APPLICATIONS & ADMISSIONS

College Application & Admissions 101:
Getting Accepted

You've made your college list and now you're ready to apply. Great! Now...where to start?

You can apply to colleges using three methods

Application Platforms

CFNC

Common App

Schools' Website

Apply to NC colleges & community colleges

Apply to NC & most out-of-state colleges

Apply directly to your schools

Pros:

CFNC is a one-stop-shop for college, so you can search schools, view details about each one, and compare their costs.

Free Application Week in October allows you to apply to your NC colleges for free! (Community college is always free, and you have to apply through CFNC)

Cons:

You have to fill out your information multiple times to apply to multiple schools.

You have to send your transcript and any essays yourself (see Transcript Requests for instructions, and see the Our Admissions Reps for sending essays to schools).

Hint: You should already have a CFNC.org username and password. Try to login. Press "Forgot Username/Password" if you forgot, and answer the security questions. Can't log on for some reason? Email Ms. Kinsella. WRITE DOWN YOUR LOGIN! (I recommend creating a note in your phone for all of your login information)!

Pros:

More user friendly because you only have to fill in your basic information and essay once in order to apply to multiple schools.

Your counselor sends your transcript for you.

You can keep track of your recommendation letters on the site and seamlessly invite recommenders (see how by watching the video under Letters of Recommendation in the next section).

Cons:

No Free App Week in October, so you may have to pay unless you are eligible for a fee waiver (see if you qualify by reading Application Fee in the next section).

Pros:

Easily accessible on the schools' websites.

Cons:

You can't apply to other schools at the same time.

You have to learn a new application process each time, which might be a pain.

There are several components of a college application. Some schools, typically ones that are more selective, may have more than others, and some schools, typically community colleges, may have fewer. That said, here are the usual components of a typical college application:

ESSAYS

Most colleges will require an essay called a "personal statement." In a personal statement, you will answer some version of the question “Who are you, and what do you value?” In recent years, the main Common Application essay has become more and more important in colleges’ decision making process, especially as many colleges are relying less and less on standardized test scores. Your personal statement should demonstrate the qualities, skills, values, and perspectives that you’ve cultivated over your life and how those qualities have prepared you for attending college.

RESUME

Some college applications will have you include a resume. Think of this as a brag sheet of all your awards, achievements, honors, extracurricular activities, service work, interests, and anything else that makes you stand you out!

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of recommendation are one of the most important parts of your college application. They allow admissions officers to see what others think you. You'll want to have 2-3 LORs from teachers, coaches, employers, religious leaders, adult mentors, or anyone (other than family) who can speak positively to your character and work ethic. Many colleges will also require a LOR from your school guidance counselor. It's important to ask recommenders for their letters at least THREE WEEKS in advance of your application deadline. It can often be helpful to provide your recommenders with a list of your activities and accomplishments. If you are applying through Common App, add your recommenders by following these instructions. Email your recommenders to politely ask them to follow up with the invitation that Common App will send them. Be sure to send a thank you note for their time!

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

Your transcript is a report of all the classes you've taken and official grades you've received over the course of your high school career, along with your GPA and usually class rank. It does not include things like SAT/ACT scores, discipline, attendance, or resume-type items. You will need to request an official high school transcript from your guidance counselor. You can send your high school transcript electronically from the CFNC Application Hub or when submitting an online college application. If you are applying through Common App, you will need to add your counselor in your application so they can upload your transcript.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by national, state, and local government agencies — as well as higher education institutions and private organizations — to award financial aid. It is a form that allows U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens to apply for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. The FAFSA calculates your eligibility based on financial need with respect to your estimated cost of attendance and family contribution. The FAFSA open October 1st each year and it is important to fill it out as soon as possible.

RDS

The RDS, or Residency Determination Service is centralized service that determines your residency status. This is extremely important, because without establishing North Carolina residency through RDS, you will not be eligible for in-state tuition. Like the FAFSA, the RDS opens October 1. You can log in using your CFNC login. You must complete it BEFORE applying to colleges, or else your financial aid package will not be correct. If you are uncertain of your residency or legal status, make an appointment ASAP with your college adviser.

SAT/ACT SCORES

If you are a senior, you should have already taken either the SAT or the ACT (or both) during your junior year. If you would like to retake these tests (it is recommended to retake only once), you should do so as soon as possible your senior fall. Once you are finished testing, you will need to send your SAT and/or ACT scores to the colleges you're applying to via CollegeBoard.org for the SAT and via ACT.org for the ACT. (Some schools' admissions may still be test optional due to the pandemic, but others are requiring test scores this year.) If you received fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT, then you can send as many reports as you need for free. If not, your first four reports are free and any after that will incur a fee.

APPLICATION FEE

Whereas community college applications are free, if you are applying to a four-year college or university, there will likely be a fee to apply. However, if you meet any of the following requirement requirements, you may qualify for a waiver. Let your college adviser know if so!

Student has received or is eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
Student is enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).
Student’s annual family income falls within the income Eligibility Guidelines* set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Student is enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
Student’s family receives public assistance.
Student lives in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or is homeless.
Student is a ward of the state or an orphan.

As you're applying to colleges, it's extremely important to stay organized so you know what the application requirements and deadlines are for each school. I recommend keeping a spreadsheet like this one to stay on top of requirements and deadlines.

See below to learn about the different types of admissions as well as deadlines for every NC school.