The Application
By Allen Grove, About.com Guide to College Admissions
Some parts of the college application are more important than others, but they all need to be completed correctly. Here you'll find articles to help you understand the application and make sure your college application is the best it can be.
Application Basics
Learn about important deadlines and the types of information you'll need to present on your college application.
- Application Overview
- The Common Application
- How to Get Good Letters of Recommendation
- 6 Common Applicant Blunders
The Essay
For many selective colleges, the essay is at the heart of the application. This is the place where you can really present your passions and personality. Make sure your essay makes your application rise to the top of the pile, not get tossed in the garbage can.
- 5 Tips for a Winning Essay
- Hints for the Personal Essay Options
- Sample Essay: "Porkopolis"
- Critique of "Porkopolis"
- Sample Essay: "Student Teacher"
- Critique of "Student Teacher"
- Sample Essay: Eating Eyeballs
- Critique of "Eating Eyeballs"
- Sample Essay: The Allegany County Youth Board
- Critique of "The Allegany County Youth Board"
ACT and SAT Scores
Like it or not, those standardized test scores usually carry a lot of weight. Here you'll learn the ins and outs of the SAT and ACT.
- These Schools Don't Require Test Scores
- What's a Good SAT Score?
- What's a Good ACT Score?
- SAT Scores for the Ivy League
- SAT Scores for Top Private Universities (non-Ivy)
- SAT Scores for Top Public Universities
- SAT Scores for Top Liberal Arts Colleges
- ACT Scores for the Ivy League
- ACT Scores for Top Colleges
- ACT Scores for Top Public Universities
- Converting SAT Scores to ACT Scores
The Interview
A college interview is not the most important part of your application, but it can make a difference. These articles will help you prepare for the interview and avoid common interviewing mistakes.
Financial Aid
Choosing a college and getting accepted are the first big challenges in the admissions process. Now you need to figure out how to pay for school.
What To Do If Deferred, Waitlisted or Rejected
Being deferred or waitlisted isn't the end of the admissions process, and in some cases you can even appeal a letter of rejection. These articles will help guide you when you don't get the acceptance letter that you were hoping for.
