Extensions

In this extension, you will use conditional formatting to add color to those tasks on your spreadsheet that you have completed.

While you have organized your application information in a spreadsheet, you can take another step by making it easier to see what still needs to be done.

To do this, format the cell to change color when a task is completed.

You can then focus on what you still need to do.

This example sets up conditional formatting for completed application materials, but feel free to set it up for any columns you want.

To begin, open your spreadsheet and select the first column you would like to apply conditional formatting to.

Next, add the formatting criteria.

Formatting criteria are rules that describe how the cell, row, or column will change whenever it does or does not contain certain data.

This example changes the color of the cells if the task is completed.

If you would like, change the fill color.

When you complete the task in the future, the color will change in the cell when you type in the information you specified.

Apply conditional formatting to the other columns that show completed tasks.

Make the fill colors different or keep them the same.

Conditional formatting will not work if the criteria is not exact, so be specific with the wording.

By using conditional formatting to change the color of the cell, you can see right away what tasks you still need to do.

Now, it’s your turn: Add conditional formatting to the columns with completed tasks, And change the fill color if you wish.

At some point during the college application process, you may want guidance from someone like a family member, trusted friend, teacher, counselor, or coach.

You can share the application spreadsheet you are working on with them so they can provide advice in-person or digitally.

Sometimes, other people have knowledge about a particular school that they can share.

For example, your guidance counselor may know if a school has the academic program you are interested in or a coach may be able to tell you about its sports programs.

To begin, go to your Drive and open your spreadsheet.

Then, select the Share button.

Enter the person’s email address in the text field.

Select the permission you want to use: Edit means the person you share with can make changes directly in your spreadsheet.

Comment allows them to make comments, but not change the spreadsheet.

And view lets them see your spreadsheet only.

Choose Can Comment so you can get the person’s feedback on your spreadsheet.

Include a note asking them to share their feedback on your spreadsheet.

The person you shared your spreadsheet with will receive an email inviting them to comment.

Nice job sharing your spreadsheet! Reaching out to someone you trust will help you make the best decision as you apply to colleges! Now, it’s your turn: Share your spreadsheet with someone who can give you guidance about the college application process.

In the main lesson, you learned that creating a spreadsheet to organize your college applications helps you track what you already sent, and what you still need to get done.

Depending on the school, there are usually many different documents that need to be included in each application package, like your school transcript and an essay.

For example, you may still be working on an essay for a particular school, so including the link in your spreadsheet makes it easy to continue to work on it as you have time.

To begin adding links to your application documents, go to your Drive and open your spreadsheet.

Then, open a document that you would like to link.

This example will show a draft of an essay that the student is continuing to work on for a specific school.

Copy the document’s link into the spreadsheet.

Clip the link so it doesn’t go into the next cell.

You do not need to see the entire link to open it.

When you are ready to work on a document, just click on the link right in your spreadsheet.

You can also link directly to application websites for easy access to them when you’re ready to apply.

By adding links in your spreadsheet to important documents or websites, you will have most of the things you need to apply to each school all in one place.

Now, it’s your turn: Link to application websites or documents in Drive from your spreadsheet.