How to Apply to College

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

13,042 recent views

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.
Through dialogue with students applying to and currently in college as well as campus advocates, How to Apply to College also aims to close the information gap for students who may be the first in their family to attend college and students who are underrepresented in higher education. 

A range of video and web resources are provided through a collaboration with a number of educational partners including  The Common Application, with nearly 700 colleges on the application platform, and Raise.me, which provides a new way for high school students to earn money for college starting in 9th grade based on their achievements in school and life. Other resources and tools featured in the course include Naviance, College Greenlight, College Scorecard, BigFuture by the College Board, College and Pell Abacus, ZeeMee and Federal Student Aid.

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. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.83/5 (18 Ratings)

Eric J. Furda

Dean of Admissions

24,459 Learners

6 Courses

Dr. Sean Vereen

President

Steppingstone Scholars, Inc.

24,459 Learners

6 Courses

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. 19 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Offered by

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.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(2,943 ratings)

Week

Week 1

3 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.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 28 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Welcome to the Course3m

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?"30m

Basic Ideas About College30m

Week

Week 2

4 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.

4 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 40 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

5 videos

A Framework for Self-Evaluation8m

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?30m

Week

Week 3

3 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."

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 41 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

6 videos

Financial Aid 1013m

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 Aid30m

Understanding Net Prices with College Scorecard30m

Start Early with Raise.Me to Earn Micro-scholarships30m

Week

Week 4

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

Choosing Colleges and Visiting Colleges9m

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 Scholarships30m

Week

Week 5

4 hours to complete

The Pieces of the College Application

In this segment, you will come into Dean Furda’s office and learn about the different forms of a college application and how to tell your personal narrative in each section. Students will discuss their experiences and expert advice will be shared by a senior member of The Common Application which serves a diverse membership of nearly 700 colleges and universities.

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 45 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

College Application Overview11m

Hello, from The Common Application Headquarters!3m

Nuts and Bolts of the Application2m

A Word on Testing and Reporting Scores3m

Telling the College What You Do Inside and Outside the Classroom3m

Telling Your Story to Colleges10m

What to Expect When Hearing Back from Colleges11m

6 readings

The Common Application Tutorial Videos10m

Anatomy of the College Application10m

The Interview10m

Testing Preparation Timeline10m

Who Are You Outside the Classroom10m

A Word on Admission Deadlines & Testing10m

3 practice exercises

Fill Out The Common App - Academic Records30m

Asking For Recommendations30m

Fill Out the Common App - Your Activities In and Out of School30m

Week

Week 6

3 hours to complete

Transitions to College

This segment is the culmination of our journey together as you consider your college options and set yourself up for success in planning for the transition to college. The goal isn’t to ‘go to college,’ rather the goal is to ‘graduate from college.' Hear from faculty, academic advisors and students on how to navigate these transitions to maximize your experience and success.

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 64 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

Acceptances, Rejections, and the Wait List: What Does It All Mean?7m

Revisiting After Acceptance1m

What Financial Aid Letters Mean6m

Balancing the Distractions11m

Student Voices: Balancing Family and School11m

Advice for First Generation College Students2m

Plugging Into Campus Resources For A Good Start11m

Finding Affirming Spaces on Campus7m

Starting the First Year of College - Penn Convocation 20162m

You Can Do This1m

5 readings

Example Financial Aid Award Letters10m

First Generation College Attendees & Balancing Campus Life10m

Higher Learning, Maximizing Your College Experience10m

Final Thoughts10m

Course Feedback: We want to hear from you!10m

1 practice exercise

Compare Your Financial Aid Award Letters30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
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.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

How to Apply to College