The ABCs of applying to colleges
By Howard and Matthew Greene
Knight Ridder News Service
Finding and filling out college applications has become easier than ever.
A few key physical and personal resources are necessary, though, to help students manage the application process.
• Get access to a computer and a good Internet connection, preferably at home (but many high-school guidance offices and public libraries have Internet access, often with special resources for college planning).
• Bone up on organizational and computer skills, including word-processing, e-mailing and book-marking important Web sites.
• Parents and students can explore college Web sites together and learn about admission requirements, course tours and interview opportunities. Families can fill out financial aid forms and learn about loans, grants and scholarships.
High-school seniors know this is where the rubber hits the road on the journey that is applying to college. Putting down some extra padding is GEAR UP Hawai'i, with a series of free workshops by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, college experts and the authors of admissions and scholarship how-to books. Gen Tanabe is a graduate of Waialua High School and Harvard University. Workshops will be at these high schools: Kapa'a (5 p.m. today); Kalani (6:30 p.m. tomorrow, in the cafeteria); Waipahu (6:30 p.m. Wednesday); Kaiser (7 p.m. Thursday in the library). Information: GEAR UP Hawai'i, 956-4303, 956-3879, www.supercollege.com/tour or gearup.hawaii.edu.
Most of the application process, however, requires student input. Here are suggestions for making it easier to apply to six to 10 colleges, which is the number we suggest for students seeking selective college admission:
College experts offer free workshops
• Use the Common Application: Now accepted by about 250 selective private and public colleges and universities, the Common Application is a standardized form that can be filled out online (www.commonapp.org) and printed out or e-mailed, or filled out by hand and photocopied. Many colleges require some kind of a supplement to the Common Application, which can usually be linked to from the commonapp.org site or found on the colleges' own Web sites.
• Find the Web sites for colleges you are interested in, often at the college's name.edu (www.oberlin.edu, or www.wisconsin.edu, for example). There, you can request by e-mail to receive a full set of application materials. You can download and submit applications electronically.
• Consider using some of the other application programs available, some of which are used by your high school or particular colleges on a contractual basis. These include those available at www.collegeboard.com, www.collegeview.com, www.review.com, and some of the state public university mentor sites, such as www.coloradomentor.org.
• Get access the most important financial aid form online, at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Work on your essays using a word-processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Apple Works. Then, spell- and grammar-check your work, proofread it carefully, and cut-and-paste it into one of the computer-based applications or print it out (with your name, Social Security number and application question number at the top of each page) to be attached to an application. Make sure to follow the specifications for each application.
• Use a calendar and organizer to track deadlines, requirements, and tasks you have completed. You can add special information, such as essay topics, Early Decision or Early Action deadlines, and financial aid deadlines, to help you organize.
• Stay in touch with colleges and admission officers through letters and e-mails during the year. If you have an interview, send a thank-you note or e-mail. If you have a question, send an e-mail to the admission officer responsible for your school or state. Remember that applications that are well-organized, neat, correct, complete and on time fare best.
Howard and Matthew Greene are the authors of the Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning.
