As college applications leave the safety of your computer and go into the hands of various admissions officers, you will often find yourself reflecting on the college application process and how stressful it was. Underclassmen may feel terrified for what is to come from the horror stories from upperclassmen and recent graduates. I am here to tell you that the process is not too difficult if you remember a few key things:

Get started early

I cannot stress this enough! Make sure you start filling out your applications when they first come out for the school year. This will be around mid to late August. You do not want to be writing the bulk of your applications in the midst of an already busy school year. Additionally, juniors, make sure you secure your letters of recommendation before your junior year ends. You want to have 2-4 teachers writing you a recommendation letter (I will go into more detail later on). Make sure you start before senior year so you do not stress yourself out. 

College Essay

Start writing your essay in the summer after your junior year. Although you will likely be writing a college essay in your English class senior year, it is ideal to have it done by the time the school year begins. You can find the college essay prompts from a quick google search or in the Common Application Portal. A small idea can progress into a great college essay, so if you can’t think of unique, meaningful topics, start small and work your way up from there. 

Common Application

The common application is the best and most organized way to fill out your college applications. Although most colleges have their own applications, save yourself the time by filling out your applications on the Common App. Some colleges do not utilize the Common App and you have to use their specific application (schools such as Bloomsburg, Mansfield, etc). Do not let this hinder your choice of applying to these schools. Just make sure you check the colleges website and communicate with your guidance counselor that you are applying to a school not on the Common App. Also, make sure you use your PERSONAL EMAIL when making an account. Keep in mind that this email address should be professional and appropriate, giving colleges a good impression.  

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation are very important and most if not all colleges require them. You want to identify at least 2 teachers to write your recommendations by the end of your junior year. Make sure you have a good relationship with these teachers so they have an easier time writing your recommendation. Additionally, you can select other recommenders such as coaches, mentors, extracurricular leaders,etc, but make sure they know where to put the recommendation when complete. Finally, your teacher/other recommendations DO NOT include your guidance counselor recommendation. This is a separate REQUIRED recommendation that your guidance counselor will write. 

Early Action vs. Early Decision

There is a difference between Early Action and Early Decision. They lead to different results, so be careful in which one you choose. Early Action is a NON BINDING plan that allows you to find out if you got accepted into a particular school earlier. If you get accepted using early action, you do not have to go to that school in particular and have time to think about where you would like to go until decision day, which is May 1. On the contrary, Early Decision is a BINDING decision and you are required to go to that school if you get accepted. Make sure you choose the best plan for you before submitting!

I know college applications are difficult and stressful, but with these few things in mind, they are likely to go smoother. Happy applying and good luck!