Application Portals

Colleges offer students various Application Types for undergraduate admissions.

The vast majority of colleges employ services that provide standardized online forms. These services allow students to apply to multiple colleges without having to re-type common information, while still providing a means for colleges to ask questions particular to their programs. Some institutions accept applications from a particular service exclusively, while others accept alternatives.

Application services:

1. The ApplyTexas is used for all Texas Public and some Private universities.
2. The Common Application is the most used for out of state colleges – about 700 colleges.
3. The Coalition Application is a new application system accepted by approximately 100 colleges.
4. A NEW system called the Common Black College Application allows students to apply to 65 Historically Black Colleges and Universities for a flat fee of $20.00.

A few colleges prefer to maintain their own, online college specific applications and may or may not also accept applications through one of the services listed above. Examples of colleges that accept their own applications exclusively include the University of California.

Colleges prefer online applications but sometimes offer paper submissions for students who do not have access to computers. Please feel free to use the Counseling Office computers for your college applications.