Now, this is becoming more real. We are now going to create your application – don’t worry, we are not submitting it. You have a few more months until that comes along (if you have been doing this early enough). How do I create an application, you ask? Well, just as American universities vary a lot, the application process varies too! However, it does not vary too much.
A lot of universities require your application to be submitted via the Common App. The Common App is basically an online application system. If you are applying to many schools, it may be more convenient to use one application site – the Common App. There are other online application systems, however, such as the Universal College Application. Some schools allow both the Common App and the Universal College Application. You can see which schools allow the Universal College Application here. There are also other application sites, but are less commonly known and thus fewer schools accept them.
Some schools, such as MIT, require an application via their own website. This is why it is important to look at the universities’ site. Universities in California have their own process as well.
Practical Step:
Step 1: Look at your college’s admissions pages and see which application system they use. Write this down in the ‘Application System’ on our college checklist.
Step 2: From looking at the application systems, decide which accounts you will set up. For example, if all your colleges accept the Common App, then you only need to create a Common App account. Go set it up now here. If there are some other application systems involved, set up those accounts too.