Many high school seniors are preparing to submit college applications this week. Here’s how to enjoy Halloween with November 1st application deadlines looming:
- Don’t wait until the deadline to submit. The Common App, like most technology, tends to remind us of Murphy’s Law when the stakes are the highest. Plan to submit a few days before the actual deadline. Find a time when you can sit uninterrupted to focus on this very important task. Trust me, there is nothing scarier than sitting at the kitchen table on Halloween night, trying to submit applications with a glitchy Common App and throngs of trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell every 5 minutes.
- You’ve looked at your essay, activities list and supplemental questions over & over – get someone you trust to look at your application with fresh eyes. Assuming you’ve spent the last few weeks, or months, crafting your essay and supplements, this is not the time to make major edits. It is the time to catch spelling errors and typos. Don’t rely on spell check or grammar checkers. Don’t forget to proofread the details – email addresses, birth dates, telephone numbers, test scores (if you are submitting them), current class listings — everything.
- Review each section of each college’s application requirements – even if the green check mark is appearing. Optional items that are left blank, will not show up as incomplete. Check to make sure you have answered all the optional questions and/or provided the optional submissions (like a resume or writing assignment) that you think will enhance your application.
- Check your email. The Common App will send you a confirmation email after you have successfully submitted each application – make sure you receive them. Continue to check email regularly throughout the process. Log in to online portals right away, if provided by the schools. If anything is missing from your application the colleges will contact you via email or the portal.
Treat yourself by taking the time to carefully complete your applications early this week.