How do I Apply to College?
Where to Obtain Applications
- Private Colleges- The Guidance Career Center houses many applications. Ask your counselor or call the admissions office of the college of your choice.
- Public Colleges – Applications are available in the Guidance Career Center for all SUNY & CUNY schools. Both applications allow you to apply to multiple schools on the same application.
- Many applications may be downloaded from the Internet.
- Access the Common Application at www.commonapp.org Also check member colleges and universities at the Common Application Home Page or click on the link just below
- www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/CollegeInfo.aspx to get specific information on each college that uses the Common Application - including phone numbers, application information and links to the colleges websites - A great resource!!)
- Access the SUNY (State University of New York) Application at www.suny.edu
- Access the CUNY (City University of New York) Application at www.cuny.edu
How to Apply
The following procedures must be adhered to when applying to college.
- Obtain an application by calling the school, visiting its website or contacting the Guidance Office.
- Meet with your counselor to review final selections, establish priorities, and note deadlines
- Complete all required information at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.
- Fill out the Request for Application Processing Form available in the Guidance Office. This form MUST be turned in with each of your completed applications. This form serves as a checklist to ensure that all of the proper information is mailed out to the colleges.
- Make sure that all teacher recommendations are completed at the time of the application processing. More selective schools have their own recommendation forms included in the application. This form must be given to the teacher prior to handing your application to the Guidance Office.
- It is recommended that each student create a personal resume that can be duplicated for each application.
- College applications require one or more essays. The college essay is a very important part of the college process. It is recommended that the essay be checked by your counselor and English teacher before being submitted to the college.
- An application fee must accompany each college application. Your college application will not be processed unless you have handed in the proper fee. If you are eligible for a fee waiver, please see your counselor.
SUNY Application Procedure
State University of New York
- Get SUNY Application information from the Guidance Office
Ø You may make as many as 6 applications at one time.
Ø You may either use the SUNY Application Booklet or Apply on-line @ www.suny.edu/student
**Many SUNY schools have Supplemental Applications (Part II)
which can be downloaded at the time of application.
Ø If you apply on-line, you must print out, sign, and return the last page of the application to your counselor for the processing of your transcript, resume, recommendations, etc.
Your application will be incomplete if you DO NOT inform your counselor that you have applied on-line to SUNY schools.
2. You must complete ONE “Request For Application Processing Form”, for EACH SUNY school you are applying to.
3. Complete the return address section on the included SUNY envelope.
4. Insert fee in the envelope found in the application booklet.
Ø The cost is $40.00 for EACH school.
(For example-if you are applying to three SUNY schools, you must make one check for $120.00)
5. Make an appointment to see your Guidance Counselor and submit everything to your Counselor once the entire process is complete.
When to Submit an Application
Once all of the required items have been completed, you may begin submitting applications to the Guidance Office. You must hand in your completed applications to your Guidance Counselor only. The secretaries will not accept any applications. All applications must be handed in ten school days before the application deadline. It is recommended that all applications to college be mailed BEFORE Thanksgiving to avoid any last minute hassles.
Guidance Office College Application Procedures |
The following items should be completed and submitted to the Guidance Office prior to the processing of college applications. These items will remain in the Guidance Office:
ü College Writing Sample
ü Teacher Recommendations
ü Activity Record or Resume
ü College Recommendation Questionnaire
Many colleges will send separate Teacher Recommendation Reports as a part of the application packet. If you receive these reports with your college application, it is your responsibility to see individual teachers. These college forms are not a substitute for the Teacher Recommendation requested for your Guidance file.
Deadline Dates
College applications must be submitted to the Guidance Office at least 10 school days prior to the college application deadline. This will allow sufficient time for Guidance to process your application.
For example: If your application is due January 1st, it must be submitted to Guidance no later than December 6th (due to Holiday Recess).
Early Decision and Early Action
These deadline dates will be much earlier than regular application deadlines.
Early Decision: Remember, that acceptance under Early Decision binds you to attend that college if accepted.
Early Action: differs from early decision in that your application under this plan does NOT bind you to attend the college if accepted.
