Colleges and universities are looking for a student body that matches what their programs have to offer. They want individual students who are likely to be academically successful and future alumni who will contribute to the college community. Each college has a relatively complex admission system that guides their recruiting, admission, and enrollment objectives.
From a Prospect to an Applicant
Before you begin to formally apply for admission, you are considered a prospective student, or “prospect”. When your application appears online or application documents begin to arrive in the admission office, you become an “applicant”, and an official applicant’s file, bearing your name, is established.
Once this file contains your application and all of the supportive documents—your essay(s), your transcript, your counselor and teacher recommendations, your official test scores, and any other material needed to arrive at an admission decision -- it is considered complete. Your file will then start on its journey through the application review process.
Application Review
Your application and supporting documents (your essay(s), transcript, counselor and teacher recommendations, ACT/SAT test scores) will be used to arrive at the decision to admit you or deny you admission. College and university admissions officers and committees also review notes from their school visits or contact with you during things like interviews and college fairs. They are interested in knowing all they can about you academically and personally. If they have questions about your application, they may contact you, your counselor or other school personnel for clarification.