How to understand the college application process

Mover 1.2 million aspiring students are preparing to apply for college admissions these days national rite of passage for ambitious students.

In fact, many candidates who wanted to attend their dream schools have already submitted their materials early decisionsuch a gamble may increase your chance of getting in. However, this committed approach may be limiting for some students who are still considering their future and how to pay for it, he writes Forbes co-author Kristen Moon.

“In the crazy world of college applications, students are best served by having plenty of flexible plans and backup plans in place. And then making backup plans for your backup plans,” Moon says.

The high school class of 2025 will have to plan a little differently than last year’s high school graduates. hustle and bustle of campus admission changes and changing student loan guidelines have changed the application landscape. Affirmative action and heritage admissions have declined; artificial intelligence is taking root.

Forbes contributor Scott White, who writes about college admissions, presents several changes students, including new FAFSA implementation and DEI cuts.

Prospective students should develop a well-organized plan for the application process – he notes that it’s a marathon, not a sprint Forbes associate Dr. Aviva Legatt. She offers a seven-step guide to getting started.

Read more expert advice from Forbes education co-authors:

Early action and early decision

Some students will want to dive right into their college search others may feel overwhelmedI’m writing Forbes associate Brennan Barnard. There are plenty of options and expert opinions on how to start the application process. Students have many options with different deadlines. Figuring out which choice is right for you can be difficult.

“The difference between Early Decision I (ED I) and Early Decision II (ED II) and planning for both of them in the application process can mean the difference between the success and failure of the application process,” says Moon, a college application consultant.

Early applications are due from mid-October through November, and students will typically be notified if they have been accepted between December and February – depending on the type of application submitted and the specific school.

Before considering an early application, applicants should consider how confident they are in their choice, their financial aid requirements, and their level of patience.

Forbes6 steps to creating a winning college listBy Dr. Aviva Legatt

Competition for elite schools

Ivy League maybe it has lost some of its luster among some employers, but these prestigious institutions remain some of the highest-rated schools in the country. Competition for places can be intense and this is the process not as merit-based as many believeI’m writing Forbes associate Christopher Rim, a college admissions consultant in New York.

“Excellent grades and test scores are the basis for admission to the Ivy League, but they are not the only thing top colleges look for,” notes Rim.

Ivy League maybe it has lost some of its luster among some employers, but these prestigious institutions remain some of the highest-rated schools in the country. Competition for places can be intenseand this is the process not as merit-based as many believeI’m writing Forbes associate Christopher Rim, a college admissions consultant in New York.

“Excellent grades and test scores are the basis for admission to the Ivy League, but they are not the only thing top colleges look for,” notes Rim.

Last year, Harvard and Yale each received more than 50,000 applications, and the University of Pennsylvania received more than 65,000 applications for the 2023–2024 school year. They accept very few candidates, and students are always looking for an advantage.

Rim suggests three ways First-year high school students can start building their resumes. But remember: “Students are not competing with all other applicants, but rather a specific subset of people with similar academic interests, extracurricular experiences, and backgrounds.”

Forbes5 Red Flags Ivy League Admissions Officers Look Out ForBy Krzysztof Rim

Be selective

Applicants should be as selective as admissions officers when deciding which schools to apply to.

“Students should think strategically about the types of programs, campuses, learning environments and communities they want to have access to,” Rim says.

For example, placing an offer on all eight Ivy League schools increasing the chances of reaching anyone may have the opposite effect.

“Spending time and energy filling out eight Ivy League applications is actually a counterproductive strategy for most students,” Rim says.

Each university has its own character, offer and campus. When creating a list of schools, Rim suggests that they are students ask yourself three questions: :

• “Do you want to attend a small school with a low student-to-faculty ratio or a large school with lots of opportunities?”
• “Are you interested in conducting laboratory research, or are you more focused on classroom experiences?”
• “Will you prosper in the city or in the country?”

As tuition costs rise and other top schools offer comparable educational opportunities, so does Moon advises students not to limit their concentration.

ForbesDoes an Ivy League degree matter?By Kristen Moon

Avoid misinformation about the university

Students pursuing Early Action and Early Decision must submit applications in mid-October and early November. People seeking online help preparing offers to admissions officers may find conflicting information about grades, test scores and extracurricular activities, which can lead to confusion.

When navigating this sometimes opaque process, it is important to understand the facts of folklore.

“One common misconception is that choosing a quirky or non-traditional major will increase your chances of being accepted,” Moon writes. This is not true. “When colleges evaluate applicants, they look at how they have demonstrated interest in the field through their academic activities or pursuits.” Choosing a random major that doesn’t seem to fit a student’s profile may reduce their chances of being accepted.

The moon scatters eight common myths and misconceptions about college applicationsincluding the confusion over SAT scores and how much is too high for a college student’s resume.

More from Forbes authors

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ForbesWant to get into the Ivy League? Here’s how long the application process really takesBy Krzysztof Rim
Forbes5 Strategies to Get Admitted Off the College WaitlistBy Kristen Moon
ForbesHow Your Social Media Accounts Can Impact Your Ivy League ApplicationsBy Krzysztof Rim
ForbesThe final plan for the college admissions processBy Dr. Aviva Legatt