When exactly should a student apply to a college?

[LuckyMamaInDE]

(1) Contact the high school and see what resources (if any) they have to offer their students. We've been having meetings all along with the guidance counselors at ds's high school, the kids had "junior advisory" a few times a week last school year, the kids requested teachers for recommendations in the spring, and the kids have assignments to complete over the summer (make a final list, work on the common ap essay, etc). The parents were given a detailed timetable for the college process. We also have a meeting already scheduled for the second week of school.

(2) Go over to College Confidential and start reading http://talk.collegeconfidential.com Pay attention to the parents' forum and to the financial aid/scholarship forum. Read the stickies

 

[powellrj]

Now is the time to look into it. I graduated in '99 and my high school started having people fill out and send things in during the spring of Junior year. When I showed up in august of my senior year, I was considered a late application. I had no idea I was supposed to apply sooner, and they had only notified the "top students" to apply early... so with a 3.5 and a 31 ACT I got waitlisted to schools that were accepting people with a 2.5 and a 21...

Unless things have changed a lot in the last 10 years, I would check with schools to know the soonest you can apply. Apply early because it is easier to get in- they will not accept you and then change their mind- but being wait listed when you are way above their average acceptance can be nerve wracking. I didn't know for sure if I could even go to college until a month before school started.

This happened to my DS except he was the kid with a 3.2 and applied the first week they took applications. It was the middle of August and he was accepted the week of Halloween. Kids with 3.7 who waited until after Christmas were wait listed. He knew what school he wanted to attend so he only applied to one school. Looking back it could have been a huge mistake, but it worked out in the end.

 

[allison443]

OP my dd made a chart

Name of school-application-essay(s)-transcript request form given to HS with fee-SAT/ACT scores sent-teachers recommendation request given to teachers.


Then she put a check mark in each column as it was completed. She applied to nine schools. This was just a visual way for us to keep track and there were no panic moments of "did I send everything?"

Her high school had a form that was to be submitted to guidance. It was something like I hereby request my official transcript be sent to (school) and we paid like $4 per transcript.

Most of the applications were totally online, so she could log on to her account and confirm if things were received by the admissions office.

Good luck!

 

[allison443]

Now is the time to look into it. I graduated in '99 and my high school started having people fill out and send things in during the spring of Junior year. When I showed up in august of my senior year, I was considered a late application. I had no idea I was supposed to apply sooner, and they had only notified the "top students" to apply early... so with a 3.5 and a 31 ACT I got waitlisted to schools that were accepting people with a 2.5 and a 21...
.

That's ridiculous! What schools waitlisted you?

 

[donac]

I would also encourage your child to apply to one school that has rolling admissions. Then they would not have to wait for all their acceptance in March or April. If they get in it takes the pressure off of them

 

[mistysue]

That's ridiculous! What schools waitlisted you?

I actually got wait listed at both Michigan State and Western Michigan... neither of which are impressive schools. Given my grades, honors courses, having been at a good private school and taken a full course load every semester for 4 years- it was really puzzling to say the least. I actually qualified to be in MSU's honors program but wasn't admitted.

My parents were really mad at the high school because the previous year I had gone in and asked when I should be looking at things and they told me to wait until senior year- then senior year started and they acted like I was slacking off for not taking care of it sooner. I applied in September and a lot of other students were already finding out they got in to places within a month of then. I got letters in late winter telling me I couldn't currently be accepted but could be added to their list if I would like.

 

[CTdiznymom]

OP, you're getting some great info. I can only add, ask for your letter of recommendation asap as some teachers/counselors take forever getting them done. They get hit all at once with requests.

 

[Planogirl]

OP, you're getting some great info. I can only add, ask for your letter of recommendation asap as some teachers/counselors take forever getting them done. They get hit all at once with requests.

THAT will be a big challenge since DS procrastinates when it comes to things like this. He'll just have to get moving.

I did see that there was a difference between Early Decision and Early Action. I will look for that terminology and we'll be very cautious. There are a few schools that are good but expensive without scholarships or grants or whatever. I don't want to be bound to them without the financial backup in place.

I really do appreciate all of the advice!

 

[Psychodisney]

Going through the same process with my soon to be senior son. There is an excellent template/sample activity resume on Marquette University's website. I think it is on the site withthe application.

 

[southtexasmom]

My DS will be attending college this fall, he applied to 3 different schools, 2 were out of state, 1 school started accepting applications Sept. 1, one was Oct. 1 and the other was Nov. 1. He was accepted at all three but didn't have to make a decision until May 1.

My suggestion is to get the letters of recommendation ASAP

 

[Planogirl]

Going through the same process with my soon to be senior son. There is an excellent template/sample activity resume on Marquette University's website. I think it is on the site withthe application.

Thank you!

I found a great list on TCU's site but a template sounds way better.

 

[js]

I have a ds who will be a college senior. Is there usually a form for the activities resume provided by the college applying to? Or should he create his own form- perhaps in excel? Maybe his hs will go over this but it would be great to do anything over the summer to get a head start.

For those that have incoming HS Freshman, I would suggest not waiting until the last moment to begin your HS resume.
My dd's HS, a college prep HS, has the college advisor give Freshman a list of questions to be answered and typed in a Word document.
She requests at the end of each year, the document to be updated and handed back to her. I update it as things change with my dd (volunteer work, internerships, etc.).

Linnylu, since you are just beginning, I would suggest you try to sit down and write what you son has done from Freshman Year to now. Volunteer Work, Leadership, Work, Grades, Courses he likes and why, etc.
We have a few pages to fill out but have it saved at work so I can't remember it all now.
Good luck to all. My dd will be going into her HS Junior year and we looked at our first college last week (we were advised to try to see 3 over the summer, but it looks like we will get in two). We saw Lehigh last week and going to Fordham in August.

Good luck to all!

 

[allison443]

For those that have incoming HS Freshman, I would suggest not waiting until the last moment to begin your HS resume.
My dd's HS, a college prep HS, has the college advisor give Freshman a list of questions to be answered and typed in a Word document.
She requests at the end of each year, the document to be updated and handed back to her. I update it as things change with my dd (volunteer work, internerships, etc.).

Linnylu, since you are just beginning, I would suggest you try to sit down and write what you son has done from Freshman Year to now. Volunteer Work, Leadership, Work, Grades, Courses he likes and why, etc.
We have a few pages to fill out but have it saved at work so I can't remember it all now.
Good luck to all. My dd will be going into her HS Junior year and we looked at our first college last week (we were advised to try to see 3 over the summer, but it looks like we will get in two). We saw Lehigh last week and going to Fordham in August.

Good luck to all!

Just wanted to mention about visiting colleges...we found it was more useful to visit during the school year as compared to the ones we visited in the summer. We could get a better feel for the atmosphere, and one of my dds was applying to very large schools, so she wanted to see if it would be too overwhelming when school was in full swing. On our visits after the info session/tour we always tried to go to the student union/cafeteria, pick up the school newspaper, check out the bulletin boards to see what kind of activities were going on, etc. Just to get a feel for the place.

Many schools had classes on Presidents' Day, Columbus Day, and other random days that my kids were off from school (teachers' inservice, etc.) So we used those days to visit colleges.

Good luck to everyone.


edited to add, I just reread and saw your dd is a junior! I think it's great you are starting now!

 

[drwitz]

And I work in college financial aid, so if I can help answer any questions, let me know. I used to have a blog on financial aid at my last employer as well (if you search a little you can find it) and many general questions are answered there.

Also, if you like discussion boards, and want one on college Admissions and Aid, you could visit http://talk.collegeconfidential.com which is a very complete college discussion board.

Hope this helps!