A College Application Checklist
Prepare for a great high school experience. You'll be able to grow inside and outside the classroom while making sure you're ready to apply to college in a few years.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted opportunities for standardized tests and shifted many college visits from campus to online, college hopefuls can remain curious, investigate virtually and continue to work toward future goals. Careful planning and good choices over time make for strong options later. Use the following college application checklist to stay on track.
[Read: A Complete Guide to the College Application Process.]
Freshman Year
Faced with more challenging high school class work, you'll need to pay attention to what your new teachers expect from you and look for ways to work harder and smarter. Grades are important in ninth grade, but seek balance so that you are challenged without being overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Get involved. High school is not a four-year audition for college, but rather a time to develop yourself. Beyond grades, social connections and extracurriculars are important. Use part-time jobs, community service, arts and music, robotics clubs and other activities to engage with others.
Read voraciously. Dive into books, newspapers, magazines and blogs. Explore subjects that engage you. Additionally, check out TED Talks, YouTube videos and free online courses.
Find mentors. Look for knowledgeable people who can offer helpful advice: teachers, coaches, counselors and friends. These relationships can pay off in other ways, too. People like to help students they know.
Schedule downtime. That means turning off electronic devices. No phones. No screens. We all need time to daydream and think about ourselves and our place in the world.
Identify ways to relieve stress. For high school and college, you'll need a model for success that is sustainable, and that includes finding healthy ways to manage stress and getting enough rest.
Sophomore Year
Focus on better understanding your strengths and interests -- and how to develop them.
Challenge yourself wisely. Strive for strong grades and take on new challenges inside and outside the classroom. Ask for help if needed; avoid overtaxing yourself. Balance is the goal.
Speak up in class. Learning at the college level is about an exchange of ideas between professors and your peers. Critical thinking and the ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas are skills that contribute to college success.
Sleep. The typical 15-year-old brain needs eight to 10 hours of sleep to function at 100%.
Refine your route. Look ahead to 11th and 12th grade courses of interest and plan on any prerequisites. Take advantage of rigorous courses that are in line with your academic path.
Learn from the masters. As you take inventory of your own interests, find people who work in related areas. Listen to their stories. A 20-minute conversation with a professional could even turn into a fruitful internship opportunity.
Create an activities list. Keep track of your hobbies, jobs, extracurriculars and accomplishments. This will form the basis of your resume and will be essential in preparing for college interviews and applications as well as for possible jobs, internships and summer programs.
[Read: How Colleges Weigh Applicants' Extracurricular Activities.]
Make your summer matter. Work, volunteer, play sports, travel or take a class. Research summer programs and internships to move beyond the scope of your high school courses. Plunge into an activity that excites you.
Settle on a testing strategy and test-prep plan. Use your PSAT scores and other practice tests to help you identify the right test for you, specifically the SAT vs. the ACT. Not a great test-taker? With so many colleges now test-optional, the tests are something you may want -- but not need -- to take.
Consult your parents. Talk with them about expectations for college, including how much your family can pay. It's much better to discuss costs at the start of the process.
Junior Year
Your grades, test scores and activities this year form a large part of what colleges consider for admission. Prepare for your exams, do your best in class, and stay active and involved.
Plot out your calendar. Talk with your parents and school counselor about which exams to take and when. If your 10th grade PSAT scores put you in reach of a National Merit Scholarship, concentrated prep time might be worth it. Then take the SAT or ACT. As many colleges that are test-optional will likely remain so, good scores can help but aren't a must-have. You may be able to use AP exams to show intellectual rigor instead of, or in addition to, the ACT or SAT.
Immerse yourself in activities. It's your turn: Junior year is the time to fully engage in and become a leader in extracurriculars you enjoy both in and out of school. These are opportunities to grow intellectually and socially and to show you are dedicated and play well with others.
Build your college list in the spring. Once you have a sense of your grades and get your test scores, if any, talk to a school counselor and assemble a list of target, reach and likely schools. Use tools to aid your research. Explore college websites and other resources such as StudentAid.gov, which is the U.S. Department of Education's financial aid website, and the U.S. News My Fit Custom College Ranking tool. And clean up your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts since admissions folks may check them out.
[Read: Why Colleges Look at Students' Social Media Accounts.]
Visit, and connect digitally. Ideally, you can check out a few campuses in person. If not, make use of COVID-improved college websites and webinars. Attend college fairs and information sessions if possible. Grab the admissions rep's card and follow up via email with a thank-you note or with questions whose answers aren't already available on the college website.
Get recommendations. Right after spring break, ask two teachers with different perspectives on your performance if they will write letters for you. Choose teachers who will effectively communicate your academic and personal qualities.
Write. Reflect on your experiences and strengths as you prepare to write your college essay. Procrastination causes stress, so aim to have first drafts done by Labor Day of senior year. Share them with an English teacher, parent or counselor.
Senior Year
Colleges look at senior-year transcripts, so keep working hard in your classes.
Finish testing. If necessary, you can retake the SAT or ACT in the early fall. Check the admissions testing policies of your prospective colleges. Are they test-optional or do they require you to submit SAT or ACT scores? It may be strategic to share scores with some schools but not others.
Know your deadlines. Many colleges have multiple deadline options. Consider the implications of early action and early, rolling or regular decision -- and confirm the rules and deadlines for financial aid -- so you can plan accordingly.
Apply. Craft your essays with a well-thought-out narrative. Fill out applications carefully. Review a copy of your transcript. Have you displayed an upward trend that should be discussed? Does an anomaly need context? Discuss any issues with your counselor. Leave yourself time to reread essays and clean up any errors.
Follow up. Check that your colleges have received recommendation letters, records from your high school and your SAT or ACT scores from the testing organization. A month after you submit an application, call the college and confirm that your file is complete.
Confirm aid rules. Check with each college for specific financial aid application requirements. Dates and forms may vary. You're typically required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, which needs some information from your parents.
Make a choice. Before committing to a college, try to visit or even revisit the schools where you've been accepted. Talk with alumni and attend an accepted-student reception. Then make your college choice official by sending in your deposit.
This story is excerpted from the U.S. News "Best Colleges 2022" guidebook, which features in-depth articles, rankings and data.
