application letter for taking admission in college

College Application Letters: Cover Letters & Letters of Continued Interest

College application letters.

College application cover letters support your college applications, college resume, and college application essay prompts. In combination with the other elements of your college applications, particularly your college entrance essay, college application letters help establish your “why.” In short, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications that describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. When looking at college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the values that they express. College application letters and college entrance essays are similar in that they are exercises in personal branding. When reading college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the messages they convey.

If you’re wondering how to write a college application letter, CollegeAdvisor.com has advisors who can walk you through every part of the process. If your goal is to get into top colleges, CollegeAdvisor.com can help. We’ll analyze examples of college application letters and discuss the letter of continued interest to help you craft successful applications.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different kinds of college application letters you may encounter when completing your college applications. We’ll discuss the college application letter and the letter of continued interest, as well as teacher recommendation letters.

If you want to read college application cover letter samples, you’ve come to the right place!

What is a college application letter?

To learn how to write a college application letter, you must first understand its purpose. Do this by checking out college application cover letter examples. College application letters and college resumes serve as introductions for your college applications. Unlike college application essay prompts, there are no specific questions to answer in your cover letter. Instead, include the essential elements of university application letters: your background, what makes you unique, and your reasons for wanting to attend that particular college. In short, what makes you, you .

As you’ll see when reading example college application letters, college application cover letters are not all that different from what you would write in a cover letter when applying for a job or graduate school. The purpose of college application cover letters, college entrance essays, and college resumes is to persuade colleges that you are the strongest candidate for admissions.

College application cover letters are not the time to be shy, but they’re not the time to be pretentious either. When reading college application cover letter examples, you’ll see that there’s a fine line. Your tone matters. In your university application letters, show your experiences and accomplishments while portraying character traits that colleges value. To get into top colleges, find a balance between being proud of your accomplishments and being humble.

College application letters – Who requires them?

Unlike college entrance essays, college application letters are required by very few colleges. However, the skills you’ll develop by writing university application letters will serve you well as you approach your college application essay prompts. When researching college application examples, you’ll notice that there are optional materials to submit. If you’re serious about your college applications, submit university application letters to show your interest.

College application cover letters are particularly effective if the college does not have college application essay prompts that ask you to explain why you want to attend the school and/or why you want to study your major. They are even more strongly recommended when applying to colleges that don’t have any supplemental essays. You’ll see many college application cover letter examples that focus primarily on academics, but you can include so much more.

Though university application letters are rarely required, they provide an ideal way to introduce yourself. After all, you’ll notice when reading college application cover letter samples that the goal is to help the admissions committee get to know you as a person. You are more than just your grades and scores.

If you want to get into top colleges that don’t allow you to submit a college resume or don’t provide interviews, you need to take extra steps to earn acceptance. Often, you can repurpose content from college application essay prompts that ask why you want to study your major! The college application essay format differs from that of a college application letter, but they serve a very similar purpose.

Test your knowledge about other aspects of the college admissions process in our quiz below!

What is a letter of continued interest?

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a letter you send to a college when you are deferred or placed on the waitlist. So, not everyone will need to write a college application letter of continued interest.

Your letter of continued interest has three primary goals:

Reaffirm your interest in the school.
Provide additional context for your application.
Discuss accomplishments on your college resume that have occurred since you submitted your application.

In this guide on how to write a college application letter, we discuss all forms of college application letters in detail. We’ll expand on the above goals to explain the strategies for writing effective letters.

Explaining teacher recommendation letters

In addition to submitting a college application cover letter and, potentially, a letter of continued interest, your application will also include recommendation letters . These letters enhance your college application entrance essay and build on answers to supplemental college application essay prompts.

Due to the shift away from standardized testing, other parts of your college applications are inevitably getting more attention in the evaluation process. When assessing your college applications, admissions committees will often rely on letters from your teachers and counselor in place of interviews.

When reading sample college application letters of recommendation, you’ll observe that some are better than others. But, it can be a bit harder to find example teacher recommendations than it is to find college application cover letter examples. To ensure high-quality letters, create a plan well in advance of your senior year. You’ll want to ask teachers to write your recommendations who know you best beyond your grades. The strongest sample college application letters of recommendation speak to both your personal and academic strengths.

College application sample recommendation letters with the biggest impact typically come from teachers from your core junior year courses – math, science, English, and social studies. If there’s a teacher from your junior year who taught you during your sophomore or senior year too, even better! Teachers who know you through multiple environments – clubs, classes, sports, or other areas – can often do the best job speaking to your growth and achievement over time.

Choose teachers who know you best

Ultimately, the most effective sample college application letters of recommendation are written by the teachers who know you best. Pay attention to the college application requirements for each school on your list. Note when reading example college application letters of recommendation who the intended audience is. Some schools require math or science teachers for STEM and business majors , while others require English or social studies teachers for humanities majors .

For example, when looking at college application sample requirements, MIT writes “One recommendation should be from a math or science teacher, and one should be from a humanities, social science, or language teacher.” Caltech also requires one math or science teacher evaluation and one humanities or social sciences teacher evaluation.

Some applicants are tempted to send more letters than the college applications require. However, aim for quality over quantity. If you want to ask another teacher to write a recommendation letter for you, ask yourself what perspective they will bring to your college applications that isn’t already covered in your college entrance essay or other recommendation letters.

Don’t hesitate to provide materials to help your teachers and guidance counselor write their letters of recommendation for you. In fact, you should! When reading college application sample letters of recommendation, you’ll note that they are specific and provide examples where possible. Some teachers will even have you fill out a standard form to gather information from you. So, by having additional information already prepared, you are helping them tremendously.

Here are some materials you can provide to help your recommendations augment your college applications:

College entrance essay
College resume or a list of your extracurricular activities and awards
Responses to college application essay prompts.
A sample college application letter that you’re sending to one of your colleges.
A few paragraphs about why you want to study your major or pursue your intended career.
Key elements of the course you took with them, such as a favorite project or unit.

When preparing materials to give to teachers, read the instructions given to recommenders by MIT. Even if you aren’t applying to MIT, the information can still be helpful to know. By understanding the process of writing recommendation letters on the teacher’s side, you can see what information will help them write a strong letter for you.

Don’t wait until you’re submitting your college applications to ask your teachers for recommendations. Some teachers limit the number that they will write, and you want them to have plenty of time to write a quality recommendation. To make sure you have the best recommendations , ask teachers late in your junior year or early in your senior year.

The College Application Letter

As we’ve mentioned, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications. It describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. It’s different from both the college application essay format and the letter of continued interest. When reviewing college application samples, you’ll see that your cover letter works together with your college resume and college entrance essay to help admissions officers get to know you.

Below, we’ll discuss how to write a college application letter and walk through a sample college application letter. But remember, you want your letter to be original! Don’t feel limited by what’s in any examples of college application letters.

Do all schools require a college application letter?

No — few schools actually require college application letters. However, learning to write a strong college application letter can help you in other aspects of the college admissions process. Reading college application cover letter examples can also help you learn how to write for the admissions committee audience.

One of the ways to learn how to write a college application letter is to read sample college application letters. For instance, the same skills that help you write a strong and concise college application letter will help you in the college essay format, too.

The college application letter – What should I include?

So, you know the purpose of college application letters, but what should you include in them? Reading college application cover letter samples can help you determine this. While the college application essay format lends itself to focusing on one topic or story, college application cover letter examples highlight the importance of covering several different topics.

College application letters should contain the following elements:

1. school name and address.

You college application letter should follow formal letter formatting guidelines, which include writing the full name of the college or university you are applying to in the upper left hand corner of the letter. Try to be as specific as possible with the address you choose to use.

2. Salutation

A standard salutation is suitable for your college application letter. However, it is a great idea to do your research and use the full name of the admissions officer assigned to your region.

3. Introduction

The best examples of college application letters open strong. Thank the admissions committee for reviewing your application, and introduce yourself. Do you have a unique connection to the school? Can you hook the reader in some way to make them want to keep reading?

4. Explanation of academic interests

Your primary purpose in college is to earn a degree, so notice that in example college application letters most of the space is often devoted to discussing academic plans. Include your intended major and career path, as well as interdisciplinary interests.

5. Discussion of extracurricular interests

The college application essay format may be a place for you to discuss extracurricular involvement, so use this space to elaborate or discuss additional interests. These could be connected to your academic plans, but they don’t have to be.

6. Conclusion

Express your interest in the school! Impactful example college application letters have a clear and brief conclusion that reaffirms your desire to attend and enthusiasm for the opportunity to join the next class of undergraduates. Point to specific classes, professors, programs, organizations, and aspects of the college that pique your interest. No one is going to hold you to your plan, but colleges want to see that you have one.

8. Complimentary Close

Lastly, every good college application letter should include an expression of gratitude alongside your close and your signature.

In the example of a college application letter above, there are a few key details to highlight. The letter is essentially a five-paragraph essay, with one paragraph for each of the five elements. This differs significantly from the college application essay format. In this college application example, the college application letter has clear and distinct sections, and this is very common in college application cover letter samples.

Depending on your interests and plans, you could take a more integrated approach. You’ll read some examples of college application letters that center around a theme or broad plan rather than separated into individual paragraphs.

This sample college application letter is a narrative. The applicant’s goal is to tell her story to the admissions committee. The best sample college application letters paint a picture for the reader and draw the reader into the storyline. Though it can feel like being vivid and descriptive is a waste of your space, “showing instead of telling makes for stronger college applications.

How to format your college application letter?

When reading sample college application letters, you’ll observe that they are formatted very similarly to professional cover letters. Your university application letters should be one page single-spaced. The heading should also be consistent across college application letters.

Your full address
The date you will send the letter
The admission officer’s name
The college name
The college address

Then, open your letter with a salutation. Many examples of college application letters open with “Dear” and are addressed to the admission officer. If you cannot find your regional admissions officer, it is fine to address the letter to the admissions office as was done in the sample college application letter above. Once you write the body of your letter, don’t forget your closing salutation – “Sincerely,” and then your name.

Once you read several sample college application letters, you’ll understand the best practices. After writing a university application letter for one school, you don’t need to start from scratch for additional schools. Adapt what you have to fit the next college’s context and your specific interests on their campus.

Being concise is key. Your university application letter should not be redundant. If it exceeds one page, see where information you mention is repeated elsewhere in your application. In your cover letter, focus on the content that makes you as original and unique as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to proofread your university application letters!

Can a college application letter help me with other parts of my application?

Think of the college application cover letter as the glue that holds your college applications together. When writing it, think about it as your opportunity to show your best self. After brainstorming the content, you’ll be better equipped to craft your candidate profile into a cohesive narrative and articulate why you want to attend the college.

Though many parts of your college applications will be out of your control by the time you reach your senior fall, the college application cover letter is one that you can control. Use it to elevate your college applications, show interest in your top schools , and make yourself stand out among other applicants!

The Letter of Continued Interest

Another form of college application letter is a letter of continued interest . In sample college application letters of continued interest, you’ll see that the primary purpose is to reaffirm your candidacy for a spot in the next incoming class of undergraduates.

Though it can feel like a waiting game, the waitlist should not be passive. As soon as you are waitlisted or deferred, begin crafting a letter of continued interest. The best college application sample LOCIs are submitted promptly. Put in the effort to show you’re serious about attending.

College application example LOCIs should focus on recent updates. Likely, a lot has happened since you submitted your application, particularly if you applied by the early deadlines. Strong college application sample LOCIs convey accomplishments and experiences that either add to previously mentioned ones or provide another dimension to your application.

Letter of continued interest – When and where to submit?

Learn as much as you can by reading college application example LOCIs, but know that each school’s process for when and how to submit them is different. Additionally, the process may vary based on whether you were deferred to the regular decision round of admissions or waitlisted after the regular decision round. It’s important to follow each university’s directions.

Many schools will request that you upload your letter of continued interest to a portal. Some will request that you email it to an address – typically the admissions office. Others won’t allow you to submit any additional materials. If you’re in doubt, call or email the admissions office and ask.

What to include in your letter of continued interest?

You’ll notice common trends when reading college application sample LOCIs. Effective college application example LOCIs convey a tone of sincerity, gratitude, and enthusiasm for an opportunity to attend. A strong sample college application letter of continued interest includes four elements.

First, reaffirm your interest in attending the school if offered the chance to matriculate. Then, discuss relevant developments to your application, such as additional extracurricular accolades and continued academic successes. Sometimes, you’ll see a sample college application letter of continued interest that mentions how a student improved a lower mid-year grade or discusses a new leadership role.

When reading a sample college application letter of continued interest, remember that colleges are looking for reasons to admit you, so don’t be shy! Offer to answer any questions they have and provide additional info in the conclusion of your letter.

It’s important to back up your claims with supporting evidence. Strong college application sample LOCIs provide examples and specific details, just as you would in a cover letter or essay. Be vivid and descriptive as you share your story!

However, college application example LOCIs that include overly emotional appeals or merely complement the university are unlikely to be effective. Your letter of continued interest should be all about you. Though it can be difficult to realize this when reading college application example LOCIs, recognize that the content of your letter should fit within the context of the rest of your application.

The many types of college application letters – Final Thoughts

In this guide, we covered several types of letters associated with your college process – college application cover letters, teacher recommendation letters, and letters of continued interest. Reading sample college application letters, whether they are college application cover letter samples or LOCIs, can help you do your best work. But, remember that every applicant’s college application process is unique.

Our final tips for writing college application letters:

Proofread. College application letters with typos or grammatical errors reflect poorly on your effort and candidacy. Use a polished and professional tone in everything you write for your college applications.
Be yourself. Though this goal can get lost in the requirements, scores, and grades, you should focus on helping the colleges on your list get to know who you are .
Follow the requirements. Each college has their own requirements for how they want you to submit materials. Pay close attention to the details for each college as you go through the admissions process.

CollegeAdvisor.com can help guide you through every step of the college application process. Check out our blog , webinars , or register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Good luck!

