The college application process begins long before high school students enter their senior year, as many students start thinking about their interests, goals, and applications as early as their first or second year in high school.
The preparation and research done in a student’s early high school years pays off as they enter their senior year and the official college application process begins.
This is an exciting, challenging, and busy time for high school seniors and their parents as students endeavor to choose the right college for them and ensure they meet all the college application requirements.
In today’s article, we’ll provide high school seniors with a college application checklist to help them make the college application process as smooth as possible.
What is involved in a college application?
A student’s college application consists of multiple components and requirements will vary depending on the college, university, and program the student is applying to.
Generally speaking, most colleges and universities require an application with a student’s personal information, extracurriculars and awards, high school transcript or its equivalent, standardized test scores like the SAT and ACT, and recommendation letters. Students should start gathering their materials and recommendation letters early to ensure they have everything they need when it comes time to apply to the college or university of their choice.
Many schools accept the Common Application, which allows students to apply to several colleges in a single application. This application makes the overall college application process as simple and streamlined as possible by keeping an applicant’s materials in one place.
Additionally, you may be asked to submit a personal statement or essay, so be sure to give yourself enough time to write and edit a paper that will get you noticed and show admissions teams what you can offer.
Lastly, while many schools require an application fee, others, like University of Bridgeport, have no application fees, meaning students only benefit from applying to these institutions.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid opportunities
Now that the college application has been submitted, it’s time to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is the primary source of financial aid for students and their families by providing federal assistance from both the federal and state governments.
When creating their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, students should collect and be ready to submit the following information and documents:
- Social security numbers
- Federal income tax returns
- Family size and income
- Personal income (if any)
- List of colleges and the college’s school codes that a student is applying to
Students should also ensure their chosen schools have their social security information, as that is how schools connect a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with their college application.
Interested in applying to UB? Use this Admissions Checklist to get you there!
In addition to financial aid provided by the federal and state governments, high school seniors should look into the scholarships available at their desired college or university. For example, at University of Bridgeport, we offer the following merit scholarships to first-year undergraduate students:
- Trustee Scholarship: $25,000
- Presidential Scholarship: $20,000
- Provost’s Scholarship: $17,500
- Dean’s Achievement Scholarship: $15,000
Students should submit paperwork well before any deadlines, as submitting both the college application and the financial aid application as early as possible allows schools to provide you with an update on your application status and the financial aid package they can offer. In turn, this allows high school seniors to ultimately decide whether they can attend and afford their chosen university.
You’re in! Now what?
Congratulations! You’ve made it through the college application and financial aid application process and been accepted into your dream school. However, the college application checklist is far from complete.
Upon receiving your letter of acceptance, be sure to visit your school’s website with your new student identification (ID) number to log into your student portal, where you will need to commit to the school, confirm your financial aid package, and pay your tuition deposit, housing fees, and register for classes with your academic advisor.
Additionally, students can use their student portal to:
- Reveighty programsiew health insurance plans
- Submit health forms
- Complete and submit housing applications and meal contract forms.=
- Register for student orientation
- Submit all official transcripts
Students should also contact their school’s admissions office and admissions team if they need additional help and assistance with any part of the college application process.
Join the Purple Knight family
University of Bridgeport comprises a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff from all over the world that strives to provide opportunities for students to follow their passions.
Plus, with a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our uplifting, supportive culture ensures you never feel like a number and receive the attention and dedication you deserve.
Lastly, with over 80 programs and 99% of students receiving grant or scholarship aid, there is no better time to apply to our career-focused university.
Apply today or contact us for more information. We will be there every step of the way to ensure you check off every box on your college admissions checklist!