You Have Specific Needs That Only A Few Colleges Meet
If only a few colleges fit your specific needs, then you dont have to apply to a ton of colleges.;For example, when I was applying to college, I knew I wanted to compete for an NCAA Division I gymnastics team. At the time, there were about 15 NCAA Division I mens gymnastics programs. Even before I started doing college research or waited to see which schools recruited me, my options were very limited. I believe I ended up applying to 4 colleges, and admittedly, I only applied to one of those because I wanted to go on another recruiting trip.
If you want to be in a very specific location or pursue a major that only a few schools have, then you may only need to apply to 3-5 colleges.
Can A Community College Deny You
Yes, just like most other colleges, a community college can deny you. Grounds for not being accepted may differ. They range from not having the necessary documents to not having enough resources due to high enrollment. You may visit the admissions office ahead of application if you feel that you may get denied.
Interviews And Campus Visits
Visiting campuses can go a long way towards helping students decide where they want to go to school. In addition to helping assess whether the environment is a good fit, these tours may actually boost your candidacy by demonstrating your interest in an institution.
Some schools keep track of student visits and consider this in their admissions processes. However, larger universities or Ivy League schools do not usually track student visits. Many colleges also require a formal interview with an alum or admissions officer especially Ivy League schools and other private universities. Most questions help interviewers develop a perception of you based on your interests, strengths and weaknesses, and aspirations. While most evaluations do not directly lead to a final decision, an engaging interview can certainly help your candidacy.In addition to the few dozen schools that require formal interviews, others offer them as optional components. If you’re applying to one of these schools, we recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to interview. Taking this extra step to demonstrate your interest can positively affect your chances of getting an acceptance letter.
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Do You Know How To Improve Your Profile For College Applications
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Early decision college admissions deadlines are just around the corner. Maybe you have everything in order, and the only next step is to submit your application. But before you hit send, make sure youre aware of these four considerations about early decision.
You Can Get Familiar With Your School
You’ll need to keep focused on finishing up your high school degree, but one of the most exciting aspects of early decision is that you can start getting acquainted with your college months before you arrive. Whether its through social media, a summer internship or an informal chat session with other incoming freshmen, you can start to feel like you fit in long before you step on campus.
Figure out what clubs, sports, and special events your college offers and which ones you might want to take part in. You may even have the chance to chat with upperclassmen and ask them questions about campus life.;
In addition to having more time to get familiar with your school, early admission could improve your chances of landing premium student housing and the most desired on-campus job. Finally, when it comes time to create your class schedule, you may have a better chance of getting the classes you want at the times that suit you best.
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Cut Down On Admission Stress
If you are accepted to your dream school, you won’t have to bother with the time and expense of applying elsewhere. You can put your focus back on right now instead of one year from now.
Some students and high school counselors believe that applying early decision gives them better odds of acceptance, but the truth is early acceptance rates and admissions standards vary from school to school. You can find early decision application numbers and acceptance rates for many schools in our Best Colleges book, and dont be afraid to ask an admission counselor at your dream school directly about their early admission practices. There is a disadvantage to applying early, however. You may not have the opportunity to compare financial aid packages offered by other schools.
When Should I Consider Applying To Fewer Colleges
Applying to fewer colleges isnt usually ideal, but there are sometimes circumstances that necessitate it.
The most obvious reason that you would apply to fewer colleges would be if youre applying early decision. In this case, you can only apply to one college and if you get in, you are required to attend. These applications are generally due in November and decisions are released by December, before regular decision application deadlines. If you apply and are accepted to your top choice early decision, you will only have applied to one school.
This isnt the only case in which students apply to fewer than seven or so colleges. Sometimes, cost is a consideration. While fee waivers are an option for some students in financial need, most students will end up paying up to $75 per college application. In addition, youll need to pay for SAT or ACT score reports. These costs can add up quickly and if you apply to 10 colleges, you could end up spending more than $1000 on college applications.
In addition, college applications take time. Even if you apply to schools that accept the Common Application or the Coalition Application, you will often need to write supplementary essays for many schools. This time adds up quickly if youre looking at 10+ additional essays.
