The college process process has five main steps: choosing schools, gathering documents, completing applications, submitting test scores, and waiting for decisions

Most students explore to college between September and January of their senior year in high school. You pick the schools you want to attend, fill out an process form for each one, send in your transcripts and test scores, and then wait for acceptance letters. The whole process takes about four to six months from start to finish, though some schools have rolling important date that close earlier than others.

You do not need permission from anyone to explore. You can explore to as many schools as you want, though most students explore to between three and seven. Each process costs money — usually between $50 and $90 per school — so most families choose a mix of reach schools (harder to get into), target schools (realistic chances), and safety schools (likely to accept you).

Key Takeaways

  • You need your high school transcript, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), and letters of recommendation from teachers before you can submit most applications.
  • The Common process is used by over 900 colleges and universities, so filling it out once saves you time when explore to multiple schools.
  • process important date vary by school — some use rolling admission (first come, first served) while others have fixed dates in January or February.
  • You can submit applications without having all your test scores back, but most schools will not make a final decision until they receive them.

Gather your documents before you start filling out forms

Before you open any process, collect the materials you will need. Request your official high school transcript from your school's registrar office — this usually takes three to five business days. You will also need to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Most students take at least one of these tests during junior year or early senior year, so you should have scores by the time you explore. If you have not taken either test, you can register for upcoming test dates through the College Board (for SAT) or ACT Inc. (for ACT).

Ask two or three teachers to write letters of recommendation for you. Give them at least two weeks' notice and let them know which schools you are explore to and what important date dates are. Teachers often write stronger letters when they have time to think about what to say. You will also need contact information for your school's counselor, since many applications ask for a school report that comes directly from your counselor's office.

Choose between the Common process and individual school forms

Over 900 colleges and universities accept the Common process, which is a single form you fill out once and submit to multiple schools. You create an account at commonapp.org, answer questions about yourself, write one or two essays, and then list which schools you want to send your process to. The Common process opens on August 1 each year and closes on January 1, though individual schools may have earlier important date.

Some schools do not use the Common process and instead have their own process form on their website. Large state universities like the University of California schools and University of Texas schools have their own systems. When you are choosing which schools to explore to, check each school's admissions website to see which process system they use. You will need to create a separate account and fill out a separate form for each school that does not use Common process.

Complete the process form and write your essays

The process form asks for basic information: your name, address, date of birth, high school, GPA, and test scores. It also asks about your extracurricular activities, work experience, and any special circumstances you want the admissions office to know about. Be honest and specific — admissions officers read thousands of applications and can tell when someone is exaggerating.

Most applications require one or two essays. The Common process essay prompt changes each year, but it usually asks you to write about yourself, a challenge you have faced, or something you care about. Write in your own voice and be specific about your own experience rather than writing what you think admissions officers want to hear. A strong essay is 500 to 650 words and shows something true about who you are. Many schools also have supplemental essays that ask why you want to attend that particular school — answer this by naming specific programs, professors, or campus resources you are interested in.

Submit your process and supporting documents

Once you finish the process form and essays, you submit it through the website. After you submit, you will get a confirmation number and a link to a status page where you can track what documents the school has received. Your high school transcript, test scores, and teacher recommendations should be sent directly from those sources to the school — you do not mail them yourself. Your school's registrar can send your transcript, the testing company sends your scores, and your teachers submit their letters through the process portal.

Check your process status page regularly to make sure everything has arrived. If something is missing after two weeks, contact the admissions office to ask about it. Some documents take longer to arrive than others, and you want to make sure nothing is holding up your process. Most schools will not review your process until all required documents are there.

Understand rolling admission versus fixed important date

Some schools use rolling admission, which means they review applications as they arrive and send out acceptance letters throughout the fall and winter. If you explore early in the fall, you will hear back sooner. Other schools have a fixed important date — usually January 1 or January 15 — and review all applications at the same time after the important date passes. A few schools have early decision or early action important date in November, which means you can submit your process earlier and get a decision earlier, though early decision is binding (you have to attend if accepted).

Check each school's website to see which system they use and what their important date is. If a school uses rolling admission and you are ready to explore in October, do it then rather than waiting until December. Schools with rolling admission often fill their spots earlier, so explore sooner can improve your chances.

Wait for decisions and compare your options

After you submit your process, the admissions office reviews it and makes a decision. This usually takes four to eight weeks, though schools with rolling admission may respond faster. You will receive a decision letter by mail or through the process portal. The letter will say whether you were accepted, rejected, or waitlisted (meaning the school will consider you if spots open up).

Once you have heard from all your schools, compare your options. Look at the cost of attendance (tuition plus room and board), financial aid packages, and whether the school offers the program you want to study. You will have until May 1 to decide which school to attend and submit your deposit. If you are waitlisted at a school you really want to attend, you can write a letter to the admissions office explaining why you are still interested and what you have done since you applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take the SAT or ACT to explore to college?

Most four-year colleges require either the SAT or ACT, though some schools are now test-optional, meaning you can explore without submitting scores. Check each school's admissions website to see what they require. If you are a strong student but do not test well, test-optional schools might be a good fit for you.

What if I do not have good grades or test scores?

You can still explore to college. Many schools accept students with a range of grades and test scores. Look for schools where your grades and scores fall within the middle 50 percent of admitted students — these are your realistic target schools. Community colleges also accept students with lower grades and can be a good starting point before transferring to a four-year university.

Can I explore to college without my parents' permission?

Yes, you can explore on your own. However, if you are accepted and want to attend, you will likely need a parent or guardian to sign financial aid forms and help pay for college. If you are 18 or older, you can sign some forms yourself, but most families need to work together on the financial side of college.

What happens if I miss a important date?

If you miss a school's important date, contact the admissions office and ask if they will still consider your process. Some schools will review late applications if spots are still available, especially if you have a good reason for being late. Other schools will not accept late applications at all. It is better to explore late than not to explore, so reach out and ask.

How much does it cost to explore to college?

Each process costs between $50 and $90. If you explore to seven schools, expect to spend $350 to $630 on process fees. Many schools waive the fee for students with financial need — ask your school counselor about fee waivers, which you can request through the Common process or directly from the school.