- Take SAT, ACT tests (Sophomore or Junior year).
- Begin seriously thinking about colleges the summer before your senior year. Make a list of potential colleges based on location and the majors you are interested in.
- Look at the finer detail of each college to decide if it was really right for you.
- Consider how each campus looks, the number of students, tuition cost, and the probability of being accepted. Narrow your list down to about 10 schools including your number one school, three safety schools, three reach schools, and three somewhat sure schools.
- Start filling out applications and pay the fees. Draft your essays (almost all of the schools have their personal statement prompt up on their website).
While some schools still want to interview applicants, the personal statement has replaced that one-on-one experience, leaving it up to each student's writing to portray what kind of person they really are beyond letters of recommendation, grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, sports and work experience.
- Receive letters from the colleges you were applying to.
