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Your Guide to

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 IND EX

Preparing for College 4

Extracurriculars
College List

The College Application 6

Transcript
Letters of Recommendation
Testing
Study Resources
Essays
Interviews
Deadlines
Decisions
Financial Aid
International Students

High School Checklist 12

Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year

Appendix 16
How to Utilize the Coalition
Additional Learning Resources

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 PREPARING FOR COLLEGE COLLEGE LIST
In many ways, you’ve been preparing your college application for years.
We like to say that the college application process is a ‘test’ of the self. Rather than testing your knowledge of
the quadratic formula, photosynthesis, or the correct placement of a subordinate clause, applying to college is a SCHOOL TYPE STRIKING A BALANCE
time for you to demonstrate how well you know yourself. Your college applications are a display of your growth
Regardless of where or how you look for schools, Building a strong college list is also about
and development over the course of high school, and they offer universities the chance to get to know you as a
your first priority should be to find colleges that researching a school’s standards to see what
student, a community member, and an evolving individual.
have shown strong performance in these two combination of academic and non-academic

The college application process is also a time for you to consider the many, many options you’ve afforded categories: features is a good fit for you. Make sure to

yourself by your years of hard work in high school, as well as to think about how you’d like the topics you’ve apply to a few different universities! Having
Graduation Rate a variety of options ensures that you’ll have
studied and the experiences you’ve had to come together in a plan for your future. A large portion of the college
The graduation rate is the percentage of students multiple choices that are well-suited to your
application process is considering the type of university that would be a good fit for you. Take time to reflect
that complete their studies at a college and skills and personality.
on your past achievements, consider your future goals, and think about how you hope college will shape you
receive a degree. The higher this number, the more
socially and academically.
confident you can be that a college offers a quality
The good news is that you are never alone in this journey! High school counselors are excellent resources and education and great support for students.
can offer you professional guidance every step of the way. Likewise, parents, teachers, and friends can serve
as invaluable sources for advice. Admissions officers at colleges across the country are also happy to provide Average Student Debt ONLINE COLLEGE RESOURCES:
perspective and serve as a resource. We know this process can be challenging and confusing because we’ve lived Average student debt reflects the affordability of • The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success
it as students, and also because we help other prospective students, like you, navigate this process every day. a college’s education. As with most things, more (coalitionforcollegeaccess.org)

Feel free to consult this guide as you progress through the application process. We hope that, once you’ve
expensive does not always mean better! Find • Big Future by the College Board (bigfuture.
schools that offer good financial aid or low tuition collegeboard.org)
finished reading, you’ll feel more comfortable navigating the application process at highly selective schools and
also confident and excited about your path to college. costs in order to take on as little debt as possible • College Greenlight (collegegreenlight.com)
and set yourself up for success after college. • The College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov)

EXTRACURRICULARS
Extracurriculars are the activities that you do outside of class. They can include high school clubs, sports, COLLEGE PREFERENCES TO KEEP IN MIND
hobbies, jobs, and even significant family responsibilities. Many colleges will ask about your extracurriculars to
understand how you spend your time when you are not in the classroom and how you might contribute to their
campus community.
Size: Student body size? Small or large class sizes?

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed exploring your interests through clubs, activities, and community organizations Location: Urban, rural, or suburban? In-state or out-of-state?
throughout your time in high school! Find activities that matter to you and that you enjoy doing. Try to get as
Culture: Sports fans? Religious affiliation? Greek life?
involved in those things as you can, and look for ways to develop your leadership skills. Remember: you do not
have to be the president of 17 clubs to go to college! Colleges will be more impressed by genuine commitment to Academics: Core curriculum or general ed requirements? Preferences in major/minor offerings?
an activity, interest, or family responsibility than by superficial involvement in any number of activities. Type: Liberal arts school? Public? Private? Religiously affiliated?

Financial Aid: Loans or Grants? Scholarship offerings?

COLLEGE LIST Opportunities: Post-graduate and internship offerings?

