Applying to College

Applying to college is an important step in a student's academic career. It is a complicated process that takes some planning on the part of the parents and students. Some students get a tutor to make sure the student submits the best applications they possibly can.

There are many stages that make up the college application process:

Early stages: 10th Grade and Before

In 10th grade (or even earlier) students may start thinking about colleges they might like to go to. Students may be looking for specific academic programs, a general or specific location (beach, mountain access, in California, etc.), or a specific university. Students may even go on preliminary visits. Most importantly, students need to perform well academically, because the sophomore year counts heavily in determining the GPA for application purposes. Students may also knock out an SAT subject area test in the spring of the Junior year, and many students also take AP tests for AP classes they are taking as a sophomore.

The Big Year: 11th Grade

In 10th grade (or even earlier) students may start thinking about colleges they might like to go to. Students may be looking for specific academic programs, a general or specific location (beach, mountain access, in California, etc.), or a specific university. Students may even go on preliminary visits. Most importantly, students need to perform well academically, because the sophomore year counts heavily in determining the GPA for application purposes. Students may also knock out an SAT subject area test in the spring of the Junior year, and many students also take AP tests for AP classes they are taking as a sophomore.

The Big Year: 11th Grade

In 11th grade, students need to "turn it on" so to speak. Students visit campuses over the summer or squeeze them in on weekends and vacations. The PSAT is taken in the fall semester, and then most students take the SAT reasoning test (SAT-1) and/or the SAT at least once in the winter/spring. Also, students who are planning on applying to more competitive schools, like the UC campuses, will need to take at least 2 SAT Subject Tests. These are often taken in the spring semester of the Junior year as well. This is when students who take AP courses have AP tests to deal with in May, and to top it all off, grades and extra-curricular activities are never more important than in the 11th grade.

To find out when the SAT and ACT are offered, view the SAT and ACT Schedules.

Applying: 12th Grade

Early in the senior year is when most students actually apply to colleges and universities. You will need to check the specific application deadlines to make sure applications are turned in on time. Also, you will need to make sure you fill out the application thoroughly and correctly, and submit financial aid forms on time and to the right place, if your student is applying for financial aid. One of the most important aspects of the application is the Personal Essay, or the Personal Statement. This is what sets a student apart from another student. Many students get a tutor to help with personal statements, to make sure they have an effective, engaging, and compelling essay. Students must avoid senioritis, even after they are accepted to college, because most colleges have a contingency to make sure students follow through academically in their senior year. There is nothing worse than getting an acceptance pulled due to a lapse in the senior year, so close to the finish line!

Here are some helpful pieces of information about the application process:

Choosing a College - Beyond the Basics
Applying to the University of California
Applying to the California State University
Importance of Meaningful Extra-Curricular Activities

SAT and ACT Schedules
SAT and ACT Timing
SAT and ACT-What's the difference?
SAT Subject Tests
Family Life a Factor in SAT Success