Select the college or colleges you want to attend. Make sure you meet the minimum standards the college requires for regular admissions. Contact the admissions office for requirements or additional testing needed for special situations, including early enrollment, early decision, home school, GED and an unaccredited high school.
Contact the college admissions office for an application packet and other required material, including financial aid, dormitory and health forms. Verify that the college's online application information contains updated material if you use the website.
Make a checklist of all the general requirements for the college, including applications, recommendation letters, high school or post-secondary education transcripts, placement tests, admissions essay. Write the college application deadlines for each item, advises the College Board. Include requirements for special program admissions, such as interviews and submitting a portfolio of your work. Place columns on the checklist for noting when you send items, request material from other sources and verify the material arrives at the admissions office.
Contact your high school and request they submit your transcript to the selected colleges. Verify the information on the transcript, advises the ACT. Contact the organization that issued your GED or contact the American Council on Education to request a GED transcript for the college, if you took a GED. Ask the councilor or college for information on application fee waivers.
Submit the scores for college placement testing required by the college. Many colleges accept both of the main tests -- the ACT or SAT; however, some colleges require a specific test. Contact the testing company and request the form for sending the college your scores or select the college to receive scores when registering for the examination with programs such as ACT and SAT.
Complete and submit each item requested from you. Make sure you include the college application fee or document a financial-based waiver. Request reference letters and materials needed from other sources. Make an appointment for required interviews according to the college guidelines, such as after the admissions office receives all materials or verifies that you meet minimal acceptance requirements.
Contact the college admissions office approximately one month before their application deadline to make sure all the material arrived or received from their website. Submit any missing material and verify it arrived after approximately 10 days.