<p>Wow-- you've got a lot of questions.
Here's a basic guide on how to go about the admissions process.
1. Make a list of schools you want to apply to.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Narrow down the list to however many you want to apply to. Some ppl apply to 5, 10, or even 20; there's no 'correct' number, just whatever you feel will be most beneficial. Btw, which colleges you are going to apply to is a VERY important step. Include reaches, matches, and then at least one acceptance safety and one finanical safety, if necessary. If you can't tell if its reach/match, go to collegeboard.com and you'll get some SAT score and acceptance rate data. Btw, top 25 schools are essentially reaches for everyone no matter what stats.</p></li>
<li><p>Okay, you have your list. Go to commonapp.org and figure out which colleges on your list let you submit the common app. Every time one of your colleges lets you do the common app, silently thank God, cuz you just saved yourself lots of time and effort.</p></li>
<li><p>For the colleges on the commonapp, you only have to fill out the one common application plus any "supplements" - minor additional junk - for each college. This all can be readily accessed on the site, which also tell you deadlines and the number of reccomendations required and such. Basically, I advise you start filling out the commonapp. You can save and revise it multiple times, trust me you won't accidentally submit it.</p></li>
<li><p>For colleges not on the commonapp, just go to the college website, got to 'undergrad' or 'admissions' or 'apply now' I'm sure you'll quickly find their application. ***FYI some colleges have two apps: they do the commonapp AND have their own, unique app. They give you a CHOICE of which one to do. CHOOSE THE COMMONAPP. It saves time, and NO, they do not prefer one of the other, it is even stated by all participating colleges.</p></li>
<li><p>Write out all deadlines of the MAIN APP of each of your colleges; on the commonapp this is listed easily on the site. Then, make a list of all the deadlines of SUPPLEMENTAL forms for colleges. It's pesky, but try to find all the req admissions forms on college sites, for instance Dartmouth requires a peer evaluation, you have to be on the lookout. Find out the deadlines because sometimes the supplements are due BEFORE the main apps.</p></li>
<li><p>Okay, next RECOMMENDATIONS. Go college by college, find out HOW MANY recs, and WHAT TEACHERS. Some what specifically a science and math, or a science and english teacher. Find out the DEADLINES. YOU MUST GIVE A TEACHER AT LEAST 2 WEEKS TO WRITE THE REC, BUT THE SOONER THE BETTER. Yes, its okay to have a senior teacher right the rec, but you are correct in that you have to wait a month or so until the person actually knows you. I suggest you pick a teacher that knows you as much as possible and likes you. When asking for a rec, hand him/her adressed stamped envelopes to all your colleges (or the first one, if its ED or EA) and then give them something to talk about, e.g. type up a paper telling them what you liked most bout the class, your favorite class memory or assignment, admirable qualities you want them to convey, etc. Tell them THANK YOU THANK YOU then write a thank you note a week or two later as a reminder for them to do it. Btw, you might need a COUNSELOR rec, also. FIND OUT AND REPEAT STEPS LISTED.</p></li>
<li><p>Start working on filling out the apps/doing essays right away!</p></li>
<li><p>Keep your grades up, trust me senior year first semester counts! (But filling out midyear reports is after the chaotic main apps part, ask about this in Jan.)</p></li>
<li><p>SAT junk --- First of all, I hoped you did the WRITING SECTION. If not, you probably should. Many schools require it now. Next, find out if the school requires SAT IIs, aka subject tests. Many top schools require this and ppl ignore them stupidly. Good bet would be just to take 3 SAT IIs, of varying subject (Eng, math, history?). Some schools don't require but recommend them, they can't hurt pick SAT IIs that you'll excell at. How to send scores? Collegeboard.com. Navigate that site. Check out the schools you already requested to send scores to for free when you took the test. Then, send the SAT and SAT II scores to the other schools on your list (ASAP- you don't want to "rush" score reports-- the collegeboard already $crew$ you up the a$$ to send scores you don't want to pay triple the price).</p></li>
<li><p>For all fees, I recommend you use a credit card. It's fast and easy. Print out your receipt, also and keep it. It's the only proof you paid.</p></li>
<li><p>Okay, so you:
finalized a college list X
filled out the apps, essays and all X
filled out the supps and add. forms X
teachers/counselor told you they mailed recs X
sent SAT/ACT/SATII to all schools X</p></li>
</ol>
<p>now you check commonapp schools, and it will tell you <em>received
check each school website, many have tracking devices </em><strong>note</strong>* sometimes its says there are items missing-- give it time. if something is missing for a prolonged time-- email the admissions site or better yet, call them and ask for help (Time and before christmas break is key)
OH btw, in case you havent figured this out online apps are 1000x easier than paper apps, one my schools had a form that was required to be handwritten and it was difficult to fill out, online is easier, more reliable, and allows better tracking.</p>
<p>Try to work on these things as soon as possible. You can wait until DEc or whenever to actually submit, in case you may recieve more awards, but you can prob do 95 percent of the admissions process before then. EARLIER IS BETTER I CANNOT STRESS THAT ENOUGH.</p>
<p>The app process is hell, but remember, once the app process is over (usually your done by the end of Dec, but if your smart you'll be done much earlier), you can enjoy another nightmare come jan/feb:
The financial aid application/tax form nightmare!!!!!! (but that's another story)</p>
<p>I know this is awfully long, but I hope it helps. Good luck.</p>