Your college list will contain all the colleges where you want to apply. As you begin to create this list, prioritize Services: Essential campus services? Student support services? Academic and career counseling?
schools that match your interests, goals, and talents. This will require a lot of research, but a good college list can
give you a great start towards strong college applications and success once you arrive on campus.

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 THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS
Your personal essay will be an integral part of your application. Whatever you choose to write about should reflect
an aspect of your personality in a creative, attention-grabbing way. Tips for writing a short essay:
As you begin to think about your college applications, the most important
thing to remember is that your applications will be more than essays, • Remember: no idea is inherently bad! As long as it does not portray you in a negative light, anything about
yourself and your life experiences can be used to craft an interesting and compelling narrative.
more than transcripts, and much more than test scores.
• Details are the most important component of your essay. Authentic details paint a vivid and memorable picture
of you and your experience in your readers’ minds. Know the line between good detail and excess.

TRANSCRIPT
After you submit your application, your counselor will receive a notification to send your high school transcript to LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
colleges, along with a School Profile that includes additional information about your school’s curriculum and student
You should ask for letters of recommendation from teachers who have impacted you in your time in high school—
body. The transcript tells the story of your time in high school—classes in which you challenged yourself and did well,
teachers who inspired you, teachers whose class you looked forward to going to every day, teachers with whom
upward trends across your four years, and your grades and GPA. Rather than worry about any one particular class or
you developed a quality relationship. Many selective schools require a letter of recommendation from your high
grade, think about how each class fits into your overall story; that is what colleges are looking for.
school counselor and two additional letters of recommendation from your teachers.

TESTING
INTERVIEWS
Some colleges, but not all, require students to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. Those
Some schools offer applicants interviews during the application process. When preparing for an interview, knowing
that don’t are “test-optional,” and may allow you to submit alternative materials—like research projects, creative
yourself and how to talk about your strengths will enable you to present these qualities to admissions representatives.
writing projects, or other works of note—that demonstrate your college readiness and ability to solve problems.
Before your interview, make sure to:
Colleges that do require standardized test scores typically accept either the SAT, the ACT, or both. Be sure to
check specific testing policies on a college’s website.
RESEARCH FOLLOW UP
Do some research on the school. Pay attention to Follow up by sending the interviewer a thank you email
ACT STUDY RESOURCES which majors, internships, and programs they offer after the interview. Be direct, be courteous, and consider
• Contains multiple-choice sections in English, • ACT offers free daily practice questions and a free study that interest you in particular. including a specific reference to your conversation that
Mathematics, Reading, and Science, and an guide online at act.org/content/act/en/products-and- will allow the interviewer to recall who you are.
optional essay-writing section GO IN WITH QUESTIONS
services/the-act/test-preparation.html#free. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
The interviewer will ask you if you have any
• Scored on a scale of 1-36
• ACT has partnered with OpenEd to provide free instructional
questions at the end of the interview. Show them • What is your favorite subject/class in school? Why?
videos and quizzes at resources.opened.com/act-practice.
SAT that you did your research and have a genuine • What have you been involved in outside of class?

• Contains multiple-choice sections in • Khan Academy offers free online SAT prep in partnership interest in attending the college! • Why did you apply to ---- College?

Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, with College Board. You can access over 4,000 questions • What is your least favorite class in school? Why?
and videos lessons, as well as SAT Tips and Strategies, at STRENGTHS
and an optional writing section
Consider some of your personal qualities that you’re INTERVIEW ALTERNATIVES
khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat.
• Scored on a scale of 400-1600
most proud of. How might you best provide a two- Some schools will offer alternatives to in-person
• College Board has published a series of study guides on
minute answer to a question about these skills? interviews, like a video submission. With a video interview,
ADDITIONAL TESTING their website at collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/
practice what you want to tell the school in the video, and
Some schools may also ask you to submit inside-the-test/study-guide-students. They also have a DRESS NICELY AND ARRIVE ON TIME! make sure to review and edit the video before sending
supplemental standardized test scores for a free mobile app that offers daily practice for the New SAT There is no need to wear business formal attire, it in with your application. Keep in mind schools will also
specific academic subject. Examples of this type (download from the App Store or Google Play by searching but you should dress for the occasion—a button- have varying deadlines, so make sure you give yourself
of test include: IB assessments, SAT Subject down shirt or blouse and slacks is standard.
“Daily Practice for the New SAT”). enough time to create and upload the video.
Tests, AP Exams

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 DEADLINES FINANCIAL AID
It is important to remember application deadlines when you are preparing your application. Colleges often have There are various types of aid, including grants, scholarships, work study, and loans. Take into account the
unique application deadlines or application plans that are detailed on their application website. different aspects that play into how your financial aid is determined.

