The College Admission Scoop: Begin College Applications Now to Make the Fall Less Stressful

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

Don’t wait - begin now!  If you wait to begin the college application process until school resumes in the fall, you’ll find the added workload to be about the same as having added another full course!  Also, many unexpected things can occur during the fall of senior year that could prevent you from giving the application process your all.  So, don’t delay.

Starting early will give you time to think carefully about how you are going to present yourself to the admissions committee.  The college essay, the personal statement and the various short paragraphs are all important parts of the college application.  Importantly, by the time you apply, they are the only parts of your application over which you will still have control over.  To put “your best foot forward”, you will need to devote considerable thought, time and effort to your writing.  If they are written with care, your statements can help you to stand out from other applicants, and present a dynamic, personal and memorable view of yourself to the admission staff.  You should plan on doing many drafts.

The Common Application goes live for 2011-2012 on August 1^st.  Other applications will follow suit during the month of August.  Here are some reminders to make the process less stressful:

During the Summer:

• Schedule interviews as early as possible, since slots will book up.
• Create a timeline for each school you are applying to. Be sure to make note of important deadlines.
• Register for fall standardized tests.
• Visit schools.
• Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse if you are interested in DI or DII sports and if you want to be recruited. Develop a list of your extracurricular activities.  

Once School Begins:

•  Request letters of recommendation.  Give your teachers information about you to spark their memory.  Give them plenty of time to meet deadlines.
• Request a copy of your high school transcript and check it for accuracy.
• Decide if you are applying using early decision or early action plans, or to any schools using rolling admissions.  Complete those applications first.