Guide to the College Application Process

For most of the seniors that aren’t going straight into the workforce after high school, this autumn is all about college applications, which can be pretty intimidating. Considering the excessive amount of pressure placed on students to continue their education, if one chooses to go to college, applications are a necessity shrouded in mystery. What are SAT/ACT Subject tests? What is a double major? Why are there multiple colleges in one college? What am I really applying to? For the many questions one may have there are more resources at Armijo, and it would never hurt to visit your counselor or even a teacher for advice.

Now the first, very important step to any college application is to get organized. Try to do some research beforehand about what majors and colleges you would like to apply for, and what GPA, scores, and recommendations are necessary to get in. Ask the important questions and have your requirements ready to be handed in. Do you need a letter of recommendation from a specific type of teacher? (Don’t overwhelm your teachers – ask early!) Do you need to take a subject test to apply for a specific major? Hopefully, most of us seniors have already taken the SAT/ACT and have received our scores, but if you haven’t, there is an SAT test on November 5th and an ACT test on December 10th. More information can be found on the College Board website. If you don’t have an account with them yet, it would be a good time to have one in order to have your SAT/ACT scores sent to the college of your choice.

UC and CSU (University of California and California State Universities) have applications  open now, and both are accepting applications from November 1 – 30. Most other colleges will have similar deadlines, but be sure to double check. The FAFSA is also something to get done, and is necessary to receive grants. If you don’t have a good memory, make sure to write down the many usernames and passwords you will  have to create. All of these processes are online! Again, organization is the best way to reduce stress.

Once you have your research done and have fulfilled your requirements, settle down, have a snack, and get to know yourself. The actual application process requires you to write a lot about who you are as a person and how that would affect your academic life. Don’t be afraid to write about unconventional things. Not all of us have been interns or have created non-profit organizations (but if you have, don’t be afraid to brag). If you think you played a significant role as a tutor or as a teacher’s assistant, or if you have volunteered at the library or have had a job, then there is just as much value in your activities. Overcoming adversity, engaging in extracurricular projects, and showing off your creative side are all things you should consider. It is all about how you write and what colleges can take away about you.

The most stressful part about college applications (and college) may just be paying for it all. With CSU applications at $55 per college and UC applications at $70 per university, it is important to set aside some cash for it, or find out if you’re eligible for fee waivers. There are also scholarships that you can fill out, most in the form of essays, but some can be more creative, like making posters or videos. There are a plethora of scholarships out there, waiting to support your future. Visit the Counseling office or the College and Career Center here at Armijo for more details.

Remember, though the application process may be tricky, there is more than enough help available. Best of luck to everyone applying to college this November!