EARLY ACTION (EA) RESTRICTIVE/SINGLE-CHOICE EARLY ACTION TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS SOME BIG SCHOLARSHIPS
Early Action is a non-binding application plan with an Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action is similar to EA, Need-Based: Solely for financial aid; “need” is Gates Millennium Scholars: A scholarship funded
early deadline, generally around early November, for but students agree not to apply to other private colleges determined by schools in proportion to the financial by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that offers
students who are applying to a top-choice college. and universities under any Early application rounds background of students students of color the chance to pursue higher
Decisions are usually released in mid-December. (including EA, ED, and Restrictive/Single-Choice EA). education without financial burden
Academic: Solely for academic achievement;
EARLY DECISION (ED)
• You can apply to other public colleges and students should have a good GPA to apply (3.5 or Horatio Alger Jr. Scholar Program: A scholarship
Early Decision is an application plan for students who universities with a non-binding early application. higher in most cases) named after Horatio Alger Jr., a man who believed
are applying to their top-choice college and are ready
• You can apply to colleges and universities with a
Athletic: Solely for athletic talent; given with intent
every person could achieve the American Dream with
to make a binding commitment to attend. To apply
non-binding rolling admission process. hard work despite adversity
ED, you, along with your parents and high school for the student to play the sport for the school

counselor, must sign a contract that confirms that

• You can apply to private institutions with a non- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: A scholarship program
binding early application IF they have early “Full-Ride”: Very competitive scholarships; covers
you will attend the school to which you applied and dedicated to giving students from low-income
scholarship deadlines or special academic programs. cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and
will withdraw all your other college applications. backgrounds the tools necessary to be successful in
possibly student life costs (books, travel, etc.)
ROLLING ADMISSION higher education environments
REGULAR DECISION Full Tuition: Covers cost of tuition and fees (registration,
Colleges with Rolling Admissions accept applications Stamps Foundation: Partner schools offer scholarships
Regular Decision is a non-binding application plan with classes, graduation, examinations, etc.) at the school
from fall of senior year through the summer, and to students who show exceptional leadership qualities,
a deadline in late December. You can apply to as many
usually notify you of your decision within a few weeks Merit-Based: Solely for achievements; given based academic merit, and strong character
schools as you want to under the RD plan. Decisions are
of applying. Apply early to improve your chances for on the value of the merit the student contributes
usually released in mid-March. Posse Foundation: A full tuition, nomination-based
acceptance, scholarships, and first choice in housing. to the school
program for students to be in a “Posse” of about ten
Other: Anything and everything! Scholarships students from the same area who go to the same

DECISIONS based off religion, ethnicity, location, personal college/university and serve as a support system for
preferences, family situation, disabilities, activities, each other throughout college
ACCEPTED WAITLISTED service, academics, etc. (may or may not be
QuestBridge Scholar Program: A full-ride scholarship
Congratulations, you’ve been admitted! You have until May When a college has more applicants it wants to affiliated with the school)
opportunity for students from low-income backgrounds
1st to respond to your offer of admission. If you applied accept than it has room for, students are waitlisted
under Early Decision, you’ve committed to attending the to be admitted as spots open up. If you’ve been
college to which you were accepted. Withdraw your other waitlisted, express your continued interest with a HOW TO APPLY
applications and submit your enrollment deposit. strong letter (sub-500 words) after accepting your Research the possibilities!
spot on the waitlist. Consider other schools you’ve Search for scholarships on the following websites: scholarships.com, cappex.com, scholarshippoints.com, fastweb.
DEFERRED been accepted to, in case your preferred school is com, College Board Scholarship Search, scholarshipexperts.com, supercollege.com, nextstudent.com, and more!
The college wasn’t prepared to make a decision yet, unable to accept you off the waitlist.
so you’ve been moved into the Regular Decision pool. • Make sure the scholarships are legitimate by cross-checking scholarships across different websites.

