How Do You Know When to Apply for College? A Step-by-Step Guide

Explore our step-by-step guide for the university application process, the best time to apply, and financial aid and scholarships. Consider applying for your degree program with NMSU Global Campus and work with a trusted advisor to help guide you through the process.

If you’re planning to further your education with a college degree, the first question you’re probably asking yourself is when to apply. How soon before your first semester should you start filling out applications? Is there a certain time of year that will increase your chances of acceptance? When should you apply for scholarships and financial aid?

Whether you’re a high school student planning your future or a working professional looking to advance or change your career, you might be feeling overwhelmed by the college application process. But the experience doesn’t have to be daunting! Let’s go over the basics of applying to college and explore what type of support is available.

If you’re ready to apply, NMSU Global Campus has available resources to help you plan out your next steps, including enrollment start times and ensuring you meet application deadlines. We can also help you identify any possible scholarships or grant qualifications that are designed to help you pay for your online college degree. Start your journey as an Aggie.

When Should I Start Applying for College?

The short answer is it depends on the school. 

Most universities have just one application window per year, which typically opens in August and closes in January. If you’re looking into one of these traditional schools, you might find there are some advantages to applying on the early side.

Here are a few different ways you can go about applying for college:

• Many schools offer a priority deadline, where your application will be given stronger consideration. Typically, this date is in late November or early December, and you get a decision from the school by January or February. 
• Some universities also offer an Early Decision option. If you get accepted this way, you’re required to attend the school, which increases your chances of acceptance because it demonstrates your commitment. However, because of the binding obligation, you may only apply to one university this way.
• Another common option is Early Action. This method doesn’t give your application the boost that Early Decision does, but it’s non-committal, so you don’t have the same pressure of having to attend if you get accepted. Plus, you can still reduce the stress of uncertainty by getting an answer sooner. 
• The deadline for both Early Decision and Early Action is generally in November, with a decision coming the following month.

When Do You Apply for College in High School?

If you’re early in your high school career, you’re probably wondering: Should I apply to college as a junior, or should I wait until senior year?

Typically, high school students apply to college during the fall of their senior year. If your school is on a semester system, that means you should apply during the first of your two semesters. 

Generally speaking, if you apply between August and December, you’ll find out in the spring if you get accepted, and then you’ll start college the following fall. For instance, if you apply to a university in the fall of 2024, you would likely hear back from them in the spring of 2025. In this case, your first academic year of college would be 2025-2026.

That said, if you’re a junior in high school, it’s not too early to prepare for the college application process. The U.S. Department of Education has a list of steps you should take in 11th grade, ¹ and here are some of the most important ones:

1. Find the schools you want to apply to. For in-person universities, schedule a time to visit the campuses.
2. If required, take the SAT and ACT tests in the spring.
3. If you plan to apply for FAFSA (more on this later), go ahead and create a Federal Student Aid account. You should put in your information, not a guardian’s.

Of course, you don’t need to wait until junior year to start researching. Even if you’re a freshman or sophomore, it’s great to get a head start on figuring out which college you want to attend. Important factors to consider in this decision are the cost and quality of the school, as well as the programs they provide and whether any of them match your interests.

Need help deciding on a major? Here is a quick guide to help you narrow down what degree or major you should pursue in college.

At NMSU Global Campus, we offer over 70 degree and certificate programs in a convenient, 100% online format. That means you can pursue your dream career, learn from renowned professors, and get an education from a trusted university, all from the comfort of your home. Plus, there’s another benefit of applying to NMSU Global Campus: we offer multiple start dates.

What is Rolling Admissions and How Does it Work?

If all the application deadlines are stressing you out, there is another option. Some universities offer rolling admissions, where applications are accepted on a continual basis throughout the year. Beyond the convenience, there are several benefits of a rolling admissions system:

• You have an increased chance of acceptance because you’re not competing against every student in the same application window.
• You typically get a response much faster.
• You can apply whenever you’re ready, so you’re not stuck with one deadline.

