Applying to a Catholic college is very similar to applying to any college, with the addition of some religious or faith aspects mixed in. To begin, students should know which Catholic college(s) they want to attend based on things like environment, program, cost, and location. When students have selected a college or colleges that they would like to apply to, they should visit the website or contact the admissions department of the school.
Most Catholic colleges will have the application on the website, easy to find and ready to be filled out. It may be beneficial for students to have together some of the documents/information that will be required as part of the application before they begin. Students will need to have their SAT/ACT scores sent to the college(s) they are applying to, which is done through the College Board website (login should be set up after/before taking the SAT/ACT).
Students will also have to send their transcripts to the Catholic college(s) they are applying to, which is acquired from their high schools. Depending on the college(s) being applied to, they may want the transcript sent directly from the school, and not a photocopy from the student. Be sure to ask admissions for specific instructions for transcripts if it is not clear on the application.
Fill out the application. Students will need to fill in personal information about who they are, what they have accomplished, possible awards or commendations from school/extracurricular activities, and general information. Applications will also have an essay portion, which generally offers a selection of essay prompts that give the college more insight into who a student is and how they approach life or challenges. Essays are a great way for a student to market themselves and show how they would be a great fit for the college, so students should be sure to spend plenty of time organizing and editing their essays.
Many Catholic colleges (if not all) will also require recommendations. Students should pick people who can vouch for their character, integrity, community service, academic prowess, and, especially in the case of a Catholic college, their faith and religious service.
Students should fill out their FAFSA, as having this ready as soon as possible is a great help for when they are accepted and move onto the financial aid portion of the admissions journey.
Some Catholic colleges will require interviews as part of the application process. Students should dress professionally, be composed, and remember that the interview is meant to help the college get to know them better. This is a great opportunity for the student to show that they would be a good fit for the Catholic college. To prepare for this, students should study the mission statement and values of the college to better understand what is expected and sought out at the Catholic college they are applying to.
Students should make sure before filling out the application that they know when the deadline is. Turning in an application late is a sure way to be rejected. If students ever have any questions about their application, they should reach out to the admissions department of the Catholic college(s) they are applying to.