US University Application Appearances
What Does a US University Application Look Like?
One of the great mysteries to high school students without friends or siblings who have applied to college is the application form itself. What does a US university application look like? (The answer: scarier than it actually is.) And how much do applications vary between US universities? (They’re pretty much the same, with slight variations.)
Here’s an overview of what to expect when you start downloading or printing US university applications.
Before You Look at a US University Application
Before you go to a dozen US college or university websites to look at their applications, be aware that the Common Application, which is currently used by more than 300 schools nationwide, and the Universal College Application, which has more than 50 subscribers, contain essentially what you’ll see on every school’s application.
By looking at either of these two forms, you’ll get a basic idea of what to expect from every US university application. You can decide to apply using the Common or Universal applications, although you must check to make sure the universities to which you want to apply accept them.
Why Are US University Applications So Thick?
When you print out a US university application and see page after page sliding out, you may wonder how you’re going to have time to fill out a single application, let alone one for each college you’re applying to.
Don’t worry! Much of an application’s bulk consists of fact-based blanks to fill in, such as your date of birth and the high school you attended. It doesn’t take very long.
Another big section needs to be filled out by the teacher(s) or counselor(s) you’ve chosen to recommend you. There are sections for athletes, artists, applicants who are home-schooled … in other words, there’s a lot of stuff that you won’t have to worry about.
The section of most US university applications that will require you to use your brain the most is the writing section. It usually consists of a short answer and longer personal statement. It may not take up much space in the application form, but it will loom large in the minds of the admissions committees who want to know more about you than just your grades.
Even if you’re using the Common or Universal applications, many schools will also require some sort of additional, school-specific material, usually an essay. Each school will also have its own financial aid form. Yes, it’s more paper to download and fill out, but it’s very important paper!
Look Carefully at Your US University Application
Even the sections of US university applications that you don’t have to fill out in their entirety, you’re usually required to do something, even if it’s just entering personal data (name, date of birth, etc.).
A major pitfall in filling out applications is missing information that you’re supposed to have entered. Colleges won’t look at your application until everything they need has been received. If you’ve submitted a sloppy enough application, it may even hinder your chances of getting accepted.
The best way to be organized is to look hard at every section and make sure you’re not overlooking anything.
Once you take a good look at a US university application and realize how little of it requires you to actually think and be creative, its size won’t be as intimidating.
But don’t be lulled into a false sense of security – filling out a college application still takes time, effort and a lot of care. By taking a good look at the application before filling it out, you’re preparing yourself well, and that’s half the battle.
Next: The Common Application
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