College applications can be an intensive and daunting process. Below are some helpful links to get you started. Most importantly, don’t forget that your counselor and the CCRC staff are here to help you every step of the way!
Use the College Application Guide and FAQ’s to help you with each step of the application process. Click on the picture to the left to access the guide.
Oakton College uses their own application system that can be accessed on the picture to the right. The application takes approximately ten minutes to complete. After completing their application, you will need to send an official transcript (please see the transcript section below).
The Common Application (Common App) is an application system that many colleges utilize in their admission process. Most of Maine East’s popular colleges use it – UIC, UIUC, Loyola, Depaul, Northwestern, etc.
After submitting your application, students will need to submit an official transcript. This process looks different based on how you submit your application. Please click on the picture to the left for instructions on submitting your transcript.
Letters of recommendation are a great way for colleges to get insight into a students presence and character both inside and outside of the classroom. Some colleges require recommendation letters; some have it as optional; and other don’t accept them at all. Before you ask for a letter of recommendation, please review the requirements of each college on your list. Click on the picture to the left to access the College Application Guide and FAQ’s – there you will be bale to access more information on requesting recommendation letters.
Many colleges want to know about the extracurricular things that you have done while in high school. They will take into consideration sports, clubs, jobs, family obligations, and more. You will submit proof of your extracurricular involvement on the ACTIVITIES section of the Common App. Although Resume’s are not officially required for applications, updating your resume on a yearly basis will help you keep tabs of the things you have done. Keeping an updated Resume also means that you will easily be able to transfer the information over to the ACTIVITIES section of the Common App. Click on the picture on the left for a video on creating a resume in your Schoolinks account.
With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, most colleges moved to a Test-Optional policy – meaning that you can apply to a college without ever submitting a test score. Slowly, some colleges have reverted back to requiring scores for admission to their colleges or specific programs within their college/university. Your SAT test score can be an additional source of data to help you stand out in college applications, but on other occasions it may be best to go the Test-Optional route. Do your research, and talk to your Counselor and the Post-Secondary Counselor, to make a determination on the best course of action regarding Test Scores.
Last, but not least, the college essay is a way for colleges to get a sense for the type of person they will be getting to their campus. The college essay is your chance to demonstrate your writing ability; your personality; your values, and much more.
Here are some helpful websites to get you started: