College Applications: What's Next? - Merit Educational Consultants
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College Applications: What’s Next?

For all of you seniors – and yes, parents, too! – congratulations on getting your early applications submitted!

You deserve a big sigh of relief now that you’ve submitted the first round of college applications.

Me too!  I was up ‘til midnight on Nov. 30th (UC and CSU deadlines) and Dec. 1st (early action for private colleges) supporting kids as they edited their personal statements and completed their applications.  Phew!

Most of you are now re-organizing your plans as you start working on the private college applications that are due on Jan. 1st (what cruel person chose New Years Day for the deadline?) and thereafter. You may be able to use some of the essays you’ve written for the UCs but get started on the next batch of applications now!  Don’t wait until the last minute, which will also ruin your holiday plans. 

For those of you lucky ones who are actually done with all college applications, here are a few tips and bits of info about what happens next:

CSU Campuses

You should receive an email giving you your new Student ID number and a WebPortal address for each college.  Your first password will be your 6-digit birthdate.  Once you log on, you’ll get your permanent password.  Put these important numbers in the back of your planner; you’ll be using them a lot over the next 4-5 months.  Each CSU campus will email you to request your SAT/ACT scores and your official transcripts from your high school and your college.  You’ll only need to submit your scores and transcripts to one CSU because once they’re in the system, call CSUs can access them.  Check your email often to stay informed about what you need to send to the colleges. 

UC Campuses

You’ll receive your Student ID number and password via email.  Like the CSU colleges, check your email often to see what each college is requesting from you.  They will ask you to send your official SAT/ACT scores and transcripts.  You’ll only need to send them to one UC; once they receive them, all UCs will be able to access them.   The UCs will be sending their acceptance letters through email this year. 

All Campuses

  1. Start filling out the FAFSA now.  Even though you don’t yet have your W2s, you can estimate your earnings for this year.  The first date that you can send the FAFSA is on January 1st.  By sending your FAFSA in on January 1st, you’ll position yourself to get the best financial aid packages.  The sooner they calculate your parents’ ability to pay for college, the sooner they’ll send their recommendations (SARs) to the colleges so that the colleges can determine your financial aid packages. The deadline to submit your FAFSA is March 2nd.
  1. Check with your teachers and high school counselors to make sure that they’ve sent your transcripts and Secondary School Reports to those colleges that require them.  Then double check your portal or call the admissions offices to ensure that they’ve received everything required.  Then, thank your teachers and counselors for writing your letters of recommendation!
     
  2. As soon as you have completed your Fall semester, request that your high school counselor send your GPA Verification information to all of the colleges that require it.  The deadline is March 2nd.

 Enter these dates in your planner so you don’t forget to do them!  Good luck!