Now that you have made the decision to get your education online, you need to start assembling your online degree applications. Most online college admission procedures are fairly simple and your applications for school can be electronically submitted. Failing to meet deadlines and following instructions trip up online learners just as easily as they do face-to-face students.
So you might be wondering how to fill out your school application. You will likely have to submit a number of items for your online degree application to be considered complete:
• Admission test scores (if required)
• Application form
• High school, undergraduate, or other transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal essays
Many online degree programs admit students at any time of the year in monthly increments. It may take a few months to register and take standardized tests and to assemble and submit all the necessary forms. Make sure you know what the deadlines for applications are and start early. Even if you apply to a certificate program or an associate degree program at a community college, a process that is typically less complicated, make sure to begin the application process well before the application deadline. Online universities have the same stringent requirements that traditional colleges have.
Tips to Getting Your Online Degree Application Smoothly Through the Process
• Do not rush through filling out the application for school. Download the application, print it out, and fill it in by hand first. Then transfer the information to the online form.
• Sometimes the application form also includes a section for applying for financial aid. However, a completely separate application form for financial aid might be necessary. Be sure you understand what forms you need to submit and to whom.
• Do not proofread your application online. Print it out and proof it.
• Make sure everything that is asked for is there.
Transcripts
As proof of your academic background, you will need to submit official transcripts from each high school (for undergraduate programs), college, and university you have attended, even if you have taken just one course from an institution. To request official transcripts, contact your high school’s guidance office or the registrars of all the postsecondary institutions you have attended.
Tips to Getting Transcripts
• Be sure to allow two to three months for your request to be processed.
• To save time, find out the fee for each transcript. Then enclose a check for that amount with your written request.
• Since many schools send transcripts directly to the admission offices of the programs to which you are applying, request an unofficial copy for yourself. Use this copy for your own reference during the application process.
• When reviewing your transcripts, look for weaknesses that may need explaining, even if they occurred years ago. For example, a low overall GPA may hurt your chances of acceptance unless you have a good reason for it.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are important because they give the members of the admission committee a more personal view of who you are. Good letters of recommendation can increase your chances of admission. And how do you get these letters of recommendation? First, if particular teachers or professors are still at your alma mater, get in touch and let them know what you have done since you were in their classes and what your plans are for school. Include a resume. Tell the instructors what you remember most about the courses you took with them. Most teachers keep their course records for at least a few years and can look up your grades. If you are still near your high school or undergraduate institution, make an appointment to see the teachers or professors in person.
If you have trouble recruiting teachers and professors to recommend you, call the online degree programs to which you are applying and ask about their policies for applicants in your situation. Many programs designed for adult learners, especially professional programs, allow you to use letters from employers. But remember, if you apply to an academic rather than professional program, letters from employers will not carry as much weight as letters from faculty members.
Tips to Getting Effective Letters of Recommendation
• If possible, at least one of your recommendations should be from a teacher or professor, as he or she can best judge you as a potential student.
• If you cannot make up the full complement of letters from faculty members or if you are applying to professional programs, ask employers or people who know you in a professional capacity to write references for you.
• The letter of recommendation forms contain a waiver. If you sign the waiver, you give up your right to see the letter of recommendation. Before you decide whether or not to sign it, discuss the waiver with each person who is writing you a reference. A confidential letter usually has more validity in the eyes of admission committees, and some recommenders will write you a reference only if you agree to sign the waiver.
Just because you are applying to an online college or university does not mean you can be any less careful in your application process than you would for a traditional university. Online degrees offer the same benefits that traditional degrees do, so it stands to reason that your application needs to be perfect. Take your time, watch your deadlines, and be sure to include every item and you will be enrolled at the online university of your choice soon!
