On November 1st, the majority of early action and early decision college applications are due. Leading up to this deadline, I am sharing college application tips to help the whole process run smoothly. (Read previous advice about logistics, the common application form, the honors and activities sections, supplements, AI, campus visits, interviews, financial aid, and the core essay.)
The early deadlines are approaching! If you are about to hit submit, take these steps to ensure that your final college application review is as thorough as possible.
- Don’t wait until the last minute.
Most of my clients have already submitted their early applications, and I strongly suggest that you do the same, at least three days before they’re due. Submitting a few days early allows you to set up your portal and track your application (more on this next week), and to make sure that the school has everything they need. Also, the common app platform has been known to glitch and even crash, especially on submission dates when lots of people are accessing it. Avoid the stress and give yourself a cushion.
- Read everything out loud.
At this point, you have probably read your materials so many times that it’s hard to review them carefully. Before you submit, read it all out loud – this last-minute spot check can help you find and correct small errors.
- Update classes and activities, if necessary.
Make sure that the classes listed are ones that you are definitely committed to taking, since you will need to notify colleges about any schedule changes. Also, update your activities and honors, so that they are completely current.
- Triple check that you have properly requested your transcripts and recommendations.
Presumably, you met weeks ago with your guidance counselor and followed all of your school’s directions about how to link your materials with your application. Although you shouldn’t wait to submit your applications until your recommendations and transcripts have been received by each school, please do verify that you have requested everything correctly.
- Double check the rules about test scores and optional supplements.
Most schools will let you self-report your test scores, but some require official score reports, which need to be sent directly from the testing agencies, commonly so that they arrive by the deadline. Furthermore, the exact self-reporting mechanism varies by school, so it’s important to read and follow the instructions. Finally, if you are submitting an art or music supplement, pay attention to each school’s deadlines and mechanisms.
- Don’t make panicked changes.
Tempted to revise your essays at 11:59pm? Please don’t! Last minute changes almost invariably lead to typos and other mistakes, and, more importantly, tend to weaken your content. Trust that you have been thoughtful throughout the process, and don’t second guess yourself now.
Congratulations on completing your final college application review, and on submitting your first batch of applications!
Next Friday, more college application tips – What to do after you submit.
