When should you start submitting college applications? Of course this depends on which schools you want to attend and when their applications are due. You need to start far in advance so that you have the time you need to get forms, letters of recommendation, request transcripts, write essays, and fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for other scholarships or grants.
What you need to know about applying to college on time is that there are two main types of admissions calendars, rolling admissions and set admissions deadlines. These admissions calendars often reflect the academic schedules of set start dates. Many traditional colleges have one or two start dates, and other colleges such as some online colleges often have rolling or many start dates per year.
Get Your Application Due Dates
Take your list of target schools and find out from each one when their applications are due. Once you have this list of deadlines you can plan your customized timeline. It is best to make two sets of deadlines for each school, one that is your target of when you would like to send all the materials in and one that is the absolute deadline provided by the school itself.
If you are still in high school then you should review your college plans and goals with your guidance counselor including your GPA, SAT and other college test scores.
Those of you already in the work force should also use the people around them to help with the planning phase. Often a mentor or senior manager is a good start. Sometimes it makes sense to speak with someone in the HR department about career advance options and how a degree will help you reach your goals.
Gather College Applications, Letters of Recommendation and Request Transcripts
Now its time to get all the applications in one place. You should go to the web sites and call the schools to request the application packets. If you plan to apply online make sure you make a list of the websites you will need to use to fill out the applications.
Make a list of who you think will provide the best letters of recommendation. Even if your college of choice does not require them it is always a good idea to know who you would ask and even have them write it so you have it handy. Letters of recommendation are great for college applications, internship applications and even required for some jobs. Make sure you get the letters from people who know you and have some compelling story of their own, i.e. they are very senior or well known in their area of expertise.
Request transcripts from your former schools and make sure you have all of them in multiple copies sealed and ready to send to your target schools. Some schools may require that the transcripts be sent directly to them or put in special envelopes so make sure you check the college applications for instructions.
Start Applications, Ask For Recommendations
It is a good idea at this point to start filling out the admissions applications and start the outlines for your essays.
Send a letter, email or call everyone from your list of potential recommenders. You need to give them time to write them and you may even need to set aside some time to meet with some of them so that they have a better understanding of the things you want them to highlight in their letter.
Open up a copy of your transcripts and make sure that everything is included and correct.
If there are college or career fairs happening in your are you should do your best to attend. You may find a new school that you have not thought of or you may have the chance to meet people from one of your target schools.
Some applications have multiple parts the first part is often basic information called the “Common Application”. You should send this first part of the application in at this point.
If you are applying early decision it is probably time to submit your full application at this point. Often you can apply early and if you don’t make it in the first time you can still re-apply for regular admission.
Compile a list of scholarships, grants and come up with a financial aid plan. There are many resources to help you find scholarships, do your research and get all the applications that you think you might qualify for.
Extra Tip: It is a good idea to scan and or make copies of everything you submit to the schools.
Main College Application, Campus Housing, Student Funding
You should be organized and have most of the application done so you might as well go ahead and get it done and out the door. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to deal with address issues or slow mail.
It is important to finish the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at this point. Often scholarships and other types of financial aid request that you fill out FAFSA prior to applying for their grants and funding.
Many schools require you to apply for housing at the time you send in the final application. If not you may have to find college housing on your own.
Extra Tip: Make your application stand out by using certified return receipt or even FedEx. This will provide you with a confirmation so you know the school got the materials and help your file stand out.
This application schedule is just a recommendation. You should allow yourself at least six to nine months prior to when you want to attend college, or when the new academic schedule begins, to get all your application information in. Not everyone can begin the process this far in advance and if you are one of them don’t worry you can still get everything organized and in to the schools in time. Start as early as possible.
You have your application strategy so now what are you waiting for? It is sometimes hard to start these things but the best advice it to jump in and begin. The faster you start the faster you can finish and get your college degree. Good luck and go get that diploma.
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