Skip to main content

Applying to Colleges

How to prepare for your future.
iStock-1311400782_2200X1080_O

What to know when applying to colleges.

Choosing the right college can be exciting! We’re here to share valuable tips that will help you confidently narrow down your options and get ready for those important applications and interviews.

Let’s do this together! Schedule a free appointment with our college planning experts today!

Let's Stay on Track!

The senior year of high school can be hectic as you try to balance planning for your future with enjoying all the events leading up to graduation.

Organization and managing deadlines are the key. Application deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and submission for transcripts, to name a few.

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST is a document that can quickly help you stay on track!

How to narrow down your college choices.

Ways to save when attending college.
RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_01-2

Merit Aid


College can be expensive. However, if your credentials surpass those of the average student, you may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are financial awards given to students based on their achievements or abilities, such as high grades, standardized test scores, athletic performance, or involvement in extracurricular activities, rather than their financial need.

RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_02-1

Good Value


Affordable schools provide excellent education without breaking the bank! Take Rhode Island College, for instance. It boasts a stellar reputation for its teaching program, and with its low in-state tuition, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone excited about pursuing a teaching career. What a great opportunity!

RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_03-1

Tuition Consideration


Don't dismiss higher-priced colleges right away! Instead, take a look at their website's Net Price Calculator. This tool provides an estimated cost of attending a specific college by considering your family's financial situation and potential financial aid awards. It essentially shows you how much you might need to pay out of pocket after accounting for grants and scholarships you may receive.

Qualities that colleges desire in applicants

noun-education-1100140-343333

Academics

Doing well in school is a great sign of future success! When students handle their academic tasks like pros, it shows they're not just smart but also organized, good at managing their time, and motivated. These skills are super important and will help them in college and beyond. Tackling academic challenges sets them up for a bright and promising future!

noun-extracurricular-7400093-343333

Extracurricular Activities

Getting involved in extracurricular activities is an excellent way for students to show off their unique skills and interests outside of schoolwork. When these activities relate to what you want to study in college, they can highlight your dedication and experience, leaving a good impression on admissions teams. So, take every chance to shine!

noun-writing-7090184-343333

Essays & Writing Skills

Essays and writing samples are essential to your application because they add depth beyond your test scores. This is your chance to show what makes you stand out. Share your story and think about a specific event, person, or moment that has shaped your life. Let the admissions team get to know the real you, going beyond just your grades and accomplishments.

noun-acceptance-letter-7128750-343333

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a great way to gain real insight into a student’s character, making the application process more meaningful. Coaches, teachers, and advisors can highlight important traits like leadership, kindness, and integrity that grades alone cannot capture. Their observations help create a fuller picture of the students, showcasing what makes them stand out.

noun-college-4393233-343333

College Choice

Checking out your top schools more in-depth has its perks. Wandering around the campus can help you make your final decision. Plus, it shows the admissions team that you're interested, and you'll get to meet some people and see what the student life is really like.

noun-education-2217270-343333

Course of Study

Entering college with a clear passion for your chosen field is exciting! Show your enthusiasm in your application by highlighting relevant high school courses, clubs, and extracurricular activities. This reflects your dedication and shows colleges the unique contributions you can bring to their vibrant community.

Screen Shot 2025-01-02 at 12.09.44 PM

The Big Guide

Offers free tools and resources, a timeline to help parents and students stay on track, as well as financial aid guidance for FAFSA and FSA ID.

Deciding how many college applications to submit.

Your final college list should consist of 4-8 colleges that meet all the characteristics you are looking for in a school and fit into the three categories below.

RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_03-1

1-2 Applications

Reach


Reach schools offer opportunities for candidates with strong academic performance, evidenced by high grades and test scores.  Acceptance can be highly competitive, and setting ambitious goals can lead to significant personal growth and enriching educational experiences. Embracing this challenge can broaden your horizons in unexpected ways.

RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_02-1

1-3 Applications

Possible


Possible schools typically have an academic profile similar to the average admitted student, giving them better than a 50% chance of acceptance. The level of acceptance difficulty is moderate.

RISLA_SOLID_CIRCLE_ICON_01-2

2-3 Applications

Safety


A safe college is a fantastic option where your impressive grades and test scores can shine, boosting your chances of admission and setting you on a great path!

College Admission Deadlines

 

 

Planning for College

When planning for college, it’s important to decide early whether you will apply for early admission, early action, regular admission, or another type of admission. This section will help you understand the different types of college admissions and what to expect regarding deadlines based on the admission type you choose.

Early Admission

Early admission offers high school students a fantastic opportunity to meet graduation requirements while exploring local college courses. Connect with your guidance office for more exciting details!

Early Decision

Deadlines

The Early Decision option allows students to apply early to their top-choice college. Early Decision deadlines typically range from mid-October to early January. A common deadline is mid-November, with notifications about acceptance, denial, or deferral occurring in mid-December.

Commitment

Early Decision plans are binding agreements. By applying, you commit to attending that school if accepted and to withdraw all other applications.

Financial Aid

Financial aid applicants will receive a preliminary package of financial assistance upon acceptance. If the package is not as expected, you may need to decline the admission offer.

Consider

Apply Early Decision only if you’re sure this school is your perfect match—trust your instincts and embrace your future!

 

Early Action

 
This option, similar to Early Decision, allows you to apply early and receive an admission decision without the obligation to attend. You can apply to other schools and will receive your financial aid package in the spring along with the other applicants.

 

Regular Admissions

To apply for regular admission, students must submit their applications by a specific deadline set by the college. Each school has its own deadline, which typically begins in early January. You can find the admission deadline in the school's catalog, on its website, or by contacting the admissions office directly.

Rolling Admissions

Rolling Admission refers to a college admission process without a set deadline. Admission decisions are made on a first-come, first-served basis, and students are typically notified within four to six weeks after their application is complete. is complete.

Preparing for your college interview.

 

College interviews provide an opportunity to present yourself to someone who represents the college and has influence over admissions decisions. Participating in an interview is an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in the college, so take advantage of this opportunity and let your personality shine!

Start by identifying something in common with your interviewer. Finding common ground can make it easier to converse with someone you don’t know.

Now, let us help you excel in your interview! Download a list of commonly asked questions during college interviews.

 

RISLA_SOCIAL_SCHOLARSHIP_HUB_0123_JAN_02

RISLA Scholarship Hub

Helping parents & students pay for college.

Did you know college scholarships are free money to help pay for college expenses? Well, it's true! And the RISLA Scholarship Hub is here to help students and parents find extra funds to help pay for college.

💸 The best kind of funds . . . the kind you don't have to pay back! 

04_APRIL_2024

Enter to Win!

Knowledge for College Scholarship

Check out Knowledge for College Scholarship! We award $2,000 each to four randomly selected students every month. Whether you need help covering tuition, books, or living expenses, our scholarship can help ease the burden.

🤩 Take your chance to win - enter every month for your prize!

05_MAY_2024

rischolarships.org

A free scholarship search tool!

Discover hundreds of local scholarships waiting for you. The search is fast and simple, making it effortless to find your perfect match!

    We are with you for the journey.

    College Planning

    A free service aimed at helping students achieve their goal of attending college and paying for it. The CPC assists thousands of students and families each year in planning for higher education.

    Scholarship Hub

    Check out how to prepare for college—access free tools and resources.  Find local scholarships for college, and parents and students can enter to win $2,000 in college scholarships!

    Student Loans

    Our student loans offer flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and a simple application process, making them an ideal choice for parents and students.

    Refinancing

    With our refinancing options, you can enjoy the benefits of low fixed interest rates, no fees, and an auto-pay discount. Take advantage of this opportunity to save money and simplify your finances. 

    What customers are saying about RISLA

    TRUSTPILOT_LOGO_250X61_OPTIMIZED