How to Apply to College

  • 4.6
Approx. 19 hours to complete

Course Summary

This course is designed to help high school students navigate the college application process. From choosing the right college to writing a standout essay, this course covers everything students need to know to successfully apply to college.

Key Learning Points

  • Learn how to research and choose the best college for you
  • Craft a compelling personal statement that showcases your unique qualities
  • Get tips for submitting your application materials and standing out from the competition

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

    • USA: $41,000 - $78,000
    • India: INR 2,00,000 - INR 8,00,000
    • Spain: €18,000 - €30,000
    • USA: $41,000 - $78,000
    • India: INR 2,00,000 - INR 8,00,000
    • Spain: €18,000 - €30,000

    • USA: $35,000 - $75,000
    • India: INR 2,00,000 - INR 6,00,000
    • Spain: €16,000 - €28,000

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Ability to research and choose the best college for you
  • Confidence in crafting a compelling personal statement
  • Understanding of the college application process and how to stand out

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • High school student or recent graduate
  • Access to a computer and internet

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

  • Self-paced online course
  • Video lectures
  • Quizzes and assignments

Similar Courses

  • Successful College Applications
  • College Admissions Essentials

Related Education Paths


Notable People in This Field

  • Erica Meltzer
  • Mark Montgomery

Related Books

Description

How to Apply to College will empower learners of all backgrounds to demystify and better understand the college search and selection process, combining the expertise of an Ivy League admissions office and a leading college access and success organization. Led by expert educators, including Eric J. Furda, Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Sean Vereen, President of Steppingstone Scholars, Inc., this free course will help students, family members, college counselors and any inquisitive learner to navigate each stage from the start of the college search process through the transition into a college environment.

Outline

  • Starting the Journey to College
  • Welcome to the Course
  • Why Going to College Is Important
  • Maximizing Your College Experience
  • First to Go: Pathways to College
  • How the US College System Works
  • Paying for College
  • Admission Rates Between Colleges
  • How To Use This Course
  • Course Team
  • Guilt & Being First in the Family
  • Sticker Price vs. Net Price
  • Admissions 101
  • Common College Terms
  • College Survival Vocabulary Game
  • Thinking About "Why College?"
  • Basic Ideas About College
  • Self-Assessment and Telling Your Story
  • A Framework for Self-Evaluation
  • Your Grades and Classes - Why They Matter
  • Questions to Ask Yourself
  • Having Honest Conversations About Family Expectations
  • Who Can You Talk To?
  • The 5 I's: Identity, Intellect, Ideas, Interests, & Inspiration
  • The 4 C's: Culture, Curriculum, Community, & Conclusions
  • Selecting High School Classes to Prep for College
  • MOOC Research Survey (Optional)
  • Building Your Personal Statement: How Do I Spend My Time?
  • Paying for College
  • Financial Aid 101
  • Getting Federal Aid
  • Reasons Why Different Colleges Charge Different Amounts
  • Student and Counselor Perspectives
  • Student Advice on Working and Paying for College
  • Learn About Raise.me
  • Financial Aid Vocabulary
  • What is the FAFSA? and How to Pay for College
  • 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA
  • IRS Retrieval Tool
  • The Basics of Financial Aid
  • Understanding Net Prices with College Scorecard
  • Start Early with Raise.Me to Earn Micro-scholarships
  • Exploring College Campuses: What To Consider
  • Choosing Colleges and Visiting Colleges
  • A Tour of a College House
  • Affordable Ways to Visit College
  • Swarthmore College
  • Temple University
  • Widener University
  • Ursinus College
  • Student Voices: Weighing Expenses, Family Preferences, and Location
  • Making the Most of Campus Visits
  • How to Plan a College Visit
  • What Questions to Ask On Your Visit
  • Beginning the College Search
  • Using College Greenlight to Search for Colleges and Scholarships
  • The Pieces of the College Application
  • College Application Overview
  • Hello, from The Common Application Headquarters!
  • Nuts and Bolts of the Application
  • A Word on Testing and Reporting Scores
  • Telling the College What You Do Inside and Outside the Classroom
  • Telling Your Story to Colleges
  • What to Expect When Hearing Back from Colleges
  • The Common Application Tutorial Videos
  • Anatomy of the College Application
  • The Interview
  • Testing Preparation Timeline
  • Who Are You Outside the Classroom
  • A Word on Admission Deadlines & Testing
  • Fill Out The Common App - Academic Records
  • Asking For Recommendations
  • Fill Out the Common App - Your Activities In and Out of School
  • Transitions to College
  • Acceptances, Rejections, and the Wait List: What Does It All Mean?
  • Revisiting After Acceptance
  • What Financial Aid Letters Mean
  • Balancing the Distractions
  • Student Voices: Balancing Family and School
  • Advice for First Generation College Students
  • Plugging Into Campus Resources For A Good Start
  • Finding Affirming Spaces on Campus
  • Starting the First Year of College - Penn Convocation 2016
  • You Can Do This
  • Example Financial Aid Award Letters
  • First Generation College Attendees & Balancing Campus Life
  • Higher Learning, Maximizing Your College Experience
  • Final Thoughts
  • Course Feedback: We want to hear from you!
  • Compare Your Financial Aid Award Letters

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the secrets to successfully applying to college with this highly-rated course on Coursera. Students rave about the wealth of information and resources provided, helping them navigate the complex college application process.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the college application process and offers helpful tips and strategies to successfully apply to college.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Provides valuable insights into the college application process
  • Offers practical tips and strategies to help students succeed
  • Includes a wealth of resources to support students throughout the process

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course content to be too basic
  • A few users reported technical issues with the course platform
  • A handful of users felt that the course was too focused on U.S.-based colleges and universities
English
Available now
Approx. 19 hours to complete
Eric J. Furda, Dr. Sean Vereen
University of Pennsylvania
Coursera

Instructor

Eric J. Furda

  • 4.6 Raiting
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