College Application Process FAQ’s

1. College Application Process FAQ’s 2018-2019 School year

2. Where do I begin? • Apply to colleges that offer the major(s) and interest areas you wish to pursue • For each school you are considering write a list of why it is a good fit for you (ex. major offers field experience, school/class size, lower cost of tuition, scholarship, respected athletics program, theater club, etc.) https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-admissions-insider/2011/06/13/finding-a-good-college-fit

3. Plan a College Visit • Find out dates for college open houses/tours and schedule them • Come up with list of questions before you go • Know who and which offices to direct your questions to (ex. Financial Aid, Office of Admissions, Bookstore, etc.) • https://visit.asu.edu/ • https://admissions.arizona.edu/visit • https://www.mesacc.edu/students/campus-tours

4. Admission Requirements • Arizona State University • https://students.asu.edu/freshman/requirements • University of Arizona • https://admissions.arizona.edu/how-to-apply/freshmen/application-review-process • Northern Arizona University • http://nau.edu/Admissions/Getting-Started/Requirements/Freshmen/ • Maricopa Community Colleges (CGCC, MCC, SCC, Rio Salado, etc.) • https://www.maricopa.edu/getting-started/admissions-records-registration • Factors Considered: • High School GPA • Send Transcripts • Extracurricular Activities • SAT/ACT scores • Completion of required coursework • Personal Statement • Application fee • Sometimes required: • Recommendations • Resume • Interview *Each program might have different requirements for admission

5. Review Application Process • Application Checklist: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/college-application-checklist • Find out application deadlines • Early apply, regular deadline, or rolling? (mark on calendar!) • Gather supplemental application materials (transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, application fee, etc.) • Draft personal statement, have peer-reviewed and make revisions, develop final copy • Submit application(s) early and monitor status

6. Financial Aid & Scholarships • Applying for Aid: • U of A: http://financialaid.arizona.edu/freshmen/how-apply-aid-freshmen-incoming • ASU: https://students.asu.edu/financialaid • NAU: http://nau.edu/Finaid/Incoming-Freshmen/ • Maricopa Community Colleges: https://www.maricopa.edu/about-us/quick-facts/tuition-and-financial-aid • Know the deadlines for FAFSA and scholarships (dates vary) • Research tuition costs (in-state, out-of-state, non-tuition fees (room and board, recreation/athletics fee, etc.)) • FAFSA link: https://fafsa.gov/ • Need previous year’s tax return information for parents/guardians and self

7. Application Essay • Brainstorm your strengths, traits that make you an ideal applicant for the program you are applying to, and reasons you are interested in that particular college • Create outline and first draft of essay • Attention-grabbing introduction, explain ideas in the body, and summarizing paragraph • Have someone proof-read it if possible • Your essay reveals something about you that your grades and test scores do not • Showcases your writing skills