Complete and Submit 
Your Applications
You have determined your fit, researched and 
visited colleges, taken the SAT or ACT, selected 
your schools, and now you are in the homestretch. 
It is time to complete and submit your applications.
Identify Which Application to Use 
Some colleges have their own applications while 
others rely on one of a number of standardized 
applications. Be sure to research the applications 
required by the schools on your list.
Public College and University Applications
These schools often use specialized applications  
which can be found on their websites. If you intend 
to apply to a Pennsylvania state college or university, 
check out the following:
•Pennsylvania’s 14 state universities:  
www.passhe.edu/students/apply.html
•Penn State University:  
psu.edu/admission/undergraduate/how-to-apply or 
https://www.commonapp.org/explore/penn-state
•Temple University:  
https://www.commonapp.org/explore/ 
temple-university
•University of Pittsburgh:  
pitt.mycollegeapplication.org or https://www. 
commonapp.org/explore/university-pittsburgh
•Community College of Philadelphia:  
www.ccp.edu/getting-started/admission-process
The Common App
This application is used by more than 1,100 colleges 
and universities. It allows you to apply to up to 20 
schools using a single online application. To learn 
about requirements, deadlines, and supplementary 
materials (e.g., additional essays) required by  
member colleges, visit www.commonapp.org.  
Remember that Xello syncs with the Common App  
to streamline recommendations and transcripts.
The Common Black College Application
This application allows you to complete and submit  
a single application to 71 Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities (HBCUs). The application is available 
at www.commonblackcollegeapp.com.
The Coalition Application
This application is accepted by members of The  
Coalition for College. The Coalition is a partnership 
among over 150 colleges dedicated to increasing 
access and affordability of college for diverse students.  
It provides a single platform of online tools to simplify 
the college application process. To learn more about 
the Coalition and determine if the Coalition App 
is a good choice for you, visit www.coalitionfor
collegeaccess.org.
Submit Your Application Online 
Applying online is now the common practice. 
To simplify the process: 
•Learn what is required by each college on your list.
•Create an online account to begin each application. 
Use an email address with your full name to clearly 
identify yourself, such as rociorivera@heights.org.
•Note your username and password for each  
college on the Track Your College Applications  
worksheet on p. 40.
•Follow directions carefully and answer all questions.
•Hit “Save” often and back up your work to a flash 
drive or cloud storage.
•Spellcheck and proofread several times before  
hitting the “Submit” button.
•Log into your account at each college, or your 
Common App account, to ensure your application 
was received and is complete.
•Check your email and online college portals often 
to learn your application status.
35
Applying to College
 
Application Fee Waivers 
The average college application fee is $50; however,
many colleges will waive that fee based on family  
income. Talk to your school counselor about whether  
you are eligible for a fee waiver and how to request one.
Pathways  
 to  Prosperity

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