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Applying To Transfer To Multiple Schools
<p>Will schools that take the common application know that I submitted it to other schools as well? Will this look bad in terms of me not looking like I’ve made my mind up?</p>
<p>I will be applying as a junior transfer applicant to 3-4 schools, so I will have given my current school a full 3 semesters before trying to get out, but my predicament is this: I know I want to transfer and while I certainly have a top choice, it is quite the long shot and my desire to transfer is such that I think I would rather submit several applications at the risk of not looking ‘dedicated’ to one particular school simply so that I have a reasonable chance of transferring somewhere. After one year I still strongly dislike my current institution, but I’m definitely holding out hope that this semester will prove it to be awesome and I won’t have to go through with the rigorous transfer process. But, where it currently stands, I plan on applying to transfer.</p>
<p>It could be that the schools won’t even know I applied elsewhere, and it could also be that they don’t care. I know as a freshman applicant we were encouraged to apply all over the place, but something tells me transfer applicants might be given different advice. Any input?</p>
<p>Schools will fully expect you to be applying to more than one school, for transfer just as for freshman applications. My son applied to, I think, 10 places and was accepted to all but one.</p>
Personal Statements And Essays
Grades and test scores commonly come to mind as the most important aspects of an application packet. While academic merit remains a top consideration, intangible factors can also play a crucial role.A personal statement allows colleges to assess students beyond their academic achievements. Typically ranging from 250-650 words, these essays allow applicants to differentiate themselves by demonstrating their creative skills and writing ability.
Students dont need to write an essay trying to say what they believe the reader wants to hear. Be thoughtful, creative, and authentic.. Source: Dr. Gordon Chavis, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services, University of Central Florida
While each college may require a unique supplemental essay, many use prompts from the Common App. These prompts generally include questions about overcoming obstacles, formative experiences, how your background has shaped you, and achievements that led to personal growth.
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Seize It All With The Common App
You have probably heard of the Latin expression Carpe diem. In English, this means Seize the day. When applying to institutions of higher learning, the Common Application allows you to Carpe Omnia Seize it all!
Applying to multiple colleges can be time consuming and intimidating. Each university has its own application criteria. Every year universities add more complexity to their application process. More and more, you are competing against other students, which, in itself, adds additional stress. The Common Application is designed to simplify the application process by allowing you to submit one application that is accepted by multiple schools.
When Should I Consider Applying To More Colleges
You should consider applying to more than 7-10 colleges if you are absolutely set on going to a highly selective college.
At top colleges, the acceptance rates now stoop well into the single digits. This means that these schools receive far more qualified applicants than they are able to admit. In order to further thin the pool of admitted students, many other factors are considered by the admissions committee and you will not know in advance which other factors are being most heavily weighed. Further, they will not be the same from one college to the next.
For example, at Harvard they might be looking to build their pool of international students or their incoming engineering majors. At Stanford, they might be looking to replace the kicker on the football team or admit more students interested in the performing arts. You never know which particular hooks will matter at these top schools, so applying to more of them is often a good strategy.
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Tips For Applying Online With Application Services
Don’t apply to any college on a whim.;Application services make applying to multiple colleges much easier. But resist the temptation to apply to more colleges just because you can. You’ll avoid unnecessary fees and unwieldy college lists by sticking with schools you are serious about.
Know how to use the application.;Each service has a unique interface, process, and features. Before you get started, take the time to learn about the platform and tools, and how to get technical help if needed.
Check for extra forms, questions, and requests from the college.;Beyond the standard application, many colleges ask for extra essays, recommendations, work samples, and information about you. A benefit of using any of these services is that they help you keep track of these different requirements and when they are due.
Don’t tell every school the same thing.;You might be tempted to use the same or similar answers on the supplemental essays. Don’t. Use the supplemental essays to explain why you want to attend this particular college, what makes the college special to you, and what you think you can contribute.
Print out your application and review it before clicking “send.”;Be sure to go over the application with your counselor or parent to make sure there are no omissions or mistakes. Also, there are rare instances where electronic applications get lost, so keep a backup copy.
