College admissions are more competitive than ever, with acceptance rates at elite institutions dropping year after year. Schools like Yale and Harvard hover around 3-4%, while Princeton and Columbia sit around 6%. Even if you’re a top-tier student with an outstanding academic and extracurricular profile, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in. Understanding how to apply for college effectively is important now more than ever.
This means that the bar is set significantly higher if you are serious about getting into schools like the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, UChicago, or Caltech. Yes, your course selection, GPA, SATs, and AP scores matter, but we’d be lying to you if that’s all it took to get in. Knowing how to apply for college means going above and beyond the basics, often through regional and national academic competitions like the USA Math Olympiad or Scholastic Art and Writing Competitions, to show your intellectual ability beyond just grades and test scores.
In this blog, we’ll be giving you insights and advice on how to apply for college. We’ll be sharing tips and tricks on the college application format, and answer your burning questions like how long do admissions officers read applications, and what is one thing you can start doing today to stand out in the application process.
Tips for Applying to College
Applying to college is no easy feat, and it can feel overwhelming. But you can make the process much easier by breaking it down into small steps. Here’s how to apply for college in a way that feels manageable and organized.
1. Balance challenging classes and extracurriculars in high school
A high GPA, paired with challenging courses, is one of the most important factors colleges consider when thinking about how to apply for college.
According to a 2023 report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), about 3 in 4 colleges see your grades in challenging courses as a key part of their decision-making process.
When figuring out how to apply for college, it’s important to know that around 86% of schools consider the strength of your curriculum either “moderately” or “considerably” important. That’s why taking Advanced Placement (AP), honors, or IB courses can really boost your application.
When you’re filling out your college applications, you’ll get a chance to share information about the extracurricular activities you took part in during high school. This is your moment to detail all the ways you spent your time outside the classroom, which is an important aspect of how to apply for college. Think about everything from structured activities like sports or clubs to family obligations, like taking care of siblings or even part-time jobs.
Some admissions officers really dive into this section, but it’s often the most overlooked part of the application. Many students rush through it and miss the opportunity to explain just how involved they were in each activity. So, take your time! Be sure to highlight any leadership roles or accomplishments you had.
2. Prepare your standardized test scores
Many schools still require SAT or ACT scores, but you usually send them through the testing companies. However, the number of schools requiring these scores has dropped significantly since the pandemic disrupted standardized testing. Even though many schools don’t require these exams, it’s important to understand the difference between test-blind and test-optional policies as part of how to apply for college. Test-blind means that even if you submit your scores, they won’t be considered. Test-optional means you don’t have to send scores, but they’ll be reviewed if you do. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding the SAT and ACT scores:
SAT Score Reports
- four free score reports with each test registration
- schools can be chosen before or within nine days after the test
- additional score reports cost $12 each
ACT Score Reports
- four free score reports for each test
- additional reports cost $18 each
- fee waivers available for qualifying students
- Waivers cover extra score reports for colleges and scholarship programs
Even if a school doesn’t require SAT or ACT scores, it’s often a good idea to submit them. A Dartmouth University study found that test scores can help highlight high-achieving students from less advantaged backgrounds. Without those scores, admissions teams tend to rely more on things like counselor recommendations and other non-academic factors that might favor wealthier applicants. Understanding this can help you strategize effectively when learning how to apply for college.
To get ready for either exam, using official practice questions and tests is one of the best strategies—and many of these resources are free. You could also get an SAT or ACT prep book, take prep classes, or work with a tutor.
While test scores can be helpful in your college application, they’re not the top priority. According to a report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), around 70% of colleges don’t weigh test scores as heavily as things like grades or course rigor.
3. Craft compelling personal statements
When you’re learning how to apply for college, most schools will ask you to submit at least one writing sample: your college essay, also known as a personal statement.
There’s usually a word limit, typically a few hundred words. For example, the main essay on the Common App is around 650 words, while the Coalition Application suggests keeping essays between 500 and 650 words. On top of that, school-specific supplemental essays from University of Chicago and University of Southern California are often about 250 words. Even with standardized tests becoming more common again, the personal statement is still a key part of your application. In fact, more than half of the colleges surveyed by NACAC consider the essay at least moderately important when evaluating how to apply for college.
Take the time to develop a unique perspective and choose a prompt that works for you. The goal is to tell an intimate, engaging story that shows who you are beyond just grades and scores.
