A Monthly To-Do List for College Admissions Success

A Monthly Guide to College Applications for First-Time Applicants & Parents

The college application process is most manageable when you break it down into a timeline of actions. The Common App is an online platform where you gather and store your information—transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays, etc. You can apply to as many or as few schools as you want from this platform. The Common App opens for new students in August each year, but successful applicants typically begin preparing well in advance. Here’s a detailed plan to help you stay on track during your junior year.

January-April:  The Groundwork in 11th Grade

• Research and identify a preliminary list of schools & programs of interest.

• Register for any upcoming SAT/ACT exams or search for test-optional universities.

May:  Get Ready

• Request recommendation letters early (you need a reference for that summer job, right?). This way, there is less pressure senior year; it's already written, minus a few tweaks when you invite recommenders to submit it officially in the fall. *For additional steps, follow Common App's directions carefully.     

• Choose the writing prompt from Common App’s list of topics and draft some ideas.

June: Get Real.  

•  Identify the schools on your list that are not affordable by having a difficult yet necessary parent/student conversation about finances. Disappointments are a fundamental part of life, just as victories are.

• Practice a mature and healthy mindset with both because neither a budget nor a rejection letter defines who you are. 

• Get excited about the schools within your academic and financial reach!

• Consider ways to present yourself to college admission representatives as a welcome addition to their program.

• Seek the requirements and deadlines for any local /institutional scholarships.

July:  Prepare to Apply

• Finalize your college list based on academic and financial fit.

• Make plans to visit and schedule tours.

• Confirm whether a desired college program requires additional essays and write your first drafts. Ask for feedback from a trusted adult. Revise.

• Self-discipline is learned through practice; give yourself an uninterrupted hour 

  to write regularly. You’ll be so pleased with how much you get done.

August: Gather Necessary Documents and Begin

• Fill out the Common App, plug in all personal information, & hit save at every sitting!

• Research and note deadlines for Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Regular Decision (RD).

• Similarly, gather documents and submit any eligible scholarships. Again, an uninterrupted hour here and there gets you closer to completion. 

September – Senior Year, Stay Diligent

• Confirm transcripts and letters of rec are on their way.

• Understand school counselors know what to do. Practice Patience.

• Submit applications for EA/ED (typically due in early November)

• Refine essays and supplemental essays—think polished, personal, and finished.

• If you don’t have a trusted reader, EAE can help.

October: Submit

• Double-check that letters of rec, transcripts, and test scores are all in.

•  Spend October on FAFSA and CSS Profile (same routine of gathering information)

• Attend college fairs and engage with admissions reps.

November – December: Finishing Touches

• Submit the final round of RD applications before the holidays. Yes!

• Prepare for minor disappointments and proceed through the new year with improved patience and the mental wellness of a fully functioning young adult.

• One who knows you’ve done all there is to do.

• One who trusts and waits patiently for your life to smile back at all of your effort.

January – March (Senior Year): Financial & Final Decisions

• Review college acceptance letters and financial aid offers as they arrive.

• Submit any necessary appeals for financial aid if your package is insufficient.

• Make your final choice and submit the enrollment deposit (usually due by May 1).

Send your essay questions to DrB@effectiveadmissionsessays.com