Everything that goes into a college application, broken into clear, manageable steps. Start here, then go deeper on the topics most relevant to you.
A college application is made up of several pieces, each giving admissions a different window into who you are. Here's what you'll typically submit:
250-650 words. Your main college essay, written once on the Common App and sent to all schools. Choose from 7 prompts or write your own (prompt 7). This is your voice. Be specific and honest, not impressive.
Up to 10 extracurriculars with 150-character descriptions. Clubs, jobs, sports, volunteering, family responsibilities, creative projects, all count. This is not just a list: use it to show your engagement, impact, and leadership.
Your official high school transcript, requested from your guidance counselor. Most schools want your grades through junior year, with first-semester senior grades often sent mid-year.
SAT or ACT scores, now optional at most schools. Self-report scores on the Common App; official scores are sent separately by College Board or ACT. AP and IB scores may strengthen your application.
Usually 2 from teachers (in subjects relevant to your intended major) plus one from your school counselor. Ask by end of junior year, your recommenders need time. SMS students: your teacher and counselor letters are handled through Scoir, not the Common App.
School-specific short essays, "Why us?", "Describe a challenge", "Briefly elaborate on an activity." Length varies from 50 to 650 words. These are where most students lose points by writing generic answers.
Many schools track whether you've visited their campus, attended info sessions, opened emails, or contacted admissions. This is called "demonstrated interest" and it can influence decisions, especially at schools lower on selectivity. Opening email from them and clicking links counts.
The Common App is the platform that lets you apply to ~1,000 colleges with one application, one account, one essay, one set of basics.
At Special Music School, Scoir is the hub for your whole application: your college list, your documents, and your recommenders. Learn how it works and how it links to the Common App at the start of senior year.
The Common App opens for new students on August 1 each year. At SMS, we start a soft rollout in April–May of junior year using a practice account, so you can work on your profile and family sections, explore the platform with no pressure, and build comfort early.
Started with us in the spring? After August 1, log in and roll your account over into the new application year, all of your information transfers with you.
Search and add colleges to your "My Colleges" list. Each school shows what supplements are required. You can add and remove schools any time before you submit.
Choose 1 of 7 prompts and write 250-650 words. The same essay goes to every school you apply to. Write it early, it often takes 5+ drafts to get right.
Do not use the Common App recommender section unless you are inviting someone from outside Special Music School, like a private music teacher or a supervisor from an internship or summer job. Your SMS teachers and counselor are invited through your Scoir portal instead; Scoir matches with your Common App and sends their letters to your colleges along with your other school documents. Inviting SMS recommenders here blocks the senders and creates a paperwork nightmare.
Each school is submitted separately. Once you submit to a school, you can't edit that application. Review everything carefully before hitting submit, there's no undo.
Conservatory and music-school applications are school-specific, each program has its own application, so check every school's portal. CUNY also has its own application. For SUNY, we typically use the Common App, but you can use the separate SUNY application instead, especially to save room on the Common App, which caps you at 20 schools.
SUNY is on the Common App, so you can add SUNY campuses right alongside your other schools, or use the separate SUNY application at suny.edu/apply if you'd rather save room on the Common App. CUNY is not on the Common App; it maintains its own application site. See our NY-Specific Guide → for details.
Both CUNY and SUNY run a free application period in late October into early November. Every application costs money, so have your CUNY and SUNY apps ready to submit during that window, let's save money where we can.
At SMS, we recommend applying to 12–15 schools across three tiers. Here's how to think about each one:
Schools where your GPA and test scores are above the average admitted student. You feel confident you'd get in.
4-5 schoolsSchools where your stats are right in the middle of their accepted range. You have a realistic shot. These should anchor your list.
5-6 schoolsSchools where your stats are below the typical admitted student, or where acceptance rates are below ~20%. Worth applying if they're your dream schools.
3-4 schoolsDoes the school have strong programs in your area of interest? What's the typical class size? Is there research opportunity?
Is the school need-blind or need-aware? Do they meet 100% of demonstrated need? What's the average merit aid package?
How far from home? Urban, suburban, or rural? Is that important to you? Can you get home easily for holidays?
Division I sports or none? Greek life or not? Political lean? Diversity stats? Visit or do a virtual tour before deciding.
What percentage of grads are employed or in grad school within 6 months? What's the median salary? Use the College Scorecard.
Small liberal arts college (under 2,000) vs. large research university (20,000+)? This affects access to professors, class availability, and social scene.
Every college publishes a Common Data Set (CDS), a spreadsheet of acceptance rates, average SAT/GPA, financial aid, and more. Google"school name Common Data Set" to find it. Section C13 shows middle 50% test scores. Section C7 shows how admissions factors are weighed.
Here's what to focus on month by month. Deadlines hit fast in the fall, do not wait until October to start.
Different schools accept different types of applications, and choosing strategically can meaningfully affect your chances. See the full guide for details.
Apply early (Nov 1-15) and agree to enroll if accepted. Binding contract, only one ED school. Often boosts admission odds.
Apply early and get a decision early, but you're not committed. You can still apply to other schools and decide by May 1.
Standard deadline (Jan 1-15). Decisions arrive in late March. No commitment required until May 1. Most students apply RD.
No set deadline, schools review and decide as applications come in. Apply early for the best shot; spots fill up.
Early Action that restricts you from applying EA/ED elsewhere. Only offered at a handful of schools (MIT, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Stanford, Notre Dame).
A second binding ED round with a January deadline. Good option if you didn't apply ED in November or were deferred.
Each part of the application process has its own dedicated guide with everything you need to know.
How to build a balanced list, evaluate fit, use Common Data Sets, and find the right schools for you.
Go →ED, EA, RD, Rolling, REA, what each one means and how to use them strategically.
Go →SAT, ACT, test-optional policies, AP exams, and how scores factor into your application.
Go →Essays, transcripts, recommendations, activity lists, how to prepare each piece.
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