Can You Use The Same Essay For Different College Applications
Its no secret that the college process is grueling. Youll need to put an extensive amount of work into every piece of every application. Its natural to want to find ways to save time and energy. This is an especially tempting prospect when it comes to your college essays can you reuse your essays for different colleges?;
The short answer is It depends. The long answer is a bit more involved, but well be going over the different scenarios and best practices in this post.
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What Is Ea In College Application
Early action is a type of early admission process offered by some institutions for admission to colleges and universities in the United States. ED, however, is a binding commitment to enroll; that is, if accepted under ED, the applicant must withdraw all other applications and enroll at that institution.
Do All Schools Offer Ea And Ed
Not all schools offer early action and/or early decision options but most do. In fact, the difference between early decision and early action often accounts for which of the two options are offered at a given school. Schools that are more competitive typically offer early decision or both early decision and early action options. Schools that are less competitive may only offer early action. Some schools have a policy of offering neither and instead assess students all after the same deadline. Its important to research your top one or two schools well in advance of the early decision and early action deadlines to make sure they offer these application options.;
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There Are Different Application Types And Deadlines Depending On The Colleges You Apply To Discover What Plan Is Best For You
There are different college admission application forms, and each college determines what form it requires. Most applications are electronic and submitted online, but some may allow or require;paper submissions.
Know what application forms you will use:
- Common Application:; More than 300 colleges across the country participate in the Common Application, an online application system in which the student’s information is entered once and can be sent to multiple colleges. A college using this system may also require completion of a supplemental form specific to that college.
- SUNY:;Applications for the State University of New York allow for applying to more than one college within;the system.
- CUNY:; Applications for the City University of New York allow for applying to more than one college within;the system.
- College’s own application:; Some colleges have their own application forms.; These may be available on their websites or through links emailed to prospective students.
Ed Programs Are Single Choice
Unlike with early action, you cant apply to multiple schools under the early decision plan. As noted above, you must sign a contract stating you will matriculate if you admitted when you send your application. If you are accepted, you must withdraw your applications from other schools if youve already submitted them.
Thats why its imperative that the college to which you apply under the ED plan is your absolute first choice. Dont just apply ED to ease your anxiety and find out your admissions decision sooner or because it will give you an advantage; if you dont have a clear top choice, its best to apply under early action and/or regular decision plans instead.
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What Schools Offer Single Choice Early Action
The list of colleges offering REA/SCEA is smallthe program is available only at Boston College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, and Yale University. Each institution has its own guidelines and rules for students applying to these programs; consult with their admissions departments to better understand the limitations.
Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. Well also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. to get started!
Benefits Of Dual Enrollment
- Save money: You may pay less for your college degree if you take some less expensive classes at a community college rather than all of them at your four-year university.
- Give yourself more scheduling options: What if two of your required classes at your main school meet at the same time? You may be able to take one of them at a community college or different university instead either in person or online.
- Expand your course options: You can choose from course catalogs at two schools instead of just one.
- Get the four-year college experience: If you’re trying to cut costs by taking community college classes, but you want to start at a four-year school rather than transfer later, concurrent enrollment may solve your problem. You can take classes at both schools while formally attending your four-year university.
- Earn double benefits: You may qualify for parking pass discounts at two campuses or be allowed to take advantage of student activities, facilities and the like, at both schools.
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Needs Circumstances Dictate Number Of Applications
Its worth repeating that there is no magic number of applications, just the number thats right for you. Consider these determinative needs and circumstances:
- Very few schools meet your academic needs, minimizing your list.
- Very few schools meet your geographic needs, minimizing your list.
- You wont settle for anything but an elite school, so you increase the number of applications to boost your odds of getting at least one green light.
- Your top pick is early decision or early action, so its acceptable to start the process with a single application.
- You call the shots because you have an academic record, life experience, rare talent, or athletic ability that schools cherish.
What people want, need, can do, and want to do arent the only factors that drive them to shrink or expand lists of prospective schools.