1. Meet With Your College Counselor
If you haven’t done so already, schedule an appointment with your college or guidance counselor to discuss your college plans.  Your counselor will prove to be an invaluable resource in this process.

2. Request a Copy of Your Transcript
Be sure to request a copy of your transcript and check to see that course names and grades are accurate.  Update any erroneous information.  If your school has a process for requesting transcripts to colleges, be sure to start this process as soon as possible.

3. Report Your Standardized Test Scores
Colleges may also require that official score reports be sent directly from the testing companies.  To report SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, Advanced Placement and CLEP exam scores visit The College Board’s website.  To report ACT exam scores go to their website here.  Check the score reporting policies at each of the colleges as they may differ from school to school.  If you are an international student and non-Native English speaker, you may need to send TOEFL scores as well.  Check with your counselor or visit the admissions office website for information about standardized testing requirements for international students.

4. Ask Teachers for Letters of Recommendation
Applications for admission will often require two letters of recommendation. Request these from your teachers as soon as you have an approved college list, providing as much lead time as possible.  When asking teachers to write recommendations, be sure they are willing to provide you with a supportive endorsement.

5. Write your Essays
Check the institutional applications and supplements for all essay topics and writing submissions needed to complete the application.  For essay writing tips read this.

6. Apply for Financial Aid
If you are applying for financial aid, make sure you know which forms each school requires for requesting aid.  Most schools will require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA.  Additionally, some schools may require the CSS Profile and/or a separate institutional application.  Send these as soon as possible, but no earlier than January 1.  With regard to financial aid, the early bird usually does get the worm.

Remember to check the requirements for each college as you are putting together your master checklists and be sure to track the status of each item throughout the process.  These reminders will help you stay on top of things so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season.

This morning, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) released “2009 State of College Admission.” According to today’s New York Times article, this report reveals an increase in the number of students applying to college and a decrease in the acceptance rate at 4-year schools.  The silver lining: after this year, the number of students graduating from high school is expected to decrease— from a high of 3.33 million, that is.

Perhaps the most staggering statistics are the ones describing the situation in guidance offices across the country.  Student-to-counselor ratios are averaging 800, 900—even close to a thousand—per counselor in some states.  One student who commented on this report called the application process “strenuous and exhausting.”  I wonder if this is because she is one of the many students struggling to find adequate help.

I’d like to invite my readers to read my comment to The Choice blog post about this report.  I’d also like to invite readers to share their own experiences with their guidance counseling offices.  What does it do well?  What could be done better?

Finally, if you have a question about the application process that you’d like answered by a former admissions officer, as always, place it in our comment box and we’ll get back to you!