4. Take note of application deadlines
As a high school senior, you have several deadlines to consider when learning how to apply for college. First up are early decision deadlines, which usually fall in November. If you apply early decision (or ED), you’ll hear back from colleges sooner than your peers who apply later. Most ED admissions decisions come out by December.
But here’s the catch: ED acceptances are binding. That means if you’re offered admission, you have to enroll. Schools like Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and Northwestern University offer ED plans. Some schools also offer a second early decision deadline, called ED II. This option is also binding but has different timelines—ED II deadlines are usually in January, with decisions coming out in February. New York University (NYU) and Vanderbilt University are examples of schools with ED II options.
Then there’s Early Action (EA). This type of application deadline is typically in November or December, though some schools have deadlines as early as October 15. Just like with early decision, if you apply early action, you’ll get your results sooner. The big difference? EA acceptances aren’t binding, so you have the freedom to consider other options. Schools like University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Chicago offer EA programs.
There’s also something called restrictive early action, which is less common. This allows you to apply early to only one school (with a few exceptions), but it’s still nonbinding. Examples of schools with restrictive early action include Stanford University, Yale University, and Harvard University.
If you’re not feeling the pressure of early applications, you can opt for regular decision, which usually has a deadline of January 1. Most students who apply this way hear back in mid-to-late March or early April. This is the most common route on how to apply for college.
Another option is rolling admissions. Schools with rolling admissions review applications as they come in and release decisions on an ongoing basis. They might have a priority filing date, but there’s usually no hard cutoff for applications. They keep accepting applications until all spots in the incoming class are filled. Some schools that offer rolling admissions include Pennsylvania State University, Michigan State University, and University of Alabama.
When deciding when to apply and how many colleges to apply to, think about the financial aid implications. If money is a concern (and let’s be honest, it is for most families), we recommend choosing nonbinding deadlines—like early action and regular decision. This gives you the chance to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools.
Also, don’t forget to research any scholarships you might be eligible for, especially those related to your hobbies. Every little bit helps! If you go the regular decision route, you typically have until May 1 to decide which school you’ll attend and pay your enrollment deposit.
5. Get strong letters of recommendation
Colleges usually ask you to submit two to three letters of recommendation as part of your application when you’re figuring out how to apply for college. It’s a good idea to reach out to recommenders—typically teachers or counselors—who really know you. They should be able to speak not only about your academic abilities but also about your personal qualities and achievements.
When you’re ready to ask for these letters, make sure to do it well before the application deadline. It’s best to give your recommenders at least two months’ notice, as it gives them enough time to write a thoughtful letter. Plus, it shows you respect their time!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the common college application platforms used?
One popular choice for how to apply for college is The Common Application, which is accepted by over 1,000 colleges, including some outside the U.S. With the Common App, you only need to fill out your information once, and then you can submit it to multiple colleges. Keep in mind that some schools don’t accept the Common App. For example, schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgetown University require you to fill out separate applications through their websites.
If you’re looking for other options for how to apply for college, you might consider the Coalition Application, which is a newer platform accepted by about 130 schools, or the Common Black College Application, which is accepted by most historically Black colleges and universities.
Some colleges have their own specific applications. For example, the University of California system has its own application that you’ll need to use.
2. How long do admissions officers read applications?
Admissions officers in the US typically spend about 10 to 15 minutes reading each application. Aside from reading the personal statement and letters of recommendation, they also review transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and extracurricular activities, all of which contribute to their overall assessment.
Some schools may also have a two-step process, where an initial review is followed by a more in-depth evaluation for candidates who make it past the first round.
3. What is one thing I can start doing today to stand out in the application process?
If you’re wondering what is one thing you can start doing today to stand out in the application process—it’s this: you should start compiling a list of where you want to go, including your dream schools, target schools, and safety schools. It’s always better to be prepared than sorry!
Takeaways
- Applying for college is no easy feat. But with enough preparation, the task will seem less daunting.
- Some top tips on how to apply for college include: balancing classes and extracurricular in high school, preparing standardized test scores such as the ACT and SAT, and crafting compelling personal essays.
- Excited to start your college journey? Don’t fret, AdmissionSight is here to help! We have more than a decade of experience in coaching students to help them enter their dream schools.