Express your continued interest with a strong letter DENIED • Do not pay for a service to find scholarships for you.
The college you applied to was unable to offer
(sub-500 words) to the school, along with any relevant • Review the application to see what it entails.
academic or extracurricular updates. You’ll receive a you admission. Selective colleges are often unable
to offer admissions to all qualified applicants. Sit
• Compile a list of scholarships you can apply to in the upcoming year.
decision when RD results come out. Being deferred
and in the Regular pool means you can apply ED-II to tight for your other decisions and finish any other • Be mindful of application deadlines!

another school. incomplete applications you may have.

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 FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID):
EXPLORING COLLEGES

FAFSA Awards Many colleges offer virtual tours of their campuses online so that you can get a feel for the school and campus life even
The FAFSA Document
Colleges use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility if you cannot visit. You can also research colleges on BigFuture at bigfuture.collegeboard.org.
The FAFSA is a straightforward document to fill out.
You will need: for financial aid awards, which include:
LANGUAGE COMPETENCY VISAS AND WORK SPONSORSHIP
• Your social security number • Federal Pell Grant: ~$6,125 (amounts change
If your first language is not English, or if the primary
annually) Visas to enter US and start school:
• Your parents’ social security numbers (if you language of instruction at your high school was not
After you are admitted to college, your school
are a dependent student) • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity English, you’ll most likely be required to submit proof of
will help you with the necessary paperwork to
Grant (for students with exceptional financial need):
• Your driver’s license number (if you have one) English language proficiency. Most schools will accept
support you through the visa process, including
up to $4,000 score reports from either of the following tests, but
• Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not helping you secure an I-20 supporting document.
a U.S. Citizen)
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher double check the application requirements of each
Each institution will have a different process,
Education Grant (TEACH Grant, for undergraduate, school you are applying to.
timetable, and instructions for how to go through
• Your federal tax information and tax returns, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students pursuing
TOEFL iBT Test (Test of English as a Foreign Language) this process.
including IRS W-2 information, if applicable a career in teaching): up to $4,000
Serves as an indication of your English language
• Your parents’ IRS 1040 or Foreign Tax Return (if
• Iraq-Afghanistan Service Grant (for non-Pell H1B to work in the US:
abilities measured at the university level
you are a dependent student) eligible students whose parent/guardian has died Preference for STEM majors and jobs. For work

• Records of untaxed income—child support as a result of military service or the events of 9/11): • ETS offers free test prep on their website authorization, bring your proof of employment to

received, interest income, veterans’ up to the maximum Pell Grant amount • To register to take the test or to send scores to a Visa Office to get an SSN.
colleges, visit: ets.org/toefl
noneducation benefits—for you and for your • Federal Work Study (part-time jobs on- or off- Financial Aid:
parents (if you are a dependent student) campus; money is earned while attending school) IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Many U.S. colleges and universities are need-
University-level English language proficiency test sensitive during the application process. This means
that during the application process, a college or
Eligibility • To register to take the test or to send scores to
To see if you qualify for federal funds, review eligibility colleges, visit: ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-study university will take into account your request for

criteria at: studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/basic-criteria. need-based financial aid and how much aid you
TAKING THE SAT/ACT/SUBJECT TESTS require. Each institution will have different policies
Interest
Register early! Seats and test dates may be more limited for the amount of aid they award and the process
All loans, whether federal or private, come with interest
if you’re testing outside the US and US territories. The of how to apply for aid.
rates. An interest rate is a percentage of the student
SAT is offered internationally in October, December,
loan funds added onto the original sum of the loan that Deadlines:
March, and May. SAT Subject Tests are offered
you took out. As you pay off your student loans, you Deadline information and more can be found online
internationally in October, November, December,
must also pay off the interest that has accumulated at: international.collegeboard.org/prepare-to-study-
May, and June. The ACT is offered internationally in
over time. No loan is exempt from interest. in-the-us.
September, October, December, April, and June. You
must register online.

