College Planning Information

Students applying to college are faced with different types of applications according to their school choice. Students applying to Texas schools must use the Apply Texas application. Many in and out-of-state private colleges participate in the Common Application. Other private colleges and public out-of-state schools have institutional specific applications.

Apply Texas Application - for Texas Public Post-Secondary Institutions

• www.applytexas.org
• New applications are online by September 1
• Student inputs biographical information, list of senior courses, SAT and ACT information, extracurricular activities, talents and awards, community and volunteer service, employment history
• Student submits essays according to specific school and program requirements. UT-Austin and Texas A&M College Station minimally require Essay A and Essay B. Additional essays may be required for specific programs.
• After the student completes an application for one school, there is the option to create a new application for additional schools. Information from the first application is populated into new applications.
• Once submitted, students should retain the application ID number for reference. UT requires students to get an UT EID number before submitting an application. Texas A&M applicants should download the document ID page and will be issued a university ID number after applying.

Common Application - for Private Colleges

• www.commonapp.org
• Online by September 1
• Coordinates application submissions for students applying one or more of the 347 member colleges.
• Student inputs biographical information, list of senior courses, SAT and ACT information, extracurricular activities, talents and awards, community and volunteer service, employment history
• Student generates short essay response elaborating on one of the listed activities.
• Student chooses from one of five essay prompts, including topic of choice, to write a main essay
• Once completed, student may submit application to all selected member institutions
• If supplements are required from the selected schools, students will be able to access them through the Common App website. Supplements may entail submitting additional data and / or essays
• Students designate teacher(s) and counselor for recommendations, either electronic or paper, and may be required to submit mid-year and final-year reports
• Specific institutional requirements are available under the Download Form scroll bar on the main page of the website

Institutional Application - for Other Private Colleges and Public Out-of-State Schools

• Online application is accessible through school's website
• May have teacher and counselor recommendations to be downloaded or submitted electronically

Important factors in the college planning process include knowledge of the college application process, awareness of various scholarship opportunities, and access to helpful college search websites.

Access the appropriate links below for further information on each of these topics:

Scholarship Information - Sign in to Naviance Family Connection

College Search Resources