So when do I start?

<p>Just wondering what my time schedule should be for this summer as far as college applications go. I want to apply early action to my first choice UNC as they don't have early decision but also want to apply early action at Michigan, Wisconsin and Clemson. I think I am going to wait to apply to my state flagship (University of Missouri-Columbia) because I am guaranteed admission there. So how should I go about beginning the application process?</p>

<p>Good for you!</p>

<p>I don’t know the specifics of any of the colleges you mentioned, but here are my suggestions:[ul][<em>]if school is still in session, ask your favorite teachers if they can write good recs for you now, and beat the rush. Otherwise, do this ASAP in the fall. Note: ask if they have the time / can write good recs / etc, to give them an out if they don’t really like you.[</em>]Look at the CommonApp <a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx&lt;/a&gt; - the questions aren’t changing this year - and get a head start on the essays. Don’t rush them.[*]get a good job / volunteer position this summer[/ul]Good luck!</p>

<p>Well to give you some idea… I’ve already asked 1 of my 2 teachers for a rec (I know who the 2nd is… haven’t gotten around to it) and just finished typing my resume this afternoon (for the recommendations). Furthermore, I’ve already written about 2/3 of my amazing essay, haha. While this is just the beginning… it is a good portion of the work. I really want to be done with ALL of this ASAP in the fall so I can concentrate on really improving my GPA senior year.</p>

<p>I’ve finalized my list of “match” schools and have 1 reach. Safeties… I don’t care too much about. Obviously I have them, but they’re at the bottom of my mind. I wouldn’t mind Penn State-UP too much… but Rutgers… ick.</p>

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<p>Its all rather funny… I’m a notorious procrastinator. Haha… need to get in the right mindframe!</p>

<p>I waited until December 15 to start my applications. That was not a good idea. Do not do that. x_x</p>

<p>Thank you all this helped a ton! I will get started and what not!</p>

<p>At a minimum, you want to have a draft of the Common App done by the time fall classes begin; this will let you focus on whatever supplements you want during the year. The more you do over the summer, the more you can focus on classes in the fall, which is a plus.</p>