Stressed about college application deadlines? Here are 5 tips to help you finish your applications strong.

This time of year makes for very anxious high school seniors as many wait to hear back from colleges about their admissions decisions. The period between submitting applications and receiving decisions can feel like an eternity and often leaves students in an academic limbo with many thinking, “I’ve done all I can and the decision is in the hands of the admissions committee — what else can I do?”

Many colleges are known for getting creative with their essay prompts, sometimes asking weird and wacky questions to encourage students to dig for thoughtful, creative responses. Another way some colleges are shaking up the college admissions process is with college application videos.

Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class. From asking about a student’s favorite snack to designing their dream seminars, many colleges are getting creative with their supplement questions so that admissions officers can learn as much about applicants as possible.

Summer is a great time for you to catch up on your college prep, including pulling together some materials that will be helpful when it’s time to start the college application process. Compiling a list of your activities, awards, internships, and more is a great way to organize all the information you want colleges to know — and sets you up for a smoother college application experience. 

What if you could enroll at college without the additional stress of the competitive admissions process? It’s possible with direct admissions — a growing trend that more colleges and universities are using to increase education access, decrease gatekeeping, and save both applicants and admissions officers time and stress. But what is it, and how does it work? Learn more about direct admissions and how the process differs from traditional applications. 

A letter of continued interest (often referred to as a LOCI) is a written statement that a student sends to the admissions office of a school they are still interested in attending, despite being deferred or waitlisted. Generally, these letters reiterate the student’s interest in and fit for the college in question and update the admissions office on any achievements that the student has earned since submitting their initial application.

Once you’ve put the finishing touches on your list of best-fit colleges, it’s time to consider application strategy. More specifically, rising seniors need to decide when they will apply to the schools on their list.

Early Decision can be a great application option for a student who is passionate about a certain school and able to meet the deadline. Keep reading to learn more about this application strategy and to determine whether applying early is the right move for you.

Early Decision and Early Action notifications are right around the corner, and many students have already received their admissions decisions. With so many more students applying to college this year, unfortunately, there isn’t a spot for everyone. But remember, it isn’t the end of the world if you were not accepted early!

Regular Decision deadlines are around the corner, which means it’s time for students to put the finishing touches on their applications. It’s a good idea to carefully review your applications before submitting, but what should you be mindful of when proofreading your college apps?