When I applied to four year universities as a community college student, the application process, to me, was somewhat simple. However, I learned that these applications are time consuming. In this article, I will be sharing things I learned and things that helped me throughout the application process.

1. Start looking at prompt questions.

Yes, Kylie, this is true. However, do colleges want to know EVERY detail about you in a short essay? Hell no. This isn't an episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" where your audience would like to know every little detail about you. Mostly known as "Personal Statements," the prompts that colleges will have you answer are based around you. Me? Yes, you! Looking at the questions early on will help you brainstorm ideas. While it's great to write about yourself, don't put specific details unless you're asked to. I guarantee you that waiting until the last minute to form answers to these questions is not a great idea. Colleges want to get to know who you are within reason. You may think these questions are easy, but you also have to keep in mind that your assigned reader can sense something well thought out vs. something done at the last minute. What I recommend is to write a draft, and have a professor read this and help you edit. Stick to the prompt, be conceited, but be reasonable.

2. Look at each college's application.

The University of California (UC), the California Sate University (CSU), and private universities are different applications. For the UC's, you apply through the UC application. For the CSU's, you apply through the CSU application. For privates, you have an option to apply though the schools you are interested in OR through the Common Application. Look at these applications and try to observe what you need to include. Some schools will ask you to include documents via PDF or through the mail. Also, keep in mind though that for the CSU's may have different applications to join an academic program within the application.

For the UC's and CSU's, you need to fill out every box with information. It is time consuming, but it is simple. Take at least half a day to just do that.

3. One application can be sent to more than one school.

This only applies to UC's and CSU's but wait, WHAT?? For the UC's and CSU's, one application can be sent to any school within each school system. You submit one application for any school within each system. For example, if you want to apply to UCLA, UCSB, and UC San Diego, your online submitted application is sent to each school you choose to apply to within the UC system. It's the same for the CSU's as well, one application goes to several schools you decide to apply to within the CSU system.

For users using the Common Application to apply to private universities, you fill a form online with your basic information. That form is sent to the schools you are applying to. However, some schools do ask specific questions, so be aware that you will still need time to go over our application and answer a few questions. Lastly, when you request someone to write you a letter of recommendation, your recommender submits one letter of recommendation and goes to the schools that you want your recommender to send that letter to.

4. The classes you take matter.

The classes you take matter! Be aware of which classes transfer to which schools and don't be in a class that won't count for any school. Community colleges have courses that are only CSU transferable, but not UC transferable. Unfair right? Maybe that business class that you were so passionate about is just applicable to the CSU's but not the UC's. Even if you have enough units to transfer to UCLA, if that business course doesn't count, you're short on units. That is added stress because it puts you behind on units. As unfair as it is, this happens, much to students dismay. Try to take courses that are applicable to both schools as you complete your GE's, your general education courses. Also, take as many classes you need for your major. If you are admitted but do not complete the required division classes, you will be made to take those courses at the school you transfer to. Trust me, it SUCKS to have to take Spanish as a senior in college just because UCLA requires a foreign language for my major.

5. Pop the question- Ask for Letters of Recommendations.

Remember at orientation when you were suggested to go to office hours to become friends with your professors? This is why you are told to become friends with your professors. I took this advice to the fullest and pestered my professors with questions about an essay, but also to get to know them. These are people who seem to be scary, but are there to help their students out. If you pop the question, let them know around late July- mid August of the summer before you apply that you are interested in having them write you a letter of recommendation. Also BS, BE SPECIFIC! When you let them know, tell them what schools you would want them to send your letters of recommendations to. When I received information from private colleges, I was told that I needed a letter of recommendation in my applications. If you want to join an academic program at a CSU, you ARE ASKED to provide a letter of recommendation. Don't be like me when I asked my professor, now best friend, to please do my CSU letters of recommendations nine days before the applications were due. This not only pissed him off, but I had also made it clear to him that I only wanted him to submit my letters of recommendations to private universities when I popped the question. Professors grade, do lesson plans, hold office hours, go to department meetings and have a life. Be considerate of their time. If they ask you to turn something in, do so. They are doing this favor for you at no cost.

6. Application dates. Be aware of them.

Be aware of opening dates and deadlines. Did you know you can start your UC applications during the summer? Get started on them when you can. Both the CSU and the UC applications are due on November 30th. However, the CSU applications open right on October 1st. For private schools, deadlines vary. Some applications for priority enrollment are due in February while some applications for rolling admissions are due as late as April. So, keep track of that. Get a head start if you can so you can manage your time with ease throughout the school year.

Again, DO NOT be like me. Although I got a head start on my UC applications, my CSU applications were a mess. I let a break up get to me and decided to grieve more about my failed relationship than actually sit down and work on my applications. Time crunches and although 60 days seems like a long time, time is ones worst enemy after karma, because both will creep up on you unexpectedly.

Final thoughts.

Filling out the applications seems easy, but it is time consuming. On top of that, you need to fill out personal statements. Take time to think about what you're going to write about. Be completely honest when you're imputing your classes and your grades on your unofficial transcript. Ask for letters within a timely manner. And lastly, dedicate yourself to something that will determine your future.