With the November 15th deadline for some college applications lurking around the corner, it is time for high school seniors to start submitting applications. However, before pressing the "Submit" button and hoping for the best, there are a few steps that students should take in order to make sure that the applications are complete and to help prepare for the next steps in the application process:

• Apply early. Don't wait until the last minute to send in your application. Servers are known to crash in the final days before deadline. It is also a good idea to get your application done early so you can have someone proof it for you.
• Remember to submit the supplement and pay the application fee when you submit the application. The best way to ensure that the payment and the application have gone through is to log out of the application (or the Common App site) and then log back in. The application should show up as submitted.
• Check your email regularly. Most schools will email you to let you know that your application has been received. Others will send you a log-in so you can check online to see if your application materials are in. If you don't receive notification within a few days of submitting the application, contact the school.
• Read the school sites. Even if you are submitting your application and supplement through the Common Application website, you should still go to the sites of all of the colleges you are applying to in order to see each school's application checklist. This can help prevent you from inadvertently missing a step. On the school sites, you can also check to see if there are additional requirements such as a graded paper or a separate application in order for you to be considered for scholarships.
• Start the financial aid process. Although the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2012 - 2013 school year won't be available until January 1, 2012, you can still fill out the CSS Profile form.
• Determine which schools recommend interviews, and if you aren't able to visit the schools between now and February to have an on-campus interview, check to see if your schools will hold interviews in your town or if they offer an alumni interview program. Do not wait until the last minute to schedule interviews.
• Stay on top of your recommendations. Make sure that you have filled out and given your guidance counselor and teachers all of the needed forms and envelopes for your recommendations. Don't be afraid to ask your counselor or teachers politely about the status of the recommendations to see if they have been sent.
• Send the official score reports. Most schools need the official score reports for your standardized tests, including the SAT and/ or ACT. Be certain that you have requested that the official scores be sent from the College Board or ACT directly to the school. You should also report AP scores on the application if you earned a 4 or 5 on the test (you don't need to send the AP scores until you matriculate).

Students who are considering studying art in college in a serious way must develop an art portfolio during high school. While there are liberal arts colleges and universities that admit art majors without a portfolio, the act of creating a portfolio over time can help students determine if art is in fact the right major for them. Here are some considerations for the potential art major:

Are You Truly an Artist?

Beyond the portfolio requirements, it is important for students to understand that if they matriculate to an art school and change their mind about studying art, they will need to transfer.

"If I don't see enough good work in a student's portfolio then I think this person might not want to be an artist," said Francy Caprino, enrollment management director at Pratt MWP, a two-year art school in Utica, New York affiliated with Pratt in New York City. "Be convincing," adds Caprino.

Students who are leaning toward art but are not completely sure or who still want a liberal arts education outside the arts should consider attending a liberal arts college or university with a strong art department.

The Portfolio

Each college will have specific requirements for the art portfolio, so students should always check each school's specific requirements. Rhode Island School of Design typically asks that students draw a bicycle. However, most colleges will have general expectations of what should be in the portfolio. Plan to have three to four drawings from direct observation (not drawn from photographs). The admissions committee will be interested in how well a student can take a 3-D object and translate it to flat, one-dimensional art.

Concepts Appropriate for You

The conceptual ideas behind students' portfolios should reflect who they are and be just as interesting as the artwork itself. Art school admissions committees want to see concepts that reflect the life of the 16-year old applicant. "A painting of a wine bottle and fruit more accurately reflect the life of a 40-year-old French man than of a teenager," said Caprino. She suggests that students instead consider concepts such as the top of their dresser or their bedroom before it is cleaned.

Portfolio Day

Getting feedback on the portfolio from qualified evaluators is essential. National Portfolio Days are offered across the USA each year, giving students an opportunity to get feedback on their portfolio. Some colleges will also provide feedback to students visiting campus. "Bring everything, including sketchbooks," advises Caprino.

Final Presentation

The final portfolio should have between 15 to 20 pieces, and most of it should be from the past two years of the student's work. While some colleges have specific requirements for how to present the portfolio, the most common methods are through slideroom.com or through a student's own website. Google Sites is an ideal place to create an art portfolio website. See one student's art portfolio here.

Pre-College Programs and Summer Courses

Students who are considering studying art in college in a serious way must develop an art portfolio during high school. While there are liberal arts colleges and universities that admit art majors without a portfolio, the act of creating a portfolio over time can help students determine if art is in fact the right major for them. Here are some considerations for the potential art major:

Are You Truly an Artist?

Beyond the portfolio requirements, it is important for students to understand that if they matriculate to an art school and change their mind about studying art, they will need to transfer.

"If I don't see enough good work in a student's portfolio then I think this person might not want to be an artist," said Francy Caprino, enrollment management director at Pratt MWP, a two-year art school in Utica, New York affiliated with Pratt in New York City. "Be convincing," adds Caprino.

Students who are leaning toward art but are not completely sure or who still want a liberal arts education outside the arts should consider attending a liberal arts college or university with a strong art department.

The Portfolio

Each college will have specific requirements for the art portfolio, so students should always check each school's website. Rhode Island School of Design typically asks that students draw a bicycle. However, most colleges will have general expectations of what should be in the portfolio. Plan to have three to four drawings from direct observation (not drawn from photographs). The admissions committee will be interested in how well a student can take a 3-D object and translate it to flat, one-dimensional art.

Concepts Appropriate for You

The conceptual ideas behind students' portfolios should reflect who they are and be just as interesting as the artwork itself. Art school admissions committees want to see concepts that reflect the life of the 16-year old applicant. "A painting of a wine bottle and fruit more accurately reflect the life of a 40-year-old French man than of a teenager," said Caprino. She suggests that students instead consider concepts such as the top of their dresser or their bedroom before it is cleaned.

Portfolio Day

Getting feedback on the portfolio from qualified evaluators is essential. National Portfolio Days are offered across the USA each year, giving students an opportunity to get feedback on their portfolio. Some colleges will also provide feedback to students visiting campus. "Bring everything, including sketchbooks," advises Caprino.

Final Presentation

The final portfolio should have between 15 to 20 pieces, and most of it should be from the past two years of the student's work. While some colleges have specific requirements for how to present the portfolio, the most common methods are through slideroom.com or through a student's own website. Google Sites is an ideal place to create an art portfolio website. You may see the portfolio of Matt Lerner, a senior from Needham High School, here.

Pre-College Programs and Summer Courses