Keep in mind that schools typically send out admission decisions within 4-6 weeks, selecting students until all open slots for the incoming class have been filled. Schools with rolling admissions often open application cycles around August or September and keep them open through the spring term. More importantly, the process of admission to the college isn’t necessarily binding, meaning you can select which term you wish to apply for.

Rolling admissions is the process we use for undergraduate programs and select graduate programs at NMSU Global Campus. We’re here to support you in the enrollment process, so whenever you’re ready, you can apply for free.

That’s another factor you should keep in mind: most college applications cost money. According to U.S. News & World Report, ² the average application fee is $45, and some cost upwards of $100. If you’re planning to apply to multiple schools, those application fees can add up quickly. Make sure you take that into account when you’re planning the application process: you might need time to save up money.

In short, if you want to know when to start the college application process, you should look into each school’s specific deadlines and admissions processes. Once you have some specific dates in mind, make sure to give yourself enough time to fill out the application.

How Long Does a College Application Take?

If you’re trying to figure out how much time to give yourself for each application, there are three major questions you should answer about each university:

1. What Are the School’s Application Requirements?

Beyond the basic application form, which itself can take a couple of hours to complete, many schools have other time-consuming requirements:

• Standardized Test Scores: If your school of choice requires SAT, ACT, or other standardized test scores for admission, you’ll need to give yourself at least 30-40 hours to study.
• Letters of Recommendation: Teachers, coaches, and other leadership figures have a lot on their plates, and some people are faster writers than others. It’s best to ask for letters early, at least 4-6 weeks before an application is due. That gives them enough time to write a thoughtful recommendation, and it gives you enough time to find a backup if your first-choice recommender isn’t available.
• A Statement of Purpose: Most schools require a personal statement or other school-specific writing sample. You should give yourself at least 8-10 hours to write and revise one, and if writing isn’t your strong suit, you should factor in time to seek feedback. Consider finding a tutor or exploring resources like our online microlearning course, Write Your Admissions Essay.
• Transcripts From Previous Academic Institutions: It’s almost certain that you’ll need to submit official transcripts from the previous school(s) you attended. This would include your high school — and, if applicable, a community college or other university. Keep in mind that official transcripts need to be sent directly from the school, so contact your school’s registrar to get help on how to do this. If you’re not sure how to contact the registrar, anyone working in the school’s administration should be able to point you in the right direction.

The time it takes to apply to college largely depends on how many schools you plan to apply to and how intense the requirements are for each one. The more demanding the process, the more time you’ll need to give yourself. Many universities believe that a laborious application process is required to assess the character of each student.

At NMSU Global Campus, we have a different philosophy. We believe in supporting you from the very beginning, making a prestigious education more accessible. That’s why we don’t require SAT or ACT scores for admittance, as long as you have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher. Similarly, prospective grad students don’t need to submit GRE scores to apply to many of our master’s programs. Letters of recommendation and statements of purpose are also not required for every program.

2. What is the School’s Modality?

If you’re planning to attend a traditional university where you study (and sometimes live) on campus, you should visit the campus and research the area before applying. Location is key to having a positive experience, and if a school’s environment doesn’t appeal to you, then you should strongly reconsider if you’ve found the right fit. 

The National Association for College Admission Counseling ³ suggests spending 2-4 hours at each campus, and they recommend that you visit just one or two schools in a day. Schools have specific dates and times for tours, so make sure to call the admissions office to schedule a visit.

When you’re visiting a college campus, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Atmosphere: Do you like the campus and surrounding community? How supportive are the students, faculty, and administrators?
• Housing Options: Are there viable, affordable living accommodations nearby?
• Support Services: Does the school offer tutoring centers and other academic support? How about counseling or career services?
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Are the classes large or small, and which one fits your learning style?

Attending Online College: Resources from NMSU Global Campus

If you’re planning to attend an online university, you can avoid having to schedule campus visits because your classroom will be wherever it’s convenient for you. And even though you would be studying at home, that doesn’t mean you would be on your own.

