Lea Library on the sixth floor of the Van Pelt Library with students working on the rare books collections

Preparing For Admission

Navigating the college application process is a meaningful journey with the capacity to teach you about yourself, your family, your community, and the many new and different communities that might become your undergraduate home.

In the continuum of this work, there are distinct phases. At the beginning of the process, it’s important to create time and space for reflection. Strive to better understand who you are as a leader and thinker and the contributions you hope to make to the world. In time, you will learn about potential college matches by doing research online, speaking with mentors and guidance counselors, and perhaps visiting campuses. During your senior year, you familiarize yourself with logistics and the steps needed to complete your college applications. You record deadlines, start writing and proofreading essays, and organize school-specific requirements. The college process does not end until after you receive your acceptance letters and decide which campus community best supports your identity, ideas, and goals.

To begin, you should select the application process that is right for you: are you applying as a first-year or transfer student?