Colleges Still Accepting Applications for Fall 2012

So maybe you decided to postpone college applications to take advantage of higher senior year grades, or maybe you’re not too happy with admissions results so far and want to try again.

Don’t worry—lots of colleges and universities are still accepting applications for the fall of 2012.

Locally, Marymount University, Roanoke College, St. John’s College of Maryland, Shenandoah University, Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Trinity Washington University, Virginia Union University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Coppin State University are among those schools still accepting applications.

In fact, several hundred colleges are ready and very willing to consider applications—sometimes as late as the last day of August.

If you’re still looking or thinking about submitting additional applications, here are a few insider tips to jumpstart your research:

1. Common Application member institutions still open to new applicants may be found by going to the Common App website, scrolling down Member Colleges & Universities, and clicking College Search. Indicate that you’re looking for First Year and Fall 2012, and complete the deadline box according to your interest. If you’re looking for colleges with a deadline on or after March 14, 2012, you will be rewarded with a list of 184 institutions.
   
   
2. For the Universal College Application, you will need to create an account indicating that you are applying as a “first year” student for the Fall of 2012. Go to the Application tab and click on My Colleges. A list of the institutions still accepting applications will appear—49 UCA member institutions as of March 14th.
   
   
3. Using the College Board’s Matchmaker search engine, select your preferences for size, location, majors, etc. At any point, click on “See Results.” Once results appear, go to the dropdown box labeled “Alphabetical," click on “Application Deadline,” and specify “Ascending.” Click on “Sort” and a complete list of colleges reflecting your preferences will appear according deadline. Caution: The list starts with “01-Jan,” goes through the calendar year, and then re-starts with more colleges beginning “01-Jan.” Schools with “no deadline” are listed at the end. It's a little confusing, and the information is only as good as what colleges tell the College Board.

Once you have a "starter" list of schools that may still be accepting applications, verify deadlines by going to individual websites.

Note that schools with "rolling admissions" consider applications until their classes are filled. If websites are unclear as to the current status of the process, contact admissions offices directly and simply ask the question. You might be surprised to find many are very happy to hear from you!