Application Process
College Application Process & Timeline
Strengthen your college list and make sure it’s a balanced mix of at least 6 academic safety, fit, and reach schools.
Review the Common Data Set for your dream schools. Use the information to inform educational decisions and increase your chances of getting accepted.
Apply for Scholarships
Prepare for the school day SAT
Take college visits
Apply to College (know ADMISSION OPTIONS)
ApplyTexas (most in-state colleges) goapplytexas.org
Common Application (most out-of-state colleges and some Texas colleges) commonapp.org
Individual college application
Send Transcripts
Request Letters of Recommendation
Apply for Scholarships
The college's scholarships
Create your FSA ID (login) for your FAFSA- Before October
Stay organized and keep a master calendar of important deadlines
Get ready for early decision, early action, or rolling admissions deadlines.
Acceptance Rates (August 2022)
Start and finish your personal essays
Register for CSS PROFILE®, if necessary.
Follow up with your references to make sure they have written and sent their letters of recommendation.
Register for the AP Exams for the courses you’re enrolled in this school year.
Take College Visits
Accept your ACCEPTANCE!
Register for housing
Complete FAFSA or TASFA, the free application for federal student aid. Begin working on your application as soon as the FAFSA opens on October 1. The earlier you complete it, the better.
It takes 3+ months to receive your responses AFTER you hit submit. You don’t want this to be the thing you’re waiting on.
Need-based aid breakdown by college
*The FAFSA is not just for those that qualify for FREE money; It's federal grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
Review your financial aid awards and choose the aid package that’s best for you and your family
Finalize housing arrangement
Register for orientation
Continue to apply for scholarships
Accept or kindly reject their offer of admission and/or financial aid by May 1.
Send your deposit to the college where you decide to enroll.
If you’re waitlisted, stay active in school to show the college what you accomplished since you applied.
Take the AP Exams you registered for to show colleges that you’re committed and motivated to succeed.
Send your AP scores to your college once they become available!
Send a final transcript to your college. These are not usually ready until 2 weeks after graduation.
Apply for Scholarships
The college's scholarships (search freshmen scholarships on their website)
Click the image to watch the video.
Admissions: Holistic Review
Because of all the craziness that COVID brought, the admissions process has slowly been evolving to a NEW way and holistic review is one of those:
Holistic review is a selection process that takes into consideration the applicants’ experiences, attributes, and academics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to the school's program. This process allows admissions committees to consider the “whole” applicant, rather than focusing on any one factor. I personally like this process because they take the time to get to know the applicants as people, not just a number. After all, YOU ARE more than a number!