What Are the Benefits of Starting the College Application Process Early?

The college application process can be time-consuming. Give yourself a competitive advantage and increase your admission chances at a school that fits well with you by starting the process early. Remember that your peers may follow their own paths, so do not worry too much about what they are doing. For example, some students apply to four colleges and get accepted to all, while others apply to 24 and are rejected by 20. Your strategy may involve applying to two safety colleges where you definitely will get accepted, two colleges where you will probably be accepted and two colleges where you might be accepted.

School Selection

Before you begin researching colleges, evaluate your academic and personal preferences. Think about factors such as housing and meal plans. Are intramural sports and student body organizations important? Do you want to interact with your professors? Are you comfortable taking classes with over 100 students? Even if you are uncertain about your intended major, consider the academic programs that interest you. After completing a self-evaluation, research colleges that match your preferences and visit as many as possible. By starting the college application process early, you will have time to thoughtfully select schools.

Application

After choosing the colleges that you want to apply to, the next hurdle is getting accepted. Most schools require a basic application, a few essays, a resume and an application fee. You also must include standardized test scores, such as SAT or ACT scores, as well as recommendation letters. A few colleges conduct interviews using active alumni. The earlier you understand the college application process, the more time you will have to improve any weak areas, thereby strengthening your application. For instance, upon determining the number of references you need, give yourself time to find individuals that have seen your best work and then give them sufficient time to write strong recommendations. You can get admitted into college without straight As or a 4.0 grade point average, but you must work harder to prepare an application that portrays your best attributes, like your commitment to extracurricular activities, school leadership, athletics or volunteer work. Even if you work after school and are unable to participate in extracurriculars, you can positively highlight your work experience on your college application when you explain why you had to work.

Deadlines

Applications become due from late December to late March during senior year of high school. Early decision and early action programs allow you to apply even earlier, though the programs vary by college. Deadlines for early programs are around November of your senior year, so that you receive your results by January or February. An early decision program allows you to apply early to one school. If you receive an early decision admission, then you must accept and withdraw any regular deadline applications. With an early action acceptance, you can still apply to other colleges and postpone accepting admission until you get results from them as well.

Financial Aid

Higher education comes at a high price tag. Most students turn to federal or private loans to pay for their college degree. Begin the application process early so that you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges often use FAFSA results when creating financial aid award packages. By submitting a financial aid application early, you will be in a better position to receive available grants and scholarships.

Stress

Juggling class, activities and time with family and friends while applying to colleges can quickly become stressful. Start the college application process early by researching schools and understanding application requirements. Throughout the process, remember to eat, sleep and exercise so that you avoid neglecting your health. An easy way to remain calm is to create an organization system that sorts information about colleges, application requirements and financial aid using charts or folders.