Apply Yourself!
Week Three
Admission Requirements and
Applications
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We will learn…
 about admission requirements
 about parts of an application
 about the application process
 how to locate admission requirements
and applications
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Admission Requirements To
Look For
 Age
 Standardized Tests
 High School Diploma / GED
 Coursework Requirements
 Citizenship Status
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Admission Requirements
 Age: Some schools require students to
be a certain age upon admission. Make
sure you are old enough to attend.
 Standardized Tests: Most schools
require the ACT or SAT for admission.
Official scores must be sent from the
testing authority.
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Admission Requirements
 High School Diploma: Most schools require a
high school diploma or GED equivalent. You
will have to request that your diploma be sent
directly to the school.
 Coursework Requirements: Many schools
require a certain amount of classes (esp.
Math and English) in order to apply. They
may also require specific subjects in order to
gain acceptance.
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Admission Requirements
 Citizenship Status: Know what your
status is. Some schools may require
you to be a legal resident or citizen.
Your status may also affect your
financial aid.
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Parts of an Application
 General Information
 Academic Information
 Extracurricular Activities
 Essay or Personal Statement
 Letters of Recommendation
 Transcripts
 Application Fee
 Supplemental Application
 Deadlines
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Application Components
 General Info: Basic information such as
name, address, family members, etc.
 Academic Info: High school classes,
standardized test scores, schools
attended, college credit, etc.
 Extracurriculars: Clubs, sports,
volunteering, work experience, etc.
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Application Components 1
 Essay/Personal Statement: Brief essay
describing your career goals, yourself, or why
you want to attend a specific school. (Usually
1 long essay or 2 short essays)
 Letters of Rec: Statements written on your
behalf from teachers, staff, employers
explaining why you would benefit a school.
(Usually 2-3 required)
 We will discuss these both in more detail in a
few weeks!
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Application Components 2
Transcripts: Official documents
showing your coursework. Must be sent
directly from your school!
 Application Fee: Fee required to
process your application. Some
schools waive the fee if you apply online
or if you are economically
disadvantaged.
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Application Components 3
 Supplemental Application: Some
programs may require an addition
application. Pay attention! Other
programs may require an interview or
audition.
 Deadlines: Deadlines are final! There
are usually no exceptions. Give
yourself plenty of time!
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Application Components 4
 Check to see if you are applying to 2 or
more schools that use the Common
Application.
 Saves time by having 1 application to
fill out.
 Over 390 colleges and universities
participate
 http://www.commonapp.org
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Application Process
 Regular Admission
 Early Decision
 Early Admission
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Application Process
 Regular Admission: Applying to begin
the semester immediately following high
school. Most students choose this
option.
 Early Decision: Applying early to a
single school. You are notified early
and will forfeit all other applications if
accepted.
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Application Process
 Early Admission: Admission before you
finish high school. You will still enter as
a Freshman for most schools. This
option is usually for mature candidates
who can handle attending school before
high school is completed.
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Locating Information
 Websites are a great way to learn about
admissions or applying.
 You may also call the school and request
pamphlets or applications.
 Check out potential schools’ websites. They
are often packed with tips and information.
 There are many books in public libraries to
help make your applications look good.
 Talk to other students that have applied and
gone to college. Ask them what works!
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Let’s Try It Together!
 Go to www.illinois.edu
 Look for key words that might help you
find information such as “Future
Students,” “Admissions,” or “Apply”
 Find the admission requirements for
Freshmen
 Locate a printable application or a link
to an electronic application.
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Now It’s Your Turn!
 Handout: This table will help you keep
track of the admission information you
find.
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References
 www.illinois.edu
 www.commonapp.org
 Rochester, L., and Mandell, J. (1989).
The one hour college applicant: You
don’t need to read a 300-page book to
apply to college. Memphis: Mustang
Publishing Company.
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Questions??
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