• There is no late registration for international test

CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE (FOR NON-FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID)
Net Price Calculators. Many takers for the SAT and SAT Subject tests.
• Almost 400 colleges across the U.S. accept CSS. You can see a list at: schools offer Net Price Calculators • More information about the SAT and SAT Subject
profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx on their websites, which allow you Tests for international students can be found at
to estimate the amount of financial
• Available for international students and non-US citizens!
aid you can expect to receive.
collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/
international.
• Instructions for applying can be found at: cssprofile.collegeboard.org

10 11
 FRESHMAN YEAR SOPHOMORE YEAR
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

†† Focus on your grades! Your grades are one †† Focus on your grades!
of the most important components of your †† Continue planning your classes. Look at
college application. They attest to your the AP, IB, or Honors classes your high
work ethic and mastery of material. school offers.
†† Start to plan your classes for the next four †† Stay involved and seek new opportunities.
years. Most colleges like to see: 4 years Consider taking up leadership roles in the
of English, 3-4 years of Math, 3-4 years of activities in which you’re most invested.
Science, 3-4 years of Social Sciences, and
†† Continue updating your Coalition Locker
2-3 years of a Foreign Language. Many
with your favorite projects and awards.
students exceed these expectations.

HIGH SCHOOL
†† Continue exploring college payment options
†† High school is a time for discovery!
with your parents.
Start getting involved at school or in
your community through extracurricular †† Start looking into colleges. Go to college

CHECKLIST activities, jobs, or volunteer work. fairs happening in your area.

†† Start filing your activities,

accomplishments, and favorite essays on IN THE FALL
High school is a vital period for you to learn, get involved, the Coalition website: use the Locker!
†† Take the PSAT/NMSQT. The National Merit
and grow into the person you will become when you Scholarship Program pools together the
begin applying for college. Each year is an important step IN THE SUMMER top performers on the PSAT and gives them
a chance to be considered National Merit
in the process. The following checklist contains tips and †† Look into summer opportunities. Consider
Scholarship Finalists. Finalists, if selected,
volunteering. Hospitals, parks, zoos, and
suggestions for you as you navigate your four years of high receive various forms of college scholarship
museums—just to name some—are always
school and begin to think about college. looking for enthusiastic volunteers.
money.

IN THE SUMMER

†† Continue looking into summer opportunities.

Look into paid jobs and internships.
Campaigns, public offices, local hospitals,
and libraries, for example, all look for high
school interns!

†† Take summer classes or start looking into

pre-college programs. Some high schools
offer advanced summer classes that’ll give
you a leg up during the school year.