This guide to college application letters and letters of continued interest was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ‘22. At CollegeAdvisor, we have built our reputation by providing comprehensive information that offers real assistance to students. If you want to get help with your college applications from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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application letter for taking admission in college

College Admission Letter Example: Free & Effective

In this article, I will share a step-by-step process with personal insights and a customizable template to begin your journey.

Key Takeaways

Understand the Purpose : Recognize that your letter is more than just an application; it’s a narrative of your academic journey, achievements, and the unique qualities you bring to the university.
Be Authentic : Authenticity resonates. Share real-life examples that highlight your strengths, resilience, and character.
Structure is Key : A well-structured letter includes an introduction, body paragraphs detailing achievements and experiences, and a conclusion that reaffirms your interest in the program.
Customize Your Letter : Tailor your letter to each college by mentioning specific programs, professors, or opportunities that excite you about attending.
Proofread and Revise : Ensuring your letter is free from errors is crucial. Seek feedback and make revisions to polish your narrative.
Free Template : Start with a template but personalize it to reflect your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the college and program.

Step 1: Start with a Strong Introduction

Your opening sentence sets the tone for your entire letter. Begin by introducing yourself and expressing your enthusiastic interest in the college and the specific program you are applying to.

Mention what draws you to the institution and how you believe it aligns with your academic goals and career aspirations.

Example Introduction : “I am thrilled to submit my application for the [Program Name] at [College Name]. The innovative curriculum and the college’s commitment to [specific aspect, like ‘community service’ or ‘research excellence’] resonate deeply with my academic interests and personal values.”

Step 2: Highlight Your Academic and Personal Achievements

In this section, delve into your academic journey, significant achievements, and the challenges you’ve overcome. Emphasize any unique experiences that have shaped your perspective and prepared you for college. This could include leadership roles, community service, internships, or special projects.

Watercolor painting of a diverse group of three students discussing their college application.

List of Achievements : Include awards, recognitions, or notable projects.
Personal Growth : Share experiences that demonstrate resilience, leadership, and personal growth.
Relevance : Connect your experiences to how they’ve prepared you for the program you’re applying to.

Step 3: Explain Why You’ve Chosen This College

This is where your research about the college pays off. Discuss specific aspects of the college or program that excite you. Mention any professors whose work you admire, the unique opportunities the college offers, and how these align with your academic and career goals.

Program Specifics : Courses, professors, or research opportunities that attract you.
College Culture : Aspects of the college’s culture or values that resonate with you.
Career Goals : How the program aligns with your career aspirations.

Step 4: Conclude with Confidence

Your concluding paragraph should reiterate your excitement and readiness for the college experience. Affirm your belief that the college is the ideal place for you to achieve your academic and professional goals. Express your eagerness to contribute to the college community.

Watercolor painting of a young woman with dark skin and short curly hair, wearing casual attire, intently typing on a laptop

Example Conclusion : “I am eager to bring my passion for [your field of interest], along with my dedication to [specific contribution, like ‘community service’ or ‘academic research’], to [College Name].

I am confident that [College Name] is the perfect environment for me to thrive academically and personally, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your vibrant community.”

Tips from Personal Experience

Be Yourself : Authenticity cannot be overstated. Admission officers are adept at distinguishing genuine narratives from embellished ones.
Customization Is Key : A generic letter won’t stand out. Customize your letter for each application to reflect your genuine interest in the program and college.
Seek Feedback : Before submitting, have someone review your letter. Fresh eyes can catch errors and offer valuable perspective.
Follow Instructions : Adhere to any specific guidelines provided by the college. This demonstrates attention to detail and respect for the application process.

College Application Letter Sample

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Admissions Office] [College Name] [College Address] [City, State, Zip]

Dear Admissions Committee,

[Introduction: Introduce yourself and express your interest in the specific program and college.]

[Body Paragraph 1: Highlight your academic achievements and any relevant experiences.]

[Body Paragraph 2: Discuss specific aspects of the college or program that appeal to you and how they align with your goals.]

[Conclusion: Reiterate your excitement about the opportunity to attend and your belief in the fit between your aspirations and the college’s offerings.]

[Your Name]

I invite you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. Whether you’re embarking on writing your own admission letter or refining an existing draft, I’m here to offer guidance and support. What challenges are you facing in your writing process? Let’s start a conversation to navigate this journey together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a College Application Letter?

Answer : A College Application Letter is a document that a student submits to a college or university as part of their application for admission. The letter typically provides information about the student’s academic background, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and other factors that make them a good candidate for admission.

Q: What should be included in a College Application Letter?

Answer : A College Application Letter should include the student’s name, contact information, and the name of the college or university they are applying to.

It should also provide information about the student’s academic background, including their GPA, test scores, and any relevant coursework or academic achievements.

Additionally, the letter should highlight the student’s extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and other factors that make them a good candidate for admission.

Q: How long should a College Application Letter be?

Answer : The length of a College Application Letter can vary, but it is generally recommended that the letter be no longer than one page. The letter should be concise, well-organized, and easy to read.

Q: What is the purpose of a College Application Letter?

Answer : The purpose of a College Application Letter is to provide the college or university with information about the student that is not included in other parts of the application, such as transcripts and test scores.

The letter is an opportunity for the student to showcase their personality, interests, and achievements, and to demonstrate why they would be a good fit for the college or university.

Q: How important is a College Application Letter in the admissions process?

Answer : A College Application Letter can be an important factor in the admissions process, as it provides the college or university with additional information about the student that is not included in other parts of the application.

The letter can help the student stand out from other applicants and demonstrate why they would be a good fit for the college or university. However, the weight placed on the letter can vary depending on the specific college or university and their admissions process

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Published In: Letters

Writing a College Application Letter (Samples & Examples)

Writing a great college application letter can be one of the most challenging prose pages that one has to put together in their high school career. On the one hand, it is just but a simple single-page document, but on the other, how do you talk about the things you need to talk about without boring the reader? A well-written college application letter will give you an edge among the thousands of applicants sending in their applications for the same college. A well-drafted college application letter should highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular, athletic, and community service achievements that will help you stand out during the highly competitive selection process.

What is a College Application Letter?

A college application letter is a letter used in several academic applications that college students need to undergo. It is usually a requirement of the academic institution where the student is currently attending. The letter can also be used for other special functions that the applicant would like to undertake.

How to Write a Great College Application Letter

Read the instructions carefully.

It is said that starting an application letter is usually the most challenging part. You may think that it is redundant that we mention that you need to go through the instructions carefully, but with all the stress and excitement that characterizes this period, you need to be keen on this.

If you fail to follow the application guidelines, you may come off as someone who won’t follow simple instructions of the university’s program. The page and word count limits are usually included in the instructions for a reason, and you should be able to organize your submission by following the set guidelines.

Go through the instructions several times and gather your notes before creating an outline to organize your application letter and decide what message you would like to send.

Do some research

Before writing your application letter, it is important that you do some research about the institution and their preferred candidates. By doing so, you will be able to tailor your application to fit their preferences, thereby increasing your chances of being selected.

Include your contact information

When writing, make sure to include your contact details. Use your professional email and provide a phone number that is always active to not miss out on any important communications.

Confirm the recipient’s contact information

When doing your research, also make sure to find out the correct address to send your application. You don’t want to go through the trouble of drafting your application to send it to the wrong address. The contact information is usually included in the instructions, but if not included, you can check the college’s website or contact the institution directly to find out to whom you should address the letter.

Create a great subject line

To make sure that the recipient clearly understands your letter’s purpose immediately, they start reading it and explain it in a few words. For example, you can write something like “Application for an intern position at ABC college.”

If you are sending the letter via mail, make sure to include such wording in the subject line.

Introduce yourself

Start your application letter with a compelling introduction. Although great writing may be hard to achieve, it is always possible to do so if you are smart about it. Introduce yourself properly as this will determine if the reader continues to read your document or if they will throw it in the trash. The recipient will only spend a few minutes reviewing your essay, so you have to start your introduction with a great introduction about yourself that will keep them engaged.

Tell the recipient about your education

Since you are a recent graduate or student, your educational background is your key asset. Make sure to properly highlight this at the very beginning of your application letter. Tell the recipient what you studied along with where and when you will be graduating if applicable.

Explain why you are the best candidate

Colleges are always looking for authenticity and quality thinking, so you should not try to shape your application around ideas or phrases that people have used several times before, but base it on your genuine beliefs.

In one or two paragraphs, explain to the recipient why your education and skills make you the best candidate. If you have already gained any relevant experience through summer jobs or interviews, you can also mention it in your application.

Include a call to action

End your application letter with a call to action- ask the recipient for an interview and direct them to review read your portfolio or resume. You can also be proactive and inform the recipient that you will be following up with an email or with a call to schedule an interview.

Show gratitude

Conclude your application by expressing your gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration. After finishing your letter, make sure to sign it professionally.

Check your grammar and spelling

Even though you can write conventionally, spelling and grammar still need to be correct. Go through your letter and make sure that it is free of any grammatical errors before submitting it.

What Should Be Included in Your Application Letter

Regardless of the recommended length, your college application letter should show evidence that you performed due diligence concerning the selected college. You don’t want to include any irrelevant information or that you “think” should be included. Conduct your research and lay down the facts. You can visit the college website and look at local news to find out what is happening on campus.

Sound structure

An application letter should be both formal and professional. Structure your application letter in business letter format, and include your contact information, your name, title, date, and address of the recipient. Also, make sure to use a proper salutation, e.g., “Dear Application Committee,” alternatively, if you already have their name and title, you can use “Dear (their last name)”

Even college application letters, although formal, can showcase a person’s personality, passion, and sense of humor. Just as college application essays are meant to add color to the applicant’s back and white representation, so too can the college application letter tell a little more about the applicant. Choosing a single area from your application on which t expound tells the recipient what you consider important.

College Connection

When writing your application, you should highlight how you see yourself fitting in on the college campus. Legacy students may speak to their family’s pride in their family’s rich history at the college. Others with political affiliations might refer to their intentions of becoming active student leaders. And athletes might talk about their previous high school success and how they expect to contribute to their college teams.

College Application Letter Samples

Every student wants to stand out and be chosen for a position at the college of their choice. With thousands of students sending in their application letters each day, you have to make sure that your letter is perfectly crafted to give you a competitive edge. This is where we come in! Our college application letter templates are simple, unique, and impressive, and they are beautifully crafted to help you stand out. Choose and download our free and premium templates to help you in your writing.

Your college application letter will serve as a shortcut through the pile of thousands of papers sent in by applicants each day. The letter is not a synopsis of your transcripts, nor is it a prompt of your resume. Rather, it is a cover letter that introduces you as an applicant and offers the recipient a glimpse into your potential fit at the college. Make sure that you are meticulous with your writing and that everything is as it should. You don’t want to send a letter that is half baked and expects to stand out. Take your time and draft a great letter. We wish you nothing but luck in your application.

College Application Cover Letter Examples

As a college instructor and communication expert with extensive nonfiction and educational writing experience, Mary shares tips and advice related to a wide variety of topics.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

When you are applying for college admission, it's important to do everything possible to make sure your application really stands out. Sending a cover letter in support of your application materials can be a great way to capture admissions officers' attention in a positive way while also giving them a chance to learn a bit about your personality and unique circumstances.

Example Cover Letter Templates for College Applications

You can use a cover letter whether you are applying via the Common Application or if you are submitting an individual admission packet. Choose the sample letter below that best fits your needs and adjust it to convey key highlights of why you should be considered for admission. To access each letter, simply click the image. It will open as an editable PDF file that you can customize, save and print. This guide for Adobe printables can be of assistance if you need help with the documents.

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Sample Cover Letter for College Application Packets

If you are submitting a school-specific applicant packet, include the letter with all of your other materials (such as your application form, essay, and application fee).

Example Cover Letter to Pair With the Common App

If you are using the Common App, also known as the Common Application, you may still want to send an individualized cover letter to the schools that you're most interested in attending. Consider sending your cover letter to each school's admissions representative at the same time you complete your Common App, or even a few days before.

Writing Your College Application Cover Letter

While the samples here are great starting points, you will need to adjust them to focus on your specific situation. You will need to include:

Why you want to attend this particular school
What your academic interests are
How the school is a good fit for your academic interests and long-term goals
How your background and future interests make you a great candidate to consider
Any special connections you have to the school (i.e., do you have relatives who graduated from the school?)
Details on how the other components of your application packet will be received
A specific request to consider you for admission
Details on how to contact you

Stand Out to College Admission Officers

A well-written cover letter can be a terrific add-on to your college application package. Not everyone will think to send this kind of document, so it just might help you stand out among the other applicants. Of course, a poorly written letter can have the opposite effect. So, be sure that your letter follows an appropriate business letter format, really presents you in a positive light, is well-written, and error-free .

Real Estate

Sample Application Letter for College Admission

Acceptance Letter Template
College Acceptance Letter Template

An Application Letter for College Admission is a document that individuals can use when they want to apply for a college program of their interest. The purpose of the document is to express the applicant's desire to study the particular education program . With this application letter, an individual can emphasize how much they would like to study in an educational institution of their choice. A sample Application Letter for College Admission can be downloaded below .

Generally, individuals use these types of letters to introduce themselves to the admission committee, therefore, it can include several parts:

Information About the Addressee . You can start with designating the name and address of who is supposed to receive the letter.
Introduction . Here, you can state which educational institution you would like to study in, and the study program that you would like to attend.
Information About the Applicant . In this part, you can provide information about your education, skills, and other details.
Contact Details . At the end, you can add your contact information in case the receiver of the letter would like to get in touch with you.

There are no strict rules in regards to what should be included in your letter, therefore, you can add other parts to it.

Haven't found the sample you're looking for? Take a look at the related templates below:

College Appeal Letter Template ;
College Rejection Letter Template ;
Letter of Intent for College Template .

Download Sample Application Letter for College Admission

Linked topics.

