I am seeking some suggestions on how to help my Son organize his college application process. As of now he has 15 schools on his list. Our high school does not use Naviance, so everything is done by individuals with no way to track what has been completed. Friends have spoken about using an index card system, some have said they use folders, some use expand folders and spread sheets. I want to help with organization only so he doesn’t moss deadlines, knows all the requirements etc. Any thoughts would be welcome. I don’t want to use anything that I soo complicated it will result in me doing more than assisting in organization. Thanks in advance.
You have a valid concern. Take it in steps. Is he targeting the very top colleges? If so, he will need to take both SAT Subject Tests and the SAT or ACT. In addition to standardized tests he needs to work on his essays this summer. Ideally when summer is over he’s got at least the Common App essays done. He should find Alan Gelb’s book and Harry Bauld’s book’s extremely helpful right about now. Teacher recommendations need to be requested about 6 weeks before any admissions deadline.The first hard and fast deadline you’ll face is Early Decision or Early Action deadlines either November 1st or mid November along with preliminary financial aid documents. The next set of deadlines are the Regular Decision deadlines from Jan 1st through usually no later than Feb 1st. About a month later financial aid deadlines will require you to complete your Tax Return much earlier than normal. Scholarship deadlines fall anywhere from the start of Senior year through the spring. I have an excel spreadsheet I’ve created with deadlines for the 100 top colleges in the US. Send me a message with your e-mail if you want it.
^good advice. I created an excel spreadsheet with all pertinent info on deadlines, ED, RD, application fees, interviews, supplements, audition dates (if applicable), campus visits, required standardized testing, scholarship deadlines (if applicable), financial aid deadlines etc. There’s probably more but you get the idea.
Or you can use a google doc.
There is so much info that comes via email, snail mail etc that it’s best to have it at your finger tips and you can check it off as each is finished.
We used an excel spreadsheet with submission dates, deadlines, expected responses, and more importantly, links to the school’s portals, user names and passwords. I was surprised to find such different username/password requirements, those were the biggest PITA.
Thanks for the info about the spreadsheet. Still looking for any and all additional advice
Some people will frown on this but I had kid make a new email address first.middle initial.last@gmail.com for all college related materials. We both have access to it. It made it much easier for him to keep that application material separate and not miss things and much easier for me to double check that things were being opened and dealt with.
Have you checked out collegeappwizard.com? I haven’t started using it yet but it looks like a cool tool to help keep track of college requirements and application progress.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Checking college app wizard now.