How to Apply for College – A Guide for Online Students
byAlyssa Austin
5 min to read
The college admissions process can be daunting for high school students and their families, especially for online students going from online learning to applying for in-person colleges. Luckily, applying for college involves some clearly defined steps.
What are the Admission Requirements for Colleges?
While what each college asks from their applicants can vary, much of what’s needed when applying to college is the same for students whether they attend online school or a brick-and-mortar school.
Generally, you should have the following paperwork ready when you begin the college admissions process:
a list of extracurricular, community service, or volunteer activities
any awards and recognitions
How Many Colleges Should You Apply to?
There’s no hard and fast number for how many colleges you should apply to but the College Board recommends submitting between five and eight college applications. Your selection criteria should encompass schools with programs you’re interested in and that are robust enough for your career goals, have adequate student support services, and several academic clubs, sports teams, and social programs that you can participate in to enrich your college experience.
Balancing these needs out, you can break your list down into your “safety,” “match,” and “reach” schools.
A safety school refers to a college that has a higher acceptance rate, making the odds of rejection low. One or two schools on your list is a good benchmark to hit for this category.
A match school means that the program meets your academic goals and social needs. According to the College Board, you might want as many as four but at least two of these schools on your list.
A reach school is one where the application competition is greater or has higher standards for admission. Having one or two of these schools on your list is recommended, according to the College Board.
What do Colleges Look at Besides Grades?
Good grades and standardized test scores hold significant weight with a college admissions team, but there are other factors to a college application that can play a significant role as well.
Schools often want students that can enrich them as an institution, so participating in a club or sport or working on a passion project while still in high school can work in your favor because it shows the school who you are and that you show dedication. Having a job or completing internships are good indicators of drive and responsibility, as well as opportunities to gain life experience.
Volunteering shows colleges that you’re invested in yourself and the world around you and can be another way to show off your personality and what’s important to you.
Ultimately, showcasing your drive, initiative, leadership skills, or willingness to stretch yourself as a human being can work well for creating a well-rounded college application.
When Should Online Students Apply for College?
Each college has their own admission process and timelines, so it’s crucial to review the application requirements of each school you’re considering to avoid being too late.
How to Apply for College as an Online High School Student
Knowing what colleges look for and what materials you need is the first step. From there, you can follow these next steps to help you feel more prepared and confident during the application process:
1. Make your list of schools to apply to
When: At least 1 year before application deadlines
Make a list of schools that interest you and rank them according to your safety, match, and reach criteria. This step in the process is meant to allow you to dream big and get all your options on the table. Start off broad by researching the school’s offerings then narrow your list as you focus in on the specific things you’re looking for.
2. Map out application requirements and deadlines
When: At least 6 months before application deadlines
Once you’ve made your list of schools, make note of their application requirements and deadlines and map out what needs to be done when. This step might be the most labor intensive, so starting it sooner rather than later will help make the application process run smoother and feel less overwhelming.
Give yourself enough time to ask your coaches, teachers, or other trusted adults to write you letters of recommendation or complete any additional requests the college might have without feeling rushed. You’ll also want to start looking into scholarships that your schools of choice offer and gathering any other important financial information they ask for. Make sure you’re looking at important FAFSA® deadlines as well.
3. Start filling out applications
When: At least 3-4 months before application deadlines
Start filling out your applications early to give yourself lots of buffer time. It’s best to review all applications in full at least three months before the application deadline so you can catch any specific short-answer questions or additional information each application may ask for.
4. Retake any standardized tests
When: Fall of senior year
Most students will take their initial round of ACTs and SATs during their junior year, but you may want to retake them during their senior year to boost your scores.
5. Start writing your personal essays early
When: At least 4–6 months before application deadlines
Start writing your personal statements or essays early so you have time to think over them and make any edits before you submit them, especially if you have several to write for different schools. Give yourself ample time to get feedback, revise, and finalize.
6. Submit your transcripts
When: 3–6 months before application deadlines
Transcripts are a crucial part of your applications. Work with your school to send your transcripts to the colleges on your list to make sure they’re there on time. It’s a good idea to factor in some wiggle room in case anything needs to be resubmitted.
7. Finalize financial aid
When: Spring of your senior year
Many schools will give students until May 1 to accept financial aid packages or scholarships, but you’ll want to double check the schools on your list in case any of them have different deadlines.
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