Race to the Deadline

With the deadlines for college applications coming up shortly, students often find that this time of year is a whirlwind of applications, essay writing, and test taking, in and amongst holiday prep and family time.

Here are some simple tips to avoid missing those important college application deadlines:

1) Start a calendar. It’s very easy to have a deadline sneak up on you, so be prepared! Having a simple calendar up on your wall, with all the important deadlines circled in red will ensure that you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to get your application out the door.

2) Prep early. College admission essays typically take at least 4 hours to research and write, and it’s important that you have a trusted advisor proofread and edit your essay at least once. Start your essay and other application material early, to avoid a late-night writing session that will result in work that’s less than your best.

3) Stay on your test results. SATs are stressful enough without worrying that your results might not arrive in time. Keep track of when you can expect results, and when results will be sent to your selected colleges.

4) Line up your materials. Financial aid applications are a separate process from your general admissions application and requires financial information about your family. Make sure that your parents are informed about the information that’s required and the deadlines for Financial Aid applications. Similarly, letters of recommendation may take time to write, so be sure to request them early to give your reference person time to write a glowing account of your abilities.

5) Stay on track. It can be easy to ignore your currently high school course work in order to manage your college applications, but final year grades are an important factor in your admissions process. Keep up with your current work and keep your eye on the prize!

It may be a sprint to the finish to hit your college admissions deadlines, but with a bit of forethought and consistent attention to detail, you can ensure that you never have to worry about missing out on your college dream!