You’ve finished your applications, and it's time to submit them electonically or (more rarely these days) send them by mail.  Here are some ideas for completing this step of the process smoothly and effectively.

Proofread your applications thoroughly

Proofreading aloud is important. The very best way to catch errors is to print your application and read it aloud, especially your essays. Even if you cannot state the rules of grammar and don’t know exactly why some sentences work and others don’t, you have actually acquired a lot of knowledge about how our language is supposed to sound. Many problems – repetitive word usage, awkward phrasing, misplaced commas, wordiness, confusing sentences—will only be noticed when you read your work aloud.

You should also ask another person, preferably someone who is a good speller and writer, to read your application carefully.  Parents are a great choice; they can be counted on to proofread as if your life depended on it!  Better yet, read your application aloud to them or have them read it aloud to you!

Reread the application instructions to make SURE you have included everything requested. 

Click for more detailed proofreading advice.

Confirm that your recommendations and transcript have been sent

Politely follow up with your school counselor and your teachers to make sure they have sent off their recommendations.  You won't look pushy if you say, "Is there anything more you need from me before you finish the recommendation?"

Make sure your counselor is planning to include an official transcript with the recommendation.  Some students elect to send their own official (sealed) transcripts just in case.

Confirm that your test scores have been sent by the College Board or ACT

Click for ACT Score Send or College Board Score Send webpages.

Send supplementary materials by mail

What are supplementary materials?
Colleges sometimes request, recommend, or welcome a document that cannot be submitted electronically.  Examples:  Arts or Athletic Supplements to the Common Application; graded writing samples from high school; your transcript; a resume that cannot be uploaded.

Use good paper
Consider printing your supplementary materials on quality paper stock if you can, something with more cotton content. It’s a small expense for a classier looking product.

Handwriting
If you are hand printing any part of your mailed submission, use a blue or black ball point pen and aim for your best handwriting.

Make copies
Make a copy of everything you send by mail (unless you have a saved copy on your hard drive or online!).

Follow mailing instructions exactly
Mail supplementary material in a roomy envelope. Some schools provide an envelope with their application materials. Make sure you know if the deadline is a receipt or a postmark deadline. Pay a little extra for “Delivery Confirmation” – a small price for the peace of mind you’ll have knowing your application arrived at its destination. If you send an application Federal Express to meet a receipt deadline, waive the signature requirement, which can hang things up at the receiving end. Both Delivery Confirmation and Federal Express allow you to follow the progress of your application online.

After the application is sent

Many colleges will send a card or an e-mail confirming the receipt of your materials. If you are not sure whether your materials arrived, you may call the admissions office to find out, but wait a few weeks first.  Some colleges have online sites where you can check the status of your application.

It’s not over ‘til it’s over. Selective colleges often require a Mid-Year Report of first-semester grades.  You must give your counselor the forms (either college-specific or Common Application), and they will send your grades, recalculated class rank, and senior course list to each college requesting them. [Note: This is why it’s important to attend to your studies senior year!]

Send additional documentation if appropriate. If you receive a special prize or recognition, for example, you may send a clipping about it to the admissions office.

 

Printable Forms

Information Request Tracker

Application Checklist

Individual College Application Tracker

Essay Checklist

Interview Checklist

Recommendation Checklist

Junior Checklist

Senior Checklist