My counselor and friends say that I should apply during the first term of grade 12 (around December).
Why?
Can I apply at the end of grade 12 ?
The common application opens up on August 1, 2015. I would say know where you want to apply, for the most part, by then. Research the colleges you are want to apply to over the summer and visit, if possible. DO NOT wait until December to start crafting essays, especially if you are applying to more than 10 schools. The number of supplemental essays will kill you. I started and finished my the common app before I started my senior year, and I was glad I did because I ended up being the first in line to have my recommenders finish my LORs (and since I procrastinated on my supplemental essays, it was best to have at least that part already done). Also, it’s best to get a head start on college applications because you will be extremely busy during your senior year. If you do end up procrastinating on your supplemental essays, at least know what you want to write beforehand.
Where do you want to go?
If you want to go to a selective school (50% < acceptance rate), the final application date is early January. So no
If you want to go to a community college or a place with rolling admissions, then you can apply any time. So yes
Many scholarships are open in the second term and will want to know what school you’ll go to.
It will depend upon where you want to go for college. Like @Athana stated most deadlines are around January. If you are interested in University of California and Cal States, the deadline is November 30 of your Senior year. Good scholarships will be available the earlier you apply. Spend your Junior year researching and find which schools fit you best in regards to your Stats, finances, academics and environment. Also look to your instate colleges first for best chance and value.
You can apply the end of senior year to community colleges and some 4-year colleges that have rolling admissions or have spots remaining.
I would suggest talking to your guidance counselor about it. And not everyone has to go to college, there are other paths out there as well.
Some kids go to vocational school senior year, and then take a second year to get a technical certificate (like auto repair or cosmetology or even certain computer fields). Best to talk to your guidance counselor now if you have questions, it is likely most of the seniors are done applying and he or she will have time to speak with you about this.
As others said, you need to do things quickly senior year, so plan now.
(my brother did not apply until summer after he graduated HS, and went to a decent 4-year college, but my parents had to go out of their way to make that happen)
Thanks everyone.
And,are the deadlines different for international students?Because i am an intenrational student.
So basically,i should start applying at the end of this year, around october to december (second term of my grade 12)?
No, the deadlines are not different but since you are international, you also need to take into account the process of getting a visa which takes additional time. Once you have your admissions and I-20, you need to have an interview with a visa officer and then wait for the result. If you wait until late in the year, it will become difficult to get all of this done.
You are best off targeting applications to be completed before the December or January timeframe even if you are looking at a rollling admissions program.
Do i need to have the visa while im applying ?
You really want to target starting to apply during your next breaks. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere traditionally get some time off during July/August when essays are started, strategy is laid out, scholarship opportunities are identified, etc. I am not sure where you live (Is December the end of first term 12th grade, or the end of Second term, 12th grade? Twelfth grade, or senior year, is the final year of secondary school.)
If you get a few weeks off during those months, you should take advantage of them, as well.
- Check standardized test requirements and aim to finish them by June of this year. Take an on-line study course to prepare. If some scores are lower, retake during the beginning of second term.
In June-September, complete a draft of application essays.
Make a strategy for Early Action, Early Decision (I & II), and Regular decision. Make a calendar of due dates and plan out applications.
You will probably want to be completing applications continuously in October, November, and December.
Many colleges read and evaluate applications in Jan- April, and notify applicants of admission in April. By May, most students have committed. From May - September, final preparations can be made for the student to transition to college.
Most of the competitive colleges do not accept applications for September enrollment after the January timeframe. There are always exceptions (e.g. Univ. of Toronto).
Where are you from?
No you don’t need a visa while you are applying. In fact, your visa may be conditional on having an acceptance in hand.
You can apply for college in the US after 12th grade, but that means you will be taking a gap year. Gap years are fine - most schools don’t have any problem with them. Applications for most US college are due around Jan 1 for the year in which you intend to start school (usually September.) That means you need to have your test scores, letters of recommendation and application done by then, although most schools will be lenient if you application is in by the deadline and the rest arrives shortly thereafter.
Rolling admissions means there’s no deadline, but it also means they will review apps as they come in, and when they run out of spaces, they’re done. Also, as they have less spaces to fill, they will get pickier. So if you have any rolling admission schools on your list, the earlier you apply, the more likely it will be to get in.
My daughter applied to six rolling admission schools in mid-Sept. She had four acceptances within three weeks.
Google is your friend
Google each school’s website to find out what that school’s admissions application & scholarship deadlines are.
Junior Year:
You should be studying for the SAT and take in in March.
If you want, take it again in June.
Junior Summer year:
Start coming up with a list of colleges that match based on your intended major, area of the country, SAT/GPA scores, Type of area (rural, suburban, urban) and size of college (small or big).
Figure out how you will pay. Are you full pay? or are you looking for scholarships?
Look at last years Common Application Essay prompts and start writing your essay.
Senior Year, Fall:
Of your college list, look at the due dates and start the applications.