So I’ve been told that for ED to the top schools I should have my college application ready by August of my Junior year. That seems almost unnecessarily early though. Does it affect how colleges view your application if you send it later as long as it meets the deadline? Also for RD when should you usually have an application ready? If I postpone my regular decision applications I could have more time for taking SATs
You do not need to have your application ready in August, but you ought to be getting “your ducks in a row.” That means notifying the teachers you would like to write recommendations, pondering essay subjects, understanding any supplemental materials you might need, etc. Many schools incorporate college essay-writing into their senior English curriculum during the fall semester. You should be ready to discuss it, and prepared for productive discussions with your college or guidance counselor. Your senior year will be insanely busy, and you should be ready for it. Set up your Common Application as soon as it “goes live” in August (the usual date is 8/1). Take your fall tests (ACT/SAT) as early as possible. There are usually September seatings. If colleges you’re applying to are sending admissions representatives to your school or area, try to arrange an interview. If you have scheduling conflicts that prevent you from meeting the admissions reps, fire off friendly e-mails giving your regrets and explaining why you were unable to meet them. Nobody will ever hold a full schedule against you. Know the deadlines for Early Decision, Early Action, Priority Consideration (especially for scholarships), etc. You might want to get some applications for safety schools in early, too, because you are likely to hear from them quickly. So, omega1, you don’t need to have everything ready by August, but you need to have yourself ready, because the first 2-3 months of your senior year will fly by quickly.
ED applications for most schools is Nov 1 of Senior year. You want to have most of your testing done by Sept or Oct at the latest. You can start working on your essays and supplementals during summer when the common app questions are released. As long as your application and required materials are sent by the deadline, you should be fine. For RD, depending on which schools, deadlines can be as Early as Aug/Sept or as Late as Feb. Most schools will accept up to the December SAT sitting, some maybe January. You need to check each schools website for their deadlines.
Senior year, not junior year.
Ok thanks for the help!
To be honest, you should have your entire life and your children’s lives mapped out by August of your senior year. Seriously, get on the ball.
slights32:
“To be honest, you should have your entire life and your children’s lives mapped out by August of your senior year. Seriously, get on the ball”
Absolutely. And that kid in your avatar seems to be slacking. Is that you?
@OspreyCV22 She’s my child to come.
Try to finish ACT/SAT by the end of junior. You not only need the score on time for application, you need it to determine matching schools.