How to Write an Application Letter for Admission Into a University

How to Write an Application Letter for Admission Into a University: College reputation and degree is in the palm of your hand. It is a rise or fall of your professional future. It is important that you choose the best college that suits your degree and academic record that you have.

When you write a letter or personal statement as part of applying for graduate or professional school, you make your case as much by the way you write as by what you say. Here are some qualities to aim for.

Table of Contents

Tips for writing an application request letter for admission

Be focussed : Take your cue first from the prompts given in the application form; also research the program widely, looking for hints about its values and identity. What is the main stated question (e.g., why you will be a good researcher or lawyer, what experience you can bring to the program, whether you can stand the pressure)? If the prompt is very general (or lacking), choose an overall point you want to make: that you are a proven achiever, that you thrive on challenges, that you have something special to contribute to the profession. . . . Don’t just write about law or medicine or anthropology: write about yourself as a lawyer, physician or anthropologist.

Be coherent : Being “together” is a quality of writing as well as of character. A clearly organized letter can create a picture of a clear-minded and sensible person. You might want to write from an outline or a diagram of main points. At least check the topic sentences of each paragraph in your finished piece to see if they make a logical sequence. Ask a tough-minded friend to give her impression.

Be interpretive : You need to make an impression concisely, so don’t use your letter just to repeat the facts set out in other parts of the application. Provide explicit answers for the question that arises in the mind of any reader looking at a hundred or more similar documents: “So what?” Use nouns and adjectives that name qualities (outgoing, curiosity, confident) and verbs that show action (coordinated, investigated, tried). Make an effort to find the exact right words to suit the evidence you are offering.

Be specific : There’s no point making claims unless you can back them up. Refer to the fact lists in other parts of your application (“as my academic record shows”), but offer enough examples so that your letter can stand on its own. Say that they are just instances, not your whole proof (“An incident from last summer is an example….”). The concrete language you use for these specific references will also balance the generalizing words of your interpretive points.

Be personal : Your letter substitutes for an interview. In effect, the readers have asked you to tell stories, mention details, expand on facts. So mention things you might not have put into the rest of the application—your ethnic background or political interests, even, if they’re relevant to your academic interests. Don’t be afraid to mention problems or weaknesses if you can show how you overcame them and what you learned from the experience. Use I rather than evasive phrases like “this writer” or “was experienced by me.” A stylistic tip: to avoid monotony, start some sentences with a subordinate clause such as “While I scrubbed floors” or “Because of my difficulties”—then go on to I did or I learned.

Options for Organizing an Admissions Letter

Judge by the clues on the application form and by the nature of the profession or discipline what kind of logical structure you could use to tie your points together into a coherent whole. You may see indications you are expected to demonstrate your personality, or be self-analytical, or enter into discussions in the discipline. You will probably use one or more of these standard expository patterns.

Narrative: A chronological order is easy to organize. It progresses from a beginning to an end, and you can divide up the middle into manageable sections. But beware of overworked openings like “I have always wanted to be a dentist,” and of excessive detail. Select relevant and interesting stories and make sure that the readers know why you are telling them.

Analytic: To deal with the central question why you are a good match for the program, give an overall answer about yourself and then discuss the elements that contribute to your engagement with the discipline. Discuss your interests in terms of key issues and theories in your discipline. To balance the dryness of this approach, break into memorable stories at times, using specific details, and use verbs to put yourself into action. Show what you intend to do after you have completed the program.

Technical: To indicate your research or professional interests, show your involvement with a specific issue. Don’t just outline the topic you want to work on; write about your summer research job or independent-study project, or even your program on student radio or your volunteer experience. Outline specific undergraduate projects as examples. Emphasize what you learned from these activities, and indicate how your studies will extend that learning.

Common prompts include things like, “Outline your qualifications for this position” or “In writing, explain how this position would affect your career goals.” Sometimes, the prompt will be as short as, “Tell us something interesting about yourself.”
If there is no prompt, but you still feel the need to introduce your application with a letter, it’s usually best to keep it as short as possible. Explain what you’re applying for, why you’re applying, and thank the contact for their consideration. That’s it.
Often, college prompts will ask you to describe a time you struggled, or a time you overcame some obstacle. Write about something unique, a time that you actually failed and dealt with the consequences.
The board will get thousands–literally, thousands–of letters about someone’s first mission trip, and letters about the time someone’s sports team was beaten, then overcame the odds, and won again. Avoid these topics.
Be specific. If you’re writing to a college board, don’t say, “I want to go to this college because I need a degree.” That’s obvious. What do you want to do with it? Why? If you’re applying to a business, don’t say, “I just need a job.” That’s obvious. Why this specific job?
Don’t include stuff that’s also on your resume. Your application letter is your one chance in an application to stand out. Listing off the number from your GPA and the boring list of achievements from your resume isn’t the best way to do that. The purpose of the letter is to get a sense of who you are, not a list of accomplishments. Don’t use the letter to describe the list of schools you’ve attended, your GPAs, and a list of extra-curricular activities, unless it relates to some anecdote in the letter. [7]
If you’re applying to schools, what do you like about the school? What faculty are you interested in? Why this school, instead of another?
Be sure to explain how you see yourself fitting into the campus—that’s what will really make you an ideal candidate for a school.

Application Request Letter for Admission Templates

When a student identifies a school they would like to enroll, they need to write a request for admission. Check out the application request letter for admission template and sample letters for guidance.

_____________

Date (date on which letter is written)

________________

Sub:_________________________________________

Dear _________________,

I hereby write to express my interest in the ____________ course at your university. I recently completed my degree in ____________ and I believe this course will complement my previous education. Your institution has a good reputation of combining class and practical based learning and this has motivated me to request for admission.

I am a quick learner and determined in my academics, this is evident from the ____________ enclosed herewith for your consideration. Taking this course is the stepping stone to achieve my career plans to work as a ____________. Additionally, I will acquire the knowledge and skills that I can practice in the work environment.

I wish to request the admission form, course details, and the fee structure for the course. Please send me the documents on my email ____________. Please give me an opportunity to pursue this course in your school and I assure you I will do my best.

I will highly appreciate a positive response.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

(__________________)

The applications letter for university admission is one of the important documents that are required when applying for colleges. It should describe the applicant’s reasons for choosing the host school, his background, experiences, interests, and educational goals.

Letter Writing
Formal Letter Writing In English
Application For College Admission

Application for College Admission: Know How to Write with Samples

If you don’t have someone to help you navigate the college admissions process, it might be intimidating. The process can be overwhelming also because the student will have to write an essay or sit for an entrance, provide an application for college admission, provide necessary documents, etc. Writing an application letter requesting for admission into a college of your choice is one thing you can do.

How to write a request letter for admission in college, sample of college application letter, sample of application for taking admission in school, frequently asked questions on application for college admission.

If you are writing an application for college admission, then you must be aware of the deadlines which are fixed by the college or university. In the application, you will have to mention the detailed reason for which you are willing to take admission. Write the letter in the format of a formal letter . You can address the admission in charge of the university. Mention the department/stream where you want to join and also your previous performance records for their evaluation.

Samples of Writing an Admission Request Letter

Read through the sample request letters and follow the format to write one on your own.

Konika Meher

#65 Pune, Maharashtra

08th February 2022

The Head of Admissions

Christ University

Bannerghatta Campus

Bangalore – 560076

Sub- Requesting for admission – MA English

Dear Sir/Madam

After conducting extensive research on many universities, I have decided on taking up the post graduate course in English at Christ University. This university has been my dream university since childhood as it is one of the top universities for English, and it offers English and Cultural Studies. I have been in touch with the alumni of the university who have also recommended the same, and I am considering enrolling in the Post Graduate (MAECS) programme.

My long-term objective is to major in English and Cultural studies, and I am confident in my decision. As required by the admissions committee, I have attached my application, copies of mark sheets, and letters of recommendation.

Awaiting for an early response from you.

Yours sincerely,

Student of Jain College

The Principal

_____ School

Sub: Application for Admission into School

Dear Sir/Madam,

With the utmost respect, I, _____, mother/father of _____, respectfully request you to enrol my son/daughter in the upcoming session fall 20xx to 20xx, in Class____. I chose your institute because I consulted with individuals and decided that yours is the best fit for my son/daughter.

S/he is capable and possesses all of the characteristics that your institute desires. I am hoping that my son/daughter will be nurtured to be a competent individual in every field of life by the teachers and personnel under your supervision. I eagerly anticipate receiving your response.

Contact details

Do we write an admission request letter to schools?

Yes, for admissions to schools also, parents can write an admission request letter addressing the principal or head of the school.

What is meant by a college admission application?

A college admission application is a letter sent to the admission department of a college to request admission for your desired course of study.

How do I write a letter of admission to a college?

In order to write a letter of admission to a college, you will have to follow the format for it. Make sure to include all the information as asked by the university or college and attach all the necessary documents.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, my successful harvard application (complete common app + supplement).

Other High School , College Admissions , Letters of Recommendation , Extracurriculars , College Essays

In 2005, I applied to college and got into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. I decided to attend Harvard.

In this guide, I'll show you the entire college application that got me into Harvard—page by page, word for word .

In my complete analysis, I'll take you through my Common Application, Harvard supplemental application, personal statements and essays, extracurricular activities, teachers' letters of recommendation, counselor recommendation, complete high school transcript, and more. I'll also give you in-depth commentary on every part of my application.

To my knowledge, a college application analysis like this has never been done before . This is the application guide I wished I had when I was in high school.

If you're applying to top schools like the Ivy Leagues, you'll see firsthand what a successful application to Harvard and Princeton looks like. You'll learn the strategies I used to build a compelling application. You'll see what items were critical in getting me admitted, and what didn't end up helping much at all.

Reading this guide from beginning to end will be well worth your time—you might completely change your college application strategy as a result.

First Things First

Here's the letter offering me admission into Harvard College under Early Action.

I was so thrilled when I got this letter. It validated many years of hard work, and I was excited to take my next step into college (...and work even harder).

I received similar successful letters from every college I applied to: Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. (After getting into Harvard early, I decided not to apply to Yale, Columbia, UChicago, UPenn, and other Ivy League-level schools, since I already knew I would rather go to Harvard.)

The application that got me admitted everywhere is the subject of this guide. You're going to see everything that the admissions officers saw.

If you're hoping to see an acceptance letter like this in your academic future, I highly recommend you read this entire article. I'll start first with an introduction to this guide and important disclaimers. Then I'll share the #1 question you need to be thinking about as you construct your application. Finally, we'll spend a lot of time going through every page of my college application, both the Common App and the Harvard Supplemental App.

Important Note: the foundational principles of my application are explored in detail in my How to Get Into Harvard guide . In this popular guide, I explain:

what top schools like the Ivy League are looking for
how to be truly distinctive among thousands of applicants
why being well-rounded is the kiss of death

If you have the time and are committed to maximizing your college application success, I recommend you read through my Harvard guide first, then come back to this one.

You might also be interested in my other two major guides:

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score / Perfect ACT Score
How to Get a 4.0 GPA

What's in This Harvard Application Guide?

From my student records, I was able to retrieve the COMPLETE original application I submitted to Harvard. Page by page, word for word, you'll see everything exactly as I presented it : extracurricular activities, awards and honors, personal statements and essays, and more.

In addition to all this detail, there are two special parts of this college application breakdown that I haven't seen anywhere else :

You'll see my FULL recommendation letters and evaluation forms. This includes recommendations from two teachers, one principal, and supplementary writers. Normally you don't get to see these letters because you waive access to them when applying. You'll see how effective strong teacher advocates will be to your college application, and why it's so important to build strong relationships with your letter writers .
You'll see the exact pen marks made by my Harvard admissions reader on my application . Members of admissions committees consider thousands of applications every year, which means they highlight the pieces of each application they find noteworthy. You'll see what the admissions officer considered important—and what she didn't.

For every piece of my application, I'll provide commentary on what made it so effective and my strategies behind creating it. You'll learn what it takes to build a compelling overall application.

Importantly, even though my application was strong, it wasn't perfect. I'll point out mistakes I made that I could have corrected to build an even stronger application.

Here's a complete table of contents for what we'll be covering. Each link goes directly to that section, although I'd recommend you read this from beginning to end on your first go.

Common Application

Personal Data

Educational data, test information.

Activities: Extracurricular, Personal, Volunteer
Short Answer
Additional Information

Academic Honors

Personal statement, teacher and counselor recommendations.

Teacher Letter #1: AP Chemistry
Teacher Letter #2: AP English Lang

School Report

Principal Recommendation

Harvard Application Supplement

Supplement Form
Writing Supplement Essay

Supplementary Recommendation #1

Supplementary recommendation #2, supplemental application materials.

Final Advice for You

I mean it—you'll see literally everything in my application.

In revealing my teenage self, some parts of my application will be pretty embarrassing (you'll see why below). But my mission through my company PrepScholar is to give the world the most helpful resources possible, so I'm publishing it.

One last thing before we dive in—I'm going to anticipate some common concerns beforehand and talk through important disclaimers so that you'll get the most out of this guide.

Important Disclaimers

My biggest caveat for you when reading this guide: thousands of students get into Harvard and Ivy League schools every year. This guide tells a story about one person and presents one archetype of a strong applicant. As you'll see, I had a huge academic focus, especially in science ( this was my Spike ). I'm also irreverent and have a strong, direct personality.

What you see in this guide is NOT what YOU need to do to get into Harvard , especially if you don't match my interests and personality at all.

As I explain in my Harvard guide , I believe I fit into one archetype of a strong applicant—the "academic superstar" (humor me for a second, I know calling myself this sounds obnoxious). There are other distinct ways to impress, like:

being world-class in a non-academic talent
achieving something difficult and noteworthy—building a meaningful organization, writing a novel
coming from tremendous adversity and performing remarkably well relative to expectations

Therefore, DON'T worry about copying my approach one-for-one . Don't worry if you're taking a different number of AP courses or have lower test scores or do different extracurriculars or write totally different personal statements. This is what schools like Stanford and Yale want to see—a diversity in the student population!

