How to Apply to College will empower learners of all backgrounds to demystify and better understand the college search and selection process, combining the expertise of an Ivy League admissions office and a leading college access and success organization. Led by expert educators, including Eric J. Furda, Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Sean Vereen, President of Steppingstone Scholars, Inc., this free course will help students, family members, college counselors and any inquisitive learner to navigate each stage from the start of the college search process through the transition into a college environment.
How to Apply to College
Offered By
How to Apply to College
University of Pennsylvania
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
67%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
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Learner Career Outcomes
67%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
50%
got a pay increase or promotion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 11 hours to complete
Suggested: 2-3 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Starting the Journey to College
This module provides an introduction to the course and overview of the college application process , financial aid, and why college matters. Dr. Vereen will discuss the range of two-year to four-year colleges and levels of selectivity will be discussed to better understand potential college options for students.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 28 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
Why Going to College Is Important5m
First to Go: Pathways to College6m
How the US College System Works4m
Paying for College2m
Admission Rates Between Colleges6m
7 readings
How To Use This Course10m
Course Team10m
Guilt & Being First in the Family10m
Sticker Price vs. Net Price10m
Admissions 10110m
Common College Terms10m
College Survival Vocabulary Game10m
2 practice exercises
Thinking About "Why College?"4m
Basic Ideas About College14m
6 hours to complete
Self-Assessment and Telling Your Story
This segment will take students through the journey of self-assessment through Dean Furda’s Assess Yourself framework of the 5 I’s (Identity, Ideas, Interests, Intellect, and Inspiration) and Assessing Colleges through the 4 C’s (Culture, Curriculum, Community, and Conclusions). Steppingstone Scholars’ staff and students will address how and why telling your story is important when applying to college.
6 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 40 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes
5 videos
Your Grades and Classes - Why They Matter11m
Questions to Ask Yourself4m
Having Honest Conversations About Family Expectations7m
Who Can You Talk To?8m
4 readings
The 5 I's: Identity, Intellect, Ideas, Interests, & Inspiration10m
The 4 C's: Culture, Curriculum, Community, & Conclusions10m
Selecting High School Classes to Prep for College10m
MOOC Research Survey (Optional)10m
1 practice exercise
Building Your Personal Statement: How Do I Spend My Time?6m
2 hours to complete
Paying for College
This segment provides insight into the resources available to make college affordable with step-by-step exercises to enable students and families to apply for financial aid. Financial aid professionals and Steppingstone Scholars will discuss their experiences applying for financial aid. Viewers will also be introduced to Raise.me for college scholarship resources and Pell Abacus to learn about college "net prices."
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 41 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes
6 videos
Getting Federal Aid9m
Reasons Why Different Colleges Charge Different Amounts4m
Student and Counselor Perspectives14m
Student Advice on Working and Paying for College9m
Learn About Raise.me1m
4 readings
Financial Aid Vocabulary10m
What is the FAFSA? and How to Pay for College10m
7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA10m
IRS Retrieval Tool10m
3 practice exercises
The Basics of Financial Aid12m
Understanding Net Prices with Pell Abacus6m
Start Early with Raise.Me to Earn Micro-scholarships6m
2 hours to complete
Exploring College Campuses: What To Consider
With a better understanding of ‘what to look for’ in colleges, viewers will gain insight and direction on college visiting opportunities, including ‘fly-in’ programs where colleges pay for your campus visit before you apply and after you are admitted. Steppingstone Scholars will bring participants through their visit experiences and Philadelphia area colleges will highlight their campuses and resources. Resources into the college search and scholarship process via College Greenlight are offered.
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 37 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
8 videos
A Tour of a College House8m
Affordable Ways to Visit College4m
Swarthmore College1m
Temple University30s
Widener University1m
Ursinus College3m
Student Voices: Weighing Expenses, Family Preferences, and Location8m
3 readings
Making the Most of Campus Visits10m
How to Plan a College Visit10m
What Questions to Ask On Your Visit10m
2 practice exercises
Beginning the College Search30m
Using College Greenlight to Search for Colleges and Scholarships2m
4.7
27 ReviewsTop reviews from How to Apply to College
This course help students and family members and an inquisitive learner to navigate each stage from the start of the college search process through the transition into a college environment.
I wanted to apply for my masters in the US. This course has been clearing all my doubts. This gives me good knowledge on how to select a college or university.
About University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
Is this a free course?
Yes! How to Apply to College is a free course. Enrolled learners have full access to all course materials, guides, tools, and graded exercises at no cost. Unlike other offerings, this course does not offer a certificate upon completion. But, learners who fulfill the course requirements will position themselves for success toward their goals for higher education.
How often is this course offered?
A new session of How to Apply to College starts every 4 weeks on Monday with an enrollment period of 5 days.
I'm an international student (non-U.S. citizen) and/or a non-native English speaker interested in U.S. colleges. Is this course right for me?
While this course contains many useful lectures and resources, we recommend that non-U.S. learners also enroll in Applying to U.S. Universities. This course was created by the University of Pennsylvania and is offered on Coursera as a free course.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
