GETTING INTO COLLEGE — HOW DOES IT WORK? THINK OF IT AS A JOURNEY THAT UNFOLDS IN THREE PHASES: RESEARCHING AND PLANNING, PREPPING AND APPLYING, AND DECISION-MAKING.
Many students start researching schools in their junior year or before, but even if you start your college process later than some, you can get to the same destination.
One of the first things to do is complete the FAFSA (see “Finding Funding†on page 20). There’ll be other due dates on your college “to-do†list, so pace your efforts and use your calendar or an online checklist to stay on top of deadlines.
LET’S TALK TESTS. Although some colleges have decided to go test optional, tests are still important to many schools. “Test optional does not mean test blind,†notes Certified Educational Planner Judi Rabinovitz. “If you send test scores, they will absolutely be considered as an important academic metric.†If your scores are well within a college’s midrange (check its website), then she recommends submitting them.
It’s a good idea to practice with at least one PreACT or PSAT. They can help identify strengths and weaknesses as you prepare for the real thing — the ACT or SAT — in your junior or senior year.
APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE REAL. Most colleges have “regular decision†deadlines between November and January. There are also early-decision and early-action applications, which are typically due in the fall. Early-decision plans are binding, which means that applicants commit to attend if accepted. Early-action applicants also receive an early response, but don’t have to commit until May 1 — the date most schools require admitted applicants to confirm enrollment.
After May 1, colleges with rolling admission deadlines accept applications until their programs fill, but some with rolling deadlines have hard deadlines for certain academic programs, so check on the specifics. As you research your options, note all relevant due dates.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. With nearly 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the U.S. alone, how do you come up with a list that’s a good fit? Start with the Top 200 Colleges for Indigenous Students on page 24. It’s an invaluable resource carefully researched for you.
ASSESS THESE ESSENTIALS
Academic offerings. Look for colleges that have plenty to offer in your major. If you’re undecided, are there classes that catch your eye? To gauge overall academic quality, check resources such as the Best Colleges rankings.
Location. Do you want — or need — to stay close to home? Are you interested in a small town or a larger urban setting? What about the advantages of a community college? Don’t overlook tribal colleges and universities that offer opportunities in more than a dozen states.
Size. Do you see yourself at a school with a few thousand students, or perhaps a university with tens of thousands? While small schools can offer smaller classes and easier access to professors, bigger schools often have a broader range of programs.
Overall cost. Educate yourself about college expenses (see “Finding Funding†on page 20).
Culture. How inclusive is the college, and what would it be like to go there? “Our Native experiences inform our perspectives in a unique way,†observes Mandy Smoker Broaddus, a practice expert in Indigenous education at the nonprofit organization Education Northwest. “So it’s important to be part of a culture that welcomes diverse points of view.â€
“Giving colleges context to interpret your transcript and application is essential.â€
Come up with a short list that includes at least a couple of schools in three categories: on target (reasonable chance), reach (perhaps a stretch, but possible), and safety (strong likelihood of acceptance).
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT. You can use an application platform to apply to more than one college. The popular Common App is accepted by more than 900 colleges. There’s also the Coalition Application, accepted by more than 150 schools, and the Common Black College Application, accepted by more than 60 HBCUs. Some schools don’t accept these platforms, so check each college on your list.
WHAT ELSE? Colleges will ask for an official high school transcript, which you can usually request through your school’s counseling office. In addition, be prepared to pay the application fee or apply to have it waived.
You may also be asked to submit a resume. And you’ll need to have your essay and recommendation letters in order.
THE ESSAY DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. While writing a good essay isn’t easy, it doesn’t have to be painful. Allow yourself enough time. Approach it as an opportunity to make a connection with a person who’s interested in what you have to say. “Your personal essay is a significant part of your application,†says Safier. “It’s your chance to share your voice with the admissions committee and describe something meaningful to you.â€
RECOMMENDATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Ask for letters of recommendation from people who have firsthand information about your strengths and potential. “The best letters are anecdotal,†observes Rabinovitz. “They provide specific examples of your engagement in and out of the classroom.â€
If there’s an accomplishment you hope to have highlighted, it’s okay to ask. If you overcame a rough patch, suggest that your recommender mention that. Remember that teachers and counselors are busy and will need some notice. And don’t be afraid to offer a friendly reminder a few days before the deadline.
When you have all the pieces organized, submit your applications. The next step will be opening those acceptance letters, carefully weighing your options, and picking the best school for you.