Applying to College: What You'll Need

Your college application should create a consistent portrait of who you are and what you'll bring to the college. It should be filled out honestly and carefully. Things you'll need in order to fill it out include:

Application Form
Today you can often apply online directly to an individual school, entering your information just once.

Application Fee
The average college application fee is around $25. (Some colleges charge up to $60, while others don't have an application fee at all.) Many colleges offer fee waivers for applicants from low-income families.

High School Transcript
The High School Transcript is filled out by an official of your high school. If it comes with your admission materials, you should give it to the guidance office to complete as early as possible.

Admission Test Scores
At many colleges, entrance exam scores are a standard way of measuring a student's ability to do college-level work. Once admitted to college, a student may be asked to take placement tests such as a writing or math assessment. These tests will help the college better place the student in the appropriate initial courses.

Letters of Recommendation
Create a consistent portrait of who you are. When asking someone to write such a letter, be sure to do so well before the college's deadline.

Essay
Take the opportunity to express your individuality in a way that sets you apart from other applicants.

Interview
It's a good idea to set up an interview, even if it's not required, because it gives you a chance to make a personal connection with someone who will have a voice in deciding whether or not you'll be offered admission.