Completing the Application
Be prepared to provide all the requested information.
Most college applications are very similar. Some schools require more information than others; generally, these are the more selective schools. Others require little beyond name, address, and educational experience. Some applications ask for information about your family, too.
Typical information requested by a college or university
- Name and Address Information. The school needs this information to open a file for you and to be able to contact you, if needed, during the application process.
- Educational Information. This section addresses when you want to enroll and what you plan to study. It also asks questions about your educational background, where and when you attended high school and where and when you might have attended college.
- Tests. This section usually asks which tests you will take (ACT, SAT, THEA) and when you will take them. You may also be asked to report your score on tests already taken.
- Residency. This information helps the school determine if you are a state resident. Most states have residency rules, which require you to have lived in the state for a certain period of time before being eligible for the in-state tuition rate. If you are not a resident, your tuition and fee costs will generally be much higher. Information regarding this can be found in the Residency section. For detailed information on Texas residency, download the Rules and Regulations: Residency Status brochure.
- Extracurricular Activities. This section refers to your talents and honors, any community service you may done, and your employment history.
- Essays. Essays are not required by all colleges. Read your application instructions carefully to see if the schools to which you intend to apply require an essay.
