The Application Process, Step-by-Step (For Parents Who Need Clarity)
What exactly is the college admissions process? This handy guide will walk parents through it step by step.
Everything You Need to Know About College Admissions
The college admissions process has changed significantly in the last 30 years.
You want to help your teen navigate the process, but where do you start?
If you have been following this series, “Everything You Need to Know About Applying to Colleges (for Parents),” then you have already read the articles:
- “Where Do We Even Start?” – The Parent’s Role in College Applications
- Building the College List (Without the Stress or Pressure)
- What Colleges Really Look For (and How Your Teen Can Stand Out)
In this article, we’ll tackle the actual application, what needs to be filled out, and when it’s due.
Where Is the Application?
Very few colleges use paper applications anymore. Most everything is online.
There are three types of college applications:
College-Specific Application
Some colleges have their own institutional application.
They can release this application in advance of so-called “universal applications” (like the Common and Coalition Apps) and scoop up students who are looking to apply before August 1 of their senior year.
A college-specific application can also ask more extensive questions that go beyond the basics found in a universal application.
This is especially useful to the school if your student is applying to a focused program, like the arts or the military, or if the school is religious.
A college-specific application is also a time barrier for students (as opposed to just clicking a button on a universal application to apply to one more school).
Colleges use college-specific applications to lower their application volume (for competitive schools) and gauge student interest.
Common App
The Common App is the most widely used college application.
Over 1,100 schools worldwide accept the Common App.
Students fill out one online application, and then select the schools to which they would like to send it.
Each school can customize its submission requirements. Some schools ask for intended major, housing preferences, and other information.
Schools can also request additional recommenders (beyond the guidance counselor) and require supplemental essays.
Coalition App
While the Coalition App has fewer member schools (about 170) than the Common App, it is also a universal application.
The Coalition App has a different focus: equity, access, and support for students. It’s an excellent choice for students seeking significant financial aid.
Starting in 9th grade, students can open a profile and begin assembling college materials. Students can invite mentors to view their profiles and give them guidance on the college application process.
Senior Year Timeline
Let’s walk through the timeline of the college application process.
None of these dates are hard and fast (as different schools have different deadlines), but these ranges represent the ideal.
Spring of Junior Year (January – May)
Yes, the senior-year timeline starts in the junior year.
Create a College Board Account
Assuming your student plans to use the most common application (the Common App), have him or her create an online account.
Do some research on the website. Narrow down the college list. Find out if any of the schools on the list require additional recommendations (like a teacher or coach).
Meet with the Guidance Counselor
Most high schools schedule mandatory meetings with the school guidance counselor for college-bound students.
The guidance counselor plays a vital role in the college application process. In many applications, the guidance counselor is the only person who can provide a recommendation.
If your student does not have a meeting scheduled automatically, your teen should request one. They can talk to their guidance counselor about their college list, their application, and ask about local scholarships.
If your student is homeschooled, you as the parent are the guidance counselor (start looking around the Common App yourself).
When your student fills out their first application, they will “invite” you to be their guidance counselor by listing your name and email. The Common App will then send you an invitation to create your own guidance counselor account.
Ask for Teacher Recommendations
Some college applications require recommendations from teachers. Typically, they expect these teachers to be core-subject teachers from your student’s junior year.
Schools may also open up recommendations to other adults who know the student well. These should be adults who can speak to the student’s work ethic, leadership, and overall character (consider asking pastors, bosses, or coaches).
Teachers and adult leaders are flooded with requests for recommendations. They are not paid for these, and each recommendation takes time.
It is polite to ask for these recommendations months in advance.
Take a Standardized Test
The spring is the perfect time to take a standardized test such as the ACT, SAT, or CLT.
Your teen should have a target score based on the schools on his college list.
Remember, the higher the score, the better the chance for admission and scholarship dollars.
If needed, enroll your teen in a test prep class.
June and July Before Senior Year
The summer is not time off! This is the time to check off boxes before the start of senior year.
Visit Colleges and Finalize the College List
Visit the remaining schools on your teen’s list and narrow down the college list to 6-12 schools.
Retake the Standardized Test
If your student did not bank their ideal score, study for and take another standardized test to try to improve the score.
Write the Personal Essay
Most colleges require a personal essay of around 500 words. The essay topics are listed in the application, but all focus on revealing something about the student.
The personal essay is the most crucial essay your teen will write in high school! Your teen should tackle it over the summer.
Start Filling Out the Application
If you have a school-specific application, you may be able to submit it over the summer.
If you are using a universal application, those “go live” on August 1. You can fill them out before then, but you can actually submit them after that date.
August
Senior year begins!
Send Out Recommendation Links
On August 1, universal applications go live. Your teen should send out links to their guidance counselor and any other invited recommenders.
Finish Filling Out the Application
It is time to finish filling out the application. Applications ask for course lists, background and demographic information, activity lists, intended majors, test scores, essay responses, etc.
You can officially submit the applications now (once all the parts are complete). The sooner the better! Most schools have deadlines, so make sure your teen keeps track of them.
Supplemental Essays
Technically, supplemental essays fall under the “finish filling out the application,” but they also deserve their own slot so that you won’t miss them.
Some colleges require additional essays beyond the personal essay. Think, “Why do you want to go to our college?” and “What is the correct use of AI in education?”
These essays take time to write, so have your teen carve out time on weekends in August (and September or October, if needed) to finish them.
September to November
The fall is a busy season!
Submit, Submit, Submit!
This is the time to finish unchecked tasks from previous months and submit those applications.
The usual holdout is essays, so help your teen carve out the time needed to write these.
Retake Tests If Needed and Send Scores
If your teen still needs to boost their test scores, they can take another test.
They will need to send an official copy of the test scores to all the schools on their college list.
Send Transcripts
Some colleges require official transcripts as part of the application process.
If your student attended multiple schools in high school or completed dual enrollment, you will have to send transcripts from each place.
Fill out the FAFSA
In October, your teen (and you) will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Some schools require more in-depth financial aid forms. Check whether the college requires the CSS Profile or its own institutional form.
Even if you think your student will not qualify for need-based aid, fill out the form!
Apply for Scholarships
This is also the time to submit applications for external scholarships.
December to February
Many schools have November deadlines, but some will accept applications until January or February.
Add Colleges If Needed
If your teen discovers a college that they would like to include on their list, you can click the button during these months and apply.
Continue with Scholarships
If scholarships are still open, continue applying for them.
Visit Final Schools
As admissions decisions roll out (and with them their financial aid packages), attend the “Admitted Student Days” of the colleges on your teen’s short list.
The Parent’s Job Vs. the Student’s Job
As a parent, you should be involved in the college application and selection process.
But you should not complete their college applications for them.
Think of your role as that of a teacher or mentor.
Talk Through the Steps
Use this article to talk through the steps of the college application process.
Provide a Written Timeline
Work on a written timeline together with to-do items and associated deadlines.
If you both know what is happening when, you won’t have to nag.
Provide Examples and Guidance for Essays
The most challenging part of the college application process (and the one students tend to procrastinate) is the essay (and sometimes the activities list as well).
Buy a helpful resource like College Essay Essentials to give your teen some examples of great essays and a blueprint for how to create their own.
Be their sounding board and their copy editor (but only if asked). Make yourself available.
Help with the FAFSA
Your teen will need your help filling out the FAFSA if they will remain a dependent in college.
Homeschool Help
If you are a homeschool parent, you will need to be more involved in this process.
Since you are your student’s guidance counselor, you will need to complete that section of the application.
This section includes a school report and a written recommendation for the student.
You will also need to compose and submit official transcripts. You can make your own or use a transcript-maker service like this one from HSLDA.
Visit Colleges
Both before and after admission, organize trips to visit colleges.
If the school is far away and travel is too difficult time-wise or financially, go on a virtual tour together.
Step-by-Step College Admission Process for Parents
With this overview and timeline, you can assist your teen with confidence with all parts of the college application process.
