Applying to College

This page contains detailed information about the application process. Please also look at our complete list of MD Colleges and Universities (This list contains direct links to the schools Web page, quick facts, and application deadlines).

The typical college application includes the following areas:

• Application Form
• Transcript
• Standardized Test Scores
• Recommendations
• Essays

Application Form

Application forms are usually updated over the summer and have current versions by September. Many colleges have updated downloadable (PDF) versions of their applications online, and downloading the form is probably the fastest and easiest way for you.  Please be reminded some colleges have different applications for different type of students (Early Decision, for example) or for different colleges within the University (College of Engineering).

Online Applications:

Some colleges may prefer online applications as they cut down on processing time, however, Colleges do not give preference to applicants who apply online. Please remember to write down any tracking numbers the schools give you in order to track your applications. Also, please be reminded to request transcripts are sent to these colleges as well.

Common Application:

This application is currently being accepted by nearly 300 post secondary institutions, some of which use this form exclusively.  One advantage of using this form is that it needs to be completed only once; photocopies or additional printouts may be sent to any other participating colleges.

Please use this link to access the common application.

Transcript

Grades in academic subject are the single best predictor of success in colleges, and colleges look for evidence that the student taken rigorous course work. Student can request transcripts from their guidance counselors. Be sure to give your counselor a few Weeks notice.

Test Scores

Colleges require official score results from SAT and ACT. Results are sent directly from the testing organizations by request from the student.

Some useful sites includes:

• College Board
• Kaplan
• The ACT Test

Recommendations

Usually, a college admissions require letter of recommendations be written by school counselors and teachers. Be sure to put in your recommendation request in early-several weeks in advance in order to meet deadlines. It may be useful to give the counselor or teacher a brief biography or resume to help them with the completion of your recommendations.

Essays

A great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the admissions staff. It will round out the rest of your application and help you stand out from the other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your application over which you have complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Check out these tips before you begin.

Do's - Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal
Your essay must prove a single point or thesis. The reader must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Try having someone read just your introduction to see what he thinks your essay is about.

Essays that try to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered-down. Remember, it's not about telling the committee what you've done—they can pick that up from your list of activities—instead, it's about showing them who you are.

Prove It
Develop your main idea with vivid and specific facts, events, quotations, examples and reasons. There's a big difference between simply stating a point of view and letting an idea unfold in the details:

• Okay: "I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of backgrounds and interests"
• Better: "During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a baseball coach who thinks he's Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and heard more than I ever wanted to know about some woman's gall bladder operation."

Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing by using vivid and specific details.

• Okay: "I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the love and guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore, I would like to expand the lives of others."
• Better: "My Mom and Dad stood on plenty of sidelines 'til their shoes filled with water or their fingers turned white, or somebody's golden retriever signed his name on their coats in mud. I think that kind of commitment is what I'd like to bring to working with fourth-graders."

Most admissions officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. Bring something new to the table, not just what you think they want to hear.

Don't include information that is found elsewhere in the application. Your essay will end up sounding like an autobiography, travelogue or laundry list. Yawn.

• "During my junior year, I played first singles on the tennis team, served on the student council, maintained a B+ average, traveled to France, and worked at a cheese factory."

Eliminate unnecessary words.

• Okay: "Over the years it has been pointed out to me by my parents, friends, and teachers—and I have even noticed this about myself, as well—that I am not the neatest person in the world."
• Better: "I'm a slob."

Typos and spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as carelessness or just bad writing. Don't rely on your computer's spell check. It can miss spelling errors like the ones below.

• "After I graduate form high school, I plan to work for a nonprofit organization during the summer."
• "From that day on, Daniel was my best fried."

This article is based on information found in The College Application Essay, by Sarah Myers McGinty.

For more information on how to write a excellent college essay visit College Board.