How to Complete a College Application

As you consider which schools to apply to and enroll at, check out the Finding the Right School guide. Many factors should be weighed to determine college fit, from the school's cost and availability of financial aid to course offerings, activities and location. For example, it’s important to get a feel for campus culture. This section provides advice on how to maximize college tours and admitted students days, including key questions that families should ask while on campus. We also take you behind the scenes via our road trips to colleges across the country so you can discover what it’s like to attend these schools. You’ll also discover helpful tips on how to find the best college for your major and what to consider ahead of the May 1 National College Decision Day deadline.

The U.S. News Apply to College guide offers comprehensive information on how to put together a winning college application. We walk you through mistakes to avoid and what to know about applying to different types of colleges, from private Ivy League schools to public universities. The guide also provides prospective students with details about early decision and early action admissions, college waitlists and transfer options. In addition, you can find advice on the specific components of a college application. Get tips on brainstorming and writing the college essay; highlighting extracurricular activities; submitting standardized test scores like the ACT and SAT; and nabbing great recommendation letters from people who know you well.

U.S. News’ guide to Paying for College provides insight into how families can manage educational expenses. While parents and students may be intimidated by rising tuition prices, we offer comprehensive advice on ways to tackle college costs. In this section, you’ll find guidance on saving for college, including socking away cash in tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans. We also walk you through the ins and outs of financial aid, including why it’s important for families to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and how to decipher award letters. You can learn about searching for, applying to and winning scholarships, a type of financial aid that doesn’t need to repaid. And we walk you through how to make wise choices before borrowing federal and private student loans, which require repayment.

Students preparing to take the SAT or ACT, two standardized college entrance exams, can turn to the College Test Prep center for help. In this section, U.S. News walks you through what’s covered on each exam and ways they differ, how far in advance to prepare, what skills to develop, the importance of practice tests and key reminders for test day. Younger students will find information on the PSAT and PreACT and how to use scores on those exams to determine whether to take the SAT or ACT. Older students can get advice on mastering specific question types and subject areas as well as choosing a test date. In addition, you can find out what’s considered a good score, how colleges evaluate test scores and which schools don’t require standardized tests.

The U.S. News guide to Studying in the United States is a key resource for international students interested in U.S. colleges and universities. While earning an undergraduate degree outside of your home country can be overwhelming, we’re here to help you through the process. In this section, you’ll learn how to prepare for standardized English language tests, such as the TOEFL. We discuss ways to find scholarships to help pay for a U.S. education and options for on-campus jobs you can hold while maintaining your student visa status. In addition, you can find out the best questions to ask U.S. college admissions officers and international student services offices. You can also check out information on which universities accept and enroll the most international students and which offer students from abroad the most financial aid.

See which undergrad programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas.