It's undoubtedly that time of year, seniors, where you start to hear your friends and classmates talking about applying to college and for financial aid. Are you feeling pressure that your plans may not be yet fully laid out? Don't be! It is important to recognize your friends and classmates may have very different timelines than you may have based on a variety of factors. You've got time!
Your job is to understand how you are applying to college (Early Decision? Early Action? Regular Admission?), when the deadlines for your specific schools are, and what you need to do to meet the admissions requirements. Each college may have its own admissions deadline and then perhaps a different deadline for when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is due.
In addition to keeping an open line of communication about your college admissions and financial aid processes with your parent(s) and school counselor, the best thing you can do is to stay organized. Feel free to use our college planning timeline on the first two pages of our College Admissions Insider for our College Guru's Suggested Timeline to keep track of your important college deadlines.
One of the first deadlines in the application process is for those students applying Early Action or Early Decision. Early application status is generally intended for students who are a strong fit for a particular college or university. Most early applicants have grades and standardized test scores at or above the average admitted student for the college. To apply early, students will have to adjust all their timelines so that the pieces of their application are ready to send in early November (usually by November 1st or 15th). If you think you might be a good candidate for Early Action or Early Decision, it is important to have a conversation with your school counselor to determine if this is indeed a good fit for you. Learn more about applying to college here!
There is still plenty of time to meet with one of our Center for College Planning (CCP) College Counselors to talk through the college admissions process and to identify a list of schools that may be a good fit and match for you (and to file your FAFSA!). Call us at 888.747.2382, ext. 119 to schedule your appointment today!
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