Many students can be confused about how to begin planning for college. The steps outlined below are intended to give you an outline of the steps that are necessary to consider during this process. It is important to research what each specific college and university requires and to pay attention to all deadlines. Click here for helpful timelines for freshmen through seniors. Please visit the College & Career Center for help with any of these recommended steps!
Begin searching for colleges. This is the first step of the college admission process. This can begin as early as freshman year or as late as fall of senior year. Oregon Career Information System is an excellent tool for researching colleges, state and nation-wide. oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/ Students received a username and password Freshman year. See Anthony Monfils in the Career Center for username and password help. CIS is a great resource for scholarship opportunities as well!
Compile your college resume. Keep track of everything you do! Write down the dates and details of every extra-curricular activity, community service, etc. This can be something that students start compiling as early as their freshmen year. It will be continually updated throughout junior and senior year. It is helpful to have when filling out scholarships, applications and requesting letters of rec.
Apply to colleges. Most colleges are only using online applications. You will also need your transcripts and SAT/ACT scores released to the schools you are applying to. Check early and often for up-to-date deadlines of the colleges you are considering.
Regular Application
Deadlines may be as early as January 1st or as late as February 15th. Applications may be submitted prior to the deadline, so be researching your top school’s deadlines early!
Rolling
With rolling admissions, there is not a deadline, so applications can be submitted at any time. Applications are no longer accepted when the number of maximum students is met. Most community colleges are rolling admission.
Early Action/ Early Decision
Early decision (ED) and early action (EA) applications are due in the fall (Usually November) of the senior year and notification is sent earlier (December or January). Some early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date. Oregon State and The University of Oregon are examples of colleges that offer an early action admission option. Other early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college.
Additional Resources:
The Oregon Career Information System (CIS) provides a comprehensive system of occupational and educational information to help Oregonians learn about the world of work and education. This includes career exploration tools, scholarship search tool, resume builder, etc: oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/
CIS Username and passwords were assigned Freshman year. If you don’t remember yours or need a password reset please see Sarah Culley in the Counseling Center.
You may be eligible for an application fee deferral for the colleges you are planning on applying to. Information on an application fee waiver or deferral is handled differently by each college. Information can sometimes be found on the college’s admissions website since they all differ.
Contact Sarah Culley at 503-668-8011 x7130 or sarah.culley@ortrail.k12.or.us for assistance.
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