Pay the application fee. Colleges typically charge $25 or more to process the application. Sometimes colleges will give you an application fee waiver if you do a campus tour.
Download the application form from the college's website. If you're sending it by mail, print it out and use a black or dark blue pen. If you're filling it out online (the preferred method), you must complete a web registration form that will give you a username and password and let you fill out the application at your own pace.
Gather your personal information. The first section will ask for standard information such as name, address, phone number, citizenship and (if applicable) social security number. You must also provide the name(s) of your secondary school(s), any colleges you have attended, college courses you have taken and test scores (ACT, SAT, or TOEFL). You must also list information about your parents: names, addresses, email, occupations, employers, any college experience and any degrees.
List your extracurricular activities, work experience and honors. The next section of the college application will ask about all three. For activities, you must list the years, time spent and any leadership positions you've held in an extracurricular activity. For work experience, give your title, employer, dates of your employment and hours per week. For honors, list your awards and distinctions since ninth grade.
Carefully examine the instructions for your essay. Your essay is not meant to be written in one session. Perfecting your essay may take weeks. It's crucial you follow directions, make no grammatical errors and have others proofread your essay. Not all colleges require an essay.
Remember to ask your teachers, employers or coaches for letters of recommendations. Turning in recommendations to the college is typically their responsibility. However, it's your responsibility to ensure they have enough time to write their recommendations and to remind them when their recommendations are due. Choose people who know you well, are capable of meeting a deadline, and can write well.
Ask your secondary school's registrar to send your transcripts to the college. You may still need to fill out your GPA, class rank and course credits on the college application, but your transcript will confirm what you've written.
Proofread your application. If written, make sure your handwriting is clear and legible. Check for grammar, spelling and accuracy.
Submit your application. The college should send you a confirmation notice. If it does not, call or email your admissions counselor to confirm your application was received.