When is the Right Time to Start the College Application Process?

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When is the Right Time to Start the College Application Process?

One primary worry that families typically share when beginning the application process (no matter how early they start it) is that they are already behind the game. With admissions to highly-selective schools becoming increasingly competitive every year, students begin thinking about the impact of their choices on their future applications at a younger and younger age.But when is the right time to start the college process?Timing is important in crafting successful applications. However, it’s more crucial that you approach the process with intention—remembering the big picture even as you feel pressured by the details.The beginning of the second semester is a customary time when many high schools launch their 11th graders headfirst into the application process. Often college counselors will begin meeting with students and families to create initial college lists and plan Spring Break college trips.Perhaps you find yourself right in this spot. Maybe your high school guidance counselor doesn’t have the bandwidth to shepherd you thoroughly through the process. It’s possible you’ve been building your college list and touring campuses for months already. Or maybe you haven’t even begun to think this far ahead, and this blog post is your wake-up call!Wherever you currently are in the process at this moment is OK. Let’s take a closer look at each component of the application so you can begin forming a concrete plan for how you’re going to tackle them.

Building Your List

Before you can apply to college you have to know where you’re applying! Do not rush this step; building a list of schools that makes sense for you takes research and investigation.If you haven’t already, begin this step before spending any more thought on another part of the process. Take inventory of what you value. What conditions—size, setting, location, political leaning, religious affiliation—will best position you to be successful?Here are a few of the most helpful ways to begin building your list:

  • Do a Google search of schools that feature programs or majors you like.
  • Ask for feedback from your 12th grader friends currently going through the process about schools they like or dislike and, most importantly, why.
  • Ask a college counselor or admissions expert for suggestions based on your interests.
  • Visit local colleges to get a sense of how the “vibe” resonates with you.

If you are a sophomore or younger, you can begin this process now as well. Take note of your learning style, your extracurricular interests, and the types of experiences that mean most to you.Don’t fixate too strongly at this point on any one school, but rather start to identify the type of school that is most likely to work best for you. This will make it easier to create a list when it’s time and—much more importantly—for you to be excited about every school on that list.

Tests and Test Prep

Most high school juniors by this point have begun studying for the ACT or SAT in preparation to take exams later this Spring. Many have already taken their first official exam. If you find yourself in either of these two groups, you’re right on schedule.If you haven’t gotten this far into your planning as an 11th grader, it’s time to start thinking seriously about how you’re going to maximize your score to fit into the range of your dream schools. Of course, there are many fantastic institutions that are test-optional, so not every student will need to focus on testing as a part of this process.But colleges that do consider test scores usually place a heavy emphasis on them. It’s often the first or second-most important factor in their decision-making. Keep this in mind as you’re planning your test prep.For 9th and 10th graders gung-ho on getting a jumpstart, you can begin informal test prep even now. Focus on reading books as well as scholarly articles and publications that will increase your vocabulary and comprehension of the world. Pay attention to trends in any standardized tests your school issues, like the PSAT.  And sharpen your math skills by getting extra practice from your teacher or through programs like those you might find on Khan Academy.The summer between 10th and 11th grade is a great time to begin formal test prep. But remember, the most important determinant in successful test prep is student buy-in. You must be willing to put in the work to see the results.

Activity Lists and Resumes

Now we’re getting into the meat of your application. Whether you’re applying through the Common App or another school-specific platform, you’ll be required to list and detail your extracurricular activities and accomplishments.Many students overlook the importance of this section of the application and leave this until the end. But you can use the description boxes to tell a compelling story about how you’ve chosen to spend your time and what you value.We suggest beginning your activity list over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. With final exams, AP tests, and other work in your rear-view mirror, you can concentrate on laying the groundwork to craft a great application. It will likely take several drafts to refine your activity list to its strongest version, so start early and give yourself the time to best represent yourself.For 9th and 10th graders, know that even before you craft an activity list, you are building its content. Make a habit of being an active participant in your clubs, taking leadership over your activities, and engaging fully in whatever you pursue. Keep an ongoing resume on your computer, updating it once a semester so you remember how much time you spent developing your skills and what your major accomplishments were in real-time.

Essays

Strong essays take time. You cannot rush through the drafting process and hope to tell your best story. We recommend students begin working on their personal statement over the summer.Before you put pen to paper (not that anyone still writes that way…) think about the big picture ideas you want to convey.

  • What traits do you hope the reader takes away about you?
  • What tone do you want to strike?
  • What personal events or milestones are important for the reader to know?
  • What does the rest of your application say about you, and is there anything missing?

From here you can begin brainstorming ideas for how to tell that story. Be open to the ways in which your essay will reveal itself as you draft. What you thought was your conclusion may end up making a captivating introduction.Don’t focus on the amount of work involved in poring over 10-12 drafts of one essay. Focus instead on how amazing you’ll feel reading a final product that represents your best writing and moves someone who has never met you to advocate for you.Likewise, with college-specific supplements, begin compiling notes as soon as possible. When you visit a school, take pictures and jot down whatever stood out to you—majors, buildings, professors, dorms, study abroad opportunities, and the like. This will make it much easier to write those supplemental essays in the late summer or fall.

Letters of Recommendation

Typically, your letters of recommendation will come from 11th grade teachers, although sometimes it’s appropriate for students to deviate from this.You’ll want to ask your teachers if they would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation for you before the end of the school year. This will help your teachers plan their summer workload and help you stay ahead of the curve, avoiding a scramble in the fall. It also forges the connection you have with that teacher while the experiences of the year are fresher in both of your minds.Because most recommendation letters are positive, successful students go beyond simply asking for recommendations; they recall meaningful experiences and moments of growth for their teachers, helping them increase the specificity with which the recommendation is written.Be precise and thorough in your follow up with your teacher. If he or she has specific steps you must follow, stay on top of it. If they don’t, follow up with your teacher with a well-crafted thank you note that not only shows gratitude to them but also highlights specific memories as mentioned above. Do this shortly after asking for a letter and it will help your teacher turn those specific memories into a compelling recommendation. You should complete this part of the process ideally by the end of the school year so it can be most useful for your teachers, but you can certainly send them a follow up early into summer too.

School Forms

Pay close attention to the deadlines each school you’re applying to posts. While some are flexible for glitches in mail delivery or other things beyond your control, some will consider your application late or incomplete if everything isn’t processed by the deadline.Ask your college counselor or the school registrar for any forms you’ll need them to send with enough time in advance to allow for delays. Without receiving the school profile, your transcript, and other supporting documents, colleges cannot make an informed decision about you or understand the full context of your application.When you begin this part of the process will largely depend on where you apply. For those considering early action or early decision, you’ll want to start within the first month of senior year.One cannot underemphasize the word “process” in college process. Many individual pieces come together to form one cohesive application that represents years of work. By dedicating yourself to being the best high school student you can be, you are already indirectly beginning the college process.And for those of you in 11th grade, now is the time to begin putting that legacy you’ve been building into a powerful application. Bon voyage!The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us

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