Tips for Preparing College Applications

Teacher Letters of Recommendation - You may need to ask one or two teachers for letters of recommendation; check the fine print on your applications. You must give those teachers any separate teacher report forms for completion and an addressed, stamped envelope for each school. Most teachers will write a letter, fill out the form, and, in the space provided for the narrative (letter), write: “please see attached letter.” You must inform them about your deadline requirements and follow up to see that the letters/forms are mailed by your postmark or receipt-at-school deadline. At the end of the process, it would be thoughtful to write a thank-you note both to thank and to let them know your plans.

Securing Applications - You can secure applications by mail, phone call, from visiting college reps, or over the Internet.  Most schools now ask for you to complete an online application or at least begin the process that way.  Some suggestions for to help in the process are as follows:

• Photocopy the applications to give you a rough draft from which to type or handwrite your essay. Most of your teachers are happy to review essays or personal statements if they are presented early enough.

• Remember to include your name and social security number on each sheet you add to your application materials. You should write both on the memo line of your check.

• The guidance office requires a ONE WEEK turn-around time for your official transcript/counselor letter and form to be created and completed- that is, your request is due to me TWO WEEKS BEFORE the materials are due at the college. EARLIER IS BETTER; procrastination does not improve this process!

• You definitely want to photocopy the completed application before you mail it.

• Electronic applications also require the two-week turn-around time for our office in order for the materials to be mailed to the college by conventional US mail by the due date.

Personal Statement - Along with an interview and essay, this statement affords you an opportunity to add your own personal touch to the "nuts and bolts" of the application. This statement can be optional, but it is an opportunity to add another dimension to your application, for example, why you might have chosen a particular career or who in your life may have influenced you. It can also fill in some information on academic slippage due to extenuating circumstances or just plain "growing up." You can either personalize the statement for each college or photocopy it for each application you submit. Please note that this type of statement can also enhance scholarship applications later on. Remember to put your name and social security number on the top and try to keep the essay to one page.

Personal Data Sheet or Resume – The personal data sheet provides a brief overview of your life both in and out of high school but does not usually include academic information since that is available on your transcript. A resume includes academic, employment, and personal information. Either can be a good addition to scholarship applications. You must provide copies for each application and scholarship. Just ask the guidance office for examples of each.