You have your college list. You know when the college applications open online for each college. You know when the applications are due. But do you know when you should actually submit your application?
Submit your application early! Don't wait until the due date! Why?
Rolling Admissions: Know which of your colleges are rolling admissions. This means the college will process and review the applications as they come in. The earlier in the application cycle you submit your completed application packet, the sooner you will get an answer.
Not rolling? Then the college begins processing applications after the application deadline.
But by submitting your completed application packet early in the cycle you are showing an interest and an eagerness to attend the college. Your submission date is part of your packet.
Major selections, Honors College: Some colleges have a limited number of spots in certain majors or in their Honors College programs. They will offer spots in these majors and the Honors Colleges as the applications are received and processed. And once those spots are full, they will not accept any more applicants into those groups. So if you submit your application later in the application process you might get accepted into the college but you might not be offered a spot in the Honors Program or the major of your choice.
Scholarships: Some college scholarship opportunities have earlier application deadlines. Be sure to research scholarships offered for each of your colleges so you can get your completed application packet in by the scholarship deadline. And check for additional submission requirements for the scholarship, i.e. essay, letter of recommendation, etc.
Application Fee Waived: More and more colleges are offering to waive the application fee if you submit your application packet by a certain date. This date is usually earlier than the final due date for applications. Because application fees can range from $40 to $100, a free application fee is an incentive worth turning your application in early.
Finally, by submitting your application early, you have time to ensure all your application requirements are met on time. Your application packet is only considered complete once all the required documents are submitted. And as you know there are a lot of documents that are part of your application packet. Early submission of your part of the application allows you time to chase down all the other parts being submitted by others on your behalf. Maybe your transcript resent is not showing up in your portal and it needs to be resent. Or you might have to politely ask your teacher to resend the letter of recommendation.
So make a plan now for your college application strategy that includes getting your college applications turned in earlier than the due date. As you can see there are many reasons you can benefit from being ahead of the game. And of course the more you do in the summer before senior year, the more time you will have senior year to focus on your classes, your extracurriculars, your leadership roles, your work, and celebrating being a senior!
Helping you take control of your college access journey!
Have questions or want personalized college access guidance?
Contact me at geigercollegeguide@gmail.com