TIMING YOUR APPLICATIONS

GENERAL TIPS FOR FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS

Apply early. For many highly competitive colleges, the deadline for applications is January 1. If you are applying early action or early decision, it is even earlier. For others, the deadline is February 1 or before.

Know the exact application deadline for each college you plan to apply to and have your application completed several weeks earlier than that date.

Some high schools prefer that you turn your application into the guidance office, where the other necessary forms (transcripts, recommendations, etc. ) will be attached and the entire package mailed at the same time. Please find out exactly what the policy is at your school, and be sure to give your completed application to the guidance office several weeks in advance of the school's specified date.

Read all directions on the application thoroughly before you even think about filling it out.

Make one or two copies of each application form before you fill it out.

Practice filling out these copies first and save the original copy for your final draft.

Keep an application checklist for each college you are applying to.

Don't throw anything away instructions, correspondence, test results, addresses, etc. Losing an important piece of paper could ruin all your careful planning.

Fill out the application neatly, accurately, and thoroughly. Type your application or print it neatly if you have good handwriting. Remember, the point of your whole application is to create the best possible impression, and a sloppily filled out form may be taken as a lack of respect or commitment or interest.

Make copies of the completed applications and any other important forms before you mail them to the colleges or turn them in to your guidance office, whichever is the case.

Send your application by certified mail if possible so you will be automatically notified as soon as it is received. You might include a stamped, self addressed postcard for the college to mail back to you when they receive the application. In any case, if you do not receive confirmation that the application has been received, write or phone the college to make sure the form has not been lost.

Remember to file financial aid forms by the dead line they are due.

TIMING YOUR APPLICATION

Most students applying to competitive colleges mail in their applications in November, December, and January of their senior year. Admissions folders at these colleges are usually evaluated between February and late March. The colleges send out their acceptance, wait list, or rejection letters on or about April 15, and students are required to select the college they will attend by May 1. Not all colleges follow this calendar, however. At schools with rolling admissions, applicants are accepted or rejected within three to six weeks of completion of their files. A complete file contains the application, official transcript, and any other documents required by the school (such as teacher recommendations and official test scores). The admissions committees at these schools make a decision on each application immediately rather than waiting until all applications have been received and compared.

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