you’ll know whether or not you will need to take the ACT or SAT.
Despite the test-optional policy, students are highly encouraged to take the ACT or SAT if their circumstances allow it. A strong standardized testing score is a beneficial addition to your application, and if the schools you are applying to do not require test scores, a weak score can’t hurt your application.
When deciding between the SAT and ACT, take a timed, “real-life” attempt at a practice test for both the SAT and the ACT and see which test you do better on.
Here’s a breakdown of the structural differences between the ACT and the SAT.
Source: The College Board
Step Three: Narrow Down Your College List
Once you’ve attended both in-person and virtual college tours, spoken with students who are attending potential college options, and made a list of prospective schools, it’s time to narrow down your list.
Group your schools into safety schools, target schools, and reach schools.
Safety Schools
Target Schools
Reach Schools
A school that you’re guaranteed to get into. This can mean that:You are well above the 75th percentile for average student statistics (GPA, SAT or ACT score, etc.)
Acceptance rate is around 30%.
A school that you are a competitive applicant for, but admission is not guaranteed. This can mean that:Your GPA, class rank, and test scores are within the 50th percentile.
Acceptance rate is around 15-20%.
A competitive school that is extremely selective and admission is unlikely. This can mean that:Your GPA, class rank and test scores are lower than average.
Acceptance rate less than ~15%.
Make note of the application fees and deadlines that are specific to each school. Submitting applications can cost from $35-$90, but if you qualify for financial aid, application fees may be subsidized.
Step Four: Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1st and closes on June 30th. You must submit the FAFSA to be eligible to be considered for federal financial aid, such as grants, loans, and scholarships.
Almost all schools in the United States require students to submit the FAFSA to gauge a student’s financial need and award financial aid packages.
Financial aid is disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after the October 1st open date the year prior to when you plan to enroll.
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Step Five: Make Note of Application Deadlines
Colleges have individual application deadlines that you should stay on top of. Create a Google sheet with the schools you are applying to, how you are applying, and which deadline to meet.
Generally, there are three ways to apply to a college: early action, early decision, and regular decision. You should note that individual research must be conducted to familiarize yourself with a school’s application processes.
- Early action: You submit your application earlier than the regular deadline (usually due in the fall of your senior year) and hear whether you’ve been accepted or not from the schools earlier in the year. Early action is not binding and may increase the chances of being admitted.
- Early decision: You submit your application earlier than the regular deadline and must commit to the school if you are accepted. Students generally apply early decision if they are set on attending a specific school. Students cannot apply early decision to multiple schools since it is a binding agreement.
- Regular decision: You submit your application by the regular deadline (usually in the winter) and hear back from schools within the regular time frame.
Sample Way to Organize Application Deadlines:
College
Type of Application
Deadline
Yale University
Early Decision
November 1st
University of Chicago
Early Action
November 2nd
Wellesley College
Regular Decision
January 8th
University of Southern California
Regular Decision
January 15th
Step Six: Get Your Application Materials Ready
Here’s a handy list of application materials you will need when applying for college:
- High school transcripts: You can access your transcripts from your high school. Schools will usually ask for either an unofficial or official transcript. An unofficial transcript is usually available online and can be easily accessed by you. An official transcript is sent from your high school to the requesting institution directly.
- Letters of recommendations (usually two): Colleges will usually ask for two recommendation letters. It is encouraged that students submit one letter of recommendation from a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) teacher and the other from a Humanities/Social Sciences teacher. If there is the option to submit additional letters of recommendation, take advantage of this. When asking teachers for recommendation letters, be sure to ask early so that they have ample time to write a stellar letter.
- Personal statement essay: Your personal statement essay is the main college essay that you will apply to every college with. It should describe an important aspect of yourself that you wish to highlight.
- List of extracurriculars with descriptions: Keep your resume handy for the extracurriculars section of your college application. You will be asked to detail your extracurricular activities, highlight any awards or leadership positions, and describe your roles.