The point of this guide is to use my application as a vehicle to discuss what top colleges are looking for in strong applicants. Even though the specific details of what you'll do are different from what I did, the principles are the same. What makes a candidate truly stand out is the same, at a high level. What makes for a super strong recommendation letter is the same. The strategies on how to build a cohesive, compelling application are the same.

There's a final reason you shouldn't worry about replicating my work—the application game has probably changed quite a bit since 2005. Technology is much more pervasive, the social issues teens care about are different, the extracurricular activities that are truly noteworthy have probably gotten even more advanced. What I did might not be as impressive as it used to be. So focus on my general points, not the specifics, and think about how you can take what you learn here to achieve something even greater than I ever did.

With that major caveat aside, here are a string of smaller disclaimers.

I'm going to present my application factually and be 100% straightforward about what I achieved and what I believed was strong in my application. This is what I believe will be most helpful for you. I hope you don't misinterpret this as bragging about my accomplishments. I'm here to show you what it took for me to get into Harvard and other Ivy League schools, not to ask for your admiration. So if you read this guide and are tempted to dismiss my advice because you think I'm boasting, take a step back and focus on the big picture—how you'll improve yourself.

This guide is geared toward admissions into the top colleges in the country , often with admissions rates below 10%. A sample list of schools that fit into this: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, UChicago, Duke, UPenn, CalTech, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Brown. The top 3-5 in that list are especially looking for the absolute best students in the country , since they have the pick of the litter.

Admissions for these selective schools works differently from schools with >20% rates. For less selective schools, having an overall strong, well-rounded application is sufficient for getting in. In particular, having an above average GPA and test scores goes the majority of the way toward getting you admission to those schools. The higher the admission rate, the more emphasis will be placed on your scores. The other pieces I'll present below—personal statements, extracurriculars, recommendations—will matter less.

Still, it doesn't hurt to aim for a stronger application. To state the obvious, an application strong enough to get you Columbia will get you into UCLA handily.

In my application, I've redacted pieces of my application for privacy reasons, and one supplementary recommendation letter at the request of the letter writer. Everything else is unaltered.

Throughout my application, we can see marks made by the admissions officer highlighting and circling things of note (you'll see the first example on the very first page). I don't have any other applications to compare these to, so I'm going to interpret these marks as best I can. For the most part, I assume that whatever he underlines or circles is especially important and noteworthy —points that he'll bring up later in committee discussions. It could also be that the reader got bored and just started highlighting things, but I doubt this.

Finally, I co-founded and run a company called PrepScholar . We create online SAT/ACT prep programs that adapt to you and your strengths and weaknesses . I believe we've created the best prep program available, and if you feel you need to raise your SAT/ACT score, then I encourage you to check us out . I want to emphasize that you do NOT need to buy a prep program to get a great score , and the advice in this guide has little to do with my company. But if you're aren't sure how to improve your score and agree with our unique approach to SAT/ACT prep, our program may be perfect for you.

With all this past us, let's get started.

The #1 Most Important College Application Question: What Is Your PERSONAL NARRATIVE?

If you stepped into an elevator with Yale's Dean of Admissions and you had ten seconds to describe yourself and why you're interesting, what would you say?

This is what I call your PERSONAL NARRATIVE. These are the three main points that represent who you are and what you're about . This is the story that you tell through your application, over and over again. This is how an admissions officer should understand you after just glancing through your application. This is how your admissions officer will present you to the admissions committee to advocate for why they should accept you.

The more unique and noteworthy your Personal Narrative is, the better. This is how you'll stand apart from the tens of thousands of other applicants to your top choice school. This is why I recommend so strongly that you develop a Spike to show deep interest and achievement. A compelling Spike is the core of your Personal Narrative.

Well-rounded applications do NOT form compelling Personal Narratives, because "I'm a well-rounded person who's decent at everything" is the exact same thing every other well-rounded person tries to say.

Everything in your application should support your Personal Narrative , from your course selection and extracurricular activities to your personal statements and recommendation letters. You are a movie director, and your application is your way to tell a compelling, cohesive story through supporting evidence.

Yes, this is overly simplistic and reductionist. It does not represent all your complexities and your 17 years of existence. But admissions offices don't have the time to understand this for all their applicants. Your PERSONAL NARRATIVE is what they will latch onto.

Here's what I would consider my Personal Narrative (humor me since I'm peacocking here):

1) A science obsessive with years of serious research work and ranked 6 th in a national science competition, with future goals of being a neuroscientist or physician

2) Balanced by strong academic performance in all subjects (4.0 GPA and perfect test scores, in both humanities and science) and proficiency in violin

3) An irreverent personality who doesn't take life too seriously, embraces controversy, and says what's on his mind

These three elements were the core to my application. Together they tell a relatively unique Personal Narrative that distinguishes me from many other strong applicants. You get a surprisingly clear picture of what I'm about. There's no question that my work in science was my "Spike" and was the strongest piece of my application, but my Personal Narrative included other supporting elements, especially a description of my personality.

My College Application, at a High Level

Drilling down into more details, here's an overview of my application.

This put me comfortably in the 99 th percentile in the country, but it was NOT sufficient to get me into Harvard by itself ! Because there are roughly 4 million high school students per year, the top 1 percentile still has 40,000 students. You need other ways to set yourself apart.
Your Spike will most often come from your extracurriculars and academic honors, just because it's hard to really set yourself apart with your coursework and test scores.
My letters of recommendation were very strong. Both my recommending teachers marked me as "one of the best they'd ever taught." Importantly, they corroborated my Personal Narrative, especially regarding my personality. You'll see how below.
My personal statements were, in retrospect, just satisfactory. They represented my humorous and irreverent side well, but they come across as too self-satisfied. Because of my Spike, I don't think my essays were as important to my application.

Finally, let's get started by digging into the very first pages of my Common Application.

There are a few notable points about how simple questions can actually help build a first impression around what your Personal Narrative is.

First, notice the circle around my email address. This is the first of many marks the admissions officer made on my application. The reason I think he circled this was that the email address I used is a joke pun on my name . I knew it was risky to use this vs something like [email protected], but I thought it showed my personality better (remember point #3 about having an irreverent personality in my Personal Narrative).

Don't be afraid to show who you really are, rather than your perception of what they want. What you think UChicago or Stanford wants is probably VERY wrong, because of how little information you have, both as an 18-year-old and as someone who hasn't read thousands of applications.

(It's also entirely possible that it's a formality to circle email addresses, so I don't want to read too much into it, but I think I'm right.)

Second, I knew in high school that I wanted to go into the medical sciences, either as a physician or as a scientist. I was also really into studying the brain. So I listed both in my Common App to build onto my Personal Narrative.

In the long run, both predictions turned out to be wrong. After college, I did go to Harvard Medical School for the MD/PhD program for 4 years, but I left to pursue entrepreneurship and co-founded PrepScholar . Moreover, in the time I did actually do research, I switched interests from neuroscience to bioengineering/biotech.

Colleges don't expect you to stick to career goals you stated at the age of 18. Figuring out what you want to do is the point of college! But this doesn't give you an excuse to avoid showing a preference. This early question is still a chance to build that Personal Narrative.

Thus, I recommend AGAINST "Undecided" as an area of study —it suggests a lack of flavor and is hard to build a compelling story around. From your high school work thus far, you should at least be leaning to something, even if that's likely to change in the future.

Finally, in the demographic section there is a big red A, possibly for Asian American. I'm not going to read too much into this. If you're a notable minority, this is where you'd indicate it.

Now known as: Education

This section was straightforward for me. I didn't take college courses, and I took a summer chemistry class at a nearby high school because I didn't get into the lottery at my school that year (I refer to this briefly in my 4.0 GPA guide ).

The most notable point of this section: the admissions officer circled Principal here . This is notable because our school Principal only wrote letters for fewer than 10 students each year. Counselors wrote letters for the other hundreds of students in my class, which made my application stand out just a little.

I'll talk more about this below, when I share the Principal's recommendation.

(In the current Common Application, the Education section also includes Grades, Courses, and Honors. We'll be covering each of those below).

Now known as: Testing

Back then AP scores weren't part of this section, but I'll take them from another part of my application here.

However, their standards are still very high. You really do want to be in that top 1 percentile to pass the filter. A 1400 on the SAT IS going to put you at a disadvantage because there are so many students scoring higher than you. You'll really have to dig yourself out of the hole with an amazing application.

I talk about this a lot more in my Get into Harvard guide (sorry to keep linking this, but I really do think it's an important guide for you to read).

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

Let's end this section with some personal notes.

Even though math and science were easy for me, I had to put in serious effort to get an 800 on the Reading section of the SAT . As much as I wish I could say it was trivial for me, it wasn't. I learned a bunch of strategies and dissected the test to get to a point where I understood the test super well and reliably earned perfect scores.

I cover the most important points in my How to Get a Perfect SAT Score guide , as well as my 800 Guides for Reading , Writing , and Math .

Between the SAT and ACT, the SAT was my primary focus, but I decided to take the ACT for fun. The tests were so similar that I scored a 36 Composite without much studying. Having two test scores is completely unnecessary —you get pretty much zero additional credit. Again, with one test score, you have already passed their filter.

Finally, class finals or state-required exams are a breeze if you get a 5 on the corresponding AP tests .

Now known as: Family (still)

This section asks for your parent information and family situation. There's not much you can do here besides report the facts.

I'm redacting a lot of stuff again for privacy reasons.

The reader made a number of marks here for occupation and education. There's likely a standard code for different types of occupations and schools.

If I were to guess, I'd say that the numbers add to form some metric of "family prestige." My dad got a Master's at a middle-tier American school, but my mom didn't go to graduate school, and these sections were marked 2 and 3, respectively. So it seems higher numbers are given for less prestigious educations by your parents. I'd expect that if both my parents went to schools like Caltech and Dartmouth, there would be even lower numbers here.

This makes me think that the less prepared your family is, the more points you get, and this might give your application an extra boost. If you were the first one in your family to go to college, for example, you'd be excused for having lower test scores and fewer AP classes. Schools really do care about your background and how you performed relative to expectations.

In the end, schools like Harvard say pretty adamantly they don't use formulas to determine admissions decisions, so I wouldn't read too much into this. But this can be shorthand to help orient an applicant's family background.

Extracurricular, Personal, and Volunteer Activities

Now known as: Activities

For most applicants, your Extracurriculars and your Academic Honors will be where you develop your Spike and where your Personal Narrative shines through. This was how my application worked.

Just below I'll describe the activities in more detail, but first I want to reflect on this list.

As instructed, my extracurriculars were listed in the order of their interest to me. The current Common App doesn't seem to ask for this, but I would still recommend it to focus your reader's attention.

The most important point I have to make about my extracurriculars: as you go down the list, there is a HUGE drop in the importance of each additional activity to the overall application. If I were to guess, I assign the following weights to how much each activity contributed to the strength of my activities section:

In other words, participating in the Research Science Institute (RSI) was far more important than all of my other extracurriculars, combined. You can see that this was the only activity my admissions reader circled.

You can see how Spike-y this is. The RSI just completely dominates all my other activities.

The reason for this is the prestige of RSI. As I noted earlier, RSI was (and likely still is) the most prestigious research program for high school students in the country, with an admission rate of less than 5% . Because the program was so prestigious and selective, getting in served as a big confirmation signal of my academic quality.

In other words, the Harvard admissions reader would likely think, "OK, if this very selective program has already validated Allen as a top student, I'm inclined to believe that Allen is a top student and should pay special attention to him."

Now, it took a lot of prior work to even get into RSI because it's so selective. I had already ranked nationally in the Chemistry Olympiad (more below), and I had done a lot of prior research work in computer science (at Jisan Research Institute—more about this later). But getting into RSI really propelled my application to another level.

Because RSI was so important and was such a big Spike, all my other extracurriculars paled in importance. The admissions officer at Princeton or MIT probably didn't care at all that I volunteered at a hospital or founded a high school club .

This is a good sign of developing a strong Spike. You want to do something so important that everything else you do pales in comparison to it. A strong Spike becomes impossible to ignore.

In contrast, if you're well-rounded, all your activities hold equal weight—which likely means none of them are really that impressive (unless you're a combination of Olympic athlete, internationally-ranked science researcher, and New York Times bestselling author, but then I'd call you unicorn because you don't exist).

Apply this concept to your own interests—what can be so impressive and such a big Spike that it completely overshadows all your other achievements?

This might be worth spending a disproportionate amount of time on. As I recommend in my Harvard guide and 4.0 GPA guide , smartly allocating your time is critical to your high school strategy.

In retrospect, one "mistake" I made was spending a lot of time on the violin. Each week I spent eight hours on practice and a lesson and four hours of orchestra rehearsals. This amounted to over 1,500 hours from freshman to junior year.

The result? I was pretty good, but definitely nowhere near world-class. Remember, there are thousands of orchestras and bands in the country, each with their own concertmasters, drum majors, and section 1 st chairs.

If I were to optimize purely for college applications, I should have spent that time on pushing my spike even further —working on more Olympiad competitions, or doing even more hardcore research.

Looking back I don't mind this much because I generally enjoyed my musical training and had a mostly fun time in orchestra (and I had a strong Spike anyway). But this problem can be a lot worse for well-rounded students who are stretched too thin.

Aside from these considerations about a Spike, I have two major caveats.

First, developing a Spike requires continuous, increasingly ambitious foundational work. It's like climbing a staircase. From the beginning of high school, each step was more and more ambitious—my first academic team, my first research experience, leading up to state and national competitions and more serious research work.

So when I suggest devoting a lot of time to developing your Spike, it's not necessarily the Spike in itself—it's also spending time on foundational work leading up to what will be your major achievement. That's why I don't see my time with academic teams or volunteering as wasted, even though in the end they didn't contribute as much to my application.

