College applications provide one of the most important opportunities for students to impart information to the college professionals who will make the admission decision.  The application represents you and, in many situations, it is your only voice in the admission process.  Taking time to understand the different parts of college applications and to complete them thoughtfully and thoroughly is a vital investment in your pursuit of college admission. 

Applications for College Admission are completed using an online portal.  Most schools will accept applications through more than one portal option.  Be prepared for lots of new terminology, keeping track of many important dates and deadlines, and remembering plenty of usernames and passwords.  The following tips will help you be prepared to complete your online applications. 

• Take the ACT (www.act.org) & SAT (www.collegeboard.org) at least once in your junior year
• Plan to repeat the ACT or SAT in the early fall of your senior year (whichever test you preferred)
• Identify & keep track of your college application deadlines (aim for early action deadlines)
• Determine if your colleges prefer the use of a certain online application
• Set up your account with CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) at www.cfnc.org (for most NC schools)
• Set up your account with The Common Application at www.commonapp.org (for many out-of-state schools)
• Use an appropriate email that you regularly check (at least weekly)
• Preview applications during your junior year so you know what to expect
• Use the summer between junior & senior years wisely (visit colleges, write rough draft essays, & prepare your resume)
• Begin your applications around August 1 of your senior year
• Be prepared to pay college application fees (generally $60 - $100)
• Fee waivers may be available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch (see Registrar in the S3 Office)
• Send your official test scores as requested by going to www.act.org and/or www.collegeboard.org

Your transcript is used by colleges to determine whether you demonstrated college readiness.  Because you must send your transcript in the fall of your senior year, colleges use the GPA from your 9th - 11th grade years to determine eligibility along with an assessment of the courses you have taken in those years and plan to take in  your 12th grade year.  How can you send your official transcript to colleges?

• Send it to colleges in NC through the Transcript Manager in CFNC -- www.cfnc.org
• Invite your counselor to help with the school portion of your Common App (many out-of-state applications)
• Fill out a Transcript Request Form and submit it to the Registrar in the S3 Office (other applications & scholarships)

Recommendations are a part of the college application that "paint a picture" of your strongest academic, character, leadership and other traits.  Colleges may or may not request letters of recommendation; those who want them may prefer a recommendation form rather than an actual letter.  Who can write you a letter of recommendation?  Anyone who knows you well, but some of the people most typically asked are listed below.  Don't forget to give these folks at least two weeks notice and be sure to write them a thank you note!

• teachers
• coaches
• employers
• club advisors
• faith-based leaders
• counselors
• administrators
• peers (only if specifically asked by a colleges to provide a peer recommendation)

College Application Checklist (CFNC)
College Application Checklist (College Board)
College Application Timeline (College Board)
​​​​​​​College Applications: How To Begin
​​​​​​​College Preparation Checklist (FAFSA)​​​​​​​
The Anatomy Of The College Application