College Application Checklist

Ready to tackle the college application process? Use this checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the essential steps for a smooth and successful application.

One of the most stressful parts of college prep is the application process. There are deadlines to juggle, letters of recommendation to acquire, portfolios to prepare, essays to write, and, of course, grades to keep up in the meantime. This comprehensive checklist will help guide you through everything you need to have on hand when you start applying for colleges.

This is a document that lists all academic accomplishments over the course of a high school career, including the grades a student receives in each subject as well as any standardized test scores. If a student was nominated for any honors, their transcript also reflects those.

How can I request my or my teen’s high school transcript? Contact the high school registrar, student services, or guidance counselor directly to request a copy.

Additionally, don’t miss out on the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall. With it, you’ll gain valuable insights into your testing strengths and weaknesses before you take the test(s) that truly count. As you prepare, it’s helpful to utilize resources such as practice exams, study guides, and test prep courses.

Try to have all standardized test scores readily available before sitting down to fill out a college application. This includes SAT or ACT scores, any SAT Subject Test scores (if required), etc.

How do I find and send my ACT/SAT scores to colleges? There are multiple ways to do this based on the student’s timeline:

• Self-report scores directly on the college application, either by entering the score in a form field or attaching a PDF version, downloaded directly from their official ACT/SAT account.
• Login and request to send scores directly to the college via the official test center account, i.e., College Board. There’s an option to send scores whenever they become available, meaning if a student knows this is the last or only time they’ll be completing a test, they can select the option to send their score even before they take the test.
• Though, it may be wise to check what score you actually receive before sending it to your preferred schools.

How long does it take for test scores to be sent? This depends on when and how a student chooses to report their scores. Any reporting center could take up to one week to even process a send request and then from there it could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to officially arrive. It’s also important to keep in mind that it can take up to eight weeks for a score to even get reported to the tester.

These letters typically come from teachers, counselors, or mentors who can vouch for a student’s academic abilities, character, and achievements. Most colleges and universities could require up to three letters with an application. Thus, it’s important to start thinking about this requirement as early as the beginning of Junior Year.

One huge section of a college application is a personal statement or essay. This often reflects on the student’s experiences, goals, and personality and will differ per application. Get familiar with the type of essay questions typically asked and try to have a few pre-drafted essays ready to go before starting the application process.

This is the main application form that asks the applicant to fill out personal and identifiable information.

Though this isn’t always requested, an academic resume details any extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, honors, awards, etc. And even though it’s sometimes optional, it’s great to have just in case.

A student can fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request that the information get sent directly to a school even before they get accepted.

Check out our Filling Out the FAFSA Coach below.

These materials differ greatly depending on the type of school an applicant chooses to apply for. For example, some schools may require an art/design portfolio, writing samples, or audition recordings based on the applied program. Be sure to research what a college requires well in advance to starting the application process; portfolios could take years to complete if the applicant doesn’t have high-quality work already finished.

Yes, most college applications cost money unless an applicant is eligible for a fee waiver. Be sure to research the cost/fees associated with each application.

Specific colleges may request anything from disciplinary records, mid-year reports, or proof of citizenship/immigration status.

Remember to check the requirements of each college as early as late sophomore year to have time for any of the lengthier requirements: portfolios, letters of recommendation, volunteer hours, etc. Make sure to gather and submit all required documents before the application deadlines to avoid any lost opportunities.

Check out our 4 Year College Prep Checklist