College Applications
COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Although every college is unique, we have compiled a list of potential information you will need to fill out the average, 4 year college application. Some colleges will require less and some colleges will require more. It is imperative that you follow the instructions for your individual college.
- Student & Parent Bio and Demographic Information
- SSN#
- Citizenship Status
- DOB (City, State and Country of birth)
- Address & County of Residency
- Parent Marital Status & Educational Level
- Parent & Student Driver’s License #
- Student GPA & Class Rank (Free Online GPA Calculator)
- List of Courses and Course Level of Classes taken throughout high school, including Senior Year courses.
- Application Fee Payment or Waiver
- College Essay
- Letters of Recommendation
- SAT/ACT Scores
- Personal Statement
William Penn School Counselors recommend that all students apply to four or more colleges! At least one of these schools should be your dream school and one should be a back up school.
College Application Month/Week (CAM/CAW)
As a member of the Delaware Goes to College Initiative, Wm. Penn seniors will once again participate in CAM. During this month, all Delaware College and Universities are offering to waive college application fees (typically from mid October until Thanksgiving Break). Learn more at https://delawarestudentsuccess.org/cam/
TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
In this age of technology, most college applications are completed online. You can acquire an application by going to the college’s website and completing the application online, downloading a paper application, or apply to multiple schools at once by using a common application.
https://www.commonapp.org/
With more than 600 Member colleges and only one application, The Common Application is comprised of a rich and diverse membership – colleges that are public, private, large, small, secular, and religious. No other college application system matches the diversity of institutions accessible through The Common Application, which is why more than 1 million students, counselors and teachers rely on us every year.
Help completing the application www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/applying-to-college/college-application-process/a/filling-out-the-college-application-common-application-walkthrough
An unprecedented coalition of diverse public and private colleges and universities has come together to improve the college admission application process for all students. The Coalition has developed a free platform of online tools to streamline the experience of applying to college. The initial iteration of the platform is now available for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in high school. START YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Submitting Your Coalition Application from Coalition on Vimeo.
RECEIVE IN-STATE-TUITION AT OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGES!
You may apply for the ACM if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You are a Delaware resident and U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
- Your degree program is not offered at the University of Delaware or Delaware State University
- You have been accepted into, or you are already enrolled in, an eligible degree program that has been selected for the ACM by a participating public institution
Search for eligible programs in the Academic Common MarketYou can search the SREB website for the most current eligible degree programs and participating public institutions.
The ACM includes baccalaureate and graduate-level degree programs. First professional degree programs—such as dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, theology, and law— are not offered in the ACM and cannot be requested.
Degree programs offered in the ACM are selected by the participating institutions and are subject to change. Both participating institutions and states may set restrictions on ACM participation and institutions may elect to discontinue participation in the ACM at any time.
In addition, Delaware must remove ACM access to any programs that become available at either the University of Delaware or Delaware State University.
For more information: delawarestudentsuccess.org/acm/
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LOR)
Step 1: Fill out a College Planning Survey Online
- Plan your responses to the questionnaire carefully, as it will be published to the staff at WP.
- Once you ask a staff member, we will access this information electronically and use it to write you a quality letter of recommendation.
Step 2: Choose Wisely
- Must be someone who knows or has taught you in your Junior & Senior years.
- Someone who can write well.
- Ask two different teachers (most colleges do not require more than two and some require none).
- The person writing the recommendation cannot be related to you.
- You should request your letter two weeks prior to the deadline.
- Be clear as to how you would like the recommendation submitted.
- Online: Provide the link or invite the person to submit a letter on your behalf.
- Paper: Provide a letter and a stamped envelope.
Step 3: Understand the Process
- The person you ask will be honest about your ability, behavior, integrity, and character.
- The LOR does not have to be given back to you for your review. Most LOR are confidential.
- It is in your best interest to “Waive Your Right” to view these documents when submitted electronically.
The College Essay & Personal Statement
- Understand the essay question and be sure to answer the question relevantly.
- Research your college and explore their mission statement. You want to find out what they are looking for in a student.
- Your essay should help you “JUMP OFF THE PAGE”.
- DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST SECOND to write or review your essay.
- Have an adult/teacher proof read your essay before you submit it.
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