I need to know all the basic about how college applications work..?

Question

so i'm new to america and im going to be a senior i know about SAT's and ACT's but i don't understand how applications work... like: how many collages can i apply to and if i get acceepted what does that mean??? do i decide after what collage i should go to.. what if i get accepted to more then 1 as in 4or 5??? do i decide what i go to?? how does the presager work?? thx for the help and no stupid answers to waste time thank you

Answer 1

First off, welcome to America : )

The college application process can be kind of overwhelming, but if you just take it one step at a time, you'll do fine.  

You can apply to as many colleges as you want, however almost all universities charge a fee to apply to their school, ranging anywhere from $60-$100.  Depending on your financial status, you can sometimes be exempt from those fees, but if generally make life a lot easier if you just narrow down a list of schools for yourself.

To research a good school for you, there are a lot of different resources.  This website is a great tool for research, as it helps you search for schools based on location, size, social and academic interests, and a wide range of other criteria:  www.collegeboard.com  It also give you information about the SAT test.

The application process consists of answering questions, writing an essay or two, getting recommendations from you teachers, taking tests like the SAT or ACT (The ACT is another test like the SAT, but many students find it easier, and a lot of colleges will accept it instead of the SAT, www.act.org), and finally, submitting everything they request by their specific deadlines.  There is also this application, however, called the Common Application, that is one application that a lot of schools accept (www.commonapp.org).  So, if you end up applying to 6 schools, and they accept the Common App, you can just fill out one application instead of 6 applications.  

Most application deadlines are in December or January, but it depends on the school.  You usually hear back from the schools in the Spring, in March or April, and you can decide from the schools who accept you which one you like the most.  Then you send a letter to them accepting their offer, and that's it!

Answer 2

1) You can apply to as many colleges and universities as you like. There is no limit.

2) If you are accepted then it is up to you if you decide to attend said college. If you are excepted to more than one instuition then yes, of course you decide which one you want to study at. You are under no obligation to study at any school which accepts your application for admission.