When do people usually get their applications for college? And when do are they usually sent?
<p>Colleges generally put up their apps on their websites just before the first date they start taking an app. When you should apply depends on the colleges to which you want to apply:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Many (particularly a large number of public universities) have rolling admissions, meaning they make decisions as applications are submitted. Thus, for those it is best to get the application in as near as possible to the time when the school starts taking apps because early apps have an advantage over late ones. Many such schools start taking apps in September or October, but a number even earlier -- e.g., Auburn will start taking apps for the 2006 fall class in June 2005. </p></li>
<li><p>Many schools have "regular" decision where they make decisions between Feb and April of your senior year in high school and the last date to apply is anywhere from November 30 (like all UC's) to end of January (and some even later), but the final app dates vary in between among colleges. For such regular decision you just need to get your application in by the final date, although you have to check that final date carefully because it may be a date by which the app must be submitted or a date by which the app AND all suppoting materials, like all official test scores, must be in. There are exceptions, discussed next.</p></li>
<li><p>Many of those regular admission colleges also have Early Action or Early Decision, under which you can apply early and get a decision early, often by December. Usually apps and supporting materials for EA or ED have to be in sometime between end of October and end of November, with actual date depending on college. </p></li>
<li><p>Also, a number of those regular admission colleges and rolling admissions colleges have dates by which you must apply that are earlier than the their final app dates if you want to be considered for a scholarship.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thus, when you should apply is dictated by the particular college to which you are applying and their web-sites provide all such dates in their admissions section.</p>
<p>If you are planning to apply regular decision (not ED or EA), then spend the summer deciding what colleges to apply to. Also study for the SAT and take some practice tests in the study guides. Try to visit the colleges that you are interested in if you can. Just to get a general idea of the different types of colleges (small/mid/large, public/private, urban/rural/suburban, etc.), visit local college campuses even if you have no intention of applying there.</p>
<p>Contact the colleges that you are interested in and ask them to send you an application packet when it is available. They may also have virtual tours on DVD's or other information. You can normally download the application form or even apply online, but it doesn't hurt to ask for them to mail it. Some of the colleges will direct you to their website and tell you to download it. Find out if the colleges you are interested in require SAT II's and what their deadlines are. Keep a separate folder for each college and stay organized.</p>
<p>Once you go back to school for senior year in the Fall, take the SAT. If the college has rolling admissions, apply early. If there is a deadline for applications, it is probably between Dec 1st and February 1st. Most of the deadlines group around Jan 1st, and so try to have everything done by the end of Xmas break. You need to prepare a list of your extracurricular activities and your essays. You will have to ask the College Board to send your SAT scores. You will have to ask your high school to send an official transcript, guidance counselors recommendation and probably two teacher recommendations. Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA and the College Board Profile) should be filed as soon after Jan 1st as possible. You can take the SAT one last time in January if necessary. </p>
<p>Colleges will respond by April 1st and you have to accept one of their acceptances by May 1st. Financial Aid decisions come in shortly after April 1st.</p>
<p>If you are apply Early Decision or Early Acceptance, everything happens much sooner.</p>
<p>Generally, applications are mailed or given out between the early summer until the fall (September, October, and November). You can also look on school's websites and apply online early. You should contact your prospective colleges, and have them mail applications to you.</p>