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Once you have made the decision to pursue
a degree online, you should begin preparing
your applications. The good news is that the
process for admission to many online schools
is relatively simple and straightforward,
and you should be able to complete your
application entirely via the Internet. Most
programs have rolling
admissions, which means you can submit your
application at any time during the year.
However, students should keep in mind that
it could take several months to assemble all
of the materials they need for their
applications, so it is important to get
started as early as possible.
For the most part, the application process
for an online school is similar to that of
traditional brick-and-mortar colleges.
Students will need to check for enrollment
deadlines at the specific schools to which
they are applying. In addition, students
should find out the exact materials they
will need to submit as part of their
application. These schools may require some
or all of the following:
- Application Form - Students can
download the application form for their
chosen online degree program off of the school’s
website. Make sure that you fill out all
of the necessary information and that
you proofread the form before you submit
it. Students should keep a hardcopy of
the form or print off a copy of the
confirmation page to save for their
records.
- School Transcripts - In order to show proof
of your previous academic experience or
degrees earned, students will need to
submit official transcripts from all of
the schools that they have attended.
Students can request an official
transcript from the registrar or
guidance counselor office at their
schools. Students should be aware that
it can take awhile for schools to process
their request, so do not wait until the
last minute. Most schools require that
you pay a fee for each transcript, and
they will send them directly to the
schools to which you are applying. Ask
for a copy of each of your
transcripts to keep for your records.
- Essays - Personal essays are an
important part of the application
process. Essays allow you an opportunity
to showcase your personality to the
admissions officers reviewing your
application. In addition, essays
demonstrate your writing abilities --
skills that will play a major role in
your success at any level of higher
education (especially in an online
environment).
- Letters of Recommendation - If you
have weak grades or test scores, strong
letters of recommendation can improve
your chances of gaining admission to an
online as well as traditional degree program. Just like essays,
letters of recommendation allow
admissions officers to gain a sense of
who you are as a person and how you will
perform as a student. Students should
try to ask a former teacher or professor
to write them a letter of
recommendation. However, adult learners
already in the workforce can also ask
for references from their employer,
manager or
other professionals they have worked
with in their field.
- Test Scores - In some cases, students
may need to submit standardized test
scores as part of their application.
High school students in particular may
need to include ACT and SAT scores when
applying for online degrees programs. Students
can check with their school for
standardized test dates if they have not
already taken these tests. Some schools also require prospective
students to take a computer test to
determine if they have the technological
skills necessary in order to complete a degree
program.
Online degree programs offer a flexible and
convenient opportunity for students to
advance their education; however, students
should take the application process just as
seriously as they would for a traditional
college. It is important to do your
research, plan ahead, and check deadlines
before you actually apply. Different schools have
different requirements, and a school will
only process your application if it is
complete, so make sure you are thorough and
that you include all necessary materials.
Once a school receives your complete
application, it can take a couple weeks or a
couple months before you receive a response.
Be patient, and keep your options open. With
so many online learning opportunities out there, you should have no
problem finding an online program
that is right for you.
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A Good Idea... Choose People you can
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Many
schools require that letters of
recommendation be confidential,
which means that you will not have
the opportunity to read them. Be
sure to choose people who you trust
and who know you well. If they are
submitting the recommendation
directly to the school, be sure to
follow up with them so that you know
they completed the letter. |
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