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 JUNIOR YEAR SENIOR YEAR
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR †† Register to take the SAT or ACT in the THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE SPRING
Winter or Spring.
†† Focus on your grades! †† Focus on your grades! †† Take AP exams.
†† Make a preliminary college list.
†† Take advanced classes that interest you (AP, †† Take advanced classes that interest you (AP, †† Regular Decision Results! You’ll either be
†† Look for scholarships. The College Board
IB, Honors, etc.). IB, Honors, etc.). Accepted, Denied, or Waitlisted.
has excellent scholarship resources. Colleges
†† Talk to your counselor about High School/ †† Continue getting involved, staying †† Submit your enrollment deposit! May 1st
also offer merit scholarships, which you can
College Dual Enrollment. Dual enrollment involved, and assuming leadership roles. is the national deadline for committing to
find on their websites.
lets you enroll in college courses while still †† Continue updating your Coalition Locker the college of your choice (for non-rolling
†† Set up appointments to visit your top
in high school. and identify the pieces you feel closest to. admission schools).
college choices. Call the admissions office
†† Connect with your counselor and begin Use these pieces as inspiration for your
or use the college’s website.
exploring college options. Ask for help college essays. IN THE SUMMER
in drafting your list of colleges you are
IN THE SPRING †† Update any email or mailing preferences
interested in. IN THE FALL to make sure you are getting all the
†† Continue getting involved, staying involved, †† Think about which teachers you’ll ask
†† Connect with your high school counselor and important information you need!
and looking into leadership roles in your for recommendations.
develop a plan of action. Finalize your college †† Complete any other enrollment
extracurriculars. †† Set up a meeting to talk to teachers about
list, determine which scholarships you’re paperwork your college sends you.
†† Continue updating your Coalition Locker letters of recommendation.
applying to, which financial aid applications †† Research work-study opportunities.
with important documents. †† Ask your counselor if you qualify for a testing you’ll fill out, and be on top of your deadlines! Contact the financial aid office to get a
†† Continue weighing financing options with fee waiver.
†† Ask your counselor if you qualify for an work-study job lined up for the fall.
your parents. †† Take the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests if you application fee waiver. †† Contact your roommate(s)! You’ll usually
†† Continue looking at colleges. Attend have not done so already, or retake the test if
†† Finish your remaining personal essays. receive information about housing a few
college fairs, go to info sessions, and you are trying to improve your score. Schools
†† Make sure your counselor sends your weeks before school starts, including
make college visits. that you are applying to may require specific
transcript. who you’re living with, which gives you
subject tests; be sure to check their websites
†† Pay attention to your health. School can the opportunity to get to know your
for requirements. †† Ask teachers for letters of recommendation
become especially stressful around junior roommate(s) before move-in day.
if you have not done so already.
year. Don’t be afraid to seek support from †† Take AP exams.
†† Go to orientation. Attending orientation
family, friends, teachers, mentors, and school †† Make a calendar so you can mark down
is essential in preparing you for the next
counselors. IN THE SUMMER your application deadlines.
four years.

†† Fill out all the sections of the Coalition App. †† Depending on the school, there might be one
IN THE FALL IN THE WINTER
Resources on how to utilize the Coalition college orientation for all incoming freshmen,

†† Take the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests. platform can be found in the Appendix! †† This is the last chance you have to retake or a few separate sessions. Your school will

Schools you apply to may require these tests. your SAT Subject Tests! send you the information you need.
†† Plan more visits to colleges you’re
Please check their websites. interested in. †† Early results! You’ll either be Accepted, †† Buy school supplies, dorm furniture, and
Deferred, or Denied. textbooks. The campus bookstore should
†† Draft college essays.
IN THE WINTER have everything you need!
†† Finish filling out FAFSA and other financial
†† Update your preliminary college list.
aid documents.
†† Apply to summer programs. QuestBridge †† Make a college payment plan with
offers scholarships to summer college your parents.
programs at schools including Emory, Notre
Dame, UPenn, Stanford, UChicago, and Yale.

14 15
 APPENDIX:
MYCOALITION PROFILE

What is the MyCoalition Profile?

The MyCoalition Profile is part of your MyCoalition Account, which organizes basic information about yourself, your
The following section contains a step-by-step guide for creating a Coalition family, and your interests. This information will become part of the college applications you submit through MyCoalition.
Account; organizing personal information through the MyCoalition profile;
How to complete your MyCoalition profile:
building out your Contacts list—individuals who can help you shape your
application; uploading and sharing documents through the Locker function; 1. Log in to your MyCoalition account.

and completing college applications. Additionally, it includes a list of free, 2. Select “Student” on the Welcome to the Coalition page
that comes up and then hit continue.
supplementary learning resources that can help you bolster your knowledge
3. On the Overview page, select the first option, “Start your
in different subject areas and prepare you for the college experience. Profile.”

