I have two questions related to the college application process:
- S21 has filled out some information on the Common App, but was waiting to input the essay and the information for each individual school until August 1. He was planning on completing the applications and possibly submitting them, but I was wondering whether there are any downsides to submitting applications "early," i.e., right when they open up? Could he have more information once the school year starts to input or to provide schools? He has an ACT score to submit, so he isn't waiting on that.
- S21 participated in high school sports Freshman, Sophomore and JR. years, but was on the JV team only JR year. The Common App asks about high school sports, but seems like only JV/Varsity level. Can he still claim high school sports as an activity even if he was not on the JV/Varsity teams all three years? He was on the Frosh/Soph teams as a Freshman and Sophomore.
Yes, he can claim his sports participation. Admissions is only interested in participation, not skills.
My D submitted all her apps early and absolutely put down her participation in sports in 9th and 10th grade. She was on JV soph year but her freshman year sports went on her app too)…
The only downside to submitting early is if the application isn’t strong and 1st semester senior year grades are needed to show an upward trend or boost a students GPA.
IMO, being done early was a gift!
Word of caution though - D had all her applications in before her senior year started because she knew she had a rough schedule and a lot of commitments. She assumed she was done but then she started getting invites to apply to honors college programs which required another round of essay writing. Some schools had upwards of 3 honors specific essays.
I don’t think there’s a downside or upside to early submission, unless there’s rolling admissions. And even then, Aug. 1 is way early.
There’s certainly an advantage to being done early. But pushing the submit button - not so much, IMO.
Yes, include all sports participation. They want to know who you are, what interests you, etc.
@twoinanddone, @momofsenior1, and @RichInPitt: Thanks for your help! I think it would be good to get some of the applications in before school starts just to get them finished, but I always want to do things early, and my S21 never sees what the “rush” is.