Meet with admission representatives from the different schools you are interested in attending, and schedule a tour of the campus. See the buildings and classrooms in which the courses for your major will be held, as well as prominent lecture halls where general-education courses are held. Find out what activities and organizations exist on campus and make sure there is something that piques your interest.
Submit the general application for admission to the college, and pay the application fee (if one exists). Find out if any special admission requirements exist for your program of study by contacting your academic adviser. These special requirements may include requirements to write an essay, interview with faculty members or complete an observation of a professional in your intended field of study.
Request that an official transcript from your high school be sent to the college you plan to attend. Ask them to hold the transcript until your final grades and diploma are posted to the transcript. If you've taken any college courses through your high school or a local junior college, request and submit official copies of transcripts from these institutions.
Apply for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using your tax information from the previous year. Learn what grants and loans you qualify for once your FAFSA has been processed. Fill out the scholarship application available from your school to qualify for any academic or extracurricular scholarships that can pay for you to attend school.
Receive your acceptance letter from the college informing you that you have been admitted as a student. If you get multiple letters, compare the different financial aid and learning opportunities available at each one before choosing which school you will attend.