4 answers
John
Student
Edison, New Jersey
2
Questions
Asked
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Why is the college process so complex?
I applied to many colleges and the process is just so different for each college.
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4 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
750
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
John thank you for reaching out and asking your question. I spent a considerable amount of time with my two oldest sons researching and applying to colleges. I do want you to know that navigating the college application process can indeed be complex, and the variations among different colleges can make it challenging. Hopefully, I can provide you some information that helped my sons and potentially could help you with the process.
To begin, I suggest exploring the Common App - https://www.commonapp.org/. This platform is a popular choice for college applications, allowing you to apply to multiple institutions with a single form. It's accepted by a variety of colleges, both big and small, which makes the process less daunting.
Next, consider the Coalition for College Access - https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/. Similar to the Common App, this platform centralizes the application process and provides a wealth of resources to guide you along the way.
My middle son found the College Board - SAT and College Search – https://www.collegeboard.org/ particularly useful. It offers crucial information about colleges, including admission requirements, SAT scores, and application specifics. Their College Search tool can help you explore various institutions.
Naviance - https://www.naviance.com/ is another resource that many high schools utilize to help students with college applications. It provides tools for career exploration, college planning, and application management.
You can also directly visit the College Admissions Websites of the colleges or universities you're interested in. These sites typically have a dedicated admissions section with detailed information about their application process, requirements, and deadlines.
I strongly recommend seeking guidance from your high school Guidance Counselor or College Advisor. Schedule a session with them for personalized advice, answers to your queries, and insights from their experience.
Lastly, consider joining online forums or communities where students share their college application experiences. Websites like College Confidential – https://www.collegeconfidential.com/ or Reddit's College Admissions subreddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeAdmissions/?rdt=57126 can provide valuable tips and insights.
John, it's crucial to remember that each college or university has its unique requirements. However, these resources can help you navigate the process more effectively. Stay organized, manage your deadlines, and don't hesitate to seek guidance when needed.
To begin, I suggest exploring the Common App - https://www.commonapp.org/. This platform is a popular choice for college applications, allowing you to apply to multiple institutions with a single form. It's accepted by a variety of colleges, both big and small, which makes the process less daunting.
Next, consider the Coalition for College Access - https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/. Similar to the Common App, this platform centralizes the application process and provides a wealth of resources to guide you along the way.
My middle son found the College Board - SAT and College Search – https://www.collegeboard.org/ particularly useful. It offers crucial information about colleges, including admission requirements, SAT scores, and application specifics. Their College Search tool can help you explore various institutions.
Naviance - https://www.naviance.com/ is another resource that many high schools utilize to help students with college applications. It provides tools for career exploration, college planning, and application management.
You can also directly visit the College Admissions Websites of the colleges or universities you're interested in. These sites typically have a dedicated admissions section with detailed information about their application process, requirements, and deadlines.
I strongly recommend seeking guidance from your high school Guidance Counselor or College Advisor. Schedule a session with them for personalized advice, answers to your queries, and insights from their experience.
Lastly, consider joining online forums or communities where students share their college application experiences. Websites like College Confidential – https://www.collegeconfidential.com/ or Reddit's College Admissions subreddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeAdmissions/?rdt=57126 can provide valuable tips and insights.
John, it's crucial to remember that each college or university has its unique requirements. However, these resources can help you navigate the process more effectively. Stay organized, manage your deadlines, and don't hesitate to seek guidance when needed.
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
235
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
The college process can be a bit of complex, and it's no surprise that it can feel confusing. Each college has its own set of rules and requirements, making it feel like you're jumping through hoops for each application. It's like trying to navigate a different path for every college you apply to. On top of that, there's the competition factor. Colleges receive tons of applications and have limited spots, so they have to carefully evaluate each one. They look at your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendation letters to see if you're a good fit. It's like they're piecing together a puzzle to figure out who gets in. So, yeah, it can be a bit overwhelming, but hang in there and keep pushing through!
My advice would be to stay organized, start early, and do thorough research on each college's requirements and deadlines. Take breaks and prioritize self-care throughout the process.
My advice would be to stay organized, start early, and do thorough research on each college's requirements and deadlines. Take breaks and prioritize self-care throughout the process.
Rian Alam
Student
139
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hi John,
I hear you, it's a super frusturating process. If you have questions about different parts of the process, there are a bunch of videos posted by the college board themselves going over how to fill out the common app. Similarly, you can also reach out to your guidance counselor or college counselor and not only will they be able to help you fill out the application, but often times they have a lot of super helpful tips that can make your application better!
I hear you, it's a super frusturating process. If you have questions about different parts of the process, there are a bunch of videos posted by the college board themselves going over how to fill out the common app. Similarly, you can also reach out to your guidance counselor or college counselor and not only will they be able to help you fill out the application, but often times they have a lot of super helpful tips that can make your application better!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
607
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Wish there was a good answer for this. A universal application would make life easier for sure. Just remember that the time you put in is an investment in your future; as frustrating as it might be.