The college application process

DEADLINES Deadlines for most colleges range from November to the spring Find the deadlines for the colleges you are interested in attending Look for scholarship deadlines as well Don’t miss out on opportunities because you miss due dates

College Requirements Taking PSAT – 10th and 11th grade SAT/ACT – TAKE IT NOW. You can take it more than once. See which test the college(s) you are interested in require. Résumés – Make one for college, scholarship and job applications Selecting a College – Check out websites, campus tours, talk to recruiters Applying to Colleges – Apply to a few, don’t limit yourself Keeping GPA high – Take all the required courses for the college(s) you are applying Be prepared to deal with Rejection and Waiting List Letters

SAT/ACT Deadlines ACT www.ACTstudent.org SAT www.collegeboard.com Test Date Registration Deadline September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 October 27, 2012 September 21, 2012 December 8, 2012 November 9, 2012 February 9, 2013* January 11, 2013 April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013

What is a personal essay? A personal essay is used to learn more about you and to also get a writing sample. Some colleges will require that you turn in an essay with your application. This is a chance to make yourself stand out from the other applicants.

How do you write a personal essay? There will be a prompt for your essay. Read it thoroughly and make sure you are addressing the question in your essay. Create an outline for your essay. Write at least two drafts before your final copy is turned in. Have others help you edit.

Tips on writing a personal essay. Be unique. Again, this is your chance to stand out from the crowd. Be original. Avoid using clichés and other overused stories. Be creative. Let your personality shine through your essay. Be memorable. Let them know why you should be selected.

Tips on writing a personal essay. Avoid gimmicks of any kind. Writing on a ball is cute, but it doesn't fit in your folder! Don't exceed the suggested length; for most applications, about five paragraphs should do it. Usually personal essays are a page and a half.

Give to Your Community VOLUNTEER! It makes you feel good. You can help those less fortunate about yourself. You can improve your neighborhood and even the world. It looks good on your resume. Volunteering can help you get scholarships and could count as experience for a job.

Filling out the application Type if possible. If not, use black ink and print very clearly. Most are done online. Fill out each section. Write N/A if it is not applicable. Double check for mistakes before you send it in. Make sure you included all the requested materials.

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 1 NOT DOING YOUR RESEARCH! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… BIGGEST 1 MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 2 MISSING DEADLINES! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 3 NOT APPLYING TO SAFETY SCHOOLS! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… BIGGEST 1 MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 4 FIXATING ON ONE SCHOOL! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 5 APPLYING TO SCHOOLS BASED ON COSTS! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… BIGGEST 1 MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 6 SLOPPY APPLICATIONS! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… BIGGEST 1 MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 7 ONE ESSAY FITS ALL! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 8 DOING EARLY DECISION ACCDEPTANCE WHEN YOU’RE NOT 100% SURE! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 9 FOLLOWING YOUR FRIENDS TO COLLEGE! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!

1 BIGGEST MISTAKES STUDENTS MAKE WHEN APPLY TO COLLEGE… # 10 NOT SHOWING ENOUGH INTEREST! …SO DON’T MAKE THEM!!!