How is the admission process?
Hey there! I’m Andre, and I’m here to walk you through something really important: how to apply to college.
And I’m Natalie! If you’ve ever filled out a job application or a form to join a team, a college application is a little like that.
What Is a College Application?
A college application is your way of telling a school, “Hi! I want to study here.” It helps the school learn about you and decide if you’re ready to be a student there.
Colleges want to know a few key things:
- Who you are (your name, birthday, where you live)
- About your previous education (how you did in high school, or any community college courses you attended)
- What you do outside of class (like jobs you’ve had or if you play a sport)
Common Requirements
Which documents do you have to send to the college?
- The most important document is a form called an application. It asks for your contact information, previous education, and other details. If you have access to a computer, you can fill this out on the school’s website or use a free tool called the Common App. You can also go to the admissions office of a college and fill it out there.
- You need to show the school documents that verify your previous education in high school or other colleges. These documents are called transcripts and show the classes you took and the grades you earned. If you don’t have an official copy of your transcripts, you’ll need to ask those schools to send them directly to the college you’re applying to.
- If you didn’t finish high school but passed the GED test and received a high school equivalency diploma, you’ll need to send your official GED scores to the college.
Speaking of tests, some colleges want to see your scores from standardized tests.
What are standardized tests?
- They’re special tests that lots of students across the country take. They are called “standardized” because everyone takes the same test with the same instructions. The idea is to see how much you know in subjects like reading, writing, and math. Some common tests are the SAT or ACT.
- And if English isn’t your first language, some colleges may ask you to take an English test like the TOEFL or IELTS. These tests show that you can read, write, and speak English well enough to take classes in the U.S.
- So if you take a standardized test—great! But if you don’t, that’s okay too. Some colleges don’t require them. You always have options.
What else do colleges ask for? It depends on the school. Some typical requirements include:
• A personal statement — a few paragraphs where you talk about who you are and why going to college is important to you.
• Letters of recommendation — some schools ask a teacher, counselor, or social worker to write a letter that speaks positively about you.
What Happens After You Submit?
After you submit your application, the college will send you an email saying something like “Thanks, we received it.” At most schools, you’ll also get access to an online student portal, where you can:
- Check the status of your application
- See if any documents are missing
- Ask for help — your counselors and admissions officers are there to guide you
Once the college gets everything it needs, they’ll review your application and send you an email or message to let you know whether you’ve been accepted and what the next steps are to enroll.
If you’re not accepted, don’t worry. You can apply again to the same school or to a different college that may be a better fit for you.
Some tips to make sure your application is successful:
- Apply early so you have plenty of time to fix mistakes or send missing info.
- Use a personal email address that you check often (high school or college emails might stop working after you graduate).
- It’s very important that you get an email confirming that the college received your application and documents. If you don’t, send them again and contact the admissions office to be sure.
Who Can Help You With the Application?
There are people and places ready to help you with the application process. It’s okay to ask for help—sometimes the process can be confusing.
Let’s talk about who can help:
- High School Guidance Counselors: They work at your high school and help students plan what to do after graduation—like going to college or starting a job. If you don’t know who your counselor is, ask a teacher or someone in the office—they’ll point you in the right direction.
- The College Admissions Office: Every college has a team that processes student applications. They can answer questions and even help you fill out the forms. You can call, email, or visit them.
- Organizations That Help Students: Many community and youth organizations help students and their families—especially if you’re the first in your family to go to college or if you’re new to the U.S. Ask around in your neighborhood to find these groups.
Now that you’ve learned about the admission process, it’s time to explore paying for college.
Learn about paying for college!
If you’d like more information, feel free to reach out to Kean University. (Kean and NJCU signed an agreement to merge the two universities by July 2026. More information here).
Questions Worth Asking
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only. It does not provide advice on individual cases, nor should users expect it to expedite or influence the admissions process at any institution. The site does not reflect the official views or policies of Kean University.