Second, it is important to do things you enjoy. I still enjoyed playing the violin and being part of an orchestra, and I really enjoyed my school's academic teams, even though we never went beyond state level. Even if some activities don't contribute as much to your application, it's still fine to spend some time on them—just don't delude yourself into thinking they're stronger than they really are and overspend time on them.

Finally, note that most of my activities were pursued over multiple years. This is a good sign of commitment—rather than hopping from activity year to year, it's better to show sustained commitment, as this is a better signal of genuine passion.

In a future article, I'll break down these activities in more detail. But this guide is already super long, so I want to focus our attention on the main points.

Short Answer: Extracurricular Activities

In today's Common Application, you have 50 characters to describe "Position/Leadership description and organization name" and 150 characters for "Please describe this activity, including what you accomplished and any recognition you received, etc."

Back then, we didn't have as much space per activity, and instead had a short answer question.

The Short Answer prompt:

Please describe which of your activities (extracurricular and personal activities or work experience) has been most meaningful and why.

I chose RSI as my most significant activity for two reasons—one based on the meaning of the work, and another on the social aspect.

It's obvious that schools like Yale and UChicago want the best students in the world that they can get their hands on. Academic honors and awards are a great, quantifiable way to show that.

Here's the complete list of Academic Honors I submitted. The Common Application now limits you to five honors only (probably because they got tired of lists like these), but chances are you capture the top 98% of your honors with the top five.

Charlie wins a Golden Ticket to Harvard.

I know this is intimidating if you don't already have a prestigious honor. But remember there are thousands of nationally-ranked people in a multitude of honor types, from science competitions to essay contests to athletics to weird talents.

And I strongly believe the #1 differentiator of high school students who achieve things is work ethic, NOT intelligence or talent. Yes, you need a baseline level of competence to get places, but people far undervalue the progress they can make if they work hard and persevere. Far too many people give up too quickly or fatigue without putting in serious effort.

If you're stuck thinking, "well I'm just an average person, and there's no way I'm going to become world-class in anything," then you've already lost before you've begun. The truth is everyone who achieves something of note puts in an incredible amount of hard work. Because this is invisible to you, it looks like talent is what distinguishes the two of you, when really it's much more often diligence.

I talk a lot more about the Growth Mindset in my How To Get a 4.0 GPA guide .

So my Chemistry Olympiad honor formed 90% of the value of this page. Just like extracurriculars, there's a quick dropoff in value of each item after that.

My research work took up the next two honors, one a presentation at an academic conference, and the other (Siemens) a research competition for high school researchers.

The rest of my honors were pretty middling:

National Merit Scholarship semifinalist pretty much equates to PSAT score, which is far less important than your SAT/ACT score. So I didn't really get any credit for this, and you won't either.
In Science Olympiad (this is a team-based competition that's not as prestigious as the academic Olympiads I just talked about), I earned a number of 1 st place state and regional medals, but we never made it to nationals.
I was mediocre at competition math because I didn't train for it, and I won some regional awards but nothing amazing. This is one place I would have spent more time, maybe in the time I'd save by not practicing violin as much. There are great resources for this type of training, like Art of Problem Solving , that I didn't know existed and could've helped me rank much higher.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, think about how many state medalists there are in the country, in the hundreds of competitions that exist . The number of state to national rankers is probably at least 20:1 (less than 50:1 because of variation in state size), so if there are 2,000 nationally ranked students, there are 40,000 state-ranked students in something !

So state honors really don't help you stand out on your Princeton application. There are just too many of them around.

On the other hand, if you can get to be nationally ranked in something, you will have an amazing Spike that distinguishes you.

Now known as: Personal Essay

Now, the dreaded personal statement. Boy, oh boy, did I fuss over this one.

"What is the perfect combination of personal, funny, heartrending, and inspirational?"

I know I was wondering this when I applied.

Having read books like 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays , I was frightened. I didn't grow up as a refugee, wrenched from my war-torn home! I didn't have a sibling with a debilitating illness! How could anything I write compare to these tales of personal strength?

The trite truth is that colleges want to know who you really are . Clearly they don't expect everyone to have had immense personal struggle. But they do want students who are:

growth-oriented
introspective
kind and good-hearted

Whatever those words mean to you in the context of your life is what you should write about.

In retrospect, in the context of MY application, the personal statement really wasn't what got me into Harvard . I do think my Spike was nearly sufficient to get me admitted to every school in the country.

I say "nearly" because, even if you're world-class, schools do want to know you're not a jerk and that you're an interesting person (which is conveyed through your personal essay and letters of recommendation).

Back then, we had a set of different prompts :

What did you think?

I'm still cringing a bit. Parts of this are very smug (see /r/iamverysmart ), and if you want to punch the writer in the face, I don't blame you. I want to as well.

We'll get to areas of improvement later, but first, let's talk about what this personal essay did well.

As I said above, I saw the theme of the snooze button as a VEHICLE to showcase a few qualities I cared about :

1) I fancied myself a Renaissance man (obnoxious, I know) and wanted to become an inventor and creator . I showed this through mentioning different interests (Rubik's cube, chemistry, Nietzsche) and iterating through a few designs for an alarm clock (electric shocks, explosions, Shakespearean sonnet recitation).

2) My personality was whimsical and irreverent. I don't take life too seriously. The theme of the essay—battling an alarm clock—shows this well, in comparison to the gravitas of the typical student essay. I also found individual lines funny, like "All right, so I had violated the divine honor of the family and the tenets of Confucius." At once I acknowledge my Chinese heritage but also make light of the situation.

3) I was open to admitting weaknesses , which I think is refreshing among people taking college applications too seriously and trying too hard to impress. The frank admission of a realistic lazy habit—pushing the Snooze button—served as a nice foil to my academic honors and shows that I can be down-to-earth.

So you see how the snooze button acts as a vehicle to carry these major points and a lot of details, tied together to the same theme .

In the same way, The Walking Dead is NOT a zombie show—the zombie environment is a VEHICLE by which to show human drama and conflict. Packaging my points together under the snooze button theme makes it a lot more interesting than just outright saying "I'm such an interesting guy."

So overall, I believe the essay accomplishes my goals and the main points of what I wanted to convey about myself.

Note that this is just one of many ways to write an essay . It worked for me, but it may be totally inappropriate for you.

Now let's look at this essay's weaknesses.

Looking at it with a more seasoned perspective, some parts of it are WAY too try-hard. I try too hard to show off my breadth of knowledge in a way that seems artificial and embellishing.

The entire introduction with the Rubik's cube seems bolted on, just to describe my long-standing desire to be a Renaissance man. Only three paragraphs down do I get to the Snooze button, and I don't refer again to the introduction until the end. With just 650 words, I could have made the essay more cohesive by keeping the same theme from beginning to end.

Some phrases really make me roll my eyes. "Always hungry for more" and "ever the inventor" sound too forced and embellishing. A key principle of effective writing is to show, not say . You don't say "I'm passionate about X," you describe what extraordinary lengths you took to achieve X.

The mention of Nietzsche is over-the-top. I mean, come on. The reader probably thought, "OK, this kid just read it in English class and now he thinks he's a philosopher." The reader would be right.

The ending: "with the extra nine minutes, maybe I'll teach myself to cook fried rice" is silly. Where in the world did fried rice come from? I meant it as a nod to my Chinese heritage, but it's too sudden to work. I could have deleted the sentence and wrapped up the essay more cleanly.

So I have mixed feelings of my essay. I think it accomplished my major goals and showed the humorous, irreverent side of my personality well. However, it also gave the impression of a kid who thought he knew more than he did, a pseudo-sophisticate bordering on obnoxious. I still think it was a net positive.

At the end of the day, I believe the safest, surefire strategy is to develop a Spike so big that the importance of the Personal Essay pales in comparison to your achievements. You want your Personal Essay to be a supplement to your application, not the only reason you get in.

There are probably some cases where a well-rounded student writes an amazing Personal Essay and gets in through the strength of that. As a Hail Mary if you're a senior and can't improve your application further, this might work. But the results are very variable—some readers may love your essay, others may just think it's OK. Without a strong application to back it up, your mileage may vary.

This is a really fun section. Usually you don't get to read your letter of recommendation because you sign the FERPA waiver. I've also reached out to my letter writers to make sure they're ok with my showing this.

Teacher recommendations are incredibly important to your application. I would say that after your coursework/test scores and activities/honors, they're the 3 rd most important component of your application .

The average teacher sees thousands of students through a career, and so he or she is very well equipped to position you relative to all other students. Furthermore, your teachers are experienced adults—their impressions of you are much more reliable than your impressions of yourself (see my Personal Essay above). They can corroborate your entire Personal Narrative as an outside observer.

The most effective recommendation letters speak both to your academic strengths and to your personality. For the second factor, the teacher needs to have interacted with you meaningfully, ideally both in and out of class. Check out our guide on what makes for effective letters of recommendation .

Starting from sophomore year, I started thinking about whom I connected better with and chose to engage with those teachers more deeply . Because it's standard for colleges to require two teachers in different subjects, I made sure to engage with English and history teachers as well as math and science.

The minimum requirement for a good letter is someone who taught a class in which you did well. I got straight A's in my coursework, so this wasn't an issue.

Beyond this, I had to look for teachers who would be strong advocates for me on both an academic and personal level . These tended to be teachers I vibed more strongly with, and typically these were teachers who demonstrably cared about teaching. This was made clear by their enthusiasm, how they treated students, and how much they went above expectations to help.

I had a lot of teachers who really just phoned it in and treated their job perfunctorily—these people are likely to write pretty blasé letters.

A final note before reading my actual teacher evaluations— you should avoid getting in the mindset where you get to know teachers JUST because you want a good recommendation letter . Your teachers have seen hundreds, if not thousands, of students pass through, and it's much easier to detect insincerity than you think.

If you honestly like learning and are an enthusiastic, responsible, engaging student, a great recommendation letter will follow naturally. The horse should lead the cart.

Read my How to Get a 4.0 GPA for tips on how to interact with teachers in a genuine way that'll make them love you.

Teacher Letter #1: AP Chemistry Teacher

I took AP Chemistry in 10 th grade and had Miss Cherryl Vorak (now Mynster). She was young, having taught for fewer than 5 years when I had her. She was my favorite teacher throughout high school for these reasons:

She was enthusiastic, very caring, and spent a lot of time helping struggling students. She exuded pride in her work and seemed to consider teaching her craft.
She had a kind personality and was universally well liked by her students, even if they weren't doing so well. She was fair in her policies (it probably helped that science is more objective than English). She was also a younger teacher, and this helped her relate to kids more closely.
She was my advocate for much of the US National Chemistry Olympiad stuff, and in this capacity I got to know her even better outside of class. She provided me a lot of training materials, helped me figure out college chemistry, and directed me to resources to learn more.

By the time of the letter writing, I had known her for two full years and engaged with her continuously, even when I wasn't taking a class with her in junior year. We'd build up a strong relationship over the course of many small interactions.

All of this flowed down to the recommendation you see here. Remember, the horse leads the cart.

First, we'll look at the teacher evaluation page. The Common Application now has 16 qualities to rate, rather than the 10 here. But they're largely the same.

You can see a very strong evaluation here, giving me the highest ratings possible for all qualities.

In today's Common Application, all of these Ratings are retained, aside from "Potential for Growth." Today's Common App also now includes Faculty Respect, Maturity, Leadership, Integrity, Reaction to Setbacks, Concern for Others, and TE Overall. You can tell that the updated Common App places a great emphasis on personality.

The most important point here: it is important to be ranked "One of the top few encountered in my career" for as many ratings as possible . If you're part of a big school, this is CRITICAL to distinguish yourself from other students. The more experienced and trustworthy the teacher, the more meaningful this is.

Again, it's a numbers game. Think about the 20,000+ high schools in the country housing 4 million+ high school students—how many people fit in the top 5% bucket?

Thus, being marked merely as Excellent (top 10%) is actually a negative rating , as far as admissions to top colleges is concerned. If you're in top 10%, and someone else with the SAME teacher recommender is being rated as "One of the top ever," it's really hard for the admissions officer to vouch for you over the other student.

You really want to make sure you're one of the best in your school class, if not one of the best the teacher has ever encountered. You'll see below how you can accomplish this.

Next, let's look at her letter.

As you read this, think— what are the interactions that would prompt the teacher to write a recommendation like this? This was a relationship built up in a period of over 2 years, with every small interaction adding to an overall larger impression.

You can see how seriously they take the letter because of all the underlining . This admissions reader underlined things that weren't even underlined in my application, like my US National Chemistry Olympiad awards. It's one thing for a student to claim things about himself—it's another to have a teacher put her reputation on the line to advocate for her student.

The letter here is very strong for a multitude of reasons. First, the length is notable —most letters are just a page long, but this is nearly two full pages , single spaced. This indicates not just her overall commitment to her students but also of her enthusiastic support for me as an applicant.

The structure is effective: first Miss Vorak talks about my academic accomplishments, then about my personal qualities and interactions, then a summary to the future. This is a perfect blend of what effective letters contain .

On the micro-level, her diction and phrasing are precise and effective . She makes my standing clear with specific statements : "youngest student…top excelling student among the two sections" and "one of twenty students in the nation." She's clear about describing why my achievements are notable and the effort I put in, like studying college-level chemistry and studying independently.

When describing my personality, she's exuberant and fleshes out a range of dimensions: "conscientious, motivated and responsible," "exhibits the qualities of a leader," "actively seeks new experiences," "charismatic," "balanced individual with a warm personality and sense of humor." You can see how she's really checking off all the qualities colleges care about.

Overall, Miss Vorak's letter perfectly supports my Personal Narrative —my love for science, my overall academic performance, and my personality. I'm flattered and grateful to have received this support. This letter was important to complement the overall academic performance and achievements shown on the rest of my application.

Teacher Letter #2: AP English Language Teacher

My second teacher Mrs. Swift was another favorite. A middle-aged, veteran English teacher, the best way I would describe her is "fiery." She was invigorating and passionate, always trying to get a rise out of students and push their thinking, especially in class discussions. Emotionally she was a reliable source of support for students.

