<p>I'm going to start my Senior year in a couple weeks and I'm clueless about the process.</p>
<p>When exactly should I apply during the year?</p>
<p>How long before i get an answer?</p>
<p>What is the best time for me to apply?</p>
<p>Is apply at the end of the year bad</p>
<p>Meet with your guidance counselors the minute you get back to school…</p>
<p>^
Schedule an appointment with her now if you can.</p>
<p>I second the two posters above me, but some quick answers to your questions:</p>
<p>When exactly should I apply during the year? - this depends on where you’re applying and what plan you’re applying under. ED/EA deadlines are usually November 1 or November 15, and RD deadlines are usually around January 1. Keep in mind that every college might have different deadlines. Be on the lookout for colleges that practice rolling admissions - these will say that the deadline is X, but they accept people as the applications come in, so it’s best to apply as early as possible.</p>
<p>How long before i get an answer? - ED/EA is usually mid-December, and RD is usually late March. Again, this can vary dramatically depending on the college.</p>
<p>What is the best time for me to apply? - If it’s a school with rolling admissions, as soon as reasonably possible. Otherwise, “before the deadline.” mid-October is good for earlies and mid-December is good for regular applications, but that’s more of a personal opinion thing than a general rule.</p>