4. Fill in your personal information and then continue filling

out the rest of your profile. The different sections of the
HOW TO USE MYCOALITION profile can be accessed either by clicking the tabs on the
The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success allows students to apply to college by using the Coalition side of the page OR the buttons at the bottom of the page.
Application. This application can be used to apply to any of the 140+ colleges that are members of the Coalition. 5. Note that you can track your profile-completion progress by
To use the Coalition application, you must first create a MyCoalition account and profile. Your MyCoalition account monitoring the progress bar outlined in the red box to the
and profile can be used throughout high school as a storage space for materials and information to help document right. Optional fields are indicated in parentheses.
your growth and achievement.
6. Once you have filled out all the sections, you have
completed your profile!
ACCOUNT CREATION

1. Visit coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.

2. On the home page, click the button COLLABORATION SPACE CONTACTS

that says “Create your account/Start an
What are Contacts? 4. After entering the necessary information, click the
application,” enclosed in the white box to
Contacts are other accounts to which you are “Invite” button. Your contact will receive an email
the right.
connected. You can assign different relationships to as well as a notification on their Coalition account,
3. Press the “Create Account” button on the
your contacts, including “Friend,” “Counselor,” “Mentor,” letting them know that you have added them.
Login tab that appears.
etc. You can easily access these contacts through the
4. Enter the email and password you will How to use the Inbox:
Coalition Platform to share a document, add them as a
use to log in to the account in the future. recommender, or message them directly. 1. Click the “Home” drop-down menu at the top of the
Confirm your password. screen. Select “Inbox” from the menu that appears.
5. Enter your legal name and date of birth. Then, 1. Click the “Home” drop-down menu at the top of
2. Click the “New Conversation” button to draft a new
click the “Create Account” button at the the screen. Select “Contacts” from the menu that
message. You can either enter a new email address
bottom of the page. appears.
or simply look up one of your contacts to direct
6. Now, verify your email. An email will have 2. Click the “Invite New Contact” button. your message. Messages addressed to you can be
been sent to the address that you provided.
3. Enter the required information about your new found in the inbox.
7. Click on the first link in the email to verify contact: first name, last name, email address, and
your account’s email address. the relationship they have to you. You may create a
8. Congratulations! You have successfully new relationship if you feel the options listed do not
created your Coalition account. fit the relationship you have with your new contact.

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 LOCKER COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

What is the Locker? Preparation:

The Locker consists of two major components. Both are accessible by clicking the “Locker” drop-down menu at the Before starting your college application(s), be sure you have
top of the screen. The first component, entitled “Media,” consists of documents that you upload throughout high completed your profile. To check that you have done so, make
school. These documents are then easily accessible if an application requires an attachment during the application sure your Profile progress bar is at 100%. If it is not, then you
process. The second component, entitled “Official Documents,” consists of documents that are required for the still have some sections to fill out!
application process—these include official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
How to begin a college application:
How to upload files to the Media Section of the Locker: 1. To start an application, go to the “Colleges” tab, which
1. Click the “Locker” drop-down menu at the top of the screen will prompt you to the screen shown to the right. Here,
(outlined in red). Select “Media” from the menu that appears. you can either search for the college to which you want
to apply by typing the name into the search bar, or by
2. Once on the “Media” page, click the “Upload” button to
clicking “+ SHOW LIST”
open the “Add Media” window.
2. Once you see the school to which you want to apply in
3. After clicking “Select Files,” you can select the files on your
the list, click “ADD TO LIST.” If have successfully added a
computer that you wish to upload to your Locker. Then click
school, it should appear on your list as shown to the right.
the “Add Documents” button at the bottom of the window.
3. To view a school’s application details, click on the school
4. You have successfully uploaded files to your Locker!
name. A window will open that contains an overview of
5. After uploading files, the Locker will present you with the school’s profile as well as school-specific application
different options to organize and rename them. information (e.g. application due dates).

