<p>I know it seems like a really basic question but I'm not really sure as to when applications should be filled out? I of course want to get a head start so that I can ease off the pressure a little bit in grade 12. </p>
<p>When did you guys start to fill them out? Did you have enough time?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I have the same question.</p>
<p>You can look at the previous year's apps, but D's colleges did not have the 2007-2008 apps available until the fall (after school had started). Unfortunately, even with the best of planning, you'll probably feel overwhelmed---you will be at your busiest with classes, potentially taking the SAT again, taking SAT IIs, and having to do all the college apps. You should start thinking about essays---look at books and look online for some examples to get you thinking. Each school will have its own prompts, but if you can come up with a couple of good ideas, you will be ahead of the game.
Also, you can check to see which of the schools you are interested in use the Common App, which helps the process too. GOOD LUCK!!!</p>
<p>Some state universities, which may be your safety sometimes be fill out during the summer. See when the applications are released, and subsequently fill them out. Definitely fill out the rolling admissions ones first. </p>
<p>Maybe start on some ideas about personal statements, since most colleges require at least one of them.</p>
<p>what are personal statements?</p>
<p>Start writing your essays the summer before senior year. Use that time to brainstorm what you want to talk about, since most of the college essay questions are basically the same. Do the common app essays. Most importantly, figure out your college list and print out or request those applications early on. Spend the beginning of the school year filling out the apps - the basic information is not difficult to fill out once you've done one form.</p>
<p>start as EARLY AS YOU CAN!!!!! stressing over applications killed my senior year. do you essays over the summer and come up with a plan of attack before school starts. talk to teachers early about rec letters so they dont have to rush. discuss things with your councelour, do research, and take visits early. make a list of the colleges you want to apply to and record their requirements. my god im so glad im done with all this. now all i have to do is sit around and wait. anyway, GOOD LUCK!!!</p>
<p>We've recently created a site with some basic information about the college admissions process. You should visit it first to see if it already answers some of your questions. </p>
<p><a href="http://collegeadmissions.pbwiki.com/%5B/url%5D">http://collegeadmissions.pbwiki.com/</a></p>
<p>Practically all college applications involve a statement where you talk about yourself, this would be a personal statement. Usually it can be a specific question, but sometimes it will be completely vague, like "What do you think is your best attribute?" or even just "Tell us about yourself" (in so many words.) It is good to write down a list of personal accomplishments, obstacles that have been overcome, and anything that would be unique to you. </p>
<p>Also, go to a few friends and family members, and have them write down a few words that they would describe for you. I did this, and it really helped deciding how I should show my personality, or what I should talk about.</p>
<p>Where are you applying? Some people may have insight into what type of applications essays you may have to write.</p>
<p>Personal statements are basically college essays. You might have to write multiple college essays because of different prompts, but if you can use the Common App for all your schools, then just one essay will do the trick. (And if you have a versatile topic for your college essay, you can probably make tweaks to it to fit scholarship essays later on.)</p>
<p>Most schools won't have their applications available at this point, but the common app never changes, and many schools use prompts similar to the ones on the CA. You should check that out (available online at <a href="http://www.commonapp.org)%5B/url%5D">www.commonapp.org)</a>. Of course, after you've done your research of schools and visited some of them, start thinking about why you want to go to these schools. You'll probably have to answer a short answer question or write another essay about why you want to attend X University.</p>
<p>If you're planning on getting teacher recs from popular teachers, ask them before the end of junior year. Even if they tell you to come back in the fall, at least you'll be on their radar. Some teachers might have quotas and will only do a certain number of recs.</p>
<p>For the most part, you'll probably start filling out applications in late August or at the beginning of the school year, since that's when applications become available. But since most applications are very similar, as long as you know the gist of the questions, you don't need the actual application in front of you (although you will have word and character limits). </p>
<p>Oh yes, and start looking for scholarships now if you plan on applying for them. Some scholarships have early deadlines (Coca Cola Scholarships, which I missed, unfortunately), and some are offered to juniors.</p>