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.
Offered By
How to Apply to College
Learner Career Outcomes
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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
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.
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.
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."
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.
Top reviews from How to Apply to College
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.
Highly recommended course if you are about to apply to college! It gives you a very good idea of how it all works, great advise and resources.
Instructors
Eric J. Furda
Dean of Admissions
Dr. Sean Vereen
PresidentAbout University of Pennsylvania
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.