First, the evaluation:

You can see right away that her remarks are terser. She didn't even fill out the section about "first words that come to mind to describe this student."

You might chalk this up to my not being as standout of a student in her mind, or her getting inundated with recommendation letter requests after over a decade of teaching.

In ratings, you can see that I only earned 3 of the "one of the top in my career." There are a few explanations for this. As a teacher's career lengthens, it gets increasingly hard to earn this mark. I probably also didn't stand out as much as I did to my Chemistry teacher—most of my achievement was in science (which she wasn't closely connected to), and I had talented classmates. Regardless, I did appreciate the 3 marks she gave me.

Now, the letter. Once again, as you read this letter, think: what are the hundreds of micro-interactions that would have made a teacher write a letter like this?

Overall, this letter is very strong. It's only one page long, but her points about my personality are the critical piece of this recommendation. She also writes with the flair of an English teacher:

"In other situations where students would never speak their minds, he showed no hesitation to voice questions, thoughts, and ideas."

"controversial positions often being the spark that set off the entire class"

"ability to take the quiet and shy student and actively engage"…"went out of my way to partner him with other students who needed"

"strength of conviction"…"raw, unbridled passion"…"He will argue on any topic that has touched a nerve."

These comments most support the personality aspect of my Personal Narrative—having an irreverent, bold personality and not being afraid of speaking my mind. She stops just short of making me sound obnoxious and argumentative. An experienced teacher vouching for this adds so much more weight than just my writing it about myself.

Teacher recommendations are some of the most important components of your application. Getting very strong letters take a lot of sustained, genuine interaction over time to build mutual trust and respect. If you want detailed advice on how to interact with teachers earnestly, check out my How to Get a 4.0 GPA and Better Grades guide .

Let's go to the final recommendation, from the school counselor.

Now known as: School Report

The first piece of this is reporting your academic status and how the school works overall. There's not much to say here, other than the fact that my Principal wrote my recommendation for me, which we'll get into next.

Counselor Recommendation

Now known as: Counselor Recommendation

Let's talk about my school principal writing my recommendation, rather than a school counselor.

This was definitely advantageous—remember how, way up top in Educational Data, the reader circled the "Principal." Our Principal only wrote a handful of these recommendations each year , often for people who worked closely with him, like student body presidents. So it was pretty distinctive that I got a letter from our Principal, compared to other leading applicants from my school.

This was also a blessing because our counseling department was terrible . Our school had nearly 1,000 students per grade, and only 1 counselor per grade. They were overworked and ornery, and because they were the gatekeepers of academic enrollment (like class selection and prerequisites), this led to constant frictions in getting the classes you wanted.

I can empathize with them, because having 500+ neurotic parents pushing for advantages for their own kids can get REALLY annoying really fast. But the counseling department was still the worst part of our high school administration, and I could have guessed that the letters they wrote were mediocre because they just had too many students.

So how did my Principal come to write my recommendation and not those for hundreds of other students?

I don't remember exactly how this came to be, to be honest. I didn't strategize to have him write a letter for me years in advance. I didn't even interact with him much at all until junior year, when I got on his radar because of my national rankings. Come senior year I might have talked to him about my difficulty in reaching counselors and asked that he write my recommendation. Since I was a top student he was probably happy to do this.

He was very supportive, but as you can tell from the letter to come, it was clear he didn't know me that well.

Interestingly, the prompt for the recommendation has changed. It used to start with: "Please write whatever you think is important about this student."

Now, it starts with: " Please provide comments that will help us differentiate this student from others ."

The purpose of the recommendation has shifted to the specific: colleges probably found that one counselor was serving hundreds of students, so the letters started getting mushy and indistinguishable from each other.

Here's the letter:

This letter is probably the weakest overall of all my letters. It reads more like a verbal resume than a personal account of how he understands me.

Unlike my two teacher recommendations, he doesn't comment on the nature of our interactions or about my personality (because he truly didn't understand them well). He also misreported by SAT score as 1530 instead of 1600 (I did score a 1530 in an early test, but my 1600 was ready by January 2004, so I don't know what source he was using).

Notably, the letter writer didn't underline anything.

I still appreciate that he wrote my letter, and it was probably more effective than a generic counselor letter. But this didn't add much to my application.

At this point, we've covered my entire Common Application. This is the same application I sent to every school I applied to, including Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. Thanks for reading this far—I hope you've gotten a lot out of this already.

If you keep reading to the end, I'll have advice for both younger students and current applicants to build the strongest application possible.

Next, we'll go over the Harvard Supplemental Application, which of course is unique to Harvard.

For most top colleges like Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and so on, you will need to complete a supplemental application to provide more info than what's listed on the Common Application.

Harvard was and is the same. The good news is that it's an extra chance for you to share more about yourself and keep pushing your Personal Narrative.

There are four major components here:

The application form
Writing supplement essay
Supplementary recommendations
Supplemental application materials

I'll take you through the application section by section.

Harvard Supplement Form

First, the straightforward info and questions.

This section is pretty straightforward and is similar to what you'd see on a Columbia application.

I planned to live in a Harvard residence, as most students do.

Just as in my Common App, I noted that I was most likely to study biological sciences, choose Medicine as my vocation, and participate in orchestra, writing, and research as my extracurriculars. Nothing surprising here—it's all part of my Personal Narrative.

Interestingly, at the time I was "absolutely certain" about my vocational goals, which clearly took a detour once I left medical school to pursue entrepreneurship to create PrepScholar...

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I had the space to list some additional honors, where I listed some musical honors that didn't make the cut in my Common App.

Here are the next two pages of the Harvard supplemental form.

The most interesting note here is that the admissions officer wrote a question mark above "Music tape or CD." Clearly this was inconsistent with my Personal Narrative —if violin was such an important part of my story, why didn't I want to include it?

The reason was that I was actually pretty mediocre at violin and was nowhere near national-ranked. Again, remember how many concertmasters in the thousands of orchestras there are in the world—I wasn't good enough to even be in the top 3 chairs in my school orchestra (violin was very competitive).

I wanted to focus attention on my most important materials, which for my Personal Narrative meant my research work. You'll see these supplementary materials later.

Additional Essays

Now known as: Writing Supplement

For the most part, the Harvard supplemental essay prompt has stayed the same. You can write about a topic of your choice or about any of the suggestions. There are now two more prompts that weren't previously there: "What you would want your future college roommate to know about you" and "How you hope to use your college education."

Even though this is optional, I highly recommend you write something here. Again, you have so few chances in the overall application to convey your personal voice—an extra 500 words gives you a huge opportunity. I would guess that the majority of admitted Harvard students submit a Writing Supplement.

After a lot of brainstorming, I settled on the idea that I wanted to balance my application by writing about the major non-academic piece of my Personal Narrative—my music training . Also, I don't think I explicitly recognized this at the time, but I wanted to distance myself from the Asian-American stereotype—driven entirely by parent pressure, doing most things perfunctorily and without interest. I wanted to show I'd broken out of that mold.

Here's my essay:

Reading it now, I actually think this was a pretty bad essay, and I cringe to high heaven. But once again, let's focus on the positive first.

I used my violin teacher as a vehicle for talking about what the violin meant to me. (You can tell I love the concept of the vehicle in essays.) He represented passion for the violin—I represented my academic priorities. Our personal conflict was really the conflict between what we represented.

By the end of the essay, I'd articulated the value of musical training to me—it was cathartic and a way to balance my hard academic pursuits.

Halfway in the essay, I also explicitly acknowledged the Asian stereotype of parents who drove their kids, and said my parents were no different. The reader underlined this sentence. By pointing this out and showing how my interest took on a life of its own, I wanted to distance myself from that stereotype.

So overall I think my aims were accomplished.

Despite all that, this essay was WAY overdramatic and overwrought . Some especially terrible lines:

"I was playing for that cathartic moment when I could feel Tchaikovsky himself looking over my shoulder."

"I was wandering through the fog in search of a lighthouse, finally setting foot on a dock pervaded by white light."

OK, please. Who really honestly feels this way? This is clumsy, contrived writing. It signals insincerity, actually, which is bad.

To be fair, all of this is grounded in truth. I did have a strict violin teacher who did get pretty upset when I showed lack of improvement. I did appreciate music as a diversion to round out my academic focus. I did practice hard each day, and I did have a pretty gross callus on my pinky.

But I would have done far better by making it more sincere and less overworked.

As an applicant, you're tempted to try so hard to impress your reader. You want to show that you're Worthy of Consideration. But really the best approach is to be honest.

I think this essay was probably neutral to my application, not a strong net positive or net negative.

Supplementary Recommendations

Harvard lets you submit letters from up to two Other Recommenders. The Princeton application, Penn application, and others are usually the same.

Unlike the other optional components (the Additional Information in the Common App, and the Supplementary Essay), I would actually consider these letters optional. The reader gets most of the recommendation value from your teacher recommendations—these are really supplementary.

A worthwhile Other Recommender:

has supervised an activity or honor that is noteworthy
has interacted with you extensively and can speak to your personality
is likely to support you as one of the best students they've interacted with

If your Other Recommenders don't fulfill one or more of these categories, do NOT ask for supplementary letters. They'll dilute your application without adding substantively to it.

To beat a dead horse, the primary component of my Personal Narrative was my science and research work. So naturally I chose supervisors for my two major research experiences to write supplemental letters.

First was the Director of Research Science Institute (the selective summer research program at MIT). The second was from the head of Jisan Research Institute, where I did Computer Science research.

This letter validates my participation in RSI and incorporates the feedback from my research mentor, David Simon. At the time, the RSI students were the most talented students I had met, so I'm also flattered by some of the things the letter writer said, like "Allen stood out early on as a strong performer in academic settings."

I didn't get to know the letter writer super well, so he commented mainly on my academic qualifications and comments from my mentor.

My mentor, who was at one of the major Harvard-affiliated hospitals, said some very nice things about my research ability, like:

"is performing in many ways at the level of a graduate student"

"impressed with Allen's ability to read even advanced scientific publications and synthesize his understanding"

Once again, it's much more convincing for a seasoned expert to vouch for your abilities than for you to claim your own abilities.

My first research experience was done at Jisan Research Institute, a small private computer science lab run by a Caltech PhD. The research staff were mainly high school students like me and a few grad students/postdocs.

My research supervisor, Sanza Kazadi, wrote the letter. He's requested that I not publish the letter, so I'll only speak about his main points.

In the letter, he focused on the quality of my work and leadership. He said that I had a strong focus in my work, and my research moved along more reliably than that of other students. I was independent in my work in swarm engineering, he says, putting together a simulation of the swarm and publishing a paper in conference proceedings. He talked about my work in leading a research group and placing a high degree of trust in me.

Overall, a strong recommendation, and you get the gist of his letter without reading it.

One notable point—both supplemental letters had no marks on them. I really think this means they place less emphasis on the supplementary recommendations, compared to the teacher recommendations.

Finally, finally, we get to the very last piece of my application.

Let me beat the dead horse even deader. Because research was such a core part of my Personal Narrative, I decided to include abstracts of both of my papers. The main point was to summarize the body of work I'd done and communicate the major results.

As Harvard says, "These materials are entirely optional; please only submit them if you have unusual talents."

This is why I chose not to submit a tape of my music: I don't think my musical skill was unusually good.

And frankly, I don't think my research work was that spectacular. Unlike some of my very accomplished classmates, I hadn't ranked nationally in prestigious competitions like ISEF and Siemens. I hadn't published my work in prominent journals.

Regardless, I thought these additions would be net positive, if only marginally so.

I made sure to note where the papers had been published or were entering competitions, just to ground the work in some achievement.

Recommendation Letters: Hopefully you should have developed strong, genuine relationships with teachers you care about. The letters should flow naturally from here, and you will only need to do gentle prodding to make sure they meet deadlines.

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Request Application Letter To The College Principal -Vice-Chancellor -Admission Office For Taking Admission

The pursuit of higher education is a significant milestone in one's academic journey, and gaining admission to a reputable college or university is a momentous occasion. To assist prospective students in formalizing their request for admission, we have prepared four templates of Request Application Letters. These templates are designed to address different scenarios, such as seeking admission through the college principal, the vice-chancellor, or the admission office. Each template expresses the applicant's enthusiasm for pursuing their chosen course or program, outlines their academic achievements, and demonstrates their commitment to contributing positively to the educational institution's community. By utilizing these templates, prospective students can make a compelling case for their admission, seek guidance on the application process, and express their eagerness to be a part of the institution's academic legacy. Aspiring students are encouraged to personalize these templates with their specific details and unique experiences to make their application stand out. With these templates as a foundation, prospective students can confidently initiate their admission journey and embrace the transformative opportunities that await them in higher education.

Template Request Application Letter to the College Principal for Taking Admission

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[College Principal's Name] [College Name] [College Address] [City, State, ZIP]

Dear [College Principal's Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to formally request admission to [College Name] for the academic year [Year]. I am keenly interested in pursuing [course/program name] offered by your esteemed institution.

I have completed my [previous qualification/course] with [percentage/CGPA], and I am enthusiastic about continuing my education in [desired field]. After extensive research, I believe that [College Name] aligns perfectly with my academic goals and aspirations.

I kindly request you to consider my application for admission and provide me with the necessary guidance on the application process, required documents, and any entrance examinations, if applicable. I assure you of my dedication and commitment to excel in my studies and contribute positively to the college community.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of [College Name] and engage in a transformative educational experience.

[Your Name]

Template Request Application Letter to the Vice-Chancellor for Taking Admission

[Name of the Vice-Chancellor] [University Name] [University Address] [City, State, ZIP]

Dear [Name of the Vice-Chancellor],

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I am writing to express my keen interest in pursuing higher education at [University Name] and to request your guidance in the admission process.

I have completed my [previous qualification/course] with [percentage/CGPA], and I am eager to further my academic journey in [desired field]. The reputation of [University Name] as a center of academic excellence and research has inspired me to seek admission here.

