"Apply for" is a commonly used phrase to express the act of making an application for something; be it a job, college or visa. There are several synonyms that can be used in place of "apply for". Some of these synonyms include "submit an application", "put in a request", "seek consideration", "make a bid", "put forth a claim", "petition for", "try for", "solicit" and "request". These words are often used interchangeably to express the same idea, but they can also add an important nuance to the meaning and tone of the sentence. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate synonym depending on the context and purpose of the sentence.