Applying for College Doesn’t Have to be Stressful: 5 Tips for College Applications

Feeling overwhelmed by college applications this month? Don’t worry — Westminster’s got you covered. Here are 5 tips for filling out those applications and making the right college choice for you.

1. Research colleges that have your basic criteria.

   When you are applying for schools, it’s important to know what you want. How big do you want your school to be? How far from home? Take into account majors, athletic programs, co-ed, housing options, etc. Visit CollegeBoard.org’s College Search Engine to find college options that meet your criteria.

2. Visit schools. Ask questions, and get a feel for the campus.

   It’s hard to know what a school is like without seeing it. How far are the dorms from the classrooms? Does the library have comfortable chairs? These are questions you can answer by being on campus. Taking a tour will also answer important questions you might have about the specifics of your school. Don’t be shy with your tour guide! Here are some questions to ask when taking a college tour.

3. Fully complete your application. Tell about all the things you are doing or are involved in – both inside and outside of school.

   You are more than your GPA. Show your potential colleges the skills you’ve learned, your interests in extra curricular activities, and give them the whole picture.

4. Follow the financial aid process through to the end. The sticker price is NOT the “out of pocket” cost.

   You may be qualified to receive more financial aid than you think. Make sure you know your options completely before you decide.

5. Apply NOW. Earlier is better to take advantage of all the opportunities available to learn about a school.

   The more you know now, the more options you will have to choose from when it comes time to enroll. Apply to the schools you want and give yourself every opportunity to make the right choice for you.

Learn more about the application process at Westminster.