College Application Proccess

May 28

Applying to an undergraduate program often requires gathering various materials to showcase your abilities and interest in higher education. Stay organized, seek guidance from your high school counselor, and prioritize your academic performance and success while preparing for college.

Application Deadlines

Below are the Regional Partner School deadlines for the Golden Door Scholars program. All scholars awarded the scholarship must begin college in Fall 2026.

Do not accept any partner school admissions until you have communicated with a GDS team member.

  
    


  
    School
    Regular Decision Deadline
    Early Action (Not Binding)
    Notes
  

    Emory University (Atlanta, GA)
    January 1
    N/A
    Do not apply to Early Decision II
  

    Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
    January 1
    N/A
    Do not apply to Early Decision II
  

    Duke University (Durham, NC)
    January 5
    N/A
    N/A
  

    Elon University (Elon, NC)
    January 10
    N/A
    N/A
  

    Davidson College (Davidson, NC)
    January 12
    N/A
    Do not apply to Early Decision II
  

    Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC)
    January 15
    N/A
    Do not apply to Early Decision II
  

    UNC Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
    January 15
    N/A
    N/A
  

    Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC)
    February 1
    Priority Action 1: January 1
    N/A
  

    Meredith College (Raleigh, NC)
    February 2
    Priority Deadline 1: December 1
    N/A
  

    Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
    March 13
    January 16
    N/A
  

    Agnes Scott College (Decatur, GA)
    March 15
    January 15
    N/A
  

    Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA)
    May 1
    December 1
    N/A
  

    Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)
    Rolling Admissions
    December 1
    N/A
  

    Belmont Abbey College (Belmont, NC)
    Rolling Admissions
    N/A
    N/A
  

    Wingate University (Wingate, NC)
    Rolling Admissions
    N/A
    N/A
  


  

Important Reminders:

Only apply to Regional Partner Schools that offer the GDS-approved majors.
Do not apply under Early Decision (ED) plans for partner schools, since ED is binding and can conflict with scholarship eligibility.
If you applied Early Decision to any schools, you must inform the GDS team before your interview.

The College Application Process

Applying to college requires careful organization and early preparation. Start early to ensure every document is ready before winter break.

Letters of recommendation and transcripts take the longest to process. Do not wait until winter break to request these materials.

Common Application Materials

Application Form: Submit through the college’s online portal or official format.
Transcripts: Request official copies from your high school registrar.
Standardized Test Scores: Send your SAT or ACT scores directly from the testing agency (if required).
Letters of Recommendation: Ask teachers, counselors, or mentors who can speak to your academic ability and character.
Personal Statement / Essay: Write about your goals, experiences, and why you want to attend college.
Application Fee: Pay the fee or request a fee waiver if eligible.
Additional Materials: Include resumes, portfolios, or supplemental essays as required by specific schools.

Always double-check each school’s individual requirements and deadlines.

Application Tips

Apply before deadlines to avoid last-minute issues.
Submit all required materials for a complete application.
Request fee waivers if you qualify for SAT or ACT fee waivers, or contact admissions offices directly.
Have someone proofread your essays, such as a teacher or counselor.
Write a letter of interest to your top-choice schools.
Have recommendation letters ready and upload them if the application allows.

Application Fee Waiver Template

If you need to contact a college admissions office to request an application fee waiver, you can use the email template below.

"Dear Admissions Office,

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [NAME] and I am eager to apply to [UNIVERSITY NAME]. I am currently working on my application and I notice that there is a [AMOUNT $] fee to submit the application. I was reaching out to inquire about the possibility of receiving a fee waiver or reduction to complete the application.

I look forward to hearing from you, thank you!

Sincerely,

[NAME]

[PHONE]

[EMAIL]"

Additional Resources

The Common Application, Inc. – A streamlined application portal used by more than 1,000 colleges. Great for tracking your application progress.
Applying 101 – A general guide to the college application process.
BestColleges: How to Get a Fee Waiver – Step-by-step guide to qualifying for and requesting college application fee waivers.
Application Fee Waivers & Other Resources – National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) page explaining fee waiver programs and eligibility.
College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) – While CFNC focuses on North Carolina, many resources apply broadly.
“The Personal Statement” – Purdue Writing Lab (Purdue OWL) – Explains the purpose of personal statements, types of prompts, and effective writing strategies.
“Writing Your College Letter of Intent: A Step-by-Step Guide” – AdmissionSight – Walks through the purpose, structure, and tone of a college letter of intent.
“Free Essay Resources for College Admission Prep” – Moon Prep – A collection of free resources and examples for writing college admission essays and personal statements.
“Crafting an Unforgettable College Essay” – The Princeton Review – Guidance on how to write a memorable and authentic essay that stands out in the admissions process.

Cristina Mansur