Important concepts to know:
College Application Deadlines: If you miss the deadlines they will not look at your application
EARLY DECISION: Students who apply via early decision, or ED, will hear back from a college sooner than their peers who turn in applications later. ED admissions decisions often come out by December. However, students should be aware that ED acceptances are binding, meaning an applicant must enroll if offered admission.
EARLY ACTION: Similar to early decision, students who apply via early action will hear back from schools sooner. The difference is EA acceptances aren't binding.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS: The schools evaluate applications as they receive them and release admissions decisions on an ongoing basis.
REGULAR DECISION: This means you are not applying in the early round, and you will receive your admission decision in the spring – usually around late-March into early-April
How to Apply?
COMMON APP & COALITION APP: The Common Application and Coalition Application offer students the ability to complete one application and essay to send to multiple schools, as opposed to having to complete each individual college's application.
INDIVIDUAL COLLEGE APPLICATION: Every college has a way to apply through their own website. However, this method of applying is more tedious and requires for you to apply multiple times.
Example: Florida International University Application
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
A copy of your high school course history (Check your Graduation Progress Summary at your dadeschools portal)
- A list of your activities, work, and family responsibilities
- Test scores and dates from your college entrance exams (SATs, ACTs, APs etc.)
- Parent/Legal guardian information
- Academic honors and achievements
- Recommendation Letters
List and links to the websites of community colleges throughout the state of Florida.