- Test scores: AP Test score(s), SAT/ACT score
Be sure to check with individual schools for specific application requirements.
Step Seven: Submit Your Application
You can submit all of your college applications online through common applications, which allow you to send your application to multiple schools from one portal.
- The most popular common application is the Common App, which is used by 900+ colleges.
- The Coalition for College is another common application that is partnered with 150+ colleges.
Bonus Steps
While not necessarily part of the college application process, these last few steps are important in actually getting to college.
Step 8: Review Your Financial Aid Awards
Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into college and have received multiple financial aid awards to consider and compare.
You’ll want to find the net price that you’ll have to pay for the school year and compare your aid offers. The net price is the total that you pay for the school year once all scholarships, grants, and loans have been factored in.
First, create a spreadsheet with a column for each of the schools that you were accepted to.
You’ll want to record the cost of attendance, the amount of free aid that you’ve received, the amount you’ll have to borrow, and the cost of attendance when subtracted from the free aid. For an example of what this can look like, check out this table.
Take note of the following considerations: Which school offered the most financial aid? What is my family’s financial budget? Which financial aid offers are reasonable to accept, and which are not?
If you have any questions about your financial aid offer, contact the school’s financial aid office for assistance.
Step Nine: Accept the Admissions Offer and Put in Your Deposit
After much consideration, you’ve finally decided which school you want to attend from the extensive list of schools you were offered admission from.
Though it may differ from school to school, the standard acceptance deadline is May 1st, which is National College Decision Day.
When you do decide which offer to accept, you will likely be required to put a deposit down to secure your spot. Your school should instruct you on how to pay your deposit, so keep a lookout in your email for the information.
Step Ten: Explore College Financing Options
Scholarships, grants, and student loans are the three main ways that students cover the cost of tuition.
- Scholarships- Scholarships are a form of gift aid that is awarded based on merit and personal achievements. You do not need to pay back any scholarships that you receive. All students can apply for scholarships and win free money for school. Be sure to look into the scholarships that your school offers; the applications for these scholarships are usually due by the start of the school year. Here are some of our favorite scholarship search engines:
- Grants- Grants are another form of gift aid that are awarded based on financial need. Your financial aid package should include grants that you are eligible for, and you should accept all the grants that you receive because they do not have to be paid back. Outside of the grants that you’ve received from your financial aid offer, you can apply to grants that are offered by the federal government, your state, private organizations, and your school.
- Federal Student Loans- Federal student loan offers should show up in your financial aid package. These are loans offered by the federal government and generally offer better terms for undergraduate borrowers as opposed to private student loans. Federal student loans are usually unsubsidized or subsidized. With subsidized loans, the federal government will pay the interest that accrues while you are in school. So, when you graduate, the balance on your subsidized loan will be the exact amount you borrowed. With unsubsidized loans, the government will not cover the interest that accrues. So, when you graduate, the unsubsidized loan balance will be the amount you originally borrowed plus the interest that accrued while you were in school. If given the choice between an unsubsidized and a subsidized loan, go with the subsidized loan. Be sure to give priority to your federal student loans and turn to private student loans as the last resort.
- Private Student Loans- If your federal financial aid doesn’t cover all of your tuition, consider applying for private student loans. Private student loans are offered by private organizations, like banks and financial institutions. These should be your last resort options, as interest rates are usually higher for private student loans and repayment plans tend to be less flexible. When you’re looking for private student loans, Sparrow can help. Sparrow offers a free form that once submitted, matches you with private student loans you pre-qualify for. Sign up today.
Student loan rates from our partners
Ascent
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
LendKey
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
Earnest
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
College Ave
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Closing Thoughts From the Nest
We hope that this step-by-step guide helps you along your college application journey. We’ve all been there before, and we know you can do it!
If you need any assistance regarding how to apply for college, reach out to your high school’s college counselor, speak with upperclassmen, and use your resources. Best of luck!
Sparrow’s goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products.