College Admissions Advice – want to know a college admissions secret?
This year, in addition to offering concrete suggestions about how to maximize the common application form, I am excited to launch a general college admissions advice column. Please feel free to reach out with anything you’re wondering about. This week, I want to share a college admissions secret that can completely transform your application process, and tangibly help you get into your dream school.
Ready? Finish your applications over the summer. Before you go back to school in the fall, your applications should be largely if not totally done.
Based on more than 20 years of experience in admissions, I am a huge believer in the power of finishing your college applications over the summer. There are so many advantages if you can do so – and this is an opportunity that is available to everyone, if you plan ahead. (Parents, one of the most common, albeit well-meaning mistakes that I see, is encouraging your rising senior to take the summer off.) Here are the four main reasons why you should complete your college applications now:
- Take advantage of early deadlines.
As you likely know, it can be much easier to get into schools with rolling admission if you apply at the beginning of the cycle. It’s also usually advantageous to apply early action to schools that offer it, and I am a big believer in the power of early decision, if it works for your family. Meeting these deadlines often means having your applications ready to go in the late summer or early fall.
- Don’t miss interview and visit opportunities.
Furthermore, some schools allow applicants to schedule interviews. (Other schools don’t offer interviews, or invite applicants to interview after they apply.) These coveted self-initiated interview spots, however, often fill up quickly. Also, it can be hard to set up info sessions and tours at popular schools, since those spots also go quickly – don’t wait too long to schedule them. It’s time to figure out where you are applying, so that you can set up interviews and visits now.
- Take pressure off of senior year.
Increasingly, schools are deferring and waitlisting candidates, which means that the college admissions process can drag on. If this happens to you, it’s important to keep you strong grades throughout senior year. (Colleges will want updates throughout the year.) Same with activities; you don’t want to drop all of your involvement after you apply. Completing your materials early in the year allows you to focus on maintaining your grades, and on enjoying senior year.
- Avoid last minute applications.
You really, truly don’t want to apply last minute. Applying to college the right way requires planning and thought. Essays take longer than you think to do well, as does filing out the common application form in a strategic way. The quality of your materials will most likely suffer if you wait and then rush. Avoid typos and weak essays – use the summer to finish your college applications.
Are you sold on the power of this college admissions secret? At the end of June, 8 of my clients spent two days working with me in New Hampshire. They came from all over the country (thank you!) to complete their common application form and essay, and to start interview preparation and refine their school lists. I know that this jumpstart will set them up for success, while also enabling them to enjoy their summers. If you want to join them in completing your applications now, please reach out to discuss options.
