Hello everyone, I’m an upcoming senior - class of 2017.
I would like to begin my college application process while there’s still time left before senior year begins. I live in Texas and am planning on to attending an institution in the state. I heard that I could use ApplyTexas to do so.
My first question is, since I am planning on going to college in Texas, do I need to also use CommonApp to apply for college along with ApplyTexas?
Second, I know there are essay prompts (which I want to begin ASAP) on ApplyTexas and CommonApp - but do I need to write an essay for all the given prompts or choose only one prompt to write an essay for?
Third question - when should I submit my applications on ApplyTexas and/or CommonApp. My colleges of interest are UT, A&M, and UH and I guess I want to wait after the EA/ED deadlines so I can get more financial aid.
*Correct me if I’m wrong on the Early Decision and Early Action stuff.
Sorry everyone, I’m going to be the first one to go to college within my household, and searching up the college application process online confuses me even more. Can ya’ll clear things up for me? Thanks!
If you guys have more tips for me or even questions, I would greatly appreciate it.
You will have to research the specifics at each school, but in my experience, there’s no need to wait till after the ED/EA deadline. Perhaps they won’t award your FinAid till after the deadline, but at many schools, funding is limited and early applicants have a BETTER chance even if not EA/ED.
But actually, usually there is no downside to applying EA so you should do it and it may mean you get your FinAid award sooner, but you will still have till the standard reply date to accept it or not.
My D had applied EA to her state flagship safety before she even went back to school in September and I think she even had her acceptance in hand.
I cannot specifically address your application Q’s but usually you just choose one method of applying and the application itself should tell you what essays/how many you need to do. It could vary by school. You could log into both systems to check them out before deciding which one to use. Be sure to read the Admissions section of each school’s website. It will tell you the details. Sometimes you have to find a dropdown menu to click on and often there will be an application checklist online.
From what I know (I’m also applying to Texas public colleges, class of 2017), using ApplyTexas might be easier if you’re not going out of state. Different colleges have different requirements when it comes to essays, and you would want to go the application page of each university’s website to check it out. For example, UT requires any 2 essays out of the three prompts that ApplyTexas gives. (https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/freshman-admission#fndtn-freshman-admission-essay-required). T&M, on the other hand requires Topics A and B, but C is optional (http://admissions.tamu.edu/freshman/apply). So just google ________ university freshman application, and they first result will usually take you to the college’s website where they will tell you exactly what you need. I actually have the same question as you when it comes to the application date. Hope this helped!