The Viking Vision’s College Application Guide

College application deadlines are rapidly approaching. With the amount of time and work that applications entail, it can be hard to keep track of everything that you need to do before submitting your application. Additionally, it can be hard to find the help and resources that you need. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of important information for you to consider, as well as some helpful resources to help you on your college application journey.

What do you need in your college application?

Every school requires different things from applicants. However, for all colleges, you will need to submit your demographic information, a copy of your high school transcript, and information on the school you attend. Most colleges use the Common Application, and you’ll need to write the Common Application Personal Statement. The Coalition Application also includes a personal statement. You will also need an activities list, awards list, and letters of recommendation for most schools.

Some schools, like the UCs, Georgetown and MIT, have you apply through their respective portals rather than the Common Application. Additionally, many schools, like the Ivy Leagues, will require you to complete additional supplemental essays, which are unique to each school. Completing these essays can take a lot of time and effort, so make sure you don’t start too late.

Test Scores

Most schools do not require you to send in your SAT or ACT scores. In fact, some schools, like the UC schools, are test blind, meaning that your SAT and ACT scores are not considered in the evaluation of your application. If you’re having trouble deciding whether to send your scores to a test-optional school, look up the SAT ranges of the school and see whether your score is within that range.

Some schools still require students to send in their SAT or ACT scores, including MIT, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Purdue, and the University of Florida. If you choose to send scores, you need to submit the official score report from the testing organization. You can report AP and SAT scores directly through Collegeboard, and ACT scores directly from the ACT website.

Early Decision, Early Decision II, Early Action, and Regular Decision

Most schools give you the option to submit your application early or at the regular deadline. If you submit your application early action or early decision, you will hear back about your application decision much earlier, usually in January or December. However, you will also have to submit your application much earlier, meaning you have less time to work on it.

The difference between early action and early decision is whether or not your admission decision is binding. If you are accepted to the college of your choice through early decision, you have to attend that college and withdraw all of your other applications. Many prominent colleges, such as Brown University, Cornell University, and Duke University have early decision applicant pathways.

Early action also gives you back your admissions decision early, but you are not required to attend the school. The only requirement is that you cannot apply early to any other private school. Schools such as Stanford, Yale, and many public colleges such as the University of Michigan offer early action options for applicants. The UC schools do not offer early action.

If you are deferred through early action or early decision, you can send a letter of continued interest to the college. Your application will now be evaluated again in the regular decision round, and you will receive your final decision then. You can also apply Early Decision II to another school. Early decision II is another round of early decision, with the same requirements as early decision. Schools like Boston University, Tufts University, U Chicago, Emory University, and NYU allow students to apply early decision II.

Deadlines

Here are some deadlines for popular colleges! If you’re applying to a college that is not listed here, check out the college’s website or the Common Application to find out when it is due.

Resources

Completing your college applications can be very overwhelming. The Valencia High School Career and Counseling Website. It has important resources and information for those applying to UCs, CSUs, and private colleges. They also have information on scholarships, letters of recommendation, and financial aid.