I kindly request you to consider my application for admission and provide me with information on the application process, required documents, and any necessary entrance examinations or interviews. I am committed to academic excellence and look forward to being part of the vibrant academic community at [University Name].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am truly excited about the prospect of studying at [University Name] and contributing to its academic legacy.

Template Request Application Letter to the Admission Office for Taking Admission

[Admission Office] [College/University Name] [College/University Address] [City, State, ZIP]

Dear Admission Committee,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally apply for admission to [College/University Name] for the academic year [Year]. I have completed my [previous qualification/course] with [percentage/CGPA], and I am enthusiastic about pursuing [course/program name] at your esteemed institution.

I am impressed by the comprehensive curriculum and outstanding faculty at [College/University Name], which I believe will provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in my chosen field. I kindly request the admission committee to consider my application and provide me with the necessary information regarding the application process, required documents, and any additional requirements for the admission procedure.

I assure you of my sincere dedication and commitment to academic excellence and active participation in extracurricular activities. It would be an honor to be part of the diverse and intellectually stimulating community at [College/University Name].

Thank you for considering my application. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to contribute to [College/University Name]'s academic community and make a positive impact on campus.

Template Request Application Letter to the College Principal for Taking Admission through Management Quota

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my sincere interest in seeking admission to [College Name] for the academic year [Year] through the management quota.

After thorough research and based on the recommendations of trusted individuals, I am confident that [College Name] is the ideal institution for me to pursue [course/program name]. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities it offers for personal and academic growth.

I kindly request you to consider my application for admission through the management quota and provide me with the necessary guidance on the application process and required documents. I assure you of my commitment to contributing positively to the college community and striving for academic excellence.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to the chance to be a part of [College Name] and embark on a rewarding educational journey.

We are delighted to extend our professional proofreading and writing services to cater to all your business and professional requirements, absolutely free of charge at Englishtemplates.com . Should you need any email, letter, or application templates, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at englishtemplates.com. Kindly leave a comment stating your request, and we will ensure to provide the necessary template at the earliest.

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Applying to College: FAQ

Find the right college for you.

Applying to college is a big moment in your life. It’s understandable if you have questions about how to go about it the right way. Here are some of the most common questions about the application process.

When should I start applying to college?

Start the application process the summer before your senior year. You can also do a lot of prep work your junior year, such as taking the SAT, researching campuses and visiting them, getting recommendation letters, and adding to your extracurriculars. Use the BigFuture college application timeline to guide you through the process.

How do I begin applying to college?

First, consider creating a spreadsheet listing each college you plan to apply to and the items needed for each application. Find out what each college requires in an application , and make a checklist with due dates within the spreadsheet. Then, start gathering the items from each checklist, and keep them organized digitally.

How many colleges should I apply to?

Apply to several schools to keep your options open and improve your chances of getting into a program of your choice. Apply to at least three reaches, two matches, and one safety school. Only apply to colleges you'd be happy to attend.

What are reach, match, and safety schools?

BigFuture has developed a system to help you rank schools and weigh your options, based on your SAT scores or GPA. On BigFuture, if your SAT Score (or GPA, which we convert to an SAT Score) falls within the 25–75 percentiles for that specific school, we consider it a match. This range marks the middle 50% of admitted students. If your score is under the 25th percentile, we consider it a reach. If it’s above the 75th percentile, we consider it a safety. We’ll help you find reach, match, and safety colleges so you can build a balanced college list.

What are early action and early decision plans?

Students who are ready to apply to their preferred schools in November or December can early action or early decision. The important difference between them is that early decision is binding to one school, while early action allows the student to apply to multiple schools.

Should I apply for early decision?

There are pros and cons to applying by November or December to qualify for an Early Decision . The best option is to research early decision and early action plans to learn if what’s the best choice for you. Early decision is binding. You’ll have to withdraw your other college applications if you’re accepted. If you’re not sure, it’s best to select early action or regular admission, both of which are nonbinding. Early decision plans are best for students who are accepted by their first-choice school and receive the required financial aid. You also won't know your financial aid package until you're accepted. If you're still considering your options, you may not want to lock into a school just yet.

Should I use an online or a paper application?

Check with the college to see which is preferred. Most colleges prefer online applications because they’re easier to review and process. Some even offer a discount on the application fee if you apply online. Applying online can also be more convenient for you—it’s easier to enter information and correct mistakes

Should I send additional material?

You should follow the college's instructions to provide them with everything they need to know about you. Colleges are clear and specific about the materials they need in order to consider you for admission. If you wish to submit additional material, speak with your counselor about doing so or ask the admissions officer at that school.

Is it OK to use the same material on different applications?

You can use the same essay or personal statement on different applications as long as it answers the question on the application. Think about how you can make each essay the best it can be, and don’t try to force similar material to fit different essay questions.

What are the Common, Coalition, Common Black College, and Universal College Applications?

These are platforms that allow you to apply to multiple schools with a single, standardized application. Instead of filling out multiple applications, you fill out one application that you can submit to each college. Compare your college list to the schools that accept each application to decide which one(s) might be right for you.

The Common App is accepted by over 900 institutions.
The Coalition application is accepted by more than 150 institutions.
The Common Black College Application is accepted by almost 70 HBCUs.
The Universal application is currently accepted by 18 institutions.

Remember that you'll still need to pay each school's application fees, and some schools may require additional materials. Speak with your school counselor if you need college application fee waivers to cover this expense.

Should I apply to colleges if my admission test scores or grades are below their published ranges?

You should absolutely consider applying to a school you're interested in, even if you're worried about your test scores and grades. Colleges look at many factors when deciding which students to accept. They consider such factors as your application essay, classes you took in high school, recommendations, and extrcurriculars. Because of current test optional options policies, we recommend you submit your scores if they strengthen your application. If you’re unsure whether your scores strengthen your application, talk to your counselor, or ask the college’s admissions officer.

Should I even bother applying to colleges I don’t think I can afford?

Absolutely. Remember that after financial aid packages are determined, most students will pay less than the " sticker price " listed on the college website. You don’t know if you can afford a college until after you apply, are accepted, and find out how much aid that college will offer you (if you’re accepted). Fill out the  FAFSA®  as early as possible after October 1 to qualify for the most aid.

Even if the aid package the college offers is not enough, you have options . Many colleges are willing to work with students they have chosen for admission to ensure that those students can afford to attend.

How long does it take to fill out a college application?

You may need a month or more to gather the materials needed, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts. Once you have all your materials gathered, you can complete the basic information on an application in less than an hour.

Writing the essay and personal statement can take a few days up to a few weeks, depending on the content and number of revisions.

How do I apply for college online?

Whether you go with Common App , Coalition , or directly through a college, you’ll be taken through the process step by step by the online application platform to see where to enter your information.

You may also need to upload documents like your transcripts and confirm that letters of recommendation have been submitted by your recommender. Some platforms have a link your teachers can use to fill out their recommendations instead of giving them to you. Check with your counselor if you’re unsure.

When are applications due for college?

Although application deadlines vary, most schools require you to apply sometime between January and February. If you plan to apply early decision, the application is typically due in early November. You’ll find deadlines listed on each College Profile in BigFuture, or you can check directly with the school.

When do colleges start accepting applications?

Most colleges begin accepting applications in early August. If you know you'll have a busy senior year ahead, consider gathering your materials over the summer so you can start the process in August and September.

Where should I apply to college?

Consider applying to at least six colleges. Have a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Having a balanced list of schools to apply to increases the chances you’re accepted by one or more colleges where you'll be happy.

You also shouldn't rely solely on a school's ranking or the advice of others. Take many factors into account. Remember that the best school is the one that makes you feel at home. The best one is also the one where you can thrive. Look at schools that have programs that interest you. Visit the campus. Talk to students who go there. Only apply to schools at which you can see yourself being happy.

What happens if I make a mistake on a college application?

Even if you're meticulous when completing your college application, there's a chance that you'll make a mistake. You may leave out something, fail to follow instructions, or do something incorrectly. If you realize you've made a mistake, don't panic. College admissions officers aren’t going to nitpick over a minor error, but several errors may show you in a bad light. If you have significant errors or omissions, reach out to the admissions office of the college you applied to.

How do I correct my college application?

The best option is to ask your school counselor how to proceed or contact the admissions office of the institution directly.

What to Do While Waiting for College Admission Decisions

Stay productive and exhibit patience, experts say.

Waiting for College Decisions

Student writing on glass board in classroom. Male student writing on board during group study in class.

Getty Images

Even after submitting their college applications, students should remain focused in the classroom during their senior year with the goal of finishing high school strong.

There's a sense of excitement about the future that comes with sending your college applications . Next comes the waiting, which for some students can be the hardest part.

The average turnaround time for an admissions decision for schools with rolling admissions is four to six weeks , though in some cases students might have to wait longer. For regular decision candidates, the wait is more like eight to 12 weeks.

Students handle that waiting period differently, experts say. Some students allow the uncertainty to get the better of them, constantly checking their admissions portal and contacting admissions offices for updates. Other students catch the proverbial "senioritis" and disconnect as soon as they hit send on their applications.

Both approaches can potentially impact admissions decisions, so navigating the waiting period is about finding balance between those two extremes and finding ways to be productive, experts say.

“It’s important to just stay busy,” says Rod Lembvem, a principal admissions counselor at IvyWise, an admissions consulting firm. “I think the busier you are during that process, the easier you’ll find that you’re able to deal with that waiting period.”

Here are answers to questions students and parents might be asking while waiting for those decisions.

Apply to the Right Number of Colleges

Cole Claybourn Oct. 10, 2022

Young woman worker or student working with laptop making notes or filling forms

When and How Often Should I Follow Up on My Application?

Most colleges send a confirmation email once an application is received and include instructions on how to check the application status in their online portal. These online portals are intended to be a self-service stop for students and parents to find answers to questions, verify information and keep tabs on admissions decisions, says Sacha Thieme, assistant vice provost and executive director of admissions at Indiana University—Bloomington .

Thieme says it's natural for parents and students to want to follow up, and she welcomes that as an effort to verify information early on.

But generally, admissions counselors urge parents and students to trust the status updates on their application portal. Many answers to questions can also be found on the school's admissions website, Lembvem says.

Lembvem, who previously served as the associate director of admissions at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio said following up early with the admissions office "once or twice" is beneficial, because in some cases he found that students were missing items.

“It doesn’t hurt to double check,” he says, “but you also don’t want to be that student that is obsessively reaching out to schools to check the status of their application. That could truly, ultimately, harm your application if you’re being remembered by an admissions person as that person that, at this point, is just annoying.”

Colleges are trying to determine whether or not someone is a good fit for a university. “Maybe that tells you something about the sort of interactions that that student might have with faculty,” he says. “Is that really a student that you want to have?”

What Can I Do While I Wait?

Decisions for rolling admissions will start to arrive for some students toward the end of October or early November, though some might not come until the spring. Students applying for early action or early decision typically need to submit their application by November 1 or 15, and decisions for both typically come in December or January – making them the fastest to arrive, at times within a month. For regular decision, the timeline is more like a January deadline and decisions in March or April.

Much of a student's college application will highlight and be judged on what they accomplished during their first three years of high school, but students should still approach their senior year with a high level of focus even after sending their applications off, experts say. That's especially true for students applying to highly selective colleges, where it becomes less about boosting a résumé and more about finishing strong. These colleges often request senior year grades even after offering admissions.

Outside of the classroom, Thieme encourages students to pursue endeavors that bring them joy or “experiences where they have felt most excited, most curious, most confident or even empowered.”

While it's too late to improve an application, joining a new club or sports team can help students make the most of their final year of high school.

“All of this is preparation for the next stage,” Thieme says. “When you look at the college process, your senior year is that last opportunity to prepare for what, more often than not, is a higher level of learning environment.”

How Colleges Choose Students to Admit

Cole Claybourn Aug. 16, 2022

Graphic full length portrait of diverse group of business people meeting at table in modern office interior, copy space

When Do I Need to Make a Decision?

Sometimes schools can take longer than expected to release a decision, or they might put students on a waitlist.

Waiting to hear from a target school can offer an opportunity for students to research or apply to other schools. Students should use this time to discern whether it’s realistic that they’ll be admitted to their target school or if they should pursue more likely options, Thieme says.

“I think it’s really important for students to have a list of institutions that they feel really good about,” Thieme says.

For regular decision and early action, students typically have until May 1 to decide on a school and pay an enrollment deposit. Students on a waitlist might not get off by May 1, which is another factor to consider.

Students applying for early decision must enroll if offered admissions and pay a nonrefundable enrollment deposit in advance of the May 1 deadline.

Enrollment deposits are not always binding, but they can be costly, ranging anywhere from $100 to possibly more than $1,000, depending on the school. Students can accept admissions to School B even after paying an enrollment deposit at School A, but they might forfeit the deposit.

Students should weigh whether to wait on one school or to get registered and have a clear path forward at another school.

“When you’re scrambling last minute, you’re probably not going to make the best decision,” Lembvem says. “So it’s important that you start thinking early on about these institutions and taking visits, even if they’re not your top choice institution, while waiting to hear back from the schools.”

9 Questions for High School Counselors

Cole Claybourn Oct. 13, 2022

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Can an Admissions Decision Be Rescinded?

Yes, even if students receive an acceptance letter, colleges can rescind admission. Some schools ask admitted students to submit mid-term grades or a final transcript from their senior year.

University of California—Davis , for example, tells applicants , "Our decision to admit you is based upon the assumption that you will complete the planned courses listed on your application and earn satisfactory grades." Students are also required to notify the admissions office of any changes to their academic profile, namely earning less than a C in a course.

Admissions decisions are typically conditional on the application submitted being accurate, which means that students would arrive on campus as the same student they claim to be in their application, Lembvem says. In other words, coasting along during senior year can cause students to lose admission.

Colleges expect students to at least maintain the level of academic performance they demonstrated on their application, he says.

