applying for University ( 4 year Degree)
college timeline activities
Click on the grades below to read about what you should be doing to prepare for college:
11th Grade
12th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
1. Explore colleges and universities
Visit www.careercruising.com to explore and compare colleges in Michigan and across the country.
Check out Admission Requirements and make sure that you have the ballpark credentials to apply.
College Selectivity Chart
Michigan College Application specifics, by school (browse)
Identify Application Fee(s)
Many colleges require an application fee when you submit an online application, so be prepared to pay with credit card. Many schools will waive the fee during college application week. IF you qualify for A FEE WAIVER, print the form and have the sending school counselor sign it.
2. Prepare an essay or personal statement
Not all colleges or universities require this, but it is good to have. Complete this task before applying. Visit https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays for tips on writing an essay or go to the Portfolio tab and follow the directions for the OSTC essay.
3. Apply for admission online. Create an account. Take a picture of user id and login. If you are applying to multiple schools, you may not remember your login information.
Complete the online Application for Admissions. (For a shortcut to Michigan college websites, check out Michigan College Access Network.)
Be sure that your application is complete. (Different schools have different requirements.)
4. Submit your transcripts via Parchment
Go to www.Parchment.com and create a user id. Request records to be sent to college you are applying.Click here for instructions.
5. Get help paying for college
It's important to know how you will be paying for college. Financial help is available, but you have to start early.
- Financial Aid: The first step is to complete the FAFSA and include school codes at least six months before you plan to start classes. Then visit Cost & Financial aid to see the rest of the steps you will need to take
- TIPS (Tuition Incentive Program)- Must qualify
- Log into the MiSSG Student Portal at michigan.gov/missg. To create an account, students must have a TIP record or a current year FAFSA (we will start loading 2017-18 FAFSAs in our system the end of October). If a student is TIP eligible, MiSSG will allow them to create a student account and complete their application or update their college selection online, or
- Calling our Customer Care Unit at 1-888-4-GRANTS (888-447-2687).
- MRS (Michigan Rehabilitation Services)-Must qualify
- Scholarships: Be sure to apply before deadlines. Check counseling office for local scholarships. Please see the Financial Aid/Scholarship Tab.
At the time of testing, you will have the option to request up to three schools to receive a copy of your ACT or SAT scores. If you need to request additional schools, you will have to pay. Please go to the testing websites.
www.collegeboard.org for SAT Scores. How do I send scores? Click here for instructions.
www.act.org for ACT scores.
7. Commit to the college of your choice (after letter of acceptance has been sent) by sending in the payment required to enroll you.
It is recommended that all new students visit the campus and attend an orientation session. Information will be sent to you after you have committed to enrolling.
8. Meet with a counselor
A college counselor will help you maximize your experience by working with you to create an academic plan. If you have attended another college (while in high school) it is a good idea to bring a copy of your unofficial transcript from each school to this meeting.
9. Register for classes
Register for classes online.
Detailed information about how to register is available through the college website.
10. Pay your bill
You must pay for your classes in full or have a college-approved financial arrangement in place by the designated payment due date noted in the Schedule of Classes. Students who do not meet the payment due date are subject to being deleted from their course registration.
11. Buy your books
Go to your campus bookstore or order online to purchase books. Remember to have your class schedule in order to purchase the correct books!
12. Go to class!
You are expected to attend all classes in which you are enrolled. If you don't attend or stop attending and fail to drop the class before its refund deadline, you will be responsible for all tuition and fees.
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