4. To begin the school’s application, click the “Start

How to share documents: Application” button (located at the top of the screen,
1. You can share documents by clicking the Share icon. If the documents are displayed as a grid, under the school name). You may also begin the

this icon can be found on the top left corner of the document thumbnail. If the documents are application by pressing the “Start Application” button

displayed as a list, it can be found to the right of the document title. on the “Colleges” page itself, but only once the school
has been added to your list.
2. After clicking the Share icon, you will see a window prompting you to enter the email address of the person
you are sharing the document with, as well as an optional message. In this window, you can easily look up 5. Once you start your application, you will be prompted
to select how you are applying (as a freshman, transfer,
and select a person from your contacts to be the recipient of the document.
international student, etc.). Select the option that

How to access and use the Official Documents section of the Locker: applies to you in order to import your profile into your
application. Click “view requirements” if you are unsure
1. Select “Official Documents” from the Locker drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
which term describes you.
2. Below each section (Counselor Recommenders, Academic Recommenders, Other Recommenders), there is
6. If you have completed your Profile, the application
an “Add Recommender” button. After clicking on this button, you have the option to add one of your already
will look like the image on the left. If your Profile is
existing contacts as a recommender or a new contact as a recommender by entering their email.
incomplete, then sections will be highlighted, and your
application will look like the image on the right. You
MYCOALITION COUNSELOR can complete these highlighted sections by clicking on
them, which will take you to the section of the Profile
MyCoalition Counselor is a resource that contains articles that helpfully answer many frequently asked questions
that you need to complete. Once you complete all the
about the college admissions process. The articles in this section are organized by subject matter as well as the high
sections of your profile, you may return to this page
school class they target—there are articles targeted toward freshmen, sophomores, etc. MyCoalition Counselor can be
and click the “Start Application” button located at the
accessed by clicking the “Help” drop-down menu at the top of the page and then clicking “MyCoalition Counselor.”
bottom of the page.

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 7. Once you proceed, you will be taken to the
ADDITIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES
Application Status page, which has a progress
bar (shown to the right) for this school-specific Open educational resources (OER) are multimedia, open-license digital tools that expand education through teaching,
application. As you complete the listed tasks, learning, research, and assessment. They provide students with access to free platforms without a distance restriction,
they will get checked off, and your progress bar and offer an alternative educational paradigm.
will fill up, letting you know how close you are to
completing the application. KHAN ACADEMY
Offers easy-to-understand lessons and tutorials in a variety
8. After you have finished the Profile, the second
of subject areas. The website provides tutorials you can
section for you to complete is “Term,” which
watch and take notes on. These tutorials are followed by
refers to the application round during which you
practice tests and quizzes that students take to improve
are applying. After clicking the “Go to Terms”
their understanding. Khan Academy can be accessed
button on the application page, you will be taken
and used with or without an account. However, to take
to a page with a drop-down menu (shown to the
advantage of features like Test Prep, students should create
right). Select the application round for which you
an account.
are applying. Afterwards, you may click “View
Application Status” to return to the Application To sign up:

Status page, “Back” to go back to the Profile You may use your email, Google login, or Facebook account

section, or “Continue” to continue to the next to sign up. You will be asked for your birthday and will need

section of the application. to make a username and password.

9. For any official documents, such as transcripts or

EDUCURIOUS
mid-year grades, you must click “Request” and
Uses a project-based learning curriculum that is aligned
then select the contact who will upload these
with the standards of the State Core Curriculum. The Signup
documents for you. To obtain recommendations,
Process for this platform is clearly explained on the website,
you must click “+Add Recommender” to
but it is advised to contact Educurious directly in order to
add the first recommender. For each further
integrate their courses with your studies.
recommender, click “+NEW” and select or
enter the contact information for the next
I’M FIRST
recommender. To make changes to these
Designed to give first-generation college students a means to
selections, click either the “Manage Documents”
prepare for the college experience. The platform allows first-
or “Manage Recommenders” button. Then, scroll
generation students to share their experiences with others
down to click the drop-down “Options” menu
who may be following the same path they are. Students
beside the contact you wish to change. After
can post blogs to the website describing their expectations
canceling the initial request, you can use the
of college and what they learned during their first year.
“Options” menu again to delete the request from
The website also features a list of institutions dedicated to
your screen.
enabling access for first-generation students.
10. Once you have completed all the sections, click To sign up:
“Submit Application.” If you wish to pause your You can create an account using your Facebook account
application and come back to it at a later time, or personal email. Then, fill out a short form for your
you can always exit the application and continue graduation year and password.
it later by clicking the “Continue Application”
button on the “Colleges” tab.

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