- Make a list. List the colleges, universities and technology centers that you’re interested in learning more about.
- Do some research. Locate each school’s website and see what they offer. Check out the degree/certification programs that are available and the costs of attending each institution. Find out how many classes from your program of interest may be available online. Consider the location: Is it too far away? Is the city or town too large? Too small?
- Check out their scholarships. While on a college website, check out the information about the institutional scholarships that each school offers. Keep a list of those you would be interested in applying for if you’re accepted into that school.
- Submit your application for admission. Before you begin, gather up important information that you may not have readily available. Some examples are:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your high school grade point average (GPA)
- Your high school transcript (ask your counselor how to make sure you have the number of transcripts you need)
- Essays that you’ve saved from your English classes
- A list of volunteer and extracurricular activities that you were involved in during high school
- Be prepared to send payment for an application fee (if applicable). Many colleges in Oklahoma do not charge an application fee. If in doubt, contact the admission office at your college of interest.
- Use a thumb drive. Many applications are now submitted online. Save important documents on your thumb drive (essays, references, etc.) to make on online application easier.
- Follow up. If you haven’t heard anything from the school(s) you’ve applied to, contact their admission office to check the status of your application. Ask if you need to send them anything else.
- Follow through. After you’ve been accepted to the school you’ll be attending, check your mail/email frequently to learn about your next steps. Some examples are:
- Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after December 1.
- Know important dates: Deadlines for reserving housing and purchasing books, freshman orientation, parking passes, etc.
- You’re almost there! Enjoy the ride.
