As we are coming up on some deadlines for college applications, I think now would be a good time to get a roadmap of the college application process. When are things due? When should you ask for recommendations, etc? When should you start writing your essays?
Well first off, the common app portal doesn’t open up until August 1st, so the best thing to do until that time is look at some scholarships to apply for. Scholarships are very important and while some universities have scholarships attached to their university, finding obscure and niche scholarships also will help you. You can also start to ask around for recommendation letters from teachers. Teachers don’t want to be notified at the last minute that you want them to write one for you, so ask way in advance. You will have to request them on Schoolinks as well as asking them in person.
Throughout the month of August you should be focusing on getting the common app section done. You will want to make an account on a common app if you don’t have one already, and you will want to add all the colleges you are applying to on there. On a common app, pick a prompt from the writing section and begin to work on your personal statement. Your personal statement is what gets sent to all colleges and while it has a word limit of 650 words, that is the essay that gets valued the most.
The month of September will be similar looking. You will want to start working on your personal essay a lot more (it should be your priority). You will also want to confirm your letter of recommendations and lock it in by requesting them on Schoolinks. You will also want to be working on supplemental essays at the same time. These are going to vary based on your college list-the higher end colleges will usually have supplemental essays or required college questions.
The month of October you will want to be close to done with the majority of all essays. I would have 2-4 supplemental essays left depending on how many colleges you have on your list. This month will be more focused on reviewing your college profile on a common app as a whole and how it will look to colleges.