College applications—the first step into the next phase of your academic life. It’s totally normal to feel a little nervous about the whole process, but it shouldn’t bring you totally to tears. The best way to make the college application process as stress-free as much as possible is to prepare, prepare and *prepare.*
Research, research, research
If you don’t know what universities you are interested in, now’s the time to open that laptop and take some notes. Even if you do know which schools you are planning to apply to, it’s still a good idea to do some reading, too.
Find out what each university has to offer (Do they offer scholarships? What academic majors do they have? Where is the school located? What does student housing look like?). And of course, find out what the application requirements and processes are, too. Many universities will use online platforms for admissions such as the Common App or Coalition for College. Other universities may use their website directly.
Decide on your deadlines
Once you decide which school you are applying to, figure out what your deadline will be (or deadlines, plural, if you are applying to more than one school). Every school is different—some schools may offer earlier deadlines where you can receive a decision in the winter rather than the spring, called early decision and early action (important note, they are not the same). Early decision means that, if accepted, you are bound to the school and must attend. Early action is not binding, meaning you don’t have to attend that school if you are accepted.
There is no right or wrong choice for choosing a deadline. Whether you want to apply early or wait for the regular admission deadline, decide what is going to work best for you. Once you decide, mark on your calendar a new deadline set *at least* a week before the actual one. That way, you don’t have to be cramming and will have extra time just in case you have any last-minute emergencies.
Ask for letters of recommendation ASAP
If your school requires a letter of recommendation for your application, make sure to ask ASAP! *Do not* ask a week before your application is due because (1) they may not have time to write one and (2) if they do agree, you could have a rushed letter, which won’t help you at all.
Whether it’s from a teacher or a coach, ask them as soon as school starts, and try to do it in person too (they’ll definitely appreciate it). Let the person know what they need to do (Do they need to submit the letter somewhere specific? When should the letter be done by?).
Check with the school that you are applying to and see what actions need to be taken if a letter is required (again, each school is different, so do your research!). And, yes, have another deadline set for when you would like to have your letter in by. We recommend at least a month before the submission deadline you have set for yourself (trust us).
Begin outlining and drafting essays *now*
Believe us when we say that you do not want to be writing your essay the night before your application is due (it won’t be fun, and it probably won’t be a good essay). To prevent an all-nighter disaster, start preparing right *now.* If your application requires an essay, find out what the prompts are and read them carefully. It’s important to answer essay prompts correctly and fully, so read it, reflect and take notes.
The best thing about college essays is that they are about you, so take your time. Once you have reflected, create a detailed outline of what you are going to write about in your essay.
For the first draft, the only thing you need to focus on is getting the essay done. Once the first draft is complete, begin editing and do a rewrite. Then a second draft, maybe even a third, if necessary. Have your friends, teachers, parents or siblings read it. Read it out loud to yourself, too. And of course, check for grammar and misspellings (very, very important). Lastly, you guessed it, set a deadline on when you want to have a fully edited, final draft of your essay done by (try a couple of weeks before your own deadline).
Another important point to keep in mind is that college application essays can vary in word count, so make sure to know what your application requires. Some schools may require a page or less. If there is a minimum or maximum word count, follow it! Don’t go over or under the word count requirement—this will not help you in the long run.
Set some time to work your application
College applications take time, but don’t let them take over your school work and life. So, set some time each week solely for your application. It can be once, twice a week or daily, whatever works for your schedule. That way, this can prevent procrastination.
Find ways to make the process enjoyable, rather than a chore. Cue up a study playlist and grab a snack while working on your app at home. Go to a coffeeshop or the library with your bestie and work on your apps together. Or, plan a little reward for yourself after working on your application with a sweet treat and a rewatch of your fave movie.
Find out about fees & other required submissions
Yep, college applications cost money (and each school will have different fees, so make sure to check). Standardized test scores, like the SATs or ACTs, will also need to be sent to schools if they require it for their application (which also cost, you guessed it, $$$).
Depending on what school you are applying to, they may also ask for an official transcript, which a high school official, like a secretary, will usually send. If you need one sent, ask your high school’s secretary ASAP, because sending transcripts takes time. The same goes for test scores, so once you know what scores you would like to submit, submit immediately. Do not try submit scores or transcripts days before your application deadline because they will likely not get to the university you’re are applying to in time, which will result in an incomplete application. Again, try to get everything sent at least a month before your deadline (we hope you’re seeing a pattern here).
Reach out if you have questions
If you have questions, ask! There are so many resources available to guide you. Most universities will have an admissions counselor to answer questions about the application process and will have their contact information on the university’s website. If you need some support or advice, ask an academic counselor at your high school for help. If you have an older sibling who is in college, ask them your questions, too.
Make a checklist before you hit submit
Okay, take a big, deep breath. You have done the research, you have all of your essays and letters in, test scores and transcripts are submitted and you have money for application fees. It’s now time for one final step. Just before your deadline (the one that is set a week before the real deadline), make one large checklist to ensure you have everything you need.
Include every little thing like payments, transcripts, test scores, essays and even sections where you need to fill out your name. Go through everything once, twice (thrice if you need to) on your checklist. If you need some support, ask your parents or your bestie to help you and sit with you before hitting submit. Remember that this is a big deal, and you’ve worked so hard to get to this point. Sometimes, you just need an extra hand and emotional support.
Take another deep breath and hit that submit button on your laptop (cue that exhale). And congrats! You officially and successfully completed the college application process.
College applications can be a little scary, but if you take the time to break down the steps, this will be a smooth process. And if you are reading this now, you are already on your way to taking on college application season like the academic queen you are.
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Already submitted your application? Check out these posts for what’s next…
📚 Your College Apps Are In…Now What?
📚 Your Guide To Throwing The Ultimate College Acceptance Party
📚 What To Do When College Admissions Don’t Go Your Way
Slider & Top image: @sunisalee