Another factor for students to consider in an increasingly digital world is their social media and online presence , says Elizabeth Heaton, vice president of Bright Horizons College Coach, a college admissions consulting firm. Students should take stock of their social media accounts and what type of content is posted on them, as well as make sure what they post going forward represents them well, she says.

In 2017, Harvard University rescinded admission to at least 10 prospective students who participated in a private Facebook group chat and shared sexually explicit and racist memes and messages.

"Social media is just never private," Heaton says. "What you post, someone else can screenshot and share more widely whether or not you intended it that way."

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Forest Grove, Hillsboro & Eugene Campuses Closed

Update: Pacific University’s Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Eugene campuses, and all Pacific healthcare clinics, remain closed all day Friday, Jan. 19. More Details

When Should I Start Applying To Colleges?

Two prospective students tour Pacific University during Oregon Private College Week.

Whether applying early or waiting to refine your application, there are many opportunities to apply to small, private colleges and receive substantial scholarships and financial aid to fund your education.

Pacific’s new priority admissions pathway gives you the opportunity to apply for graduate programs right out of high school, saving your spot in some of the most in-demand professional tracks.

During the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, 1,244,476 prospective undergraduate students submitted applications to colleges across the United States.

That means that over 1.2 million applicants entered the often mysterious world of college admissions, eagerly hoping their acceptance letters would come as soon as possible.

The college admissions window can be equal parts thrilling and confounding, as knowing what colleges look for (something your personalized admissions counselor can help with) in an ideal application isn’t always obvious.

Knowing what the university admissions timeline looks like can relieve a lot of the stress while you wait, and also free up your mind to focus on other aspects of the first-year college experience .

Getting familiar with when to start applying for college, preparing for early action deadlines, and understanding the rolling admissions process can make the start of your college journey much more successful.

Ready to learn how to conquer the college application timeline? Let’s get to it.

PACIFIC’S APPLICATION CHECKLIST

When Should You Start Applying for College?

So, how early can you start applying to colleges? And when is too late?

Typically, the Common App — a college application portal used by over 1,000 colleges and universities — begins accepting admissions materials starting on August 1.

However, most prospective undergraduates will not yet have the required materials for many applications by this time, and will instead apply to colleges sometime between the months of August and February.

This window allows you to explore all your higher education options through campus visits , attending college fairs, and speaking with admissions counselors .

Once you have everything you need, applying early to colleges that interest you can have distinct advantages, including:

More scholarship availability. Scholarship money is limited at some schools, and while many small private colleges guarantee that a percentage of tuition is paid for by financial aid , certain scholarships are first come, first served.

By submitting your application as soon as possible, you will become eligible for more scholarships , both nationally and at your prospective school, before they are depleted.

More time to decide. Oftentimes, an earlier application means an earlier acceptance, giving you the most possible time to choose your college before College Decision Day in May.

Getting answers to your college questions early on can empower you to feel confident in your decision about where to take the next step in your journey.

More college interest in you. While many aspects of the college selection process are kept secret, one thing that is known is that colleges show increased interest in students who apply early .

Applying early shows schools that you are prioritizing them in your college search, something that could return more financial aid and a faster acceptance.

While applying early has clear benefits, it’s important to note that you should not submit your college application through the Common App until it is ready.

Sacrificing your application’s quality simply to submit it as soon as possible is likely to result in an unfavorable result.

What is the Difference Between Early Action and Early Decision?

Although they may sound similar, early action and early decision are very different ways to submit your undergraduate college application .

While both can result in an expedited response, the requirements attached to the kind of application you submit can have a large impact on your ability to choose the best possible college for your needs and goals.

While both options combine the security of a rapid response, only early action schools give you the flexibility to navigate the college application landscape while still securing your spot early on.

Pacific offers two early action application opportunities (in both fall and winter) so that you can get a decision as quickly as possible and put the stress of college admissions in the rearview.

Does Applying Late in the Admissions Cycle Impact Your Chances?

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There are many reasons you may want to submit your college application after the early action deadline.

You may be waiting on a recommendation letter, participating in an application-boosting extracurricular, or retaking a standardized test in hope of a better score.

In recent years, a portion of small private colleges — Pacific included — have transitioned to a rolling admissions process after their early action dates have passed.

Rolling admissions means that, after a certain point, there is no set application deadline and that you will receive a response as your materials are reviewed.

Submitting your application within the rolling admissions process does not disqualify you from receiving scholarships and financial aid.

Rather, the rolling admissions process gives you ample time to research , visit , and apply to the colleges you are interested in.

How Long Does it Take for Universities to Reply to Your Application?

Every university processes admissions applications differently, which means that the time it takes to hear back about your admissions decision can vary depending on your school.

Colleges with fixed application timelines tend to send admission responses to all applicants on a set date, usually one to two months after their stated deadline.

Universities that use a rolling admissions model review applications as they are received. This means that you will hear back not long after you submitted your application, roughly four to six weeks in most cases.

For many, the fastest way to get an admissions decision is to submit your application during the early action window, which are some of the first applications reviewed during the academic year.

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Already have an idea about the career you want to pursue after you graduate from college?

Guaranteed graduate school programs , like those at Pacific, allow you to apply for undergraduate and graduate school at the same time, saving your space in the professional program that fits your passion.

Priority admission pathways admit students to both programs simultaneously, meaning that you can secure a place in graduate school right out of high school.

Got questions about submitting your application? Connect with your personalized admissions counselor today and see what it takes to become a Boxer.

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Application for Late Admission to School/College (with Samples & PDFs)

I have listed sample templates to help you craft an effective and professional application for late admission to school/college.

Also, I would like to point out that you can also download a PDF containing all the samples at the end of this post.

Application for Delayed School/College Entry

First, find the sample template for application for late admission to school/college below.

To, The Principal, [School/College Name], [School/College Address], [City], [State], [Postal Code]

Subject: Application for Late Admission

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], son/daughter of [Father’s/Mother’s Name], resident of [Your Address], humbly request your kind attention towards my earnest appeal for seeking late admission in your esteemed institution.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not apply for admission within the specified timeline. My family had to relocate from [City Name] to [Current City] recently due to my father’s/mother’s job transfer. The unexpected nature of this transfer caused a delay in my application process.

I am seeking admission in [Specify the Grade/Year or Course], and I assure you that I have maintained a good academic record throughout my previous schooling/college years. I am determined to work ardently to catch up with any missed lessons, if granted the opportunity to join your prestigious institution.

I kindly request you to consider my application and provide me with an opportunity to pursue my academic journey under your esteemed guidance. I am hopeful for a positive response from your side.

Thank you for considering my request. I am eagerly looking forward to joining the [School/College Name] family.

Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Number] [Your Email ID] [Date]

Below I have listed 5 different sample applications for “application for late admission to school/college” that you will certainly find useful for specific scenarios:

Expedited Application Process for Mid-Semester School Enrollment

To, The Principal, [School Name], [School Address], [City], [Postal Code]

Subject: Expedited Application Process for Mid-Semester School Enrollment

I humbly request your kind attention to consider the enrolment of my child, [Child’s Name], in your esteemed institution. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to secure admission for my child at the beginning of the academic year, and we are now seeking to enroll him/her in the mid-semester.

My child has been a diligent student, consistently performing well in academics and extracurricular activities. We have recently moved to [City] and believe that your school embodies the high-quality education and values we seek for our child. It is worth mentioning that [Child’s Name] has been attending classes at his/her previous school, and thus, is up-to-date with the current curriculum.

We understand that mid-semester admissions are not common, but we are hopeful that you would consider our situation with empathy and grant us the opportunity to enroll our child in [Class/Grade]. We assure you of our complete cooperation and commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for our child and minimizing any disruption to the academic environment.

We have attached all the required documents, including the transfer certificate, report cards, and other relevant information for your perusal. Please let us know if any additional information or documentation is required from our end.

In light of these circumstances, I earnestly request you to kindly expedite the application process and give our child a chance to be a part of your esteemed institution. We are grateful for your understanding and prompt attention to this matter.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We eagerly await your positive response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City], [Postal Code] [Contact Number] [Email Address] [Date]

Application for Spot Admission in College Following Waitlist Selection

To, The Principal, [College Name], [College Address], [City], [Date]

Subject: Application for Spot Admission in College Following Waitlist Selection

I, [Your Name], son/daughter of [Father’s Name], am writing this application to express my keen interest in securing a spot admission at [College Name] for the academic session [Year]. I have recently been informed that I have been selected from the waitlist for my desired course, [Course Name].

As it has always been my dream to pursue higher education from a prestigious institution like [College Name], I am eager to confirm my admission at the earliest. I have already met all the eligibility criteria and necessary requirements as per the college’s guidelines. I am enclosing the required documents, including my mark sheets, testimonials, and other necessary certificates, for your kind perusal and verification.

I kindly request you to consider my application and grant me spot admission to [Course Name]. I assure you that I will be diligent in my studies and actively participate in extracurricular activities, contributing positively to the reputation of the college.

I sincerely hope for your favorable response and look forward to embarking on my academic journey at [College Name]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully, [Your Name] [Roll Number / Application Number] [Contact Number] [Email Address]

Seeking Admission to School/College After Initial Rejection Application

To, The Principal, [Name of School/College], [Address], [City], [Postal Code]

Subject: Seeking Admission After Initial Rejection

With due respect and high regards, I, [Your Name], son/daughter of [Father’s Name], would like to request your esteemed consideration for granting me admission in your esteemed institution. I recently applied for admission in [Desired Course/Branch/Class] for the academic year [Year-Year] and unfortunately, my application was not accepted.

As an aspiring student, I have always dreamt of being a part of your prestigious institution and I believe that it is the perfect place for me to pursue my academic goals and excel in my chosen field. My sincere dedication, hard work, and previous academic performance demonstrate my commitment to achieving academic success. I scored a [Your Score/Grade] in my previous examination, which I believe is a strong point in my favor.

I kindly request you to reconsider my application and grant me an opportunity to become a part of your esteemed institution. I assure you that I will work diligently and make the most of this opportunity to achieve my academic goals and contribute to the institution’s reputation.

I understand that the admission process is highly competitive and that there are limited seats available. However, I am willing to accept any available seat in the desired course/branch/class or any other suitable alternate option that you may suggest.

I am hopeful that you will consider my request favorably and grant me admission to your esteemed institution. I am eagerly waiting for a positive response and looking forward to joining [Name of School/College] at the earliest.

Thanking you in anticipation.

[Your Name] [Address] [City], [Postal Code] [Contact Number] [Email Address]

Resuming Interrupted Education with an Application for Late College Entrance

To, The Principal, [College Name], [College Address],

Subject: Application for Late College Entrance due to Interrupted Education

I, [Your Full Name], son/daughter of [Parent’s Name], kindly request your permission to grant me late admission to the [Course Name] program in your esteemed institution for the academic year [Year]. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my education was interrupted, and I was unable to pursue my higher studies in the previous academic year.

I had to take a break from my educational journey to support my family during challenging times. However, I am now in a stable position and eagerly wish to resume my education and fulfill my dreams of obtaining a degree from your prestigious college.

I understand that the admission process for the current academic year has been completed, and I accept full responsibility for my late application. I assure you that I will work diligently to catch up with the syllabus and will put in extra effort to excel in my studies.

I humbly request you to consider my case sympathetically and grant me permission to join the [Course Name] program at the earliest. I have attached all the relevant documents, including my previous academic records, for your kind perusal.

I am hopeful for a positive response and eagerly look forward to pursuing my higher education under the guidance of esteemed faculty members at your institution.

Thank you for considering my request.

[Your Full Name] [Address] [Contact Number] [Email Address] [Date]

Letter of Application for PhD Admission Highlighting Non-Traditional Background

To, The Dean of Admissions, [Name of the University], [Address of the University], [City], [Pin Code]

Subject: Letter of Application for PhD Admission Highlighting Non-Traditional Background

I am writing this application to express my strong interest in pursuing a PhD at [Name of the University] in the field of [Subject]. I understand that my background is not the traditional path to pursue a doctoral degree. However, I am confident that my diverse experiences and knowledge would be an asset to the research community at your esteemed institution.

Following the completion of my Bachelor’s degree in [Subject] from [Name of the College/University], I embarked on a career in [Industry, e.g., social work, journalism, etc.]. Over the course of [Number of years], I was successful in [Briefly mention your key achievements and the impact of your work].

Though my professional journey has been fulfilling, I have always harbored a keen interest in academia and furthering my understanding of [Research area]. My non-traditional background has provided me with insights and perspectives that may not be commonly found in a purely academic setting. I believe that a PhD from [Name of the University] would not only enhance my academic credentials but also allow me to contribute my unique perspectives to the research community.

I am particularly interested in working with [Name of the Professor or Research Group] at your university, whose work aligns with my research interests in [Specific research area]. I have enclosed my Statement of Purpose, relevant transcripts, and curriculum vitae for your review. I am also happy to provide any additional information upon request.

I earnestly request you to consider my non-traditional background as a strength rather than a hindrance in pursuing a PhD. I am confident that my passion for research, coupled with my diverse experiences, will enable me to make a valuable contribution to [Name of the University].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining your esteemed institution.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City], [Pin Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number]

How to Write Application for Late Admission to School/College

Some writing tips to help you craft a better application:

Start with a formal salutation addressing the relevant authority, such as the Principal or Admissions Officer.
Introduce yourself by providing your name, course/grade, and the reason for the late admission application.
Explain the reasons for your late application, such as personal, medical, or family circumstances.
Emphasize your commitment and enthusiasm to join the school/college and actively participate in the academic and extracurricular activities.
Highlight your academic achievements, qualifications, and any relevant experience to support your application.
Request the recipient to consider your late admission application and provide any necessary concessions or assistance.
Offer to provide any additional documentation or attend an interview to support your application if required.
Express gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration in reviewing your late admission application.
End the application with a formal closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Yours faithfully,” followed by your full name and contact information.
Proofread the application for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors before submission to ensure a polished and professional appearance.