The college application process is long, complex and intimidating, especially for international students who may not know how to navigate it. With the right tools and guidance by the CCC, however, this process is quite rewarding as it will challenge and strengthen your abilities as a student. As CCC students begin to prepare for the college application process, CCC Ambassadors will regularly update CCC students through online webinars and info sessions answering any questions or concerns. Below are some FAQs.
When should I start?
The sooner, the better. Students are encouraged to begin organizing their checklists the summer before their last year of high school to make tackling all the requirements easier. While many students complete the majority of their applications in the fall of their senior year, it is important to be proactive during the summer. Students should research information on colleges, specific programs, and application deadlines prior to tackling the application process. Doing so will save students time and enable them to put their best work forward by narrowing down the amount of schools students will be applying to. The College Board has created a college application timeline for students beginning the process.
Where do I begin?
It is important to stay organized during this process as each institutions has its own deadlines and supplemental information that needs to be sent out by a specific date. Students should create folders for each college with information regarding what is needed for the application. The College Board has created a quick guide by breaking down the "Anatomy of the College Application."
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application, also known as the Common App, is a standardized application that is used by hundreds of colleges across the United States. It enables students to apply to several colleges in a succinct and simplified manner. While the main college essay is sent out to all schools a student is applying to, specific institutions may have additional, or supplemental, questions or information that needs to be completed in order to submit the application. Some colleges are not on the Common App, but require their own application found on their websites. Each application will require its own fee.
How many colleges should I apply to?
It is always important to have options and creating a balanced list of schools is one way to achieve this. Ensure that you have a mixed variety of reach colleges, matches, and safety schools. This will enable you to apply to more selective schools while also ensuring that you will end up attending a school you would be happy to attend.
Should I apply early or regular decision?
The decision to apply Early Decision or Early Action depends on how sure a student is on attending a specific college. Note that applying Early Decision is binding and if admitted, a student must attend. Early Action, on the other hand, follows the same process as Regular Decision, but has an earlier deadline to allow students to receive an earlier response from the institution. Applying Regular Decision is recommended for students who want to compare admission and financial aid offers from several colleges or want to improve their application by providing another year of high school work to send to colleges. If you are still trying to decide what admissions plan to apply under, please refer to the College Board's "The Facts About Applying Early: Is It Right for You?"
Should I apply to colleges if my test scores or grades do not match their published ranges?
Absolutely. Published ranges of admission scores and grades are just that, ranges or averages. Colleges consider a variety of factors when looking to admit students. This is why college admission boards ask for the types of classes you take, extracurriculars, recommendation letters, and your essay. Be sure to highlight what sets you apart from other students. Emphasize the different talents and abilities you possess. Expand on your experiences growing up and your background. Test scores and grades make up a portion of your application, but do not define it.
Should I apply to colleges that I do not think I can afford?
Yes. A great deal of students that attend more expensive institutions are able to do so thanks to financial aid packages offered by the colleges. Please refer to the financial aid page to learn more about applying for financial aid. In addition to financial aid packages offered by the colleges, students are encouraged to research various scholarships that are unique to each institution and even look into applying for outside scholarships to subsidize the costs of tuition, room and board, and supplies. If these options are not enough, many colleges are willing to work with students to ensure they can afford to attend.
What if I cannot afford the application fee?
A student's financial situation should not deter a student from applying to more expensive institutions. The college application process is costly as each institution has an application fee to process a student's application. If a student has concerns about paying for these fees, he or she should contact college admissions advisors seeking a fee waiver from institutions. Some colleges also offer free applications in emails that are sent out so students should keep an eye out for these communications. Furthermore, if a student cannot obtain a fee waiver from the institution, he or she are encouraged to contact CCC Macedonia to inquire about financial aid.
Additional Resources
Your 5 Steps To U.S. Study
Apply To College With Common App
College Board Application Checklist
Khan Academy College Application Checklist
College Board Application Timeline
PrepScholar Complete College Application Timeline
When should I start?
The sooner, the better. Students are encouraged to begin organizing their checklists the summer before their last year of high school to make tackling all the requirements easier. While many students complete the majority of their applications in the fall of their senior year, it is important to be proactive during the summer. Students should research information on colleges, specific programs, and application deadlines prior to tackling the application process. Doing so will save students time and enable them to put their best work forward by narrowing down the amount of schools students will be applying to. The College Board has created a college application timeline for students beginning the process.
Where do I begin?
It is important to stay organized during this process as each institutions has its own deadlines and supplemental information that needs to be sent out by a specific date. Students should create folders for each college with information regarding what is needed for the application. The College Board has created a quick guide by breaking down the "Anatomy of the College Application."
What is the Common Application?
The Common Application, also known as the Common App, is a standardized application that is used by hundreds of colleges across the United States. It enables students to apply to several colleges in a succinct and simplified manner. While the main college essay is sent out to all schools a student is applying to, specific institutions may have additional, or supplemental, questions or information that needs to be completed in order to submit the application. Some colleges are not on the Common App, but require their own application found on their websites. Each application will require its own fee.
How many colleges should I apply to?
It is always important to have options and creating a balanced list of schools is one way to achieve this. Ensure that you have a mixed variety of reach colleges, matches, and safety schools. This will enable you to apply to more selective schools while also ensuring that you will end up attending a school you would be happy to attend.
Should I apply early or regular decision?
The decision to apply Early Decision or Early Action depends on how sure a student is on attending a specific college. Note that applying Early Decision is binding and if admitted, a student must attend. Early Action, on the other hand, follows the same process as Regular Decision, but has an earlier deadline to allow students to receive an earlier response from the institution. Applying Regular Decision is recommended for students who want to compare admission and financial aid offers from several colleges or want to improve their application by providing another year of high school work to send to colleges. If you are still trying to decide what admissions plan to apply under, please refer to the College Board's "The Facts About Applying Early: Is It Right for You?"
Should I apply to colleges if my test scores or grades do not match their published ranges?
Absolutely. Published ranges of admission scores and grades are just that, ranges or averages. Colleges consider a variety of factors when looking to admit students. This is why college admission boards ask for the types of classes you take, extracurriculars, recommendation letters, and your essay. Be sure to highlight what sets you apart from other students. Emphasize the different talents and abilities you possess. Expand on your experiences growing up and your background. Test scores and grades make up a portion of your application, but do not define it.
Should I apply to colleges that I do not think I can afford?
Yes. A great deal of students that attend more expensive institutions are able to do so thanks to financial aid packages offered by the colleges. Please refer to the financial aid page to learn more about applying for financial aid. In addition to financial aid packages offered by the colleges, students are encouraged to research various scholarships that are unique to each institution and even look into applying for outside scholarships to subsidize the costs of tuition, room and board, and supplies. If these options are not enough, many colleges are willing to work with students to ensure they can afford to attend.
What if I cannot afford the application fee?
A student's financial situation should not deter a student from applying to more expensive institutions. The college application process is costly as each institution has an application fee to process a student's application. If a student has concerns about paying for these fees, he or she should contact college admissions advisors seeking a fee waiver from institutions. Some colleges also offer free applications in emails that are sent out so students should keep an eye out for these communications. Furthermore, if a student cannot obtain a fee waiver from the institution, he or she are encouraged to contact CCC Macedonia to inquire about financial aid.
Additional Resources
Your 5 Steps To U.S. Study
Apply To College With Common App
College Board Application Checklist
Khan Academy College Application Checklist
College Board Application Timeline
PrepScholar Complete College Application Timeline