“I felt supported by the NMSU Global Campus community,” says Bernadette, a master’s student at NMSU Global Campus. “Even though I was online, I got to meet students from different parts of New Mexico and other states… We were always there to help each other.”

Beyond the online campus community, we also offer a variety of student support resources, including a tutoring center,  writing center, student success center, and more. With NMSU Global Campus, you can enjoy the complete college experience at home.

3. Do You Know What You Want to Study?

If you want to go to college but you’re not sure about your degree, you’re not alone. Recent data suggests that about half of new students aren’t certain about their career path ⁴ when they start college.

While you should certainly research different degree programs on your own, it can save you a good deal of time and stress by talking to an expert about it. Enrollment or admissions advisors can help you figure out which degree plan is right for you. They can also walk you through the application process and make sure you’re not missing any steps along the way.

At NMSU Global Campus, we’re here to support you from enrollment all the way through graduation and beyond. We’ll be there to help you select a program, answer any questions you have about the application process, and cheer you on toward your degree. Let us know how we can help, and one of our admissions advisors will contact you to answer your questions.

When Should You Apply for Financial Aid?

In addition to the general application process, you might be wondering when to apply for college financial aid. Here are the basics:

• FAFSA opens October 1 and closes June 30 each year. It’s best to start the process as early as you can, and always double-check the dates. Some states and colleges have earlier deadlines.
• Scholarships: Most scholarships are offered year-round; however, many deadlines are tied to the start of new semesters, so pay extra attention in the fall and spring.

What’s the Difference Between College Financial Aid and Scholarships?

• FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is aid that comes from the government. Scholarships come from schools and private organizations.
• Financial aid can come in the form of grants, loans, and sometimes work-study programs. Scholarships, like grants, are funds you do not have to repay.
• FAFSA is mostly needs-based and scholarships are primarily merit-based. This isn’t always the case, however, and there are plenty of financial aid options for those who need it.

How Do You Find College Scholarships?

• Use a scholarship search engine like the one from the U.S. Department of Labor, Fastweb, or Scholarships.com.
• Check with local businesses and organizations.
• Ask your employer if they offer tuition support.
• See if your school offers scholarships or resources the way NMSU Global Campus does.

At NMSU Global Campus, in addition to our affordable tuition, we offer a variety of grants, loans, and scholarships to support you on your path to your degree. In fact, if you’re a New Mexico resident pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you can get up to 100% of your tuition covered with the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.

What Does the College Application Process Look Like?

The big takeaway here is that every school is different. The deadlines, admissions processes, application requirements, and availability of resources aren’t always the same, and you should check with each specific university to get the details you need. Yes, this might sound like a big task, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By doing this research, you’re already on your way.

And if you’re curious about what the application process at NMSU Global Campus looks like, here are the steps:

1. Explore our 70+ online degree and certificate programs.
2. If it would be helpful, speak with an admissions advisor.
3. Apply for free anytime — we have rolling admissions.
4. If you wish, contact a financial aid specialist to talk about your options.

And that’s it! If you get accepted, we’ll be there to support you from day one all the way through graduation and beyond.

Why Choose NMSU Global Campus?

At NMSU Global Campus, our dedicated advisors are ready to guide you through the admissions process and help you get into a program that aligns with your passions and career aspirations.

Our flexible, affordable, and 100% online degree programs make balancing your studies with other activities easy. You’ll also join a supportive network of students and mentors from around the world who share your drive and determination.

Ready to start your higher education journey? 

Enroll With NMSU Global Campus Today.

References

1. “11th Grade College Prep Checklist.” Federal Student Aid, accessed November 2024.

2. Wood, Sarah. “Colleges With The Highest Application Fees.” U.S. News & World Report, 28 January 2022.

3. “The College Visit.” National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 29 January 2023.

4. “Course correction: Helping students find and follow a path